Category Archives: Photographers

Nov 28, 2018

I’m so excited to be able to finally share this gorgeous garden wedding we did for our former intern, Carleton. She married at her parents home in Birmingham, Alabama which featured the ceremony on the front lawn, and an alfresco style dinner overlooking the back. You know how much I love a home wedding.  Carleton is also the niece of Flower Magazine founder, Margot Shaw, who has always been such a great supporter of Soiree. See more of the gorgeous details over on Over the Moon. All photos courtesy of A Bryan PhotoLettered Olive worked closely with our client to make sure the simple and chic feel she wanted was delivered. 

Carleton chose the Greenhouse gown by another favorite friend, Lela Rose. For her it was the perfect mix of modern and classic…

While, the groom, Gael, wore a custom made Ralph Lauren tuxedo, the ladies were asked to chose their own dress within a color palette…. The look was so curated and worked perfectly with the “gathered greens” bouquet we did for each of the ladies.

The scenery, weather, etc was just so perfect for this garden ceremony. A simple arbor waited at the end of a blanketed aisle of rose petals. Greens attached to chairs acted as “pew markers”. Mini jute totes placed on each chair included blank note cards and pens asking guests to leave well wishes for the couple- in lieu of a traditional guest book. After a cocktail hour throughout the house and garden, guests make their way to the back lawn for dinner featuring family style tables and open air scenery.

Keeping in line with the simple at home feel, we wanted to do something different instead of an escort card display. Hatch Cove Designs and Lettered Olive worked together to create a watercolor illustration of the home and tables with the guests names in their places. This  also became a lovely piece of artwork for the couple’s new home.

The tablescapes married the French and Southern influences seen throughout the wedding.  Sweet garden roses and ranunculus were dotted with greens and fresh lavender peppered throughout. Handwritten and hand tied menus sat atop French lace patterened plates and 100 percent linen tablecloths.

After dinner guests enjoyed a lounge, bars, and dance tent with seating areas hidden throughout trees and secret spots.  To keep the intimate feel to the day, wedding cake was served inside the home’s dining room in petit comité. Before all guests finished their dinner, the couple gathered with their families in the dining room and cut the cake while a pianist played “La Vie en Rose,” a nod to the Groom’s French heritage. I think it’s so important for the couple to steal a few moments away from the larger crowds to soak in bits and pieces of the day here and there. After the cake cutting, a horn line (as a nod to the Southern heritage) came and lead the couple through the dining area to get guests up and out of their seats, and got them to the dance floor.  The first dance song, Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli was the perfect way to kick off the dancing.

The couple was sent off by biodegradable confetti and French “jut married” sign…

11.28.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Photographers, Press, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Nov 26, 2018

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Imagine my joy when I saw this Charleston Magazine with my sweet springer, Georgia on the cover! I had a blast working with our friends at Charleston Mag on this feature- Peter Frank Edwards, Melissa Bigner, and Darcy Shankland. For more tips and outtakes head over here.

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11.26.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Etiquette, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Photographers, Press, Spotted!, Uncategorized | Comments >>
Sep 26, 2018

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Today we are sharing one of our most published weddings full of Fall details like lush greenery, seasonal blooms, and wooden elements. This ceremony and reception took place at the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and was photographed by Corbin Gurkin.  The bride was a producer for the Dr. Oz show and based in New York… after searching many local and destination venues, they settled on Palmetto Bluff not only for the beauty and service the property offers, but also for the fact that all of the guests can stay together on property and enjoy all of the amenities.

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Light showers began as the couple was saying their vows on a bridge overlooking one of the marshy creeks, luckily there were umbrellas on hand to protect guests and the bride and groom making their way down the aisle. The same Rabbi that did the groom’s bar mitzvah officiated the wedding ceremony, I love when couples are able to incorporate such special elements.

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A simple and classic bouquet of Lily of the Valley was the bride’s hope and luckily we were able to get it for her considering the time of year! The bride wore an Oscar de la Renta mermaid style gown…

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Palmetto Bluff and Lettered Olive worked together to create the wedding day baskets full of freshly baked biscuits and homemade jam delivered to each of the guests…

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Cocktail hour followed the ceremony on the grounds surrounding the old house ruins. A champagne tower gives a nod to the easy formality of the event.

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A tent set under the oaks was the perfect dinner spot

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Long tables were anchored with wooden Dunes and Duchess lamps with burlap shades, providing a complimentary glow to candlelight.  Clusters of blooms in a mix of cement pots and silver vases provide depth and texture. The place settings were kept simple with colored linen napkins (that the bride and groom were able to keep for their home collection) and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

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The head table was encased in an iron garden conservatory as greenery garland swags were draped throughout the tent. A grand piano was brought in for live dinner music. A “firewood” wall was created for the backdrop to the bar.

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Pretty lounge seating viognettes lined the dance floor.

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The couple’s precious pup, Einstein was a guest at the affair.  We always try to hide all of the messy band cables and equipment with a stage partition, which as you can see makes a big difference in the photos! This one we capped with greenery and florals.

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The couple ended the evening with an after party dessert reception where the cake was cut and guests danced late into the wee hours.

9.26.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Event Planning, New York, Photographers, Reception, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | 1 Comment