Taylor and Parker Hall

Tied the Knot: September 27, 2019

Although they lived across the street from each other in Manhattan, Taylor and Parker never met in college. Finally, at the wedding of a fraternity brother and sorority sister, the couple first met as bridesmaid and groomsman. “Eight straight hours of one-on-one time was all it took for me to realize this girl might be pretty cool,” Parker laughs. “At the reception that night, Taylor’s friend told her mom, ‘I just met your future son-in-law.’ Man, did she call it.” 

Taylor (Johnston) Hall, 28, raised in Lenexa, attended Shawnee Mission West and graduated with degrees in dietetics, nutrition, kinesiology and gerontology at Kansas State University, where she was a cheerleader and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She completed a master’s degree through the University of Nebraska while working as a registered dietitian at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission and cheer coach at her alma mater. Parker, Taylor and their goldendoodle, Bentley, live in Roeland Park. 

Parker Hall, 27, grew up in Springfield, Missouri. Parker comes from a big K-State family, as his parents met in the Little Apple and he followed in his dad’s footsteps by earning his bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering at Kansas State University. Parker was a member of Lambda Chi and the water polo team. He focuses on sustainable design and construction as an architectural engineer at BranchPattern. 

One fall evening, Parker took Taylor for a picnic dinner on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, a frequent date night spot of theirs. “As the sun set, or maybe just after the sun set, or maybe so late that I thought if he was going to propose he would have done it an hour ago, Parker got on one knee to ask me to be his wife!” Taylor smiles.

The blissful couple tied the knot September 27, 2019, at Powell Gardens. Taylor’s sister and four best friends from high school stood with her; Parker’s groomsmen included his two siblings, two best buds from high school, and one fraternity brother. The couple that introduced Taylor and Parker played a special role, leading the ceremony as a candle lighter and usher. 

“Powell Gardens was one of my favorite places to explore as a child,” Taylor shares. “The unique architecture and openness of the glass chapel was ideal for us. Parker’s family minister of 20 years was the celebrant. And I had a big surprise at the West Bottoms reception. After our first dance, the DJ announced that one more guest wanted to dance with Parker. Willie the Wildcat marched onto the dance floor!” Keeping traditions alive, guests swayed back and forth to “Happy Trails,” closing an amazing day.

Taylor and Parker honeymooned in Portugal and Spain, exploring colorful buildings in Lisbon, port wine in Porto, beautiful beaches in Mallorca and artistic vibes in Madrid. ■