Category Archives: Cakes

These two, aren’t they just the cutest? It’s been 6 years since we traveled to Arkansas to do the December wedding for this couple. While the groom was running for public office, the bride was in her second year of law school and planning her wedding! She was graceful under pressure and both she and her family were a joy to work with. And her dress- a perfectly pleated silk faille Carolina Herrera masterpiece paired with a vintage fur wrap for the chillier moments.

printing-collage

Influenced by classic blue and white china, complimentary patterns were paired together throughout the printed pieces. Lettered Olive designed a custom monogram featuring a lion head door knocker, that the bride wanted to incorporate throughout.  We had custom velvet shoe bags made to use as the guest welcome bags. Full of champagne, local sparkling water, and snacks, guests had everything they would need for a pre wedding celebration.

ceremony-collage

Pieces of the perfect blue and white fabric we found to use throughout the wedding decor, made the perfect bouquet wrap. The bride’s dress had a row of covered buttons, so we added that little detail for her on her flowers. Simple all white flowers (peonies and roses) were just the thing for this winter wedding.

The reception took place at Marlsgate Plantation just outside of Little Rock.  The couple did do a “first sight” at the plantation house before the ceremony. This worked so well for this event, since the sun sets a bit earlier this time of year. Liz Banfield was also able to steal the couple away to capture some amazing private moments before the sunset.

We scored a vintage lion’s head door knocker while out sourcing that we knew we had to snag to use somewhere- like the fabric covered escort card and “sign in” board.

Shades of blue in the ceiling upped the look of the all white dining room. Antique wrought iron chandeliers with pillar candles became amazing statement pieces.

dinner-collage

Special little touches like golden pillar candles, white velvet linens lined with thick blue piping, and lush white carpeting made for a warm, glowing, and breathtaking dining room.

The 5 tier cake was hand painted with each different pattern used throughout the wedding printing and decor and was the centerpiece of the dining room.

A 40 foot bar anchored the lounge tent with shelving to create a focal point for the blue votives.

6102-02a-2011-02-lizbanfield

To give guests a different feel for dancing, we darkened up the lounge with navy blue and gold tones.

getaway-collageRice produced by the bride’s family’s business was packaged in custom stamped muslin pouches to toss during the couple’s getaway…Wishing our bride and groom the happiest of anniversaries.

 

12.07.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Cakes, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

kerr-pillows

Being Southern myself and having many Southern clients, monograms are a reoccurring theme for our wedding design. I do post on monograms a few times a year especially when we’ve used some recent pretty ones, but mostly just because I like them!  For a wedding we did in Texas Hill Country, antlers framed an intricate and modern monogram, which we used on pillows in the lounge tent, aprons for the servers, and on the printed materials.

mcclain-collage

For a couple with names both starting with “J”, an intertwined J&J monogram was a the perfect look. Floral J’s were hung from the ceremony church doors. Jim Smeal used the J&J monogram to decorate the couple’s wedding cake. We also did an amazing dance floor with J&J in the center…

lapide-place-setting

One of my favorite uses for monograms at a wedding is on the dinner or cocktail napkins. We then collect and dry clean for the couple after the event, and they have a collection for their new home!  Sometimes, just doing the head table is enough, other clients do the entire dinner and have a large collection for loss and stains.

drake-collage

At our New Year’s Oklahoma wedding, a modern L S monogram was created by Lettered Olive. We had the velvet ribbon on the bridal bouquet embroidered with it, along with chair backs for the head table at dinner. Monogram drink stirrers make a nice touch at cocktail hour, and for the shoe check during dancing, they provide a simple detail somewhere unexpected.

flower-collage

We find a way to use monograms in floral design more often. Monogram tags fill the center of wreaths hung on the church doors. And, for the posies carried by the Mothers of the Bride and Groom, the embroidered ribbon notes their special roles.

printing-collage

Printed materials are also a great place to use monograms. I love the colorful watercolor ones Lettered Olive designed for our recent floral and fauna bride, and a classically elegant monogram emblazons the front of ceremony programs.

10.03.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Event Design, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Bride and groom portrait

This wedding wednesday brings us to Part 2 of our Sea Island, Ga wedding recently featured on Martha Stewart Weddings. Thank you to Liz Banfield for all of the pretty pictures!

Place card Collage

The venue itself is full of pretty scenery and architecture we really wanted to incorporate into the design elements. During cocktail hour, guests picked up their escort cards at a table anchored by a  simple but lush floral arrangement. Escort cards are held in place by pieces Georgia granite.

little centerpiece

During cocktail hour, guests could take a seat and enjoy conversation at quaint little seating arrangements.

Dinner tent overall

The dinner tent was swathed in blue fabric, reminiscent of the traditional porch ceilings in the South.  To bring the natural feel of the overall wedding design to the tent, trees were “planted” throughout and created a wall between dinner and the dancing portion of the tent.

Dinner Collage

Guests dined under strands of orchids accented by candlelight. Taking a note from the centerpieces, fern fronds decorated each place setting… Modern brass flatware keeps the table elegant but not fussy.

tree in tent

Cake Collage

wedding cake

The wedding cake by Jim Smeal included intricate patterns similar to the windows at the Chapel where the couple were married. The hand made icing flowers add that feminine frill just perfect for a wedding cake.

Bride and groom first dance

The couple takes the floor for their first dance as husband and wife.

Cocktail bar

Ok, now this is one of my most favorite things we’ve ever done!  We created a half moon cocktail bar with copper tops. Then, we had Spoonflower print fabric with the brides’ favorite painting from the St. Regis bar in New York.  I mean…

Nighttime Collage

Landscape lighting sets a moody tone for guests dining and dancing into the wee hours. To announce the bride and groom’s departure, a Dixie jazz band paraded everyone out to the front of the venue for the send off.

B&W couple

After a quick change in to a departure dress by Anaesia, guests tossed rose petals at the bride and groom…

Car Collage

A vintage convertible decorated with lush greenery made for a one of kind getaway..

8.17.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>