Category Archives: Event Design

We have been waiting to share this oh so pretty Winter wedding at Montage Palmetto Bluff with you for a while, and since it’s was just featured on Martha Stewart Weddings, we finally can! Filled with so many custom details, the tailored crispness of the color palette and seaside location created a perfect “winter” wedding in the Lowcountry. Photos by Corbin GurkinLettered Olive did an amazing job of creating a fresh and young take on a traditional wedding invitation suite… While the rectangle shape, paper, and black calligraphied ink fall along the modest vein, an embroidered emerald green velvet belly band, gold edging and a whimsical monogram add a modern vibe..

With the wedding take place at a full service resort, simple wedding welcome gifts fit the bill… Take home dopp kits, and Christmas plaid koozies were tokens of appreciation complimenting the snacks and bottled waters.

The bride wore a gown by Oscar de la Renta, and shoes by Jimmy Choo.  The lace long sleeves were stunning!  The couple opted for a first sight moment before the ceremony in the Chapel.

We wanted to set the tone for the English garden feel early on, so the exterior doors of the chapel were adorned with boxwood greenery, and a floral archway.The architectural lines of the grand windows in the chapel essentially created a “trellis” for us, so filling it with flowers seemed the natural thing to do.  Adding a bridal white aisle runner helped absorb the sunlight on the wooden floors and soften the grand space.

Green and white flowers are my all time favorite palette to work with… And, with the Emerald green bridesmaids dresses, it couldn’t have been more perfect. Dainty Lily of the valley for the bride and groom, and lush and wild mixtures of hearty and dainty for the girls. The old Plantation ruins served as the backdrop for the cocktail hour… Guests were able to enjoy a lovely lowcountry day and sunset before heading into the dinner and lounge tent into the wee hours. You  know I love to make sure the exterior of our tents are just as pretty as the inside… it’s’ the first thing your guests see, wow them before they even walk in the doors… And, for this tent, we wanted to bring the outside in, so along with the greenery garlands draped from the ceiling, and garland covered lanterns, a greenery trellis wall served as the background focal point for the large tent.Small greenery wreaths with embroidered banners served as the table numbers.  Velvet menu books emblazoned with gold name plates were big wow getters on the tabletops. Simple touches like tailored linens with contrasting piping really finish the look. Mixing the flower and candle heights and holders give a layered look that’s not messy…

Again to break up and soften the extra large tent space, carpeting was laid, and a raw wood “shiplap” wall was built… Shelving to hold the glassware has the tent looking more like a custom built home than a wedding tent!
A patterned dance floor in the wedding colors became the focal point of the lounge and worked so well with the velvet upholstered sofas and benches… A textured white cake layered with Jim Smeal’s artistic gum paste flowers provided a stunning centerpiece…

And for those who prefer to take their cake home with them, waxed bags printed with the couple’s custom monogram were passed out late night sweet treats. The band performed behind a silhouetted wall, keeping in line with the super finished aesthetic.

After a sparkler send off, the couple drove off into the night in a greenery draped golf cart… the true goodbyes came after the couple hosted their guests for a brunch the following day.

1.03.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Cakes, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Photographers, Press, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | 1 Comment

Tara Guerard Holiday Table by Lucy Cuneo

It’s your first Christmas together as Mr. and Mrs. so why not set yourselves a “sweetheart” table fit for the season. Here are a few quick tips for putting together a quick and easy but still special tabletop. Thank you to Lucy Cuneo for shooting these details with us.

Tara Guerard Holiday Table by Lucy Cuneo

Basic candlesticks are readily available at any craft, or discount store, but may go overlooked. Don’t be so quick to write them off. Here, we took ones of varying heights and shapes and spray painted them gold to jazz them up. Keep these tucked away for future gatherings and you can repaint in any color needed!

Tara Guerard Holiday Table by Lucy Cuneo

Two tips: Wrap the bases of your candles in floral wrap tape (again available at craft and floral stores), it has a bit of tack to it and will hold the candlesticks in place and upright- no more crooked candles!  Also, never have candles on a table with fresh wicks- it’s bad luck! Light them if only for a couple of seconds, and then blow them out.

Tara Guerard Holiday Table by Lucy Cuneo Tara Guerard Holiday Table by Lucy Cuneo Tara Guerard Holiday Table by Lucy Cuneo Tara Guerard Holiday Table by Lucy Cuneo

Another fast and easy design element is adding something to your napkins. Here, I rolled a linen napkin and tied off with gold twine. You could tuck a sprig of your tree or even a quick handwritten note to your new spouse in there for something special.

Tara Guerard Holiday Table by Lucy Cuneo

Don’t be afraid to mix your plates and glassware. You can use water glasses for wine, wine glasses for a specialty cocktail, etc. I love these vintage champagne coupes, there is something quite grown up and festive about drinking from them. These party plates from Anthropologie were a quick little purchase that totally dresses up the table, and since you only need two, they won’t break your Christmas budget.

We’ll share our how to’s on creating a poinsettia centerpiece and greenery wrapped votives next week, so join us then.

12.19.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, Gifts, Parties | Comments >>

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

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 >>