Category Archives: Event Planning

Oct 23, 2015

I have loved going back through our old photo files and finding wedding details perfect for sharing on these “flashback fridays”. Thank you to Liz Banfield for resurrecting may of these files for us. This fall affair at the William Aiken House pulled deep red and oranges together for a vibrantly hued party with modern flair.

Bridesmaids bouquets are full of dahlias, orchids, and tulips in all the right colors. They provide just the right pop against dark dresses.

Of course we have to have matching yarmulkes for the ceremony! Natural woven baskets were set up as guests arrived for a self serve ceremony program and yarmulke display.

The chuppa was draped in rich velvet fabric and adorned with stems of orchids for a ceremony in the round. The sunshine through the clear top tent was the perfect addition to the cheerful color palette.

A palette cleansing sorbet was served in red glass votives after cocktail hour as guests made their way to dinner.

A sunny outdoor lounge covered in all of the custom colored velvet made a cozy and comfy spot for guests to enjoy cocktail hour.

Amy Baker butler cards

Hand written dinner escort cards were held in place in trays of red lentils (which when dry are actually orange). Such a simple design element but guests gushed over this.

Dinner tables along the upper piazza made for sunset views during dinner. The tabletop decor was another way we brought in the couple’s modern affinity. The bold square china with matching square printed menus were accented by alternating monofloral and monochromatic centerpieces.

The modern and simple Jim Smeal cake let the display made entirely out of flowers be the standout (I love the high gloss finish as well!)

Chocolate truffles wrapped in such pretty packaging were the sweetest of favors for the guests.

The party going well into the evening surrounded in candlelight bouncing appropriately off of the “reflecting pond”.

10.23.15 | TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Oct 20, 2015

Charleston Weddings Fall/Winter 2015

Thank you to Charleston Weddings Magazine for the gorgeous spread in the new Fall/Winter 2015 issue on newsstands now!

This was a recent weddings at a downtown Charleston family home. At home weddings (while often some of the most challenging) have always been my favorite kind to do.

Remember the couple that we showed you burying the bourbon for good weather luck (if not you can see here)?? Well, you can see from the amazing photos by Corbin Gurkin that it worked!!!!

You can see lots more details on Charleston Weddings’ website, and we’ll do a post soon with our favorites from Corbin.

10.20.15 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Cakes, Charleston, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Press, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>

Oct 19, 2015

Inside Our Charleston Headquarters

Since we are here making a few changes and updates to our Charleston office, (i.e. new doors and reconfiguring things for more Soirettes) I thought I’d share some of the lovely photos Julia Lynn took for a feature on Lonny.com a few years ago.

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The big front windows are what initially drew me to the building. My first Charleston home was right down Chapel Street aways, and I’d always drive by and notice the windows. It’s a bustling neighborhood so it’s great to wave at friends and neighbors as they drive or walk by. We always want our clients to feel warm and welcome when they come in to meet with us, so I wanted the main meeting space to feel like you were coming into our living room.

Have to have a bar cart of course! Found for a steal at one of my favorite local antiques markets we use it for a multitude of photo shoots, parties, a constant rotation of items to display in the office.

Also found at a local antique market, this kimono’s colors could not be more perfect for my space (especially against the champagne metallic walls), so I jumped when I saw it. Framed locally at Artizom, it’s definitely a show piece!

My crazy inspiration board, I’ve been adding to it for years and years and there are layers and layers… It hangs above my computer. I’m old school, and slowly getting into Pinterest, but I don’t think anything will ever replace something like this for me.

This was and still is a labor of love for all of us in the office. These boxes hold everything from linen and ribbon samples, to Lettered Olive papers, to catalogs for ordering design items. I hoard old magazines, so that is by far the hardest part to keep tidy. And, we used extra paper from our brochure mailings to line client binders to keep in the mix but still look pretty on the shelves!

This large white table I bought from an artist friend of mine who was moving her studio. We use it for EVERYTHING! From meetings, assembling save the dates and invitations, or even a quick snack. It’s a great gathering spot on the office for me to catch up with the girls.

You can also find the Lettered Olive team here as well, and all of their pretty papers are assembled and shipped from here!

10.19.15 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Interior Design, Photographers, Press, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>