Category Archives: Charleston

Oct 15, 2019

If you are looking for wedding inspiration, there is no question that decorating with greenery right now is hot, almost unavoidable, therefore clients are asking for it. We are huge fans of decorating with greenery due to it’s heartiness allowing some decorating in advance and the ability to go far on impact and less on cost. Here are some of the many ways we have incorporated it into some of our designs.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

This chuppa fashioned from magnolia leaves is balanced with a sweet floral swag, and could easily be replicated on a smaller scale by gathering greenery available in your neighbor’s or your yard.

photos by Tec Petaja

Greenery on large scale can be quite impactful… Full, lush, and oversized centerpieces were perfect on this stark modern rehearsal dinner table. And, as part of a lighting installation fill in a clear top tent and soften the space in this wedding dinner tent.

photos by Liz Banfield and Tec Petaja

Place settings are a fantastic area for using greenery… We used a stem with waxy leaves as a place card that tucked nicely into the napkin as an embellishment. For a rehearsal dinner, a leaf was hand painted and wrapped around the menu cards. Finally, as a modern day “doily” a fatsia looks chic on a charger for a party with a tropical vibe.

photo by A Bryan Photo

Greenery for sure adds depth and dimension to floral bouquets, but i LOVED the ones we did that were all greens… Something different and unexpected and still super stylish.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield photo by Liz Banfield

This labor of love took the rustic cakes to the next level. The linen was covered in galax leaves hand glued over a couple of days, but it was well worth it!

photos by Liz Banfield

So simple and easy, yet looks so thoughtful once it’s executed. Using many different types of leaves (aspidistra, fern, monstera) for decorating passed hors d’eouvres and cocktails is a favorite of mine. I love the idea of using leaves instead of doilies to hold food items into place. Also makes for unique presentation.

photos by Corbin Gurkin, Liz Banfield, Corbin Gurkin

A favorite spot of our is on chair backs. Just a simple swag on the back of the bride and groom chairs (or a monogram made from greenery), against wooden chairs adds a thoughtful touch. For a Christmas wedding, greenery wreaths and embroidered ribbons dictated the table numbers for dinner.

10.15.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>

Oct 08, 2019

Our Team

It’s a been awhile since we checked in just to introduce ourselves and give you an update on who we are! Thank you to Liz Banfield, since the last time she was here we were able to have her update our headshot, shot in our new office. (speaking of, stay tuned for a fresh new website coming soon!).

This is me, Tara, and I’ve been doing weddings now for over 20 years, and I still love my job! It makes me beyond happy to create an amazing day for our clients totally based on their personalities. It allows me to really tap into that Psychology degree I received from the College of Charleston. When I’m not working (which isn’t very often!), I love spending time with my family. I have three children who are growing up fast, and a new puppy that gets into everything!

Erica Missel is our Executive Director. Erica works directly with all of our clients and vendors to deliver the best of the best to our brides. Erica is a Southern girl from the upstate of South Carolina, but has stayed in Charleston after graduating from the College. She was recently put all of those planning skills to the test on her own wedding to her husband, Charleston. We very recently welcome, Bri Hughes, back to Charleston from Maine as our new Logistics Manager and Assistant. She will be keeping this train on the track, and we are thrilled to have her. Make sure you introduce yourself to her! Kate Little, our former coordinator, is back with Soiree managing our social media and blog.

Karen Simon, our Director of Sales, and Becca Smith, Creative Director create everything that is Lettered Olive, our sister stationer. Karen comes to us by way of NOLA, and when not working, she and her boyfriend like to travel, or just hang out with their pups. Becca, who resides in North Carolina is an accomplished graphic designer previously in the corporate fashion and textile market. After doing the printed materials for her own wedding, she knew she needed to make the move.

Susan Irvine, a NC native with a background in Studio Art, comes to Soiree as our Production Manager. Overseeing the set up of all of the signature Soiree details helps ensure our Brides have their perfect day. William Johnson, our construction manager is why I can sleep at night on the weekends of events. The safety of our staff and all of our clients is ensured having a former firefighter on scene, and his son who also works for us and an EMT! Heather Santucci (who is also my nanny), is the longest running Soirette yet! When I started doing my own flowers, she was my buyer at the local wholesale florist. Now, she is my head floral designer.

So thankful for this team of mine… Soirettes rock!

10.08.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Planning, Spotted!, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Aug 20, 2019

Let Them Eat Cake

photo by Jose Villa

Remember when there was a big wedding trend of instead of cakes, there were dessert bars, or pie stations, or smaller cake displays, etc? Well, tradition must be on the upswing, because we are seeing a lot of cakes making an appearance again, and the design is mostly simple, delicate, and sometimes even subtle. Here are some of our recent faves. Above, for summer in upstate New York, this ladylike floral confection from Nine Cakes deserved a custom made statement linen.

photo by Ryan Ray

Our springtime in Charleston wedding had both garden and modern design elements, with a strong marbleizing game. Jim Smeal nailed it as always with this sleek stunner.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

White on white is majorly back. But to keep this one interesting and different, square tiers were selected instead of round, and handmade hydrangea blooms used throughout the wedding flowers were represented here… Cake by Jim Smeal

photo by Liz Banfield

For another white on white cake, Jim Smeal added detailed architectural patterns noted each layer, giving it a glam Art Deco look… the hand made icing blooms softened it up for a that wedding touch. Keeping it clean around the bottom with a simple wooden board on a marble top table kept it inline with the sleep and simple chic look we were going for.

photo by Tec Petaja

Our minimalist natural bride opted for a simple white cake with textured “waves”, and just a hint of natural greens giving it an organic and earthy feel. Jim Smeal cake.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Of course, we do still see some color and bolder styles.. Instead of adding any live blooms to this confection, Jim Smeal created and icing vine and floral pattern that really turned this cake into its own design focal point.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

This Jim Smeal cake, so perfect for a glam fall fete, was a chocolate lovers dream. The white icing flowers definitely pop and add a wedding-y touch and sitting atop a custom embroidered linen pull it all together into a picture perfect detail.

8.20.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Photographers, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>