Category Archives: Event Planning

Jun 14, 2017

8862_9.@LizBanfield

Oh, how I miss doing weddings at Drayton Hall Plantation.  It still remains one of my all time favorite locations, which you will see from this wedding from the archives. This wedding has a modern art deco feel, which put against the Federalist architecture of the plantation made for a really lovely juxtaposition. Liz Banfield captured all of the lovely imagery.

Bridal Collage

The art deco feel started with the details in the bride’s Carolina Herrera dress and hairstyle… an old wedding wives tale is to have all of the bridesmaids sign the bottom of the brides shoe, and whomever’s name is worn off first by the end of the night will be the next to get married (Miu Miu shoes).. This bride’s something blue was her bouquet!

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On the National Register of Historic Place, what amazing photos to have, as taken in the Plantation house ballroom.

Printing Collage

All of the letterpress printing was done by Lettered Olive. One of my favorite ideas was in the save the dates. There was a large amount of information to put in the save the dates, and not wanting guests to put it aside- we made a “tear off” piece that everyone could put on their fridge or daytimer with the date and location.

Guest Bag Collage

Guest welcome bags were canvas shoe travel bags making these something guests would want to leave with instead of leaving in the hotel. Custom printed snacks and waters filled the bags, along with a mini Archipelago “Charleston” candle with custom matches.

Floral Collage

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Bridesmaids carried white flowers with just a hint of color, while the bride carried the pop of color- for the bride that loves color, this is a great flip flop idea. For moms, and other special ladies who may not want something pinned onto their dresses or carry something, a bloom “corsage” tied to the wrist with satin ribbon or pinned on a purse is a great alternative!

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Ceremony Collage 8871_5a.@LizBanfield

The wedding white ceremony included a white carpet runner, a scatter of petals at the alter, orchid strands draped down the aisle, and chandeliers hung from the grand ok. An arch made of willow branches and lilac made a simply pretty focal point.

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The couples two “babies” made a guest appearance at the end of the ceremony for photos…

8866_15a.@LizBanfield Lounge Collage

After the ceremony, guests kicked off the reception in a cocktail lounge, and lounge seating set up on the riverbanks for a little eye candy.

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A custom Boutique tent was the pretty entrance way into the dinner tent…

Tabletop Collage

Playing off of the art deco look, tables were set with an array of mixed centerpieces surrounding Knoll acrylic dinner club lamps. Menus, escort cards, and other signage are made from etched acrylic… Guests wanted to keep all of the printed materials!

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The amazing cake by Jim Smeal was octagon shaped and mimicked the art deco pattern on the bride’s gown. It’s hard to tell her, but it had the faintest hint of light blue and lavender shimmer playing off of the printed items… LOVE!

8856_2a.@LizBanfield Dancing Collage 8856_4a.@LizBanfield

When guests finished dinner, we pulled back the curtains for a big reveal of the all white after dinner lounge. It was so warm and inviting with a glow that was breathtaking. All white arrangements of Oriental lilies even gave the room and irresistible fragrance.

Silly string Collage

For a truly different and festive send off, we made custom silly string containers which guests sprayed at the couple as they made their way to the getaway car.

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For one take on the traditional, the couple departed in a vintage Rolls Royce tied with oversized paper flowers…

6.14.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

When designing a party or wedding, we try to think through not only the design of the actual wedding, flowers, tent, etc. but also of course the food and drink! Visually how things are presented to us here affect the entire experience, and we are big fan of dressing up our passing trays and our display stations. One of our signature elements are our tray liners. Sometimes a custom monogram, or a pattern used in the wedding printings, we print a mix of complimentary designs to line our passing trays with. Enjoy our video that shows you some tips on how you can do this at your next party.   And, to see the entire episode, head over to our You Tube channel. New episode coming soon!


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photo by Liz Banfield; paper design by Lettered Olive

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photo by Liz Banfield; paper design by Lettered Olive

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photo by Corbin Gurkin

Another trick that is easy and affordable is to use leaves that have been washed and dried out of your garden or from a local flower shop… Anything to not use old school lace paper doilies.

6.13.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Parties, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Jun 07, 2017

6476_33.©LizBanfield

We hope you have been enjoying seeing some of our weddings from the archives. I can’t wait to share some of our more recent ones just as soon as they are published or released! Today, we are going back to a dreamy Lowndes Grove affair, swathed in pink and white, with a custom monogram using the “J” from the bride and groom’s first names. Thank you to Liz Banfield for the pretty imagery.

Bridal Collage

This gorgeous bride was perfectly polished on her wedding day with a floral chignon, Monique Lhullier gown, family heirlooms incorporated into her bouquet, and a six pence in her Christian Louboutins!

6474_32a.©LizBanfield Guest Bag Collage

Guests coming to Charleston for the weekend, enjoyed a jute bag perfect for toting around filled with custom bottled waters and locally prepared snacks. The J&J logo set the tone for all of the design elements to come.

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I love that final moment the bride has with her father (or whomever the special person walking her down the aisle), to reflect on everything and take a deep breath before walking down the aisle.

6477_33.©LizBanfield escort card Collage

Meanwhile, over at Lowndes Grove , the house is open for cocktail hour- guests enjoy pink champagne, porches with seating to enjoying the sweeping river views, and bountiful appetizers.  We also find this is a great time and place to position items like the guest book (whatever that is for you), and the dinner seating card display while you have all the attention of the guests before dancing, etc.

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Our bride wanted a truly Southern and traditional feel especially in the dinner tent, and we think we delivered! Luxe draping accented with crystal chandeliers, a mixture of tall and low abundant floral pieces, and pretty pink ribbon woven into the chairs just for an added touch.

Tabletop Collage

The J & J was a perfectly pretty accent for the place settings… The head table received embroidered napkins for the couple to use at home after the wedding. Small letterpressed tags were tied just so on the napkins, and wax seals featuring the “J’s” sealed the escort card envelopes.

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Oh, one thing I loved for this wedding- we added a bit of tailoring to the linen linens by trimming them out with heavy satin ribbon.

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The cake by Jim Smeal took notes from the lace used on the bride’s dress, along with the J monogram. Piped icing in a formal pattern was piped onto the traditional cake stand (which we painted white to update the old school silver stands) was an added special touch!

Evening Collage

Another hit at this wedding were the place cards at the head table- etched glasses with each person’s name that they could take home.. LOVE!

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Lounge Collage

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After dinner under a tent on the front lawn… A warm and cozy lounge tent with glowing lamplight, carpeting, and candlelight was the perfect spot for guests to party. An outdoor lounge overlooking the river gave those wanting to enjoy some space away from the party a chance to relax under the stars.

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The bride enjoys her first dance on a custom monogrammed dance floor.

Late night Collage

Late night yummies like sorbet cones, and mini ice cream sandwiches cooled guests off from a long night of dancing…

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The bride and groom departed by a Classic Rolls and traditional rose petal toss….

6.07.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>