Category Archives: Event Planning

Nov 28, 2018

I’m so excited to be able to finally share this gorgeous garden wedding we did for our former intern, Carleton. She married at her parents home in Birmingham, Alabama which featured the ceremony on the front lawn, and an alfresco style dinner overlooking the back. You know how much I love a home wedding.  Carleton is also the niece of Flower Magazine founder, Margot Shaw, who has always been such a great supporter of Soiree. See more of the gorgeous details over on Over the Moon. All photos courtesy of A Bryan PhotoLettered Olive worked closely with our client to make sure the simple and chic feel she wanted was delivered. 

Carleton chose the Greenhouse gown by another favorite friend, Lela Rose. For her it was the perfect mix of modern and classic…

While, the groom, Gael, wore a custom made Ralph Lauren tuxedo, the ladies were asked to chose their own dress within a color palette…. The look was so curated and worked perfectly with the “gathered greens” bouquet we did for each of the ladies.

The scenery, weather, etc was just so perfect for this garden ceremony. A simple arbor waited at the end of a blanketed aisle of rose petals. Greens attached to chairs acted as “pew markers”. Mini jute totes placed on each chair included blank note cards and pens asking guests to leave well wishes for the couple- in lieu of a traditional guest book. After a cocktail hour throughout the house and garden, guests make their way to the back lawn for dinner featuring family style tables and open air scenery.

Keeping in line with the simple at home feel, we wanted to do something different instead of an escort card display. Hatch Cove Designs and Lettered Olive worked together to create a watercolor illustration of the home and tables with the guests names in their places. This  also became a lovely piece of artwork for the couple’s new home.

The tablescapes married the French and Southern influences seen throughout the wedding.  Sweet garden roses and ranunculus were dotted with greens and fresh lavender peppered throughout. Handwritten and hand tied menus sat atop French lace patterened plates and 100 percent linen tablecloths.

After dinner guests enjoyed a lounge, bars, and dance tent with seating areas hidden throughout trees and secret spots.  To keep the intimate feel to the day, wedding cake was served inside the home’s dining room in petit comité. Before all guests finished their dinner, the couple gathered with their families in the dining room and cut the cake while a pianist played “La Vie en Rose,” a nod to the Groom’s French heritage. I think it’s so important for the couple to steal a few moments away from the larger crowds to soak in bits and pieces of the day here and there. After the cake cutting, a horn line (as a nod to the Southern heritage) came and lead the couple through the dining area to get guests up and out of their seats, and got them to the dance floor.  The first dance song, Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli was the perfect way to kick off the dancing.

The couple was sent off by biodegradable confetti and French “jut married” sign…

11.28.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Photographers, Press, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Nov 26, 2018

chmdec2016cover

Imagine my joy when I saw this Charleston Magazine with my sweet springer, Georgia on the cover! I had a blast working with our friends at Charleston Mag on this feature- Peter Frank Edwards, Melissa Bigner, and Darcy Shankland. For more tips and outtakes head over here.

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11.26.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Etiquette, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Photographers, Press, Spotted!, Uncategorized | Comments >>
Nov 12, 2018

Tara Guerard Soiree by Squire Fox

We’re sharing from the archives today!  Back when Charleston Magazine Editor, Darcy Shankland married her beau, we hopped right in to help her design an intimate, fun, and romantic fall party full of candlelight and seasonal decor.  The Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation provided the perfect rustic setting (the same venue for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ wedding) and the large hearth with a roaring fire couldn’t make for a better backdrop. We wrapped the beams in trees and branches full of leaves painted golds and reds, and hung out candle chandelier which helps drench the room in a glow. Benches for a small ceremony in the round were easy to relocate and open up the room for the reception.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Squire Fox

We adopted the burgundy dahlia as a main focal point throughout the wedding design. The Bride’s single bloom bouquet was a standout against her ivory silk gown.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Squire Fox

A spiced cranberry cocktail served in stemless glasses and adorned with the dahlia tags were offered to guests at the end of the ceremony.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Squire Fox

Jim Smeal‘s knock down amazing ruffled dahlia cake was seriously almost too awesome to cut. Miniature cranberry and glazed raspberry pies were displayed as well for a beautiful bounty of sweets!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Squire Fox

In lieu of ceremony programs, mirrors framing the fireplace were hand written with the pertinent people and information.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Squire Fox

Long tables full of burlap wrapped glass candle cylinders and single stemmed vases with burgundy dahlias made for luxurious centerpieces on a budget! We tied with hemp twine little dahlia tags to the candle cylinders for extra color and detail.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Squire Fox

In order to give the bride a grand entrance to the ceremony, swaths of sheer fabric in gold and burgundy were strategically hung so that we could position her and open as needed.  Thank you to Squire Fox for all of the beautiful photos.

11.12.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Charleston, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>