Category Archives: Photographers

Jun 04, 2018

Now that summer is officially here, the outdoor wedding ceremonies are in full swing. Today is our roundup of some of our favorite outdoor ceremony set ups. We have everything from the beach to the mountains as a backdrop. Of course, the biggest tip I can offer is ALWAYS have a good rain backup (if you do, then you’ll never need it!). We’ll have baskets of white umbrellas in case of rain or shine, and once we even had guests wait on the buses until a brief shower passed and we could wipe down all of the seating!

Bennett ceremony 2

photo by Corbin Gurkin

We’ll feature more from this Aspen, Colorado wedding tomorrow on the blog, but here is a little sneak peek.

Bratton outdoor ceremony

photo by Liz Banfield

This wedding took place at a secluded resort and community atop a mountain Alabama. We positioned the ceremony in the amphitheater which overlooked a river gorge and allowed for a really lovely and long bridal processional.

Kassen ceremony

photo by Corbin Gurkin

To dress up a more natural beach ceremony, we cut a plush white carpet aisle runner.

photo by Liz Banfield

Linen ottoman poufs provided the seating for this affair on the banks of the Ashley River outside of Charleston. The peaceful ceremony was highlighted by the natural sounds of birds and frogs.

photo by Adrienne Page

We love being able to take advantage of what the site may have to offer without having to over create. These two palm trees were perfectly positioned for framing a lovely ceremony with a view of the ocean.

photo by Liz Banfield