Category Archives: Entertaining

Nov 12, 2018

We’re sharing from the archives today! Back when Charleston Magazine Editor, Darcy Shankland married her beau, we hopped right in to help her design an intimate, fun, and romantic fall party full of candlelight and seasonal decor. The Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation provided the perfect rustic setting (the same venue for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ wedding) and the large hearth with a roaring fire couldn’t make for a better backdrop. We wrapped the beams in trees and branches full of leaves painted golds and reds, and hung out candle chandelier which helps drench the room in a glow. Benches for a small ceremony in the round were easy to relocate and open up the room for the reception.

We adopted the burgundy dahlia as a main focal point throughout the wedding design. The Bride’s single bloom bouquet was a standout against her ivory silk gown.

A spiced cranberry cocktail served in stemless glasses and adorned with the dahlia tags were offered to guests at the end of the ceremony.

Jim Smeal‘s knock down amazing ruffled dahlia cake was seriously almost too awesome to cut. Miniature cranberry and glazed raspberry pies were displayed as well for a beautiful bounty of sweets!

In lieu of ceremony programs, mirrors framing the fireplace were hand written with the pertinent people and information.

Long tables full of burlap wrapped glass candle cylinders and single stemmed vases with burgundy dahlias made for luxurious centerpieces on a budget! We tied with hemp twine little dahlia tags to the candle cylinders for extra color and detail.

In order to give the bride a grand entrance to the ceremony, swaths of sheer fabric in gold and burgundy were strategically hung so that we could position her and open as needed. Thank you to Squire Fox for all of the beautiful photos.

11.12.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Charleston, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Nov 06, 2018

Scenes From a Dinner Party

I can’t believe the holidays are already around the corner, oh my! I recently held a small gathering at my home for my husbands’ friends and was able to use the tabletop design as almost a trial run for my Thanksgiving tabletop. I wanted to share some of the details with you as you are starting to plan some of your holiday designs. Thank you to Aaron and Jillian Photography for capturing all of the pretty images.

For the holidays, as well as heading into the 2018 wedding season, I’m loving copper as the new metallic. I also love these brown herringbone napkins. They are neutral enough to mix with whites or creams, and they offer so much texture. I love picking up napkins whenever I’m sourcing or shopping. They are easy to collect and always a great way to to add details to place settings. Hand written place tags thoughtfully tied elevate your holiday hosting.

I also love animal elements when they can be mixed in tastefully… I use a lot of hide rugs, and printed pillows in our lounges when the design calls for it. I’m loving bringing in feathers in subtle ways too. These candles are fab and have been a great addition, we even lined the back of an invitation recently with feathers! Also, people sometimes shy away from greens in their floral design. But, during the holidays I love creating pieces out of greens en masse.

Depending on your table size, I like opting for one large arrangement in a special piece (a silver bowl from your collection, or a ceramic/glass piece found at an antique store), or for longer tables, several small continuous arrangements so guests can converse across the table. Simple florals gathered with greens from the yard/garden can still make a huge statement. And, if you have a Trader Joe’s nearby check out their selection, they tend to have a pretty lovely variety at their great prices. Cheers to happy holiday season with friends and family.

11.06.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Parties, Uncategorized | Comments >>

Oct 30, 2018

Last Minute Party Votives

Now that it’s finally citrus season, one of my favorite DIY decor tips for entertaining at home are my orange votives! These are killer votives for Halloween (think instead of carving pumpkins) get togethers and perfect additions to your Thanksgiving tables, or just any given dinner party. First step is to assemble everything you need- a sharp knife, a good strong spoon or scoop, and your oranges of course. If it’s your first round, get a bag to allow for any Oops!

Slice a thinnish piece off the bottom (and an even thinner part off the opposite side just of the peel, not any of the inside so that it has a steady platform for where you plan to set it down). Use your spoon to hollow out all of the pulp, juices, etc. I like to keep them all to use for smoothies or juicing.

We make sure to use the candle drop ins that have the plastic bases0 they are deeper and don’t get as hot as the aluminum based ones; they also look nicer!

It’s also a good idea to zest or shave a bit of the peel off of the sides so that the candles are able to really glow through. Of course, they are wonderfully fragrant as well!

10.30.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Food and Drink, Parties | Comments >>