Category Archives: Event Design

Nov 27, 2017

We hope you enjoyed our wedding Wednesday post on Gaby and Ward’s super glam Kiawah Island wedding last week. Today, we’re sharing a quick post on their rehearsal dinner because I think it’s always fun to see how the whole weekend comes together in photos. Thank you again to Corbin Gurkin for the sweet images.

Gaby and Ward welcomed friends and family at the Ocean Room at Kiawah Island for their simple supper. The rooms itself lends itself more to the masculine feel, which works out since the rehearsal dinner is typically hosted by the groom’s family. But of course, we have to make sure the bride is happy too! Hence, the mixing of dark grays and browns, textures, and the pop of pink flowers.

One long table was the perfect way to set the tone for the blending of families…

The menu cards were flipped over and hand printed with each name doubling as place cards… Love this easy space and cost saving detail. And, you know how I love to adorn napkins… simple ribbons with a camelia tucked in made a pretty detail.

A sweet and attentive groom takes care of his bride’s tears, due to her father’s toast.

Brides, it’s so great to have your wedding photographer on hand friday night as well, because you can get some lovely photos together before the big day… Love it.

11.27.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Parties, Rehearsal Dinner, Uncategorized | Comments >>

Nov 22, 2017

Destination Wedding on Bald Head Island

This couple hailing from New York City took over resort town Bald Head Island, NC with big city sophistication. The bride knows a thing or two about throwing an event having worked for Creative Edge Parties, so we had a blast planning all the details of her wedding together. I loved the beautiful architectural elements her amazing dress by Junko Yoshioko and birdcage veil by Sara Gabriel brought to the table.

The famous landmark of the island, Old Baldy was a star of the scenery.

The ceremony was held at the quaint Village Chapel on Bald Head Island.

I love that moment of the bride and her father just before they walk down the aisle. What a treasure of a time for both of them to have before he presents her to start a new family. Whitebox Weddings captured the images of the day for them.

The groom’s and groomsmens’ boutonierres were fashioned from a single cotton boll wrapped in burlap.

The cotton blossom bouquets accented with berzillia berries complimented the slate gray and white color palette… Pops of bright orange were accented throughout.

The island allows few cars, so golf carts are the main mode of transport… luckily that makes for fabulous photos.

Having worked for a huge catering operation in New York City, the bride had an integral part of planning the fall menu.

The seating cards for dinner were flags planted in boxes of cotton blossoms. Tables were named after each of the couple’s favorite songs instead of numbered.

Dark fabric swathed the otherwise oversized and over white tent. This created a luxe intimacy that kept the seaside affair warm and comfortable but still had the aire of glamour.

Modern square place settings worked with the menus designed by Regas NY. Vases were wrapped with cotton muslin to provide a softer glow during the evening dinner.

The long tables were a favorite of guests that evening. Everyone felt as if they were at a dinner party they didn’t want to leave!

The big square bar we created adjacent to the dinner tables made for a perfect spot for guests to cozy up for a cocktail during dancing or to catch up with an old friend.

In lieu of a wedding cake, the couple offered individual banana puddings. Love this!

The reception area offered these amazing views of the coastal marsh. For more photos from this wedding, head here to Weddings Unveiled where it was featured.

11.22.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Travel, Weddings | Comments >>

Nov 14, 2017

At The Kid’s Table

Photos courtesy of Southern Living Magazine

Yesterday’s post focused so much on planning a holiday or dinner party that would most likely be a grown up function, I wanted to make sure to share a few idea on setting up a kid’s table, and making it chic enough that adults and older kids would feel just as special sitting there too! For a photo shoot with Southern Living Magazine many years ago, we created a formal Thanksgiving spread at our home in Flat Rock, NC. I wanted the kids’ table to still feel formal, but important pieces that I would be heartbroken if ruined were reserved for the adults. One fun detail we did was have the kids’ names etched on glasses, so that it served as a place card and also something they could keep at home.

Photos by Liz Banfield

For younger kids, offering games or activities at the table may give the grown ups time to enjoy dinner and conversation. For this party, we served all of the kids’ meals on little trays so they would be done in advance and served while the adults were serving themselves. I also love the idea of getting inexpensive wooden ornaments or figures at a craft store (or online) and handwriting on them for place cards! You could even do trees, stars, or angels and the kids could have them for Christmas ornaments a month later!

Photo courtesy of One Kings Lane

There are so many sources for nice melamine or bamboo placesettings and utensils that you could consider dressing up your disposables to cut back on all of the clean up- a kids table is a perfect spot for this! Here, having bowls of fruit or other goodies on the table if the food is still being served can help those hungry tummies. We have a local chocolatier that we placed at each placesetting that had the kiddos excited.

Something we have done at several of our weddings that would be a good idea “steal” are gift boxes/baskets at the kids’ table. We have filled these with mini puzzles, crayons/coloring books, or an assortment of toys to keep kiddos busy during dinner.

11.14.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Press, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized | Comments >>