Category Archives: Event Planning

May 02, 2017

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Of course, when you get married you want it to be the best day of your life. And, you want your guests to have an amazing time that they will be talking about for years. Our job as a planner and designer is to suggest a flow of both the timeline and space so that everything works and has maximum impact. But, there are also very easy ways to leave your mark with little details- here starting with your printed materials. Lettered Olive started by combining all elements of design for us to pull out and use throughout the wedding decor- lace pattern from the brides’ dress, a custom monogram (this is what we really focused on as you will see), the color palette, and scenery from the wedding venue.

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Coordinating the presentation and items in your wedding guest welcome bags is a great way to brand your wedding and leave guests with lasting takeaways.  Baseball hats and frosted cups (everyone loves a frosted cup!) emblazoned with the couple’s monogram were treasured treats. Even the snacks and information were branded by stickers carrying the colors and monogram.

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To formalize the monogram in places like the ceremony and wedding dinner, the monogram received a formal border and was changed to a more neutral color.

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Guests love sitting down to a beautiful setting… This is always a great area to bring in pretty design pieces. The bordered monogram and calligraphy used in the early printed items are brought back on the menus.

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It’s easy to loose sight of places to brand your self later into the event, but printing pillows or fabric to use as a photo booth backdrop, etc is easy on websites like Spoonflower. Or at For Your Party.com print cocktail napkins or drink stirrers with a simple element to have at the bar. Favors and send offs are other areas to consider- we’ve printed custom lighters or matches for a sparkler send off.  All photos by Corbin Gurkin.

5.02.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Parties, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Apr 25, 2017

Corbin Gurkin Photo; Tara Guerard Soiree florals

image by Corbin Gurkin

It’s time again for the annual Running of the Roses, otherwise known as the Kentucky Derby. May 6th is right around the corner, so today we’re sharing just a few tips you can use at home for hosting an impromptu Derby Party.  First, keeping it simple and using store bought roses is an easy way to look like you’ve gone the extra mile. Break out the silver for this party and it will show your true hostess skills.

Bourbon Bar by Tara Guerard Soiree

image by Corbin Gurkin

This is definitely a party that you can easily do with items at home, it’s the time to make guests feel that Southern welcome and you don’t need to fuss about bringing in a lot of stuff. Throw a nice linen over any table in the house and it becomes a bar! I like using lamps or other items such as china bowls from around the house to dress them up. Bourbon is of course a staple for the Derby (i.e. Mint Juleps), but if you want to keep it simple, just setting up a bar with a variety of bourbons, whiskeys, and some mint julep fixings is all you need.

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image by Marni Rothschild

For the ladies who may not care for the darker stuff, having everything guests may want to enjoy is a golden rule of mine. You can serve  your own fun specialty cocktail called the “Running of the Roses”

1 part vodka; 2-3 parts lemonade (pink) to taste; 1 teaspoon of rose syrup; 1 strawberry slice for garnish

Water Collage

images by Corbin Gurkin

And, not wanting those who aren’t enjoying cocktails to feel left out, doing something special and simple with water is a nice touch- fresh cucumber slices or cute straws!

Koozies

image by Corbin Gurkin

I love the idea of having a trophy style silver cup holding koozies, or something else for guests to take away at the food table or bar.

Food Collage

images by Corbin Gurkin

Serving even the most casual and simple hors d’eouvres on silver can make such a difference. Serve easy but substantial food if guests will be partaking in lots of spirits. Chicken or ham biscuits, crab cakes, even sliced flatbreads are great. Something that guests pick up and graze on and keeps you out of the kitchen preparing items is the way to go!

floral crown

image by Corbin Gurkin

Even your best friend wants to attend the party a little floral crown for them would make a cute little detail!  Have fun, and Happy Derby!

4.25.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Etiquette, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Parties, Recipes, Uncategorized | Comments >>
Apr 24, 2017

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Today  we bring you a ladies luncheon in a watermelon hue that we just never tire of.. This luncheon the day before the wedding allowed the bride to enjoy some time with friends and family all gathered for the wedding weekend. Liz Banfield captured the lovely images.

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Since we weren’t talking about a 200 plus person event, we embroidered a decorative emblem taken from the invitation and menu design in a neutral gray for the bride to have in her new home.  We got the most gorgeous in season sweet peas for this, so clusters of them in ombre shades of pink clustered in vases made an impact.

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As a personal touch and little surcie for the ladies, each guest received a cocktail napkin with their name on it.. These were placed at each seat and doubled as place cards!  This is an easy and fun little takeaway. There are so many affordable napkins out there and doing a simple font keeps the cost down!

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We hand spun cotton candy for the ladies that day as a little sweet treat at the end. Literally, I spun it in the back kitchen myself- I do it all for my brides, ha!

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This party would be so perfect for a birthday, shower, engagement, or any reason to celebrate really!

4.24.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Parties, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>