Category Archives: Event Design

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 >>
Feb 27, 2018

photo by Melanie Mauer

We have been seeing a lot of articles out there regarding wedding trends for 2018, so we thought we would weigh in on some of that we are seeing  and predicting what some of this year’s trends will be! Of course, metallics have been hot now for many years and where rose gold was the metallic of the moment in 2017, we are loving Copper for 2018!  For a rustic but glamorous fall wedding in Kentucky, copper cups were a unpredictable detail for the water/bourbon cups, and copper foiled ink on menus, invites, etc dressed up the printed pieces.

Photo by Liz Banfield and Corbin Gurkin

Watercolor! Let’s just say, watercolor is the deal… You are seeing it everywhere from invitations (like these from Happy Menocal for our Hamptons client) to wedding design. We even printed some linens recently in a custom watercolor design!

photo by Corbin Gurkin

This one will certainly make all of the grooms and groomsmen happy. While bourbon bars are still required in areas where bourbon is king, we are doing beer walls and taps. This one was a focal point in the after dinner lounge… A few varieties made it a fun tasting experience for those taking a break from dancing.

photos by Liz Banfield and Corbin Gurkin

Finally one of our other favorite trends (meaning we hope it becomes a mainstay vs a trend) are our custom printed matchbooks. Reminds me of the old school restaurants where they had a bowl of matches on the Maitre d’ stand.

2.27.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Parties, Photographers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

bride and groom in archway

Today we are showcasing this rehearsal dinner for Nancy and Nathan on Sea Island, Georgia. Often times our clients ask us to help with many of their weekend events and since we want to be careful not to overshadow the wedding, we love getting to design a compliment to the wedding. I also love it when clients choose to have their photographer to capture the entire weekend, like they did here with Liz Banfield.

Stationary Collage

Lettered Olive works with our clients to create a printing package that incorporates subtleties throughout the design that ties them all together. For the rehearsal dinner, our design theme was going to have a lot of greenery and natural elements, so fronds graced the rehearsal dinner invitations.

Couple bagpiper

As a homage to the couple’s heritage, a bagpiper welcome guests to dinner.

Buffet Collage

We sometimes find a “buffet” or station style dinner harder to design because there is less room for details… During cocktails a wooden board was displayed combining the evening’s menu and the seating by table for each guest.

Tablescape 1

Centerpieces of mixed greens housed in cement pots trailed the center of long dinner tables…Tables were named after the couples favorite locations throughout the world.

lanterns dinner tables

Dining Al Fresco requires lighting above and beyond candlelight…

couple at dinner

This is one of my favorite shots, capturing the clients enjoying each other’s company on the eve of their wedding…

2.26.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Parties, Photographers, Rehearsal Dinner, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Weddings | 1 Comment