Rebecca JoAnne Brodnan moved to Atlanta right after she graduated from Vanderbilt in 2002. Taylor Hardage Smith moved to Atlanta in 2009 after graduating from Princeton University and moving around from Baltimore to San Francisco and then Dallas. Two of Rebecca’s best friends, Ellie Davis and husband Adrian Davis, set Rebecca and Taylor up on a date. Adrian wanted to set them up earlier, but Taylor had been dating someone else – Adrian suggested that once Taylor was done dating her to give him a call. A year later, Taylor asked Adrian if Rebecca was still single – and she was. The two went on a double date with Ellie and Adrian to El Taco in the Highlands. They hit it off and the relationship soon became serious.
For Rebecca’s 30th birthday, some of her friends organized a dinner at Paul’s in Atlanta. Taylor was bringing Rebecca to Turks and Caicos the next day, and he asked Rebecca to go up to their hotel room to drop off some bags while everyone was settling down at the St. Regis for drinks. When Rebecca entered the room it was covered with candles and flowers with a large box on the bed. In the box, Taylor tucked away special mementos including jelly beans (Rebecca’s favorite candy), pictures and a small champagne bottle ornament. When Rebecca looked up, Taylor was down on one knee and asked her to marry him. After Rebecca said yes, the two went back down to the St. Regis and celebrated with all of their surprised friends.
After the wedding, Rebecca and Taylor went to the Anguilla/St. Bart’s area for 10 days. The couple now lives in Atlanta, where Rebecca is the public relations manager for the local Neiman Marcus and Taylor is director of acquisitions and development for Tishman Speyer for the Atlanta Region.
Bride: Rebecca JoAnne Brodnan, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Michael Brodnan of Cocoa, Fla.
Groom: Taylor Hardage Smith, son of Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth B Smith of New Orleans
Date of the wedding: October 1, 2011
Ceremony location: Wesley United Methodist Church, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Reception location: Cloister Ballroom, Sea Island, Ga.
Coordinator: Amanda Gould
Wedding gown: “Vivienne” by Monique Lhuillier, purchased at Neiman Marcus and worn with Christian Louboutin Shoes (changed at end of evening to a Rafael Cennamo dress with Oscar de la Renta shoes)
Bridesmaids: Lauren Kelso, Emily Amy, Amy Bryan, Natalie Clayton, Jenni Coleman, Ellie Davis, Ali Deckard, Jennifer Eshelman, Chris Henderson, Brittany Hill, Lauren Levine, Joanna Schack, Molly Smith, Jessica Stahl, Melissa Zink and McKenna Cole
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston
Groom’s attire: Tuxedo from George Bass in New Orleans
Groomsmen: Stephen Smith, Taylor Beery, Matthew Brodnan, Curtis Bush, Scott Denbo, Alex Hallett, Dave Kreter, Tim Ligue, and Derek Victory
Groomsmen attire: Each wore his own tuxedo
Rings: Custom engagement ring and band from Neiman Marcus
Florist: Sea Island of St. Simons Island, Ga.
Caterer and Cake: Sea Island of St. Simons Island, Ga.
Photographer: Laura Negri Photography of Atlanta
Videographer: Jeffrey Stoner of Orlando, Fla.
Hair: Mallory Joris
Makeup: Stephanie Adams
Music: Liquid Pleasure
