Category Archives: Event Design

Apr 03, 2017

Since giving up sweets for Lent, I have them on the brain! So in the spirit of all of our Spring wedding posts lately, I didn’t want to leave out the sweetest part- wedding cake! There are many ways of styling your cake these days, but here are some of our favorite recent Spring cakes. We adorned this simple and textured cake with wedding blooms (tulips and ranunculus) and greenery to give it some depth.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Jim Smeal crafted sugar hydrangeas and other wedding blooms for a simple and sophisticated centerpiece in the dinner tent. And, instead of using their custom monogram on the cake we made a runner for the cake table.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Once doesn’t think “green” icing would appear appetizing, but when done in the palest shade and adorned with fabulous flowers, it becomes chic! Cake by Jim Smeal.

photo by Liz Banfield

For a traditional bride wanting a white wedding cake, handmade sugar flowers in all of the spring blooms used at the wedding, gives a statement ruffle almost too pretty to cut. Cake by Jim Smeal.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For a glamorous gold and cream wedding, intricate details like lace designs and frilly flowers pulled from the bride’s dress were the perfect patterns for the showcase cake. Cake by Jim Smeal.

4.03.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Mar 21, 2017

Welcome to Our Wedding

Today, we’re going to help you with ideas for the perfect wedding welcome favors based on the type/location of your big day. Of course with Charleston being our backyard, we try to find ways to switch it up a bit, but still representing both the city location and the clients marrying here. For a formal destination wedding downtown, bags custom printed with the couple’s printing motif are filled with upscale goodies like champagne splits, custom Candlefish scented candles, and favorite treats of the bride and groom. Another Charleston wedding features canvas totes printed with an illustrated map of the weekend locales, locally made cheese wafers and local chocolate. Of course, providing guests with all of the pertinent information- transportation schedule, addresses of event locations, and things to do in the surrounding areas are all necessities.

Since we do do a lot of destination weddings, we like creating fun and new ways to customize the favors that greet guests upon arrival, perhaps to a location they have never been before. For this Colorado weekend, leather trimmed totes were filled with thoughtful details like wood grain S’well bottles (tote along on your hikes), “trail” mix, and kit full of sunscreen, mini O2 bottles to battle any elevation issues, and fly fishing embroidered caps.

For a Southern beach wedding, jute beach bags are stocked with printed koozies, ER kits (bandaids, tums, aspirin, sunscreen, and chapstick), lots of beach worthy snacks and magazines for guests to enjoy while soaking up the sun, and printed water bottles. Other items to include are printed beach towels, flip flips, and printed toss away sunglasses.

For this intimate destination wedding at the Montage Palmetto Bluff, the venue provided home made biscuits and locally made jam, which Lettered Olive created custom packaging for and delivered to each guest cottage the morning of the big day… Talk about leaving a lasting impression!

3.21.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Gifts, Shopping, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | 1 Comment

Mar 13, 2017

What To Rent Now

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Rentals are a huge part of any event (big or small), and having a good relationship with our rental company is what has been imperative to the success of our events. Of course they also help contribute to the overall design of the event. Today, we are sharing some of our favorite new rentals items available through our local company, Snyder Event Rentals.

Let’s start with China- so excited about some of the newer patterns available. 1. Cream lace 2. Villa d’Este 3. Duchess Gold Rim chop plate 4. White Tuscan Stoneware

photo by Corbin Gurkin

These are two little ways to do something special to showcase your cake, or to use as speciality hors d’eouvres plates- 1. White Tuscan Stoneware bread plate 2. Villa D’Este bread plate

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Now onto Chairs and Lounge rentals. The Louis XVI dining chair is a new favorite of ours. It does take up a bit more space- so if you are worried about spacial issues, or for budgeting purposes, we have done them just for the head table and mixed with chivaris at the other tables. The whitewashed Marie dining chair (on right) is a great new alternative to Chivaris or a sweet way to dress up a ceremony.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

I can’t wait to use these yummy green velvet couches for a lounge for a client. Green is such a surprisingly versatile color, these are going to be fun to design around. The neutral Forrester sofa is so elegant, handsome and neutral, this will be a very popular item for what can be done with it.

I see these three items- the Isla occasional chair, the Bliss Daybed, and the Olivia round bookshelf together in a nice vignette. Add some custom or colorful pillows, and fill the bookshelf with candles and flowers and you have a perfectly crafted and elegant seating area.

These are just some of the rentals available in our local area, happy hunting at your local rental source. Many of the larger regional and national companies ship to all areas, so keep that in mind too.

3.13.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>