Category Archives: Fashion

Thrilled to finally share all of the over the top details for this fun loving couple who celebrated in Charleston complete with Drag Queens, marching bands, and arielists. Leslie and Robert’s wedding has been featured in both Charleston Weddings and Inside Weddings, so we’re sharing some of our favorite outtakes today as well. Thank you to Liz Banfield who was with us to capture the big day.

Even this couple’s printed materials were playful. Lettered Olive created the save the dates using etched acrylic, even the cobalt blue envelopes gave a guests a sense of the fun that was to come. This party pack included one of my favorite new features… perfect for a destination wedding with lots of weekend events…These are dress code cards that guests can hang with their attire for each event!  And for the “guest sign in” photo cards and envelopes were designed for guests to use in the photo booth for take home. These guest bags were wow! LL Bean bags chockfull of goodies- personalized!! We did two travel laundry bags embroidered with each of their initials and filled with each of their favorite things… A retox to detox kit of hangover cures, and of course a folder containing all of the important weekend information.  And this time blue acrylic was etched for the tags as a nod to the save the dates.

Of course the couple’s pooch made an appearance… And the embroidery on this Oscar de la Renta gown was truly stunning!

This groom’s lego cufflink and button set showed the fun loving side to his personality and lined up perfectly with the bride’s baubles.

The flowers were a perfect bridal blend of roses, lily of the valley, orchids, and roses in a not too perfect bunch. With the bridesmaids in navy a blend of whites and greens was the way to go, and I love the look the wild hellebores give.

The wedding was hosted at the new Gaillard Center in Charleston, we loved being able to work with somewhat of a blank slate and the fact that we had never worked here before.

After carpeting and draping one of the spaces, a ceremony in the round with a vine covered chuppa was finished up with guests tossing rose petals at the couple after the I Do’s.

Cocktail hour immediately followed with lots of bubbles and noshes for guests to enjoy.

The evening’s entertainment was unlike anything we had done before for a wedding, and it was a hit!  From a silk arieliest, to a popular local lively high school marching band, to a drag queen show complete with the bride joining in, they sure kicked off the night with a big bang!

Guests enjoyed an array of food at different stations, under grand greenery covered lanterns… We draped and carpeted the ballroom to give it a softer and more wedding like feel (the space is typically used as a concert hall), and we sure lucked out with the blue covered walls.

After dinner, guests enjoyed lounging and dancing in the ballroom.  The tiered white cake mimicked the bride’s gown’s intricate lace pattern and positioned a top a table with flowing flowers and a monogramed linen, it was a focal point of the large room.

Our beautiful bride donned a Naeem Khan shortie for the reception- stunning.Keeping in line with their big night of fun, Rescue Flats were offered to ladies so that the dance floor would remain packed all night… Lots of dance floor flair was donned as well, and custom popsicles kept guests cool as they worked up a sweat.

The vintage Volkswagen van that served as the couple’s photo booth, also served as their getaway at the end of the night… We couldn’t think of something more fitting to their personalities. Congratulations Robert and Lesley.

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

photo by Corbin Gurkin 

I personally love sleeves on a wedding dress- when I married many moons ago, I had cap sleeves on my classic Amsale gown… But, I’m beyond thrilled to see them making a comeback with some of my brides.  Today, we are sharing some of our pretty favorites that may inspire some of you while dress shopping… Love the lace neckline that is carried down into sleeves on this Oscar de le Renta gown.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Here, Monique Lhuillier incorporates different but complimentary lace patterns on the  high neckline and full sleeves on this ensemble.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Here, our bride wore a Chantilly-lace gown and jacket, custom-designed by Nardos Imam. She took the lace-overlay jacket off for dinner and the first dances. And the lace tradition for a wedding day didn’t stop there…a lace hankie made from her maternal grandmother’s wedding gown was pinned under the bottom of her gown to serve as the “something old” .

photo by Corbin Gurkin

This bride had simple sleeves added to her Amsale gown for a more formal feel for her formal at home wedding in Charleston, SC.

