Category Archives: Fashion

We are thrilled to finally be able to share more details from this elegant black tie affair we did in Kansas City.  It’s currently featured in the new The Knot, Missouri magazine.. and was gorgeously captured by Tec Petaja.  We came to know our bride’s family when doing a wedding for her cousin several years ago in Greenville, SC. We are so lucky we get to end up designing weddings for clients who are members of the same family, we are doing her cousin’s sister in law’s wedding coming up this fall!

Lettered Olive crafted the paper suite and accessories, which included a custom wedding crest, hand drawn illustrations, and subtle patterns used throughout.

We also did a killer wedding welcome bag for this event.  A camouflaged LL Bean boat bag included a “mini bar” guests could indulge in without needed to break into the hotels, cocktails, accouterments, snacks, and even a canvas “cure kit” with hangover or other ailment remedy recipes and supplies.

The bride chose an Oscar de le Renta gown- the Luvi, and classic Manolo bridal shoes; and our groom wore a Ralph Lauren Purple label tuxedo.  Florals in creams and pale pinks worked well with the bridesmaids’ neutral full length gowns. 

Following a ceremony at the bride’s childhood church, the couple greeted guests at their reception held at the historic Union Square station.

We set the escort card table at the entrance to cocktail hour so that guests would surely find their names before getting too far into the party.  Plus the oversized floral urn was a lovely greeting for guests.

Amongst passed hors d’eouvres and cocktails, Leon Lane’s Inspired Occasions set up a decadent seafood display including oysters on the half shell, crab claws, and a caviar display with everything you could imagine going with it. 

Delicate lounge seating and cocktail tables made for a lovely cocktail hour, meanwhile a baby grand piano was brought in and placed on it’s own stage for live background music.

In the dining room, we built a display for the father of the bride to display and serve his curated wine collection… Decanters with handwritten tags allowed guests to make their own pairings during dinner. This is one of my favorite features from this wedding. Love always getting to incorporate personal details, but luxury touches like this take special to the next level.

In addition to one of our favorite pretty touches, carpet was laid in the dining room to help with acoustics in the vast hall. Fabric curtains were also hung and live greenery draped the ceiling to soften what could be considered large cold room. Soft linen topped the combination of long and square tables.

Mini table lamps in addition to candles provided ambient lighting.  Low and lush florals filled the tables, and fresh greenery was a sweet accent for each place setting. Lettered Olive created leather bound menu booklets with each person’s name branded as place cards.

A sweet and simple cake was accented with fresh greenery, and placed in the dining room to be easily cut with a good view for all, but served in the lounge afterwards to get guests up and moving.

Different seating vignettes allowed guests lots of areas to steal away for conversation and rest from dancing (even though the floor stayed packed all night). The feeling was to bring the outside in using fresh trees and greenery, and the bar was covered in fabric featuring a woodland scene.

After the bride changed into a Halston Heritage jump suit, the party was in full swing… Late night food was served from a mock “food stall” and branded boxes added a cute decor moment for what can sometimes be old hat.

Streamer bombs went off as the couple made their departure… Late night fun was had by all at the after party. We loved our time in Kansas City and can’t wait for the next family affair.

5.29.19   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Fashion, Flowers, Food and Drink, Photographers, Press, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

photo by A Bryan Photo 

We often see a lot of designs, posts, print spreads, and inspo boards on what to wear for your wedding day, but we don’t want to forget all of the fashion fun you can have for your rehearsal dinner.  Today, we are sharing just a few of our favorite rehearsal dinner looks for your shopping inspiration.  Above, one of our most “liked” looks comes from our bride who married at her parents… And, for her rehearsal dinner, she sported Brandon Maxwell pants, a Remy Brook top, and statement earrings. Loving the pant look, and hope more brides consider it…

photo by Tec Petaja

Speaking of a pant look, this bride (who is an interior designer) designed her own crop top/palazzo pant look and had it custom made for her. To add some personality and flip up the more bridal look that she was going to wear the next day, she sported some side braids…

photo by Corbin Gurkin

This beachy bride went for a pretty in pink look for the welcome party night of her wedding weekend. So into the pink dress idea, both for other parties and actual wedding days!

photo by Corbin Gurkin, Liz Banfield, Corbin Gurkin

Of course, the little white dress look is still a fave… Shorter, a different hemline, or profile are what many brides are opting for.

photo by Lauren Bailey Photo

Of course, not to forget the gentlemen, a recent article in the New York Times discussed the trend of getting away from traditional tuxedos. We love to see a different look, and one of the most popular for us due to our Southern and coastal locations, is a white dinner jacket.

photos by Elizabeth Messina and Corbin Gurkin

Navy tuxedos with varying styles of bowties are a big hit right now. We like this look for a groom who may be a little nervous to step too far out of the box, and navy is so classic it works for all seasons and locations.  And, ditching a tuxedo all together for shades of grey suits is a great look also… Happy dressing and happy weddings!

4.30.19   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Fashion, Rehearsal Dinner, Shopping, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

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This at home Greenville, SC wedding was lush, light, and airy. Brooke, our bride, couldn’t imagine her wedding anywhere else. So, following a ceremony on the back lawn, a tented cocktail hour and four course seated dinner, were followed by dancing well into the evening. Corbin Gurkin provides the lovely photography. And see more from the feature on Martha Stewart Weddings .

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Embroidered handkerchiefs were given to all of the ladies. The bride also had a vintage handkerchief of her grandmother’s pinned inside her gown to serve as her something old.

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Our bride wears a custom gown by Nardos Imam. The lace jacket seen here was removed during dinner and dancing lending formality to the wedding ceremony.

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Lettered Olive paired many lovely design elements into the printed materials.  The green custom monogram was carried throughout much of the wedding decor. A straw tote filled with many of the couple’s favorite things (including a handsome box of Russell Stover’s candy as a nod to the groom’s family), served as the guest welcome gift.

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A luxurious and lush all white bouquet of peonies, lily of the valley, roses (both of which were carried in their mother’s bouquets) was accented with delicate lambs’ ear.

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The ceremony took place on the bride’s family’s back lawn, and was anchored by a traditional floral arch.

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During cocktail hour, guests received their dinner escort cards, which were enterlaced by swags of hanging garlands.

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Dinner for 375 guests was served at a mixture of rectangle and square tables. Tabletops were mixed with tall and low candlelight and low overspilling floral arrangements. I love when we get to use Clematis in season, I find it such a beautiful wedding flower. The floral motif china was the perfect fit for this event!

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We love making our tent entrances vibrant and welcoming, which keeps the guests excited about the progression of the evening.

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A breathtaking floral wall was crafted as the photo booth backdrop. And, to fill the massive expanse of the clear top tent, and provide a tailored finish, we created a lush greenery wall as the backdrop for the band’s stage.

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Over the dance floor hung custom lanterns we made from a green and white floral fabric perfectly scouted for this event! Greenery garlands hide the unattractive cords.

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In the after dinner lounge, guests enjoyed cake and a night of dancing. The expansive half round bar provided a perfect perch for those wanting a break from the dance floor.

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The brides’ shorty feather dress by Nardos Imam and flip flops were the perfect attire as the bride and groom departed by fireworks directly for their honeymoon! What better way for this couple to further celebrate this gorgeous marriage but the birth of their first child! Congratulations Brooke and David on your first year of marriage, seeing your special day on the pages of Martha Weddings, and the birth of sweet Mae.

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