Category Archives: Dresses

Dec 18, 2017

I was so honored when asked to participate in the 2017 Paris edition of the Inner Circle Experience, not only to connect and collaborate with old and new friends in the industry, but I was also hungry for some inspiration. We are lucky enough to travel all over doing weddings for clients who are from all over, but nothing compares to stepping outside of that and seeing new things to inspire you in a new host of ways…

We stayed at the Plaza de Athenee which was beyond luxurious… I think staying in hotels is one of the things that provides me with the most inspiration and have always dreamed of designing a hotel one day… I try on my visits to our NYC office to try new places, but I tend to fall in love with a place and stay there for a while before switching it up…

Walking around and exploring doors is one of my most favorite things to do… Last year after exploring doors in Italy, I came home and painting my front door a color that I couldn’t get out of my head. And, we have done a lovely wedding where the bride loved a particular door knocker and we incorporated it throughout the design.
My friend and fellow event professional, Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York, and I wandering the streets together…

I was thrilled that the Dior exhibit at the Musee des Art Decoratifs was happening while I was there… I was in awe, it was breathtaking… So many dresses I would give anything to have in my collection, and so many I could see as fabulous wedding dresses!

Of course, just absorbing all of the surroundings could take up your entire trip. I’m more of a culture buff than architecture, but I couldn’t help being overwhelmed by all there was to see.

The ceiling here of the Palais Garnier is spectacular, just the detail and time it must have taken to go into it… And, you can rent this space for events, I can just see designing a wedding here- add to goal list!

Sometimes you just have to do the one obvious tourist thing, for me going to the top of the Eifel Tower was incredible…

The view from the top was spectacular.. We had lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant, and I even got to witness the cutest couple sitting next to me get engaged! Could not have been more perfect.
There were incredible experiences lined up for us… Some of my favorites were perusing the Picasso Museum, the cooking class at Alain Ducasse’s Le’Ecole de Cuisine , and going to the original Hermes store. It’s always been a dream of mine to live in Paris for the summer to go the Le Cordon Bleu, so a glimpse of this at the Alain Ducasse school reignited that even more. This is why Paris is called the City of Lights!

12.18.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Art, Bridal Style, Dresses, Fashion, Food and Drink, J'adore!, Shopping, Travel, Videos | 1 Comment

Dec 13, 2017

Wedding Wednesday- New Year’s Sparkle

One of the most stunning winter weddings I can remember is this celebration from 2013 in Oklahoma City. 525 people for a sparkling silver and gold, glamorous, personalized over the top New Year’s party. There are so many details I want to share from this wedding it was hard to chose our favorites. Liz Banfield was there with us to capture all of the twinkling tidbits.

The bridesmaids sparkled in two piece silver sequined tops and ballgown skirt ensembles from Synderela. Our friend, Julie Sabatino with The Stylish Bride, worked with the bride and designer to develop the custom creations.

The Brides’ childhood church was the perfect ceremony backdrop. We added our own special touches to their already lovely Christmas decorations, which included lush eucalyptus garlands, spruce wreaths, and glowing candle cylinders covered in custom laser cut metallic paper.

One of the most stunning ceremonies I’ve seen, after the processional, the lights were dimmed and the rest of the ceremony was held by candlelight. Truly magical and you could feel the love in the room!

Wow, did Lettered Olive get to have fun and create some spectacular design for the wedding papers. Gold metallic foil printing, laser cut papers, velvet finishes, and a pop up skyline were just a few of the details. We love the way the bride wrote her name along with the grooms, so we used her signature as a detail throughout too just to personalize it even more.

These guest welcome bags truly showered the guests traveling from afar and celebrating with them over a holiday weekend. A custom candle with printed matches, custom letterpress coasters and Veuve Clicquot splits, waters, favorite snacks and candies from the couple, and an “emergency” kit left the guests with everything they could need for a comfy stay.

Guests were greeted with a glowing welcome to the reception, where the exterior of the private club was covered in the wintry candle cylinders.

The finest details were not spared for this event. White gloved servers donning aprons in the couples’ custom monogram (and custom bowties) received guests with an array of offerings including Manhattans (where the couple reside) and Champagne.

The cocktail lounge was a sight to behold. Suede covered loungers with orchid “chandeliers” offered guests a place to gather, and the escort cards were mini versions of the paper covered cylinders with the names caligraphied on them, and displayed together on shelves for a statement wall!

The dining room shone in silver and gold. Lamplight and candlelight came together to create the most perfect ambient dinner experience, and while there were over 500 guests, it still managed to feel somewhat intimate!

Tables alternated complimenting pewter sequined linens topped with oversized clear crystal candelsticks and ones topped with soft silver suede and crystal lamps. All of the menus were backed in a gold laser cut velvet and place cards were gold name plates affixed to the letterpressed menus.

Two of my favorite little dinner details were the bride and groom chairs- embroidered with the handwritten names; and the first course soup served in these stunning gold bowls- fabulous!

A spectacular 8 tier cake with handmade flowers by Fancy Cakes by Lauren out of Dallas, Texas.

The couple share their first dance as husband and wife on a dance floor covered with their custom “fireworks” design.

This uber glam reception lounge provided the perfect pad for ringing in the New Year. The copper topped bar we built on site, and I always find the glassware to be an awful site, but we built a display for it, and it became a lovely backdrop.

The going away favors were a lovely packaged snack mix that included roasted dried black eyed peas- a traditional food said to bring luck to those who eat it on New Year’s day.

If there was ever a perfect time for a sparkler send off and fireworks at a wedding, it’s on New Year’s. The couple drove off into the night as coordinated “sparklers” popped as they drove by in their vintage convertible. Happy New Year to all!

12.13.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Cakes, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Dec 11, 2017

Lela Rose’s Presentation in the Park

photo by Nina Westervelt

We are stepping into the Elizabeth Street Garden in New York today to view Lela Rose’s Fall 2018 bridal collection. In a stroke of genius she invited guests into the garden for a presentation in lieu of a traditional runway show for NYFW… This way guests get to view the gowns from every angle and get up close and personal to see all of the gorgeous details.
photo by Nina Westervelt

One thing that noticeably sticks out to me is that Lela always incorporates high fashion alternatives to traditional gowns. I love love love the pant ensemble here! And two piece options are featured as well- perfection!

photo by Taylor Jewell

Lela says the inspiration behind this collection was seeing traditional silhouettes updates for the modern bride. While there are plenty of lovely strapless gowns out there, I prefer sleeves and other alternatives, like this off the shoulder number. And this delicate lace design is the perfect for a feminine bride wanting a sophisticated take on the sheer trend.

photo by Taylor Jewell

Lela’s Southern sensibility shines through the presentation… Guests enjoy Callie’s Charleston ham biscuits (a big favorite of ours!) and “Sweeties” .. and a sketch artist onsite offers a special touch. And don’t forget the “bouquet bar” as seen below.

photo by Taylor Jewell

Lela walks her “brides” out of the park making sure the gowns stay bridal white, something we are all too familiar with… We thank Lela for sharing this glimpse of her Fall 2018 Bridal presentation with us…

12.11.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Dresses, Events, Fashion, Flowers, Food and Drink, New York, Parties, Photographers, Weddings | Comments >>