Category Archives: Event Planning

Oct 02, 2018

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Hopefully many of you will be attending a wedding or two this fall… Today we are sharing some of our favorite fall fashion trends and even some links on where to shop. I think definitely one of my favorite looks from guests at some of our recent weddings is the maxi skirt (here, large jacquard florals are so on trend and in a jewel tone palette) and crisp white shirt or fitted turtleneck. This look works for any body type, and age range, but we have seen some of the older ladies wearing this style and it’s screams sophisticated chic. Here are some of our favorite skirt options.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Of course, color is everything, and right now Goldenrod or Yellow Ochre is the hot hot color of the season… Brights and jewel tones are always mainstays but to me this is a perfect guideline for any fall wedding guest. In fall you can play with all sorts of lengths and textures. For earlier weddings, i.e. cocktail party, you can absolutely get away with shorter dresses. All dresses designed by Dee Hutton.

photo by Perry Vaile

I love both of these options for a black tie or black tie optional affair. Bold oversized florals are having a major moment, and full length black dresses will always be a classic option. Black works well for fall and winter (with navy as an alternative), since it’s great to avoid in the spring and summer months. We like this black dress here, and this floral gown.

photo by Liz Banfield

If you are wanting to invest in a gown that you can use several times, we love a classic but unexpected color like lilac. Great for year round events. Here are a few that would work for year round events… 1.Here 2. Here

10.02.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Planning, Events, Fashion, Reception, Shopping, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Sep 26, 2018

Beauty on the Bluff

Today we are sharing one of our most published weddings full of Fall details like lush greenery, seasonal blooms, and wooden elements. This ceremony and reception took place at the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and was photographed by Corbin Gurkin. The bride was a producer for the Dr. Oz show and based in New York… after searching many local and destination venues, they settled on Palmetto Bluff not only for the beauty and service the property offers, but also for the fact that all of the guests can stay together on property and enjoy all of the amenities.

Light showers began as the couple was saying their vows on a bridge overlooking one of the marshy creeks, luckily there were umbrellas on hand to protect guests and the bride and groom making their way down the aisle. The same Rabbi that did the groom’s bar mitzvah officiated the wedding ceremony, I love when couples are able to incorporate such special elements.

A simple and classic bouquet of Lily of the Valley was the bride’s hope and luckily we were able to get it for her considering the time of year! The bride wore an Oscar de la Renta mermaid style gown…

Palmetto Bluff and Lettered Olive worked together to create the wedding day baskets full of freshly baked biscuits and homemade jam delivered to each of the guests…

Cocktail hour followed the ceremony on the grounds surrounding the old house ruins. A champagne tower gives a nod to the easy formality of the event.

A tent set under the oaks was the perfect dinner spot

Long tables were anchored with wooden Dunes and Duchess lamps with burlap shades, providing a complimentary glow to candlelight. Clusters of blooms in a mix of cement pots and silver vases provide depth and texture. The place settings were kept simple with colored linen napkins (that the bride and groom were able to keep for their home collection) and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

The head table was encased in an iron garden conservatory as greenery garland swags were draped throughout the tent. A grand piano was brought in for live dinner music. A “firewood” wall was created for the backdrop to the bar.

Pretty lounge seating viognettes lined the dance floor.

The couple’s precious pup, Einstein was a guest at the affair. We always try to hide all of the messy band cables and equipment with a stage partition, which as you can see makes a big difference in the photos! This one we capped with greenery and florals.

The couple ended the evening with an after party dessert reception where the cake was cut and guests danced late into the wee hours.

9.26.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Event Planning, New York, Photographers, Reception, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | 1 Comment

Sep 25, 2018

Charleston Venue Report

photos by Corbin Gurkin

What we like to call engagement season is approaching and many of you may be thinking of a wedding in Charleston soon. We hope that our guide to some of our favorite venues in Charleston can help give you some ideas of what we have to offer, and why we think we are so lucky to do beautiful weddings here. Our first, Fenwick Plantation, is relatively under the radar and a little outside of town. A private historic home and grounds, born of Federalist architecture, the property still boasts a gorgeous avenue of Oaks. Here, we built an aisle over the reflecting pond and used the house for photo backdrops with a large tent on property for the rest of the reception.

Photos by Liz Banfield and Corbin Gurkin

Lowndes Grove is one of the most popular venues in town, and rightfully so. Located in downtown Charleston, the historic plantation home has been restored to pristine condition. The grounds offer room for a tent (atop bluestone, offering a flooring option), and amazing untouched views of the Ashley River. We have done ceremonies on the front lawn, overlooking the river, under a large oak in the rear of the property, and sometimes just the reception- where the possibilities are endless. It’s pretty gorgeous for photos too.

Hibernian 2 Collage

Photos by Corbin Gurkin

The Hibernian Society in the heart of the Charleston Historic District has long been the scene of many Charleston parties… I like that it’s large enough to hold a sizeable party but it’s broken up as such that if you have a smaller group it won’t feel too huge. It’s got a great porch for creating seating areas that overlook Meeting Street, and the historic architecture lends it some unique value.

Ocean Course Collage

photos by Liz Banfield

The Ocean Course at Kiawah is a stunning site. I like the way a party can progress through different stages at this venue. From a ceremony on the golf lawn overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, to cocktails on the upper lawn and porches, to dinner in a ballroom, and then dancing under a tent overlooking the property, you are able to offer your guests so much variety!

Runnymede Collage

photos by Corbin Gurkin

A longtime favorite of many of our brides and us, is Runnymede Plantation. The home no longer stands, other than a few crumbling ruins, but the land and location along the Ashley River allow us to have fun and do whatever we want with decor, and we love that!

Boone Hall Plantation

photo by Liz Banfield

Finally, we’ve done quite a few weddings at Boone Hall Plantation in our many years, but this image from one we did for over 1200 people really stands out! You can tent on the grounds, or use the ever popular Cotton Dock (where a certain celebrity couple was married) and where we held our Soiree Anniversary Party.. It’s extremely popular and books up fast, but you can see why. It was also Allie’s house in The Notebook movie.

9.25.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Events, Parties, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>