Category Archives: Event Design

Jan 14, 2019

One thing still holds firm with many of our weddings we do throughout the South, and that’s tradition. Many Southern brides have well known or tried and true traditions that we work to incorporate, and other times it varies by region or state and may not be as well known. We wanted to break it down for you in case you are looking for a little way to incorporate tradition into your upcoming wedding. One that is definitely big with our Dallas brides is having a “house party”. A house party is essentially a second wedding party, your best girlfriends, sorority sisters, etc that wear special attire and sit up front, participate in all of the bridal party activities, but it just cuts back on the big number of people standing up front with the couple.

Another popular trend that actually seems to get the guys excited and on board- burying the bourbon. The folklore states that if you bury a bottle upside down in the ground, it won’t rain on your wedding day.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

I have to say it worked out pretty well for this couple… it was a gorgeous day for them.

photos by Liz Banfield (1,2) and Corbin Gurkin

This one has seemed to spread beyond just being a Southern thing, but we have our fair share of groom’s cakes on display still. Usually the design is something sports related- like a favorite college or pro team, or maybe something related to a profession. Or, a favorite food or something from a movie or tv show. Whatever it may be, take that as a chance to put a custom mark on it.

photos by Corbin Gurkin and Liz Banfield

Another classic Southern wedding tradition is displaying the bride’s portrait somewhere at the wedding. It used to be just on an easel or in a frame on a table positioned somewhere near where everyone enters, but we try to do something different with it so that it can become a design moment. For a wedding at Lowndes Grove Plantation we took down a painting and hung up one of our bride. For another wedding, we blew up the photos and hung them at the tent entrance as part of a floral wall, all as a surprise for our bride…

1.14.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Etiquette, Event Design, Event Planning, Photographers, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Jan 09, 2019

An Aspen Affair

Bennett invitation suite

For this Wedding Wednesday, we are heading out to Aspen, Colorado for the celebration of Mollie and Sam. Corbin Gurkin captured all of the lovely images. I loved the mixed color palette on this one of blues, purples, natural wooden hues, gray, etc. This letterpress invitation suite from Lettered Olive incorporated the Colorado scenery.

Bridal Collage

The bride wore a custom dress from Nardos Imam; a monogrammed Mrs. Box is a perfect way to keep a reminder of the day; the brides’ bouquet was wrapped in vintage ribbon sourced in New York. The littlest ring bearer in his bow tie couldn’t be left out on the big day.

How cute is this? The bride being a big fan of the movie, Father of the Bride, wore lace tied sneakers under her gown much like the daughter in the movie!

Guest bag Collage

A canvas and leather tote was filled with his and hers S’well bottles, snacks, sweets, and a weekend guide book amongst other take home goodies.

Bennett bridesmaids

Bridesmaids wore different complimenting shades and styles from Lula Kate.

Bennett ceremony

The scenery could not have been more gorgeous, so to compliment and anchor the ceremony against the mountain backdrop, we added pops of vivid purples against the greenery arch. A custom monogrammed aisle runner laid over wooden planks added some soft but rustic glamour to the space.

Scenery Collage

COcktail hour Collage

The reception took place at the Roaring Fork Club. Guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the portico, dancing inside with sweeping views through open doors and windows, and then dancing and dessert in a tent on the lawn.

seating cards Collage

Flower die cut escort cards by Lettered Olive, in the wedding colors were hung from a chandelier in the foyer heading into the dining room.

dining table Collage

Long tables were minimal and tailored; Menus were housed in leather bound booklets “branded” with each guests’ name; wooden cut outs were used for the table numbers.

Lounge

Guests moved into the reception tent after dinner. The “club” we created had hardwood floors landscaped with cowhide rugs, open air mountain views, and low lighting perfect for cozy conversation.

The delicate floral cake by The Caribou Club was the perfect feminine touch against the rustic terrain.

dancing

The couple shares their first dance as husband and wife on a custom designed dance floor surrounded by their closest friends and family. Their first dance song: “All of Me” by John Legend.

1.09.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Photographers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | 3 Comments

Jan 07, 2019

A Year in Ceremonies

photo by Christian Oth/Christian Oth Studios

2018 was a big year in weddings for us… Even though we only do a handful per year, we found ourselves in some familiar and different locations. Working with some of our tried and true and new vendors, and working hard to come up with fresh and custom details for all of our clients. I’d say we had a pretty fantastic year. So, here is a look back as we recap some of our favorite ceremonies from last year. Above, we were in Palm Beach, Florida for a stunner of a wedding at the Breakers. But, the ceremony was at the groom’s family church locally, which I loved because it seems unexpected for Palm Beach- love the pale blue exterior, perfect for a wedding’s something blue.

photos by Liz Banfield

Our last wedding of the year found us in our own backyard of Charleston, at historic Grace Episcopal Church. Lots of gothic and historic architectural details make for some pretty photo backdrops. photo by Lauren Bailey Photo

A new venue for us this year was the gorgeous Barnsley Gardens resort outside of Atlanta, GA. The sweeping grounds had many different pretty spots for a ceremony, so one surrounded by greenery and old oak trees was where we landed. An airy sailcloth tent was perfect acting as a large “sunbrella” for guests, but a light unexpected shower rolled thru also.

photos by Corbin Gurkin

Again, back in Charleston, at one of our all time favorite spots, the Huguenot Church, an intimate ceremony was adorned with very natural and delicate pieces. The lighting in this church is always so romantic.

photos by Tec Petaja

This was a fun wedding for us in Kansas City, Missouri. One, because we had done a wedding previously for the bride’s brother and loved getting to work with the family again. Two, because the venue was so different than what we do here, and we were working with so many new people. The church, however, did feel sweet and familiar since it was full of so many historic notes.

photos by Tec Petaja

I would say for Charleston, this venue (Runnymede Plantation) is my most favorite for designing weddings. It’s a blank slate with a gorgeous natural backdrop. It can host a large amount of people, and it’s easy getting in and out… For this ceremony, we chose a shaded area under historic old Oak Trees overlooking the river banks, and created an aisle by laying down a seagrass runner and draping an airy ceiling in fabric.

Here’s to another year of amazing moments in 2019!

1.07.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Flowers, Photographers, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>