Category Archives: Event Design

Apr 11, 2017

With Easter and Mother’s Day right around the corner, you may find yourself in the role of hostess. Don’t get overwhelmed, we have all of your easiest fixes and tips right here. We started with very simple basics, a white tablecloth, white dishes, and simple flatware (meaning using whatever you have in the house is a great start). First, develop your palette. Head to your local fabric store, or one of our favorite sources, Fabric.com to find a bright pretty swath in whatever color scheme or pattern you like. We made a runner that covered the tabletop (you can either finish the rough edges by hot glueing a ribbon over the ends for a tailored look, or by folding a bit underneath and ironing down with Stitch Witch).

Details on the table help elevate some of those easy basics- Being in the Lowcountry, we gathered oyster shells for salt and pepper cellars and cut some Camellias still blooming out of the yard and floated in simple glass vessels. Finding a template online and some paper that complimented the fabric, menus were printed. Having place cards and menus in some shape or fashion make such an impression on your guests. Using some decorative trim (here, rick rack), we tied an adornment on the napkins just for a little something extra.

Flowering branches found at a local wholesale florist, or large greenery or leaves out of your yard in glass containers make a big impact for less money on the tables. Little bud vases sprinkled throughout add color and detail- I love the idea of pulling out some silver containers from your collection or glassware to mix and match your vases.

Don’t stress too much about what you are serving as well. A store bought quiche and composed salad allow you to still be a hostess and not spend your entire time in the kitchen. Come up with a speciality drink that you can make ahead of time and serve with a pretty garnish (we like a Pink Lady for these occasions), but make sure to set up a bar cart or space making it easy for guests to access. If you style with a few little touches here and there and provide pretty glasses, guests will hardly mind serving themselves. Voila!

Thank you to Marni Rothschild for the lovely images.

4.11.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Etiquette, Event Design, Event Planning, Events, Flowers, Food and Drink, Parties | Comments >>

Apr 05, 2017

An Easter Treat

With Easter right around the corner, for this Wedding Wednesday post, I just had to pull out this wedding from many years ago. This may have been one of the first weddings that Liz Banfield did with us. This couple let us play on the Easter theme with the decor, and Charleston is such a special place to be this time of year, there are many photo opps around town that Liz was able to take advantage of.

One fun Charleston tradition is the Easter Hat parade down Broad Street. The couple was married in a hidden garden off of Broad Street, so this was a happy coincidence earlier in the day.

Before the ceremony, the flower girls took place in an Easter Egg Hunt on the ground where the ceremony was held. After gathering in the garden, the girls traded their baskets for bouquets of bright spring blooms.

The couple having done photos together before the ceremony, were able to have some quiet time together before walking down the aisle to be married.

The Confederate Home and Garden is a lovely spot for ceremonies, and is in walking distance for many of our historic reception venues. A colorful wreath and open door greeted guests. I loved the hanging bouquet we made for the “alter”- greenery speckled with colorful flowers matching a carpet of bright petals making a simple but thoughtful alter.

The Bride and Groom took a horse and carriage through the streets of Charleston on their way to the reception.

Guests were received at Hibernian Hall. A colorful cocktail hour was held on the sweeping porch and first floor foyer. One of my favorite design items we created back in the day for clients, was a large hanging “candle chandelier”. We built a wooden shelf that could hold glass cylinder of flowers and candles and could be suspended from a tent ceiling or venue, etc. For this wedding, we also hung the dinner escort cards.

The second floor of Hibernian held springlike dinner tables and an after dinner lounge and dance floor.

Jim Smeal’s sweet and simple floral cake perfectly fit in with the weddings look .

After a sparkler sendoff, the couple departed by rickshaw- the best way to enjoy a refreshing Charleston evening.

4.05.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Apr 04, 2017

How To Go Nautical

Finally, it’s warming up outside and those warm spring and summer days by the water are right around the corner. A popular party theme this time of year are variations on the nautical or yachty theme. Today, we’re sharing a sweet nautical rehearsal party with tips and ideas.

Of course, this is easier said than done, but try to sweat the weather. Threatening clouds loomed all day, and after an off shore shower, Corbin Gurkin caught this rainbow on film- you can’t pay for that kind of scenery!

One of our favorite nautical color palettes is blue and white with natural elements (i.e. sea grass, jute, twine, etc). Lettered Olive designed a ship and map image, which we screen printed onto a large table runner at Spoonflower. Lettered Olive also created a custom emblem of oars and life saver used for the invites and menus. Also, sometimes the littlest details like the oyster shell salt and pepper cellars can what guests notice the most.

One long table accommodated all of the guests for this intimate celebration. So, to keep the budget and decor simplified, clear glass containers wrapped with jute rope held easily planted succulents and different shapes and sizes gave the “centerpiece” depth and dimension. We varied simple candles as well between tapers and votives in complimentary clear glass holders.

You can also use your food and beverage selections as details. Simple cocktails like champagne and bourbon were elevated with printed rope and knot striped paper lined trays and printed cocktail napkins (a great place for more nautical notes). Being by the coast, we’re so lucky to be able to serve an abundance of seafood- often caught sustainably and locally. Ask what your locale is known for when planning your menu..Here, we served salmon sashimi rolls in ice “trays”. The ice sculpture was more of a tiered display of different sized trays for varying cold items. A great place to get printed cocktail napkins and stirrer sticks or other embellishments is ForYourParty.com

Lastly- enjoy friends and family, good conversation and company!

4.04.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Accessories, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Parties, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>