Imagine my joy when I saw this Charleston Magazine with my sweet springer, Georgia on the cover! I had a blast working with our friends at Charleston Mag on this feature- Peter Frank Edwards, Melissa Bigner, and Darcy Shankland. For more tips and outtakes head over here.
( all photos by Southern Living/Laurey W. Glenn)
This Thanksgiving table scape photo shoot that we did with Southern Living Magazine a few years back is one of my favorites. I host Thanksgiving every year at our family’s cottage at Flat Rock in the NC Mountains so it was even more special this year as my family got to enjoy our photo shoot set up! I pulled some of my favorite shots, but you can see all of the details on Southern Living. The china is from my husband’s family so I went somewhat unexpectedly with the pink and gold color theme from the china’s pattern.
I had a yummy suede linen made to fit our dining room table with a large cabled piping in the pale pink. And these “petal pink” taper candles from Creative Candles were the perfect added touch of color to offset not having any flowers in the centerpiece.
There are fabulous antique markets and thrift stores up in the Hendersonville/Asheville area near where we are in Flat Rock. I found old clear glass candlesticks and painted them gold with craft paint. The apples are fall harvest NC apples that were so lovely on their own, I hated to paint them, but they sure did turn out beautifully. All SO easy to DIY and inexpensive!
I love my etched glassware, which doubles as a perfect place card and surcie. I also believe you can never have enough embroidered napkins! These are from Lettered Olive and Elizabeth Joyce Monograms.
Because it happens to work well in our space, and makes it easier for me as the hostess finishing up a large dinner, I always set up a self serve bar. I stock it with the cocktails, proper glassware needed, and cocktail napkins or any other tools needed to properly mix and serve.
Another inexpensive DIY trick that we did here, is to get affordable cotton cocktail napkins (like these from CB2.com) and iron on monogram letters (available online and at most fabric and craft stores).
photo by Adrienne Page
You see and hear so much about fashions for the Bride, Bridesmaids, and Mother of the Bride that it may seem that the groom is often overshadowed. Of course all eyes on him as well (people always look to see the look on his face when the bride is walking down the aisle ) and he is in all of the photos too! There are many options for the men out there, these are just some that our grooms have sported over the years. Since we are considered a “coastal climate” and here in the South we like our formality and traditions when called for, we see white dinner jackets quite often. White dinner jackets came to be when gentlemen in warmer climates wanted an alternative to the heavy dark tuxedo jackets.
photo by Liz Banfield
“Evening Dress” is considered the most formal attire and only appropriate for evening weddings beginning at 6pm or later.
photo by Liz Banfield
A dark gray suite with a coordinating tie is the perfect solution for those not wanting black tie. Get a custom tailored suit, though, as a nod to the formality of the occasion.
photo by Corbin Gurkin
Lightweight grey suits are a great consideration for summer affairs outdoors or near the water.
photo by Corbin Gurkin
photo by Corbin Gurkin
You can’t go wrong with a classic formal tuxedo, but customize with accessories. The wedding party above sporting coordinating Ralph Lauren loafers. And, Brackish Bowties have become a statement piece for Southern grooms.
photos by Liz Banfield
For weddings with a noteable color palette, our grooms have opted to gift ties to their wedding party in patterns or colors that match…
photo by Liz Banfield
“White Tie” affairs call for a strict dress code of a formal tuxedo (usually a waistcoat) with a white cotton bowtie. There are very specific guidelines on “white tie”, so make sure to research those to make sure you hit all of the proper notes. We like this guide.
photo by Liz Banfield
Finally, For Sanjay Gupta’s Indian nuptials full traditional Hindu attire was adorned- he even rode in on a white horse (a white elephant wasn’t allowed at the venue!)
Recognized as one of the nation’s leading tastemakers, Tara Guérard has earned a widespread reputation for her ability to create spectacular settings celebrating life’s most anticipated occasions. As the visionary and founder of Tara Guérard Soirée, she is best known for her distinct style that honors the storied traditions of Southern hospitality paired with a modern aesthetic and flair for the unexpected.
