Category Archives: Event Design

Feb 12, 2018

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Monday in the middle of winter definitely calls for a shot of sweet treats!  Wedding cake tastings are definitely one of the most fun moments in the planning process, but for us designing the vignettes for the cake at the actual wedding is something we love. Not to mention, the cakes themselves can be works of art!  Today we are sharing some of our favorites from the last couple years of weddings… The cake above by Jim Smeal, was recently featured on Martha Stewart Weddings.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Our wedding in Newport, RI was a pastel confectionary design in and of itself- inspired by the carpet in the bride’s bedroom growing up- so fitting that the cake should match. The traditional tiered cake was separated by perfect pink roses… Cake by Confectionary Designs.

photo by Liz Banfield

This simple but whimsical cake was dressed up with wildflowers and greenery atop a monogramed linen- I loved this look as it gave some depth and design for the must have cake cutting photo. Cake by Jim Smeal.  You can see more from this wedding in Charleston Weddings Magazine.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Loved this modern and glam inspired cake by Jim Smeal. The extra tall tiers were covered in flawless marbleized and gold leafed design.  We placed it on a simple acrylic table draped with orchid strands, but the candles really had the gold shining..

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For this at home wedding, a large bay window overlooking the party made the perfect picture window for this cake by Jim Smeal. Large lush flower arrangements accented around the bottom of the table while a few blooms were artfully placed on the cake itself.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For a formal classic wedding at home in Greenville, SC with a mediterranean flair, this cake was hand crafted by a family friend… And was also featured in Martha Stewart Weddings.

As the old saying goes- let them eat cake!

2.12.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Charleston, Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, Photographers, Press, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Jan 31, 2018

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Today for wedding Wednesday, we’re revisiting this gorgeous golden hued celebration photographed by Corbin Gurkin. Since there are so many details to savor, we’re splitting up this celebration across two parts, so make sure to come back next Wednesday for the reception and party details. You can also see more of this wedding over at Charleston Weddings Magazine.

printing Collage

 Lettered Olive used golden metallic paper to create a die cut lace pattern complimentary to the bride’s dress, I think the white ink on the metallic envelopes was such a lovely and wedding-y touch. Welcome guest bags were custom printed totes featuring the wedding hashtag filled with champagne splits, mini Candlefish candles, and many of the couples favorites things.

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The girls all gathered to get ready together with Plum Pretty Sugar robes gifted by the bride- even the littlest ladies were included.

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The Groom’s tuxedo was by Vera Wang (yes, she does men’s attire) available through the Men’s Warehouse.
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The bride wore a gown by Vera Wang.

B&G Collage

The couple elected to do a “first sight” at one of the many gorgeous parks in downtown Charleston. Corbin staged the groom so that the bride could sneak up and surprise him. This locale also made for a stunning backdrop for photos before heading over to the ceremony. I love when couples decide to do this, because it allows the photographer to really get great shots when the couple is alone and relaxed.

The couple married at First Baptist Church in Charleston, the glorious gates out front were adorned with floral wreaths of roses, hydrangeas, and lemon leaf. Large golden urns flush with greenery and flowers flanked the alter, as the couple celebrated with their first kiss.

Flower Collage

The bridesmaids wore floor length gold lame gowns by Lula Kate. The lush bridal bouquet  made the perfect transition from winter to spring with cream roses, peonies, lily of the valley sprigs and soft lambs ears, and was tied by vintage ribbon I sourced in New York.

William Aiken CollageGuests were welcomed at the William Aiken House in downtown Charleston. The historic home has been fully restored to it’s splendor with museum quality interiors. And, the grounds  were designed by a renowned local horticulturalist, so we love getting to design for our couples at this property.

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A lovely lounge was waiting on the front lounge for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour and as a getaway for after dinner dancing.

F&B Collage

Cocktail hour included a bourbon bar, passed champagne, and Southern staples like ham biscuits, and fried chicken biscuits mixed with Asian favorites- tuna tartar and dumplings.

