Category Archives: Event Planning

Aug 17, 2016

This wedding wednesday brings us to Part 2 of our Sea Island, Ga wedding recently featured on Martha Stewart Weddings. Thank you to Liz Banfield for all of the pretty pictures!

The venue itself is full of pretty scenery and architecture we really wanted to incorporate into the design elements. During cocktail hour, guests picked up their escort cards at a table anchored by a simple but lush floral arrangement. Escort cards are held in place by pieces Georgia granite.

During cocktail hour, guests could take a seat and enjoy conversation at quaint little seating arrangements.

The dinner tent was swathed in blue fabric, reminiscent of the traditional porch ceilings in the South. To bring the natural feel of the overall wedding design to the tent, trees were “planted” throughout and created a wall between dinner and the dancing portion of the tent.

Guests dined under strands of orchids accented by candlelight. Taking a note from the centerpieces, fern fronds decorated each place setting… Modern brass flatware keeps the table elegant but not fussy.

The wedding cake by Jim Smeal included intricate patterns similar to the windows at the Chapel where the couple were married. The hand made icing flowers add that feminine frill just perfect for a wedding cake.

The couple takes the floor for their first dance as husband and wife.

Ok, now this is one of my most favorite things we’ve ever done! We created a half moon cocktail bar with copper tops. Then, we had Spoonflower print fabric with the brides’ favorite painting from the St. Regis bar in New York. I mean…

Landscape lighting sets a moody tone for guests dining and dancing into the wee hours. To announce the bride and groom’s departure, a Dixie jazz band paraded everyone out to the front of the venue for the send off.

After a quick change in to a departure dress by Anaesia, guests tossed rose petals at the bride and groom…

A vintage convertible decorated with lush greenery made for a one of kind getaway..

8.17.16 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Aug 16, 2016

We Love Jamali Garden

photo by Liz Banfield

A big thank you to one of our favorite design supply companies, Jamali Garden for featuring us on their blog in their Designer Spotlight series. We have been using many of Jamali’s products at our weddings and events for years and years, so today, I’m sharing some of our favorite products and tips on customizing them to your event. For the centerpieces above, we used their Antique Black Oval Urns and spray painted them gold!

photo by Liz Banfield

To hide the bars and inner workings on garden umbrellas, we cover with a bevy of flowers (by wiring in some oasis cages), and hang votive style lanterns like these from Jamali.

photos by Liz Banfield

These handy dandy gadgets, called Frogs, can be hard to find, and we use them for so many things. Often times we cover them with flowers, moss, shells, or any other design element from the current event, and use them on trays to hold the food and drink signage. Or, when using a smaller flower vessel, they hold the stems in place. They have been invaluable to us over the years.

photo by Adrienne Page

For long continuous dining tables, we love the look of longer flower vases… Jamali has numerous choices, but these stained wooden window boxes were just perfect.

photo by Liz Banfield

I love these iridescent votive candle holders… they are on sale right now on Jamaligarden.com. The glass is super delicate and versatile enough to work with any decor, but when used en masse, they can also make a bold statement. But, one trick I must reiterate- please make sure you use the votive candles with the clear glass bottoms, and not the metal dishes! It makes for such a more polished look when using clear votive holders.

photo by Gayle Brooker

For a very simple, affordable, but still elegant and formal centerpiece idea- buy phalenopsis orchids from a local wholesale florist (or even Trader Joe’s usually has lovely ones) and put in some of Jamali’s mossed pots!

8.16.16 | TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Parties, Press, Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, Shopping, Weddings | Comments >>

Aug 10, 2016

Sea Island Soiree Part I

Today for Wedding Wednesday, we head to Sea Island, Georgia for this natural beauty. This was one of my favorite weddings to design, I love the location, and this bride had fantastic personal taste and style (see her custom made Austin Scarlett gown). Liz Banfield took all of the pretty photos. Since there are so many pretty images, we’re going to make this into a 2 part post. But, you can see more in the meantime over at Martha Stewart Weddings.

For the couple’s save the date, Lettered Olive designed a custom monogram incorporating some of Sea Island’s local flora and fauna. That theme plays throughout much of the rest of the paper and wedding designs. Ceremony programs were passed out to guests on trays lined with printed paper used in the programs and matched the invitation liners. Notice the Elvis Presley stamps on the reply cards- a nod to the bride’s hometown of Memphis, TN.

Guest bags were a canvas zipper pouch full of a mix of goodies and items from the groom’s native, Australia, and the U.S.- including a homemade chocolate chip cookies made by one of the bridesmaids’ mother.

Orchids are a favorite of the bride’s and her mother also had them at her wedding, so it was nice to continue that tradition. Special family members like grandmothers wore wrist flowers versus having to carry something.

The ceremony took place at a chapel at Frederica, and with the architectural elements of the church, Liz was able to get some spectacular images.

Guests made their way to the Ocean Forest Golf Club for cocktails, dinner, and dancing.

Sea Island is known for the Spanish influence in its architecture… The Club opens up onto a courtyard with a grand fountain, since our cocktail hour was to take place there, we incorporated the fountain by making cushions for guests to sit on and enjoy.

The elegant cocktail hour included little enclaves for guests to grab a drink and sit and enjoy conversation.

The couple takes advantage of the sunlight and scenery to get portraits and some moments alone to take in the day.

8.10.16 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Fashion, Flowers, Food and Drink, Press, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | 1 Comment