Category Archives: Dresses

Thrilled to finally share all of the over the top details for this fun loving couple who celebrated in Charleston complete with Drag Queens, marching bands, and arielists. Leslie and Robert’s wedding has been featured in both Charleston Weddings and Inside Weddings, so we’re sharing some of our favorite outtakes today as well. Thank you to Liz Banfield who was with us to capture the big day.

Even this couple’s printed materials were playful. Lettered Olive created the save the dates using etched acrylic, even the cobalt blue envelopes gave a guests a sense of the fun that was to come. This party pack included one of my favorite new features… perfect for a destination wedding with lots of weekend events…These are dress code cards that guests can hang with their attire for each event!  And for the “guest sign in” photo cards and envelopes were designed for guests to use in the photo booth for take home. These guest bags were wow! LL Bean bags chockfull of goodies- personalized!! We did two travel laundry bags embroidered with each of their initials and filled with each of their favorite things… A retox to detox kit of hangover cures, and of course a folder containing all of the important weekend information.  And this time blue acrylic was etched for the tags as a nod to the save the dates.

Of course the couple’s pooch made an appearance… And the embroidery on this Oscar de la Renta gown was truly stunning!

This groom’s lego cufflink and button set showed the fun loving side to his personality and lined up perfectly with the bride’s baubles.

The flowers were a perfect bridal blend of roses, lily of the valley, orchids, and roses in a not too perfect bunch. With the bridesmaids in navy a blend of whites and greens was the way to go, and I love the look the wild hellebores give.

The wedding was hosted at the new Gaillard Center in Charleston, we loved being able to work with somewhat of a blank slate and the fact that we had never worked here before.

After carpeting and draping one of the spaces, a ceremony in the round with a vine covered chuppa was finished up with guests tossing rose petals at the couple after the I Do’s.

Cocktail hour immediately followed with lots of bubbles and noshes for guests to enjoy.

The evening’s entertainment was unlike anything we had done before for a wedding, and it was a hit!  From a silk arieliest, to a popular local lively high school marching band, to a drag queen show complete with the bride joining in, they sure kicked off the night with a big bang!

Guests enjoyed an array of food at different stations, under grand greenery covered lanterns… We draped and carpeted the ballroom to give it a softer and more wedding like feel (the space is typically used as a concert hall), and we sure lucked out with the blue covered walls.

After dinner, guests enjoyed lounging and dancing in the ballroom.  The tiered white cake mimicked the bride’s gown’s intricate lace pattern and positioned a top a table with flowing flowers and a monogramed linen, it was a focal point of the large room.

Our beautiful bride donned a Naeem Khan shortie for the reception- stunning.Keeping in line with their big night of fun, Rescue Flats were offered to ladies so that the dance floor would remain packed all night… Lots of dance floor flair was donned as well, and custom popsicles kept guests cool as they worked up a sweat.

The vintage Volkswagen van that served as the couple’s photo booth, also served as their getaway at the end of the night… We couldn’t think of something more fitting to their personalities. Congratulations Robert and Lesley.

2.28.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Dresses, Entertaining, Event Design, Fashion, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

photo by Corbin Gurkin 

I personally love sleeves on a wedding dress- when I married many moons ago, I had cap sleeves on my classic Amsale gown… But, I’m beyond thrilled to see them making a comeback with some of my brides.  Today, we are sharing some of our pretty favorites that may inspire some of you while dress shopping… Love the lace neckline that is carried down into sleeves on this Oscar de le Renta gown.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Here, Monique Lhuillier incorporates different but complimentary lace patterns on the  high neckline and full sleeves on this ensemble.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Here, our bride wore a Chantilly-lace gown and jacket, custom-designed by Nardos Imam. She took the lace-overlay jacket off for dinner and the first dances. And the lace tradition for a wedding day didn’t stop there…a lace hankie made from her maternal grandmother’s wedding gown was pinned under the bottom of her gown to serve as the “something old” .

photo by Corbin Gurkin

This bride had simple sleeves added to her Amsale gown for a more formal feel for her formal at home wedding in Charleston, SC.

photo by Liz Banfield

If you have your heart set on a different look for the ceremony gown, think about something like this little number for your second dress or your going away – by Monique Lhuillier…

2.19.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Dresses, Fashion, Shopping, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Many times we focus so much on our brides and bridesmaids’ fashion pieces that the Mothers of the Brides and Grooms can get overlooked… After recently scouring through our photos from the past year or two of weddings we realized that we have some pretty knock out stylish “moms” as well, so we wanted to share a little glimpse of the other fashionable wedding day ladies.  The mother of the bride above went with a stunning cape sleeved sheath gown from Oscar de la Renta for her daughters’ winter lowcountry wedding.

photo by Perry Vaile

For a spring time affair at Palmetto Bluff, this mother of the bride complimented the bridesmaids’ gowns with a hand painted ball skirt gown from Kate McDonald.

photo by Adrienne Page

Here the mother of the groom awaits her escort down the aisle, in a fabulous blue gown not quite off the shoulders and gorgeously tailored.

photo by Liz Banfield

For this Charleston wedding, our mother of the bride chose a strapless gown by Oscar de le Renta, but with a matching wrap. Perfect for a church ceremony if modesty is a concern, and for the unpredictable evening temps here in the Spring… This brides’ color palette was a pale pink and green, so I love the brighter pink as a nod to that palette.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

At the rehearsal for our Newport, RI wedding, the mother of the groom waits and watches looking (like Meryl Streep, don’t you think) effortlessly chic before the rehearsal diner.

photo by Liz Banfield

I love this bold color choice by Romona Keveza (styled by Julie Sabatino) worn by our mother of the groom for a summertime Charleston fete.  Love the new movement for mothers wearing color, it’s a celebration, and when appropriate can be a perfectly stunning selection.

As far as flowers or “corsages” go for our clients, we’ve found that many don’t wish to pin something onto their Couture gowns… So, we have been either crafting miniature bouquets for them to carry, or flowers that can attach to a clutch, or ones even affixed to ribbon that can be tied onto their wrists as an accessory.

1.29.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Beauty, Bridal Style, Dresses, Fashion, Flowers, Photographers, Shopping, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>