October 2019

Oct 08, 2019

It’s a been awhile since we checked in just to introduce ourselves and give you an update on who we are! Thank you to Liz Banfield, since the last time she was here we were able to have her update our headshot, shot in our new office. (speaking of, stay tuned for a fresh new website coming soon!).  

This is me, Tara, and I’ve been doing weddings now for over 20 years, and I still love my job! It makes me beyond happy to create an amazing day for our clients totally based on their personalities. It allows me to really tap into that Psychology degree I received from the College of Charleston. When I’m not working (which isn’t very often!), I love spending time with my family. I have three children who are growing up fast, and a new puppy that gets into everything!

Erica Missel is our Executive Director. Erica works directly with all of our clients and vendors to deliver the best of the best to our brides. Erica is a Southern girl from the upstate of South Carolina, but has stayed in Charleston after graduating from the College. She was recently put all of those planning skills to the test on her own wedding to her husband, Charleston. We very recently welcome, Bri Hughes, back to Charleston from Maine as our new Logistics Manager and Assistant. She will be keeping this train on the track, and we are thrilled to have her. Make sure you introduce yourself to her! Kate Little, our former coordinator, is back with Soiree managing our social media and blog.

Karen Simon, our Director of Sales, and Becca Smith, Creative Director create everything that is Lettered Olive, our sister stationer. Karen comes to us by way of NOLA, and when not working, she and her boyfriend like to travel, or just hang out with their pups.  Becca, who resides in North Carolina is an accomplished graphic designer previously in the corporate fashion and textile market. After doing the printed materials for her own wedding, she knew she needed to make the move. 

Susan Irvine, a NC native with a background in Studio Art, comes to Soiree as our Production Manager. Overseeing the set up of all of the signature Soiree details helps ensure our Brides have their perfect day. William Johnson, our construction manager is why I can sleep at night on the weekends of events. The safety of our staff and all of our clients is ensured having a former firefighter on scene, and his son who also works for us and an EMT! Heather Santucci (who is also my nanny), is the longest running Soirette yet! When I started doing my own flowers, she was my buyer at the local wholesale florist. Now, she is my head floral designer.

So thankful for this team of mine… Soirettes rock!

10.08.19   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Planning, Spotted!, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Oct 01, 2019

Photo by Liz Banfield

Designing flowers for our fall weddings means incorporating different color palettes, and using different materials. Above, traditional airy whites and creams find contrast in seasonal greenery. Greenery being a loose term in that it doesn’t all have to be green, rusty foliage offers a delicate balance.

photo by Corbin Gurkin 

I like being able to get creative and come up with something a little unexpected, which for us lately means softer colors or bringing in a metallic like rose gold or copper. For the Maid of honor in this wedding, darker blooms in the same family as the pastels were added for an ombre feel but as a special nod.

Photo by Liz Banfield

Without seeing the same old idea of it, this bouquet really says “harvest” to me.  I love the blush and beige tones and the mix of different blooms. The succulent addition is a great and fun alternative for greenery.

Photos by Corbin Gurkin

For this grand fall fete, a bouquet to match the grandness of the bridal gown was in order. There was a lot of “old world” feel to this wedding, so I thought a formal but very simple long stemmed bouquet could carry it’s weight with the dress. Long stemmed roses, and natural greenery with a few berries speckled in tied off with vintage silk ribbon.. if it’s possible for these two words to go together I think it’s full of an airy heaviness indicative of fall in Charleston.

photo by Melanie Mauer

Photo by Liz Banfield

For both of these bouquets, textured looks was the dominate design element. Our bride’s bouquet add berries on the vine, wild clematis, and drapey greens gave a gathered from the garden look. The bridesmaids worn black gowns, so the shades of creams and beiges really popped. Flowers only available in this season like Anenomes and craspedia balls bring in a different look.

Photo by Corbin Gurkin

Deep wines and burgundies mixed with purple or pinks is one of my favorite color palettes… and I love the just gathered wild flower look that many people associate more with spring, but just as spectacular in fall.

Photo by Corbin Gurkin

A delicate pale palette can still work in Fall, dahlias and anemones are blooms true to the season, and adding in a hint of golden tones warms the collection.

10.01.19   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Event Design, Flowers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>