photo by Liz Banfield

If you have your heart set on a different look for the ceremony gown, think about something like this little number for your second dress or your going away – by Monique Lhuillier…

2.19.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Dresses, Fashion, Shopping, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Jan 31, 2018

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Today for wedding Wednesday, we’re revisiting this gorgeous golden hued celebration photographed by Corbin Gurkin. Since there are so many details to savor, we’re splitting up this celebration across two parts, so make sure to come back next Wednesday for the reception and party details. You can also see more of this wedding over at Charleston Weddings Magazine.

printing Collage

 Lettered Olive used golden metallic paper to create a die cut lace pattern complimentary to the bride’s dress, I think the white ink on the metallic envelopes was such a lovely and wedding-y touch. Welcome guest bags were custom printed totes featuring the wedding hashtag filled with champagne splits, mini Candlefish candles, and many of the couples favorites things.

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The girls all gathered to get ready together with Plum Pretty Sugar robes gifted by the bride- even the littlest ladies were included.

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The Groom’s tuxedo was by Vera Wang (yes, she does men’s attire) available through the Men’s Warehouse.
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The bride wore a gown by Vera Wang.

B&G Collage

The couple elected to do a “first sight” at one of the many gorgeous parks in downtown Charleston. Corbin staged the groom so that the bride could sneak up and surprise him. This locale also made for a stunning backdrop for photos before heading over to the ceremony. I love when couples decide to do this, because it allows the photographer to really get great shots when the couple is alone and relaxed.

The couple married at First Baptist Church in Charleston, the glorious gates out front were adorned with floral wreaths of roses, hydrangeas, and lemon leaf. Large golden urns flush with greenery and flowers flanked the alter, as the couple celebrated with their first kiss.

Flower Collage

The bridesmaids wore floor length gold lame gowns by Lula Kate. The lush bridal bouquet  made the perfect transition from winter to spring with cream roses, peonies, lily of the valley sprigs and soft lambs ears, and was tied by vintage ribbon I sourced in New York.

William Aiken CollageGuests were welcomed at the William Aiken House in downtown Charleston. The historic home has been fully restored to it’s splendor with museum quality interiors. And, the grounds  were designed by a renowned local horticulturalist, so we love getting to design for our couples at this property.

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A lovely lounge was waiting on the front lounge for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour and as a getaway for after dinner dancing.

F&B Collage

Cocktail hour included a bourbon bar, passed champagne, and Southern staples like ham biscuits, and fried chicken biscuits mixed with Asian favorites- tuna tartar and dumplings.

Porch Collage

In true Charleston fashion, we utilized the sweeping piazzas for seating niches. We hung the letterpressed and caligraphied dinner escort cards on the porch for guests to gather while enjoying cocktails.

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The cream and golden color palette made for a perfectly formal Southern dinner scape. Tables were dressed with silk linens, and the die cut lace paper wraps from the invitations were brought back in to adorn the dinner napkins. Caligraphied tags tied to the lace acted as place cards.

Dinner Collage

Fabric swathes dressed up standard Chivari chairs… Even a traditional spinach salad has a new take on it’s presentation.

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Doesn’t that tent look so happy and cozy like you wouldn’t want to leave????

Cake Collage

The wedding cake by Jim Smeal mimicked the lace pattern from the bride’s bridal gown in gold and cream.  We created a vignette under the William Aiken House pergola for the cake with chandeliers, candles, and a linen dressed up with greenery and flowers. Having been introduced through their mutual veterinarian, the grooms cake included a “dog park”, also by Jim Smeal.

Dance tent Collage

Details for the after dinner dancing lounge included a monogrammed dance floor and sofas with custom embroidered pillows. The chandelier is dressed up with flowers and greenery.

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Going away Collage

After dancing the night away with friends, the couple departed by a sparkling send off and a vintage white Rolls took them away. Lettered Olive handmade the Best Day Ever sign with golden glitter! This couple’s special day was definitely #HappilyHansom!

 

1.31.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Fashion, Flowers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | Comments >>