Category Archives: Fashion

Dec 18, 2017

I was so honored when asked to participate in the 2017 Paris edition of the Inner Circle Experience, not only to connect and collaborate with old and new friends in the industry, but I was also hungry for some inspiration. We are lucky enough to travel all over doing weddings for clients who are from all over, but nothing compares to stepping outside of that and seeing new things to inspire you in a new host of ways…

We stayed at the Plaza de Athenee which was beyond luxurious… I think staying in hotels is one of the things that provides me with the most inspiration and have always dreamed of designing a hotel one day… I try on my visits to our NYC office to try new places, but I tend to fall in love with a place and stay there for a while before switching it up…

Walking around and exploring doors is one of my most favorite things to do… Last year after exploring doors in Italy, I came home and painting my front door a color that I couldn’t get out of my head. And, we have done a lovely wedding where the bride loved a particular door knocker and we incorporated it throughout the design.
My friend and fellow event professional, Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York, and I wandering the streets together…

I was thrilled that the Dior exhibit at the Musee des Art Decoratifs was happening while I was there… I was in awe, it was breathtaking… So many dresses I would give anything to have in my collection, and so many I could see as fabulous wedding dresses!

Of course, just absorbing all of the surroundings could take up your entire trip. I’m more of a culture buff than architecture, but I couldn’t help being overwhelmed by all there was to see.

The ceiling here of the Palais Garnier is spectacular, just the detail and time it must have taken to go into it… And, you can rent this space for events, I can just see designing a wedding here- add to goal list!

Sometimes you just have to do the one obvious tourist thing, for me going to the top of the Eifel Tower was incredible…

The view from the top was spectacular.. We had lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant, and I even got to witness the cutest couple sitting next to me get engaged! Could not have been more perfect.
There were incredible experiences lined up for us… Some of my favorites were perusing the Picasso Museum, the cooking class at Alain Ducasse’s Le’Ecole de Cuisine , and going to the original Hermes store. It’s always been a dream of mine to live in Paris for the summer to go the Le Cordon Bleu, so a glimpse of this at the Alain Ducasse school reignited that even more. This is why Paris is called the City of Lights!

12.18.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Art, Bridal Style, Dresses, Fashion, Food and Drink, J'adore!, Shopping, Travel, Videos | 1 Comment

Dec 11, 2017

Lela Rose’s Presentation in the Park

photo by Nina Westervelt

We are stepping into the Elizabeth Street Garden in New York today to view Lela Rose’s Fall 2018 bridal collection. In a stroke of genius she invited guests into the garden for a presentation in lieu of a traditional runway show for NYFW… This way guests get to view the gowns from every angle and get up close and personal to see all of the gorgeous details.
photo by Nina Westervelt

One thing that noticeably sticks out to me is that Lela always incorporates high fashion alternatives to traditional gowns. I love love love the pant ensemble here! And two piece options are featured as well- perfection!

photo by Taylor Jewell

Lela says the inspiration behind this collection was seeing traditional silhouettes updates for the modern bride. While there are plenty of lovely strapless gowns out there, I prefer sleeves and other alternatives, like this off the shoulder number. And this delicate lace design is the perfect for a feminine bride wanting a sophisticated take on the sheer trend.

photo by Taylor Jewell

Lela’s Southern sensibility shines through the presentation… Guests enjoy Callie’s Charleston ham biscuits (a big favorite of ours!) and “Sweeties” .. and a sketch artist onsite offers a special touch. And don’t forget the “bouquet bar” as seen below.

photo by Taylor Jewell

Lela walks her “brides” out of the park making sure the gowns stay bridal white, something we are all too familiar with… We thank Lela for sharing this glimpse of her Fall 2018 Bridal presentation with us…

12.11.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Dresses, Events, Fashion, Flowers, Food and Drink, New York, Parties, Photographers, Weddings | Comments >>

Dec 06, 2017

A Winter’s Wedding

This is one of my favorite weddings to share this time of year. It’s been 7 years since we traveled to Arkansas to do the December wedding for this couple. While the groom was running for public office, the bride was in her second year of law school and planning her wedding! She was graceful under pressure and both she and her family were a joy to work with. We planned this grand fete in under 6 months and with only one site visit. This dress still shines as a favorite. We were with her when she tried it on for the first time and you could just see how it was truly the one for her- a perfectly pleated silk faille Carolina Herrera masterpiece, paired with a vintage fur wrap for the chillier moments.

Influenced by classic blue and white china, complimentary patterns were paired together throughout the printed pieces. Lettered Olive designed a custom monogram featuring a lion head door knocker, that the bride wanted to incorporate throughout. We had custom velvet shoe bags made to use as the guest welcome bags. Full of champagne, local sparkling water, and snacks, guests had everything they would need for a pre wedding celebration.

Pieces of the perfect blue and white fabric we found to use throughout the wedding decor, made the perfect bouquet wrap. The bride’s dress had a row of covered buttons, so we added that little detail for her on her flowers. Simple all white flowers (peonies and roses) were just the thing for this winter wedding.

The reception took place at Marlsgate Plantation just outside of Little Rock. The couple did do a “first sight” at the plantation house before the ceremony. This worked so well for this event, since the sun sets a bit earlier this time of year. Liz Banfield was also able to steal the couple away to capture some amazing private moments before the sunset.

We scored a vintage lion’s head door knocker while out sourcing that we knew we had to snag to use somewhere- like the fabric covered escort card and “sign in” board.

Shades of blue in the ceiling upped the look of the all white dining room. Antique wrought iron chandeliers with pillar candles became amazing statement pieces.

Special little touches like golden pillar candles, white velvet linens lined with thick blue piping, and lush white carpeting made for a warm, glowing, and breathtaking dining room. the letterpressed menus by Lettered Olive mimicked the fold out cards from the save the dates. Noted with the lions head monogram and calligraphied with each guest’s name at the place setting, the pull out menu pieces had guests keeping them all as take homes!

The 5 tier cake was hand painted with each different pattern used throughout the wedding printing and decor and was the centerpiece of the dining room.

A 40 foot bar covered in the blue and white damask fabric anchored the lounge tent with shelving to create a focal point for the blue votives.

To give guests a different feel for dancing, we darkened up the lounge with navy blue and gold tones.

Rice produced by the bride’s family’s business was packaged in custom stamped muslin pouches to toss during the couple’s getaway…Wishing our bride and groom the happiest of anniversaries.

12.06.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Fashion, Flowers, Photographers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Travel, Weddings | Comments >>