Porch Collage

In true Charleston fashion, we utilized the sweeping piazzas for seating niches. We hung the letterpressed and caligraphied dinner escort cards on the porch for guests to gather while enjoying cocktails.

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The cream and golden color palette made for a perfectly formal Southern dinner scape. Tables were dressed with silk linens, and the die cut lace paper wraps from the invitations were brought back in to adorn the dinner napkins. Caligraphied tags tied to the lace acted as place cards.

Dinner Collage

Fabric swathes dressed up standard Chivari chairs… Even a traditional spinach salad has a new take on it’s presentation.

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Doesn’t that tent look so happy and cozy like you wouldn’t want to leave????

Cake Collage

The wedding cake by Jim Smeal mimicked the lace pattern from the bride’s bridal gown in gold and cream.  We created a vignette under the William Aiken House pergola for the cake with chandeliers, candles, and a linen dressed up with greenery and flowers. Having been introduced through their mutual veterinarian, the grooms cake included a “dog park”, also by Jim Smeal.

Dance tent Collage

Details for the after dinner dancing lounge included a monogrammed dance floor and sofas with custom embroidered pillows. The chandelier is dressed up with flowers and greenery.

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Going away Collage

After dancing the night away with friends, the couple departed by a sparkling send off and a vintage white Rolls took them away. Lettered Olive handmade the Best Day Ever sign with golden glitter! This couple’s special day was definitely #HappilyHansom!

 

1.31.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Fashion, Flowers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | Comments >>
Jan 24, 2018

ceremony:sunlight

This breathtaking ceremony took place under the oaks at Drayton Hall Plantation. This bride was all about glamour and wanted a modern flair for her southern plantation affair. So, we added luxe details including chandeliers covered with spanish moss dripping from the branches of the old oak overlooking the pond. Swaths of orchid blooms draped along the aisle runner of plush white carpet.  An arch of floral covered branches in footed urns framed the spot where the couple tied the knot.

accessorie collage

Great little takeaway for upcoming and future brides- have all of your bridesmaids sign the bottom of your wedding shoes, and the first name to rub off will be the next to get married.  The guest welcome bags were canvas shoe bags (which made it easy for out of town guests to take home) filled with hotel room essentials, including a “Charleston” candle by Archipelago.  This braid/bun combo was a bridal hair showstopper!

flower girl aisle couple and dogs

This couple made a great point of including loved ones on the big day- Small nieces acted as flower girls, and the couple’s two golden retrievers made a guest appearance for photos.

tent collage

After the ceremony, guests walked the grounds of Drayton Hall towards the riverbanks where they entered a cocktail tent full of plush lounge furniture, candlelight and chandeliers.

printing collage

Lettered Olive was loving being able to mix up materials for this bride- the menu cards, escort cards, and table names were all etched acrylic signs. In lieu of a guest book, guests were asked to take a polaroid photo and write a note which went in a box for the couple to have at home..

lounge overall

After dinner, guests entered an all white and silver swank lounge for dancing. It had been sealed off during dinner, so the big reveal really wowed the guests. The Casablanca lilies used in the centerpieces filled the room with their scent which was an unplanned but pleasant surprise detail!

cake collage

Inexpensive and comfy asian slippers took place of flip flops for guests needing to change out of their high heels. This mod octagon shimmering cake by Jim Smeal was definitely a stand alone centerpiece. Guests not wanting to indulge at the party, were given slices in boxes that they could take home with them.

lounge center shot

Intimate seating lining the edges of the dance floor allowed for cozy conversation and quick break to rest!

Silly String collage

Having a fun couple allows us to get really creative, which is of course, fun for us. For the send off, everyone “Got Silly at Hilary and Will’s Wedding” with custom covered silly string cans.

getaway car

The vintage getaway car was adorned with paper flowers in the brides’ colors. Loved the throwback to weddings when decorating the car was a really big deal!
Thank you to Liz Banfield for all of the gorgeous shots!

1.24.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Cakes, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>