September Splendor | Tara Guérard Soirée

Before the end of the month, I wanted to share photos from a September 2006 rehearsal dinner at the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation – this gets me ready and excited for the Fall!

The Cotton Dock is an old wooden structure with a tin roof, wooden exposed beams, oyster tabby floor, and a large stone fireplace as the centerpiece. The back dock over looking the creek is a perfect gathering spot.. This was such a simple but lovely event with such uenexpected colors used throughout the entire weekend- black, sky blue, and white. We used tons of candlelight, white river rocks (to play off of the oyster tabby), and chinese lanterns with a few blue light bulbs here and there- NO flowers at all!

And, one of our other favorite brides from September that year is expecting next month! Congrats, Tripp and Lainey.

A Charleston Garden..

Last week I gave you a cake retrospective from Jim Smeal, but this week wanted to reveal their other talent- Gardening… These are photos from the lush tropical garden surrounding their James Island abode. Working in the garden as much as they do on their time off from baking cakes is what keeps them sane. I’m amazed by it every time I see it.

Tara’s Tidbits

I was thrilled to attend Darcy Miller’s recent event at Partners and Spade recently in New York. The event was to celebrate Darcy’s passion and talent for her Illustrations. Some of the other guests I got to mingle with were Bernard Maisner, Mark Ingram, John Dolan, Cheree Berry, and one of our favorite New York friends, Anthony Lucia (Darcy’s assistant at the magazine).

Some of the uber cute snippets from the invite:

Read more about Darcy’s “Family Affair” here...

A conversation with Tara is also featured on Darcy’s blog today… Please check out the post here.

Flavor of the Month…

I like to think that I’m very versed in the world of cocktails, however, I’ve been stuck in a summertime white wine conundrum for the past 5 mos. Needless to say, I was more than excited when at the cake tasting with our Bride, Darcy Shankland, having just returned from a visit to her hometown of Santa Barbara, CA and cocktails at the San Ysidro Ranch, shared with me her new favorite sip sip- made from champagne (my soul mate) and St. Germain Elderflower Liqeur. I also LOVE the graphics of their brand. CHEERS!

Keys to my heart…

I have been fawning after the key collection at Tiffany’s right now, but it’s so popular they are often sold out… I am inspired though and would love to design an entire wedding around vintage keys.