Category Archives: Cakes

Jun 14, 2017

8862_9.@LizBanfield

Oh, how I miss doing weddings at Drayton Hall Plantation.  It still remains one of my all time favorite locations, which you will see from this wedding from the archives. This wedding has a modern art deco feel, which put against the Federalist architecture of the plantation made for a really lovely juxtaposition. Liz Banfield captured all of the lovely imagery.

Bridal Collage

The art deco feel started with the details in the bride’s Carolina Herrera dress and hairstyle… an old wedding wives tale is to have all of the bridesmaids sign the bottom of the brides shoe, and whomever’s name is worn off first by the end of the night will be the next to get married (Miu Miu shoes).. This bride’s something blue was her bouquet!

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On the National Register of Historic Place, what amazing photos to have, as taken in the Plantation house ballroom.

Printing Collage

All of the letterpress printing was done by Lettered Olive. One of my favorite ideas was in the save the dates. There was a large amount of information to put in the save the dates, and not wanting guests to put it aside- we made a “tear off” piece that everyone could put on their fridge or daytimer with the date and location.

Guest Bag Collage

Guest welcome bags were canvas shoe travel bags making these something guests would want to leave with instead of leaving in the hotel. Custom printed snacks and waters filled the bags, along with a mini Archipelago “Charleston” candle with custom matches.

Floral Collage

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Bridesmaids carried white flowers with just a hint of color, while the bride carried the pop of color- for the bride that loves color, this is a great flip flop idea. For moms, and other special ladies who may not want something pinned onto their dresses or carry something, a bloom “corsage” tied to the wrist with satin ribbon or pinned on a purse is a great alternative!

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Ceremony Collage 8871_5a.@LizBanfield

The wedding white ceremony included a white carpet runner, a scatter of petals at the alter, orchid strands draped down the aisle, and chandeliers hung from the grand ok. An arch made of willow branches and lilac made a simply pretty focal point.

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The couples two “babies” made a guest appearance at the end of the ceremony for photos…

8866_15a.@LizBanfield Lounge Collage

After the ceremony, guests kicked off the reception in a cocktail lounge, and lounge seating set up on the riverbanks for a little eye candy.

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A custom Boutique tent was the pretty entrance way into the dinner tent…

Tabletop Collage

Playing off of the art deco look, tables were set with an array of mixed centerpieces surrounding Knoll acrylic dinner club lamps. Menus, escort cards, and other signage are made from etched acrylic… Guests wanted to keep all of the printed materials!

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The amazing cake by Jim Smeal was octagon shaped and mimicked the art deco pattern on the bride’s gown. It’s hard to tell her, but it had the faintest hint of light blue and lavender shimmer playing off of the printed items… LOVE!

8856_2a.@LizBanfield Dancing Collage 8856_4a.@LizBanfield

When guests finished dinner, we pulled back the curtains for a big reveal of the all white after dinner lounge. It was so warm and inviting with a glow that was breathtaking. All white arrangements of Oriental lilies even gave the room and irresistible fragrance.

Silly string Collage

For a truly different and festive send off, we made custom silly string containers which guests sprayed at the couple as they made their way to the getaway car.

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For one take on the traditional, the couple departed in a vintage Rolls Royce tied with oversized paper flowers…

6.14.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
May 24, 2017

2605_21.© Liz Banfield

We heading down to Sea Island, Georgia this week for a big wedding weekend, so in honor of that we are sharing a beachside celebration for Wedding Wednesday. After marrying at a historic chapel on St. Simon’s island, the couple celebrated with guests at the Ocean Forrest Club. Liz Banfield was able to have some private time with the couple on the beach to capture some amazing images.

Bridal Collage

A classic bridal accessory, a pearl bracelet… beautiful with her Rivini gown. All of the wedding party carried a variety of white flowers like ranunculus, roses, orchids, and tulips.

2604_06a.© Liz Banfield Church Collage

At the church, fluffy wreaths with ribbons and shells great guests. Part of the take on our design aesthetic was “sophisticated shells”, we loved this guests’ handbag!!!

2602_25a.© Liz Banfield

Our wedding welcome bags were full of beach essentials- local treats, bottled water, printed sunscreen, koozies, and magazines in a perfect beach tote.

2606_30a.© Liz Banfield

Food Collage

After photos on the beach, cocktail hour was in full swing on the back lawn of the beach club. Guests enjoy an intricate ice display houses varied local seafood, and the couple’s favorite cocktail- Southsides.

2593_09.© Liz Banfield

Now, this was our showstopper design feature, and something we had never done before- a seagrass tent ceiling. My team really almost killed me, but we did it and it was amazing! Dinner and dancing was in the same beachfront tent- which we raised up about 5 feet so that an ocean view was present for the entire evening.

Table Collage

Dinner escort cards were in a sanded displays and had a sweet little shell on each… Along with flowers, large glass containers with sand, shells and candles weighted the tables from the seabreeze and was chic at the same time. Sand dollars tied with raffia were perfectly perched at each seat.

Cake Collage

The amazing sand dollar cake by Jim Smeal was a pretty focal point in the tent. We make take home cake boxes for guests wanting a sweet treat later in the evening.

2602_04a.© Liz Banfield

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Nighttime Collage

As the sunset the party begins… Something we created for events years and years ago, but are still able to reinvent, are our shadowboxes. We use them for bars, tables, etc. For this wedding it was perfect for filling with sand and shells for the lounge bars and cake table. They are a great unexpected sight for guests! For a cost savings we brought the wreaths used on the church doors over for the front of the reception venue.

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After dancing late into the evening, the bride and groom departed by classic car and fireworks for their honeymoon… Stay tuned for details from Sea Island this weekend!

5.24.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Photographers, Reception, The Lettered Olive, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
May 22, 2017

Green Collage 2Today’s Monday color inspiration is bold and bright greens… Natural and versatile it can be used in so many ways. As an accent, the main focus, or mixed into a palette, green has always been one of our favorite colors to use in design.  Perfect for weddings due to it’s meanings of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment.
Green Collage 1

Green Collage 3

Green Collage 4

Green Collage 5

Thank you to Liz Banfield and Corbin Gurkin for the beautiful images.

5.22.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>