Category Archives: Bridal Style

Mar 14, 2017

Newport scenery photo by Corbin Gurkin

Today, we are traveling from East Coast to West Coast to two of our favorite cities for weddings. If you are recently engaged and still searching for a venue, here are two suggestions that couldn’t be more perfect and lovely for a dream wedding!

photo byM. Benedicte Verley

For our grand and glamorous ladies, Rosecliff is one of the most famous Newport Mansions (as seen in many major films like Great Gatsby and 27 Dresses). It is home to the largest private ballroom in Newport so you can literally have an authentic Gilded Age affair. Built in 1902, and modeled after the Grand Trianon of Versailles, you get historical glamour with an amazing ocean view.

For a ballroom affair with dinner and dancing, Rosecliff can accommodate about 270 ppl, and for a cocktail reception on the Terrace up to 300. With the lush and manicured grounds along with the grandiose interiors- can you imagine the photo opps?

Next we head to Napa for the wine and food enthusiast. The Auberge du Soleil is the perfect spot for a smaller destination wedding and couples wanting to offer guests an “experience”. Best for a smaller wedding of about 120, there is an option to buyout the property for up to 200 or so.

I love that everyone can stay together on property here, and that you can really get involved with the chef and a true cultivated food and beverage program. Great for all seasons or weddings at anytime of year! This would also be an amazing bachelorette getaway suggestion as the surrounding area offers lots to see and do.

3.14.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Planning, Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Feb 08, 2017

A Golden Day- Part 2

We are back with part two of this glorious and golden Charleston wedding. Our couple, the bride in Vera Wang, was married at the historic First Baptist Church downtown. Corbin Gurkin is responsible for the lovely images.

The gorgeous golden bridesmaids gowns are by Kate McDonald.

Guests were welcomed at the William Aiken House in downtown Charleston. The historic home has been fully restored to it’s splendor with museum quality interiors. And, the grounds were designed by a renowned local horticulturalist, so we love getting to design for our couples at this property.

A lovely lounge was waiting on the front lounge for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour and as a getaway for after dinner dancing.

Cocktail hour included a bourbon bar, passed champagne, and Southern staples like ham biscuits, and fried chicken biscuits mixed with Asian favorites- tuna tartar and dumplings.

In true Charleston fashion, we utilized the sweeping piazzas for seating niches. We hung the letterpressed and caligraphied dinner escort cards on the porch for guests to gather while enjoying cocktails.

The cream and golden color palette made for a perfectly formal Southern dinner scape. Tables were dressed with silk linens, and the die cut lace paper wraps from the invitations were brought back in to adorn the dinner napkins. Caligraphied tags tied to the lace acted as place cards.

Fabric swathes dressed up standard Chivari chairs… Even a traditional spinach salad has a new take on it’s presentation.

Doesn’t that tent look so happy and cozy like you wouldn’t want to leave????

The wedding cake by Jim Smeal mimicked the lace pattern from the bride’s bridal gown in gold and cream. We created a vignette under the William Aiken House pergola for the cake with chandeliers, candles, and a linen dressed up with greenery and flowers. Having been introduced through their mutual veterinarian, the grooms cake included a “dog park”, also by Jim Smeal.

Details for the after dinner dancing lounge included a monogrammed dance floor and sofas with custom embroidered pillows. The chandelier is dressed up with flowers and greenery.

After dancing the night away with friends, the couple departed by a sparkling send off and a vintage white Rolls took them away. Lettered Olive handmade the Best Day Ever sign with golden glitter! This couple’s special day was definitely #HappilyHansom!

2.08.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Feb 01, 2017

A Golden Day- Part 1

Today for wedding Wednesday, we’re revisiting this gorgeous golden hued celebration photographed by Corbin Gurkin. Since there are so many details to savor, we’re splitting up this celebration across two parts, so make sure to come back next Wednesday for the reception and party details. You can also see more of this wedding over at Charleston Weddings Magazine.

Lettered Olive used golden metallic paper to create a die cut lace pattern complimentary to the bride’s dress, I think the white ink on the metallic envelopes was such a lovely and wedding-y touch. Welcome guest bags were custom printed totes featuring the wedding hashtag filled with champagne splits, mini Candlefish candles, and many of the couples favorites things.

The girls all gathered to get ready together with Plum Pretty Sugar robes gifted by the bride- even the littlest ladies were included.

The Groom’s tuxedo was by Vera Wang (yes, she does men’s attire) available through the Men’s Warehouse.

The bride wore a gown by Vera Wang.

The couple elected to do a “first sight” at one of the many gorgeous parks in downtown Charleston. Corbin staged the groom so that the bride could sneak up and surprise him. This locale also made for a stunning backdrop for photos before heading over to the ceremony. I love when couples decide to do this, because it allows the photographer to really get great shots when the couple is alone and relaxed.

The couple married at First Baptist Church in Charleston, the glorious gates out front were adorned with floral wreaths of roses, hydrangeas, and lemon leaf. Large golden urns flush with greenery and flowers flanked the alter, as the couple celebrated with their first kiss.

The bridesmaids wore floor length gold lame gowns by Lula Kate. The lush bridal bouquet made the perfect transition from winter to spring with cream roses, peonies, lily of the valley sprigs and soft lambs ears, and was tied by vintage ribbon I sourced in New York.

Join us next Wednesday for part two of this glittering celebration at the William Aiken House.

2.01.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Fashion, Flowers, Photographers, Press, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>