Category Archives: Bridal Style

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Wedding party pics have come a loooooooooong way since weddings became the thing… They used to be super posed with the church alter in the background (you know, back in the olden days). But, now both the photographers and clients are collaborating to come up with custom and interesting ways to capture the day and and friends in fun and new ways.  It’s kind of like that trend where couples surprised their guests with a coordinated dance! We’re hoping today gives you some food for thought while coordinating your day with your photographer.

photo by Perry Vaile and Corbin Gurkin

Photo by Corbin Gurkin

Sometimes just switching it up a little bit can make for a totally different look… This bride and her business partner own fashion house Dee Hutton, so styling the girls in different but complimentary gowns for the day and then capturing them together (sans bouquets) in something less than a stiff posted position can grant a photo magazine worthy.

photos by Corbin Gurkin

We’re also seeing a new little moment that we are liking- the bride and her girls in different variations during the getting ready part of the day… Often times the girls are gifted matching pj’s or robes (like these from Plum Pretty Sugar) and the photos of them together other than just in their gowns are always a hit! And, you’ve heard of the first look between the bride and the groom, but on the right are the bridesmaids are getting their first look at the bride in her gown…

photo by Liz Banfield

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For those traditionalists still at heart, sometimes just a change of scenery like getting outside or interesting background or styling of the set up makes for a modern update still perfect for gracing the pages of the wedding album.

2.11.20   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Fashion, Photographers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Feb 04, 2020

In celebration of this couple’s first anniversary, we’re sharing all of the pretty goodies from their big day in Watercolor, Florida.  Corbin Gurkin was with us to capture all of the gorgeous images. This couple was the sweetest, and their day was absolutely filled with love. The bride grew up vacationing in the area with her family so it was an obvious choice.  The bride stunned in a strapless Monique Lhuillier. Our sister printing company, Lettered Olive designed some of the most lovely printed pieces for this weekend. While, we went the simple more formal route with the letterpress invitation, the party packs really shone through.  Guests received welcome boxes with a custom blue acrylic monogramed tag, and lots of goodies with custom printed packaging. The girls, of course, spent the day getting ready together…and were gifted silk robes by Kim and Ono.We went ethereal in the floral designs, with mixed hues of ombre pink.

For the actual ceremony, we created a tented dream.  Guests were greeted by huge floral pieces making for a grand entrance. 

Guests strolled down the town park from the ceremony to the reception. Here, an oversized tent was carpeted and draped to created a dreamy spot that guests would want to stay in all night long. Stations were set up for guests to have a progression throughout the space, with dancing as the main focal point.
For the dessert table, we layered the mother’s silver pieces with varying treats, while Confections on the Coast created a stunning wedding cake, and chocolate groom’s cake. 

Artist Chloe Strickland was on hand painting a live scene from the reception.

Late night drinks and snacks passed around the dance floor including gourmet grilled cheeses. In order to get guests off the dance floor, the horn section from the band walked everyone from the tent to the town square for the send off… 

A happy bride and groom ending a lovely night surrounded by family and friends..  Happy Anniversary Keyton and Chris.

2.04.20   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, The Lettered Olive, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Jan 14, 2020

This wedding was such a stunner, that we had to share some of our own favorite details in addition to the feature in the new Charleston Weddings Magazine. Our couple married at Kiawah Island Resort, with an indoor ceremony in a ballroom we transformed, followed by an evening of dinner, dancing, and details. The bride is Mexican, so were able to use a lot of beautiful details as a nod to her heritage, and incorporate glamorous design that represent the couple’s taste. Corbin Gurkin captured all of the lovely images. Wedding papers by Lettered Olive featured gilded paper and inks, a custom monogram and velvet touches. The save the dates were acrylic thumb drives of a styled video the couple made featuring Kiawah Island to get guests excited for the big day.

The bride wore a gown from Kleinfeld Bridal by Pnina Tornai and shoes by Christian Louboutin. We created her bouquet using shades of blushes and white with opulant orchids, garden roses, and lily of the valley hand tied with an embroidered velvet ribbon. Custom cuff links for the groom were engraved with the wedding date.

Classic black tuxedos complimented the bridesmaids lace and silk full length gowns- by Kate McDonald Bridal. I love seeing sleeves for the bridesmaids!

 

We transformed one of the ballrooms at the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island by laying white carpet and bring the outdoors in… We covered golden branches with orchids, and lined the aisle with greenery boxes, and hung white sheer fabric for a beautiful photo backdrop.

A floral covered monogram added pretty detail to the hotel space. Members of the family who couldn’t be there where there in spirit with a remembrance table at the ceremony. In addition to the Virtuosi orchestra at the ceremony, a bagpiper, and Mariachi band provided a variety of music.

Perfectly timed, a confetti cannon went off just as the couple sealed their vows with a kiss.

Cocktail hour featured a salsa and taco station… Covered in greenery, a hotel chandelier makes for a great escort card station. Acrylic cards calligraphied by Penned by Palmer were hung by ribbon.

For this bride, typical chivari chairs just wouldn’t cut it. So, white fabric was woven throughout to give a frilly and extravagant feel.  A centerpiece of the dining room was a large fixture we covered in greenery and draped orchid strands from.

Perfectly piped linens (one of our signatures) provided tailored tabletops with rows of lush floral centerpieces. Delicate glass candlesticks offered a mixture of height. Place cards were embroidered satin ribbons tied to the napkins at each place setting.

Jim Smeal created a modern and elegant cake using two of the main design elements- marble and gold gilding.

Perfectly positioned lounge seating and tables provided guests a place to perch when not dancing.
Marble was an element that kept popping up in the bride’s inspiration photos, so we created a marbleized dance floor as a stand out focal point of the room.

Since it’s seen in so many of the photos, the band’s stage can stick out like a sore thumb, or blend in perfectly. Fabric draped curtains and custom edging create a showcase for the band that show the extra thought that goes into designing the space.

As a send off, the guests were showered by orchids, and departed in a vintage car with the prettiest of petals making the final look as special as the first. Congrats Gaby and Ward!

1.14.20   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>