Category Archives: Parties

Oct 05, 2015

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

I know dessert stations have been around for awhile, but my sweet tooth is kicking in and I wanted to share some delicious eye candy and maybe these will inspire some ideas for your fall entertaining. Here, individual cakes were offered for each guest, complete with monogrammed chocolate pieces.  Photo by Liz Banfield.

Martha Stewart Weddings

Martha Stewart‘s team asked me to help on the wedding of her then assistant, getting married outside of Nashville, Tennessee.  This fall flavored dessert table is obviously magazine worthy. Photo by Josh Reeder.

Martha Stewart Desserts

The monogrammed petits fours for the couple were little works of art. Photo by Josh Reeder.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

For our bride that had an eclectic aesthetic, a whimsical woodland themed dessert display by Jim Smeal was full of special details. Coconut cakes featured meringue mushrooms, and the pecan pies had graham and marzipan leaves. Other treats included handpainted chocolate quail eggs (served in nests) and mini mushrooms. Photos by Liz Banfield.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Adrienne Page

This dessert display was full of fun treats like banana pudding shots, s’mores pies, and pumpkin pie with roasted marshmallow tops. Photo by Adrienne Page.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Adrienne Page

The biggest hits were the individual boxes of “Moose Munch” and mini cherry cheesecakes. Photo by Adrienne Page.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Jim Smeal really outdid himself on this pie display (in lieu of a wedding cake all together).  Pecan, Peach Almond, Raspberry Frangipani, Sweet Potato, and Apple Cranberry, and Walnut were just some of the offerings. Doing the tasting for these was pretty amazing! Photo by Liz Banfield.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Something easily passed and still photo worthy at the end of the evening, are personal hot chocolates. Quick and easy, and gives everyone a little sweet satisfaction.  Photo by Liz Banfield.

10.05.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Parties, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Sep 22, 2015

Tara Guerard Soiree

Sometimes it’s fun to take a break from weddings…One of our brides turns 30 around the same time as her father turns 60 so they celebrated with a dual birthday party. Details played around the black and white “60/30” theme and entertainment included The Voice, Season 1 winner, Javier Colon, a 15 piece dance band, and an Elvis Impersonator (a surprise for the birthday boy!)

Tara Guerard Soiree

We used the 60/30 graphic throughout all of the printed materials and party details by Lettered Olive.

Tara Guerard Soiree

The expansive industrial space was the perfect backdrop for the 300+ guests the black and white decor. A large bar was the centerpiece which we covered in black and white referee striped fabric as an homage to the football fanatical family.

Tara Guerard Soiree

Tara Guerard Soiree

Stilt walkers cut glasses hanging from ribbon and served champagne to guests as they arrived; at the end of the evening in the courtyard lounge a cigar roller served up fresh stogies.

Tara Guerard Soiree

The family offered up photos spanning the years which was displayed at the entrance.

Tara Guerard Soiree

Sweets and treats included a candy bar, tailgate favorites like chicken nuggets, grilled cheese sandwiches and tater tots, chinese chicken salad, and an ice cream bar. Sparklers with 30 and 60 served as “candles” in the passed cake slices.

Tara Guerard Soiree

The custom birthday cakes by Jim Smeal featured the father’s favorite whiskey and the daughters’ favorite bubbly.

9.22.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Charleston, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Parties, Pop Culture, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized | Comments >>

We love working with our Lettered Olive team to design custom patterns and or monograms, etc. for our brides to use on their wedding papers and throughout the wedding design. But, if you are looking for some ideas on where you can source some of our favorite design elements like pillows, fabrics, napkins, and papers to use at your wedding, here are some of our favorites!  We’re also showing you how we use them!

Tara Guerard Soiree/Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree/Liz Banfield

all pics from Liz Banfield

We love to print fabric with patterns or monograms to cover our bars or even in some small tent ceilings as draping. Or as pillows to use on lounge furniture (and then use in your home after the wedding!) A great source we’ve found for this is Spoonflower.com. The great thing about Spoonflower is that they have amazing fabrics already printed and ready to order. Tarah and Molly from Lettered Olive give us their favorites…

Lemon Botanical

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William Morris’ Strawberry Thief

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Cranes by Andrea Lauren

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Probably the most affordable way you can really give your event a “custom” touch is by incorporating paper- we use to line the trays that appetizers are served on, to wrap inexpensive cylinders that hold candles, and to accent the welcome gifts/favors/printed materials used throughout the event.  Paper Mojo has some very beautiful and interesting designs that easily look as if they were custom printed.

Tara Guerard Soiree

 Our suggestions from Paper Mojo-

Sogara Yuzen Print 

Paper Mojo paper

Rossi Botanical Prints– love the acorns on this one for fall

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Chiyogami- Daisy Coins

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Also, zazzle.com is a great place to print stamps, tote bags to use for welcome gifts, and so many items for favors, wedding party gifts, etc.

Liz Banfield/Tara Guerard Soiree

Tara Guerard Soiree

9.11.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Accessories, Entertaining, Event Design, Food and Drink, Parties, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | Comments >>