An Intimate Rooftop Wedding at The Mills House in Charleston

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Many couples choose one of two paths for their wedding vows — either deciding early on to go with traditional vows, taking all the pressure off themselves, or they obsess for weeks (months!) over exactly the right way to express their unconditional love, affection, and devotion to their betrothed — in front of a crowd.

Kayla and Austin Thomas decided to take a path less traveled.

This couple stood before fifty of their closest friends and family and went totally off the cuff. They let spontaneity, love, and joy lead the way. In Kayla’s words, “We made them up on the spot!”

And that’s exactly how these two operate in life and when planning a wedding. They’re giddy in love, absolutely inseparable, and best friends above all else. There was no need to plan the vows ahead of time — this is how they feel every day.

In a wooden-paneled room, a bride in a white dress and veil kisses her groom in a light suit. — “He knew from the moment he saw my picture that he wanted to marry me. It was only a matter of time,” says Kayla. Image: N. Mickle Photography

The Charleston-based couple first met online, but not on a traditional dating app — Kayla looks back fondly on the day she received a friend request on Snapchat from a cute, tattooed drummer. She had just transferred to art school in Chicago, and a day spent thrift shopping was exactly the kind of first date that would win her heart. They’ve been side-by-side ever since.

Framed wedding welcome sign reads, "Welcome to the wedding of Kayla Zelenz & Austin Thomas, July 13, 2024," with a reflection of nearby buildings visible at this intimate rooftop Charleston wedding. — On July 13, 2024, Kayla and Austin tied the knot in front of 50 of their nearest and dearest at The Mills House Hotel in Charleston. Image: N. Mickle Photography

A pair of white heels, floral stationery, a perfume bottle, pearl earrings, and a necklace are elegantly arranged on a brown surface. — Kayla’s accessories and floral invitation suite perfectly complemented her sophisticated look. Image: N. Mickle Photography

Austin knew an over-the-top proposal was what their love story deserved. Amid the holiday season in 2021 — December 22 — the two went on a date to the Citrus Club rooftop bar at The Dewberry Charleston. Kayla looked out on the view of Marion Square, and she was shocked to see her name spelled out in flowers.

They ran down to see it up close, and, just as they emerged into the park, a flash mob broke out into dance. Austin got down on one knee as Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” played, and Kayla gave an enthusiastic “Yes!”

With a relationship built on instant connection, it’s no surprise the couple looked for that same immediate and intuitive feeling when looking for their venue. Kayla explains that they wanted to find a space where they could visualize themselves marking a huge life milestone, and they knew right away that The Mills House Hotel was the place.

Outdoor rooftop Charleston wedding setup with white folding chairs arranged in intimate rows. Large umbrellas provide shade. — “The Mills House will forever be special to us, and we are so proud to have chosen it to celebrate us,” says Kayla. Image: N. Mickle Photography

They enlisted the help of Tara LeClaire Weddings to bring their dream wedding vision to life, letting the beauty of the venue and the city guide them. Working with Moonlight Iris, Kayla and Austin were drawn toward flowers and colors that complimented the architecture and details of the venue without overpowering it. The Mills House Hotel came alive with blush pinks and deep reds that echoed the drama of a July summer day.

Kayla approached the search for the perfect dress with a completely open mind. But the minute she tried on her dress at Lovely Bride, she remembers thinking, “This dress chose me.” It felt made for her in a way that she’d never experienced with any dress before. The silk silhouette, high neckline, and low back came together in a style that felt both dramatic and timeless.

She completed her look with something old, something new, and something blue. The old was her grandmother’s broach, given to her by her mother. New was a Tiffany pearl bracelet from her husband, and her something blue was a refreshing spritz of Florida water for cleansing.

A woman in a backless white dress smiles as she gazes out the window, her hair elegantly tied up—capturing a serene moment before an intimate Charleston wedding. — “This one felt like it was made for me, unlike any dress I’ve ever worn,” says Kayla. Image: N. Mickle Photography

A person in a pink shirt and gray pants holds a wooden box of cigars and accessories, thoughtfully gazing at a stack of envelopes. — Austin opened a box of cigars before the wedding. Image: N. Mickle Photography

On July 13, 2024, 50 of the couple’s closest friends and family gathered on a sunny, gorgeous day in Charleston to celebrate the bride and groom. As Kayla and Austin stood in front of the crowd, they promised to love each other for all the years to come in a fashion that was uniquely theirs. They let the words flow naturally, creating vows on the spot that spoke to their one-of-a-kind love story and their deep devotion to each other. This is something we’d love to see more of in 2025 weddings — just letting the feelings come out!

At their intimate rooftop wedding, a bride and groom stand facing each other during the outdoor ceremony. The bride is in a white dress and veil, while the groom wears a light suit. An officiant stands between them as vows are exchanged. — Vows made up on the spot spoke to the spontaneous nature of this fun-loving couple. Image: N. Mickle Photography

At an intimate rooftop Charleston wedding, a smiling couple walks down the aisle, surrounded by joyful guests. The woman wears a white halter dress, and the man is dressed in a light gray suit with a bow tie. — Celebrating at The Mills House Hotel on a sunny July day is a memory Kayla and Austin will treasure forever. Image: N. Mickle Photography

After the ceremony, the guests mixed and mingled at cocktail hour on the roof of The Mills House Hotel, celebrating amidst the historic setting, lush plants, and relaxing sounds of the fountain. They dined on bruschetta prosciutto on herbed ricotta toast, crab cakes, and vegetable spring rolls while sipping on two specialty cocktails — Bowie’s Bourbon and KayAus Kocktail, a refreshing firefly sweet tea vodka drink.

A framed bar menu sits invitingly on a wooden counter, listing signature cocktails perfect for an intimate rooftop Charleston wedding. In the background, blurred bottles add to the romantic ambiance. — Two signature cocktails kicked off the festive rooftop party. Image: N. Mickle Photography

People gather around a fountain with black umbrellas in a courtyard. Some are seated, while others stand near tables with drinks, reminiscent of an intimate wedding setting. — Guests mixed and mingled in the picturesque rooftop setting. Image: N. Mickle Photography

The indoor reception kicked off with a romantic first dance to “Still the One I Want” by Teddy Swims before sitting down for a classic Southern dinner. They dined on ancho-rubbed brisket, BBQ pork, coleslaw, and potato salad. The cake, from Swank Desserts, was a classic vanilla cake with buttercream frosting.