Kismet Connection



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Kismet Connection | A pair of meant-to-be Auburn Tigers swap “I do’s” surrounded by crisp sea breezes and an even cooler color palette
Brandon Cox & Carla Toro
April 22, 2017 • The Waterside Chapel & The Village Green at Palmetto Bluff
 
Sure, between Carla Toro and Brandon Cox, he may be the more obvious playmaker of the two, what with him being one of Auburn University’s former quarterbacks, but off the field, she proved just as strategic—and perhaps when it counted most. A fervent Tigers’ fan girl, Carla, like thousands of others, had “friended” Brandon without actually knowing him. That was in 2007 and six years later, the two Auburn grads found themselves on a remote islet in the Bahamas for a friend’s wedding (him) and for an interior design project (her). When Brandon posted an image from one of the island's local bars, Carla commented on it from her bed at midnight. More comments were exchanged, then phone numbers, and, after a month of actual conversations, the pair met in person when Carla returned stateside and Brandon offered her a ride home from the Atlanta airport. “That was it,” Carla says, “He had me at baggage claim with the most handsome smile I’ve ever seen.”
 
 
And while their two-and-a-half-year courtship was filled with surprises (not the least of which was Brandon crashing Carla’s family scavenger hunt one Christmas with a certain something sparkly), their blueprint for their Big Day was straightforward from the get-go. To begin with, Carla’s family owns a home in Hilton Head (south of Charleston), where she spent many summers growing up, so choosing Palmetto Bluff—just a town away from her old stomping grounds—was a sure bet and natural fit. Plus, its Southern appointments appealed to the couple, as she’s from Georgia and he’s from Alabama. Then came the palette. “Our favorite colors are blue and navy,” Carla says, “so we found paint chips that matched what we were looking for, and used those as our guides throughout planning.”
 
 
And while indigo, cerulean, and slate are palpable in the décor and faceted glassware, other design elements are also attention-grabbing. From the reception’s garland-fringed draped entrance to the geometric pendant lights dotting the ceiling of the sailcloth tent and that luxurious mobile bourbon bar (a last-minute addition guests rave about to this day), the celebration was as chic as it comes.
 
 
“I’ll never forget taking a step back to look at how it all came together,” says Carla. “It felt like a dream.” Thank you very much, Mr. Mark Zuckerberg. And War Eagle! 
 

VENDORS
Wedding design:
TOAST of the Coast, www.toast-events.com
Photography: Perry Vaile Photography, www.perryvaile.com
Florals: August Events, www.augusteventdesign.com
Venue, catering, bar service: Montage Palmetto Bluff, www.montagehotels.com/palmettobluff
Stationery, calligraphy, signage: Dear Elouise, www.dearelouise.com
Linens: Nüage Designs, nuagedesigns.com; Party Tables, partytables.com
Lighting: Technical Event Company, www.technicaleventcompany.com/
Tent, furniture: EventHaus, www.eventhausrentals.com/
Custom globe: NewlyScripted, www.newlyscripted.com
Music: El Sheddai Choir, www.hiltonheadentertainment.com/index.php/voices-of-el-shaddai; I Love This Band, www.ilovethisband.net
Bride's attire: Winnie Couture, www.winniecouture.com
Bridesmaid attire: Joanna August, available in Charleston through Bella Bridesmaids, www.BellaBridesmaids.com
Beauty: Emma Collins Beauty, www.emmacollinsbeauty.com
Groom’s attire: JoS. A. Bank, www.josabank.com
Cake: Bliss Cakery, www.facebook.com/Bliss-Cakery-More-162617693772852
Transportation: The Hinckley Boat, Palmetto Bluff, www.montagehotels.com/palmettobluff