Category Archives: Food and Drink

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 >>

Southern Living June 2016 all pages

We love a good throwback for inspiration, so here is one of our favorite photo shoots from recent years- for Southern Living Magazine, how to “Throw a Porch Party”.  I wanted to share all of the details with you in case you are still needing inspiration for your Memorial Day weekend. I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend.

Southern Living June 2016 page 2 Southern Living June 2016 page 3 Southern Living June 2016 page 4 Southern Living June 2016 page 5 Southern Living June 2016 page 6 Southern Living June 2016 page 7 Southern Living June 2016 page 8

5.21.19   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Announcements, Charleston, Entertaining, Event Planning, Events, Food and Drink, Parties, Press, Spotted!, Travel, Uncategorized | Comments >>
Mar 26, 2019

photo by Lauren Bailey Photo

We are loving a new trend we have been noticing recently at some of our events- petite cakes. Don’t worry, we definitely still have our clients that want the big traditional statement piece, but it’s nice to see something sweet making a little mark. Cake by Peche Petite Boutique Bakery.

photos by Aaron and Jillian

Don’t worry, tiny cakes still give an opportunity for design and impact, but just don’t leave a lot of uneaten cake mess lying around…

Cake by Jessica Grossman with Patrick Properties Hospitality Group.

photo by Liz Banfield

Cake by family friend…

photo by Corbin Gurkin 

For this wedding, a petite cake was complimented by an array of other desserts and pies.  Wedding cake by Publix, smaller cakes by Caroline’s Cakes, and pies from Kudzu Bakery.

photos by A Bryan Photo 

Cake by Pastry Art.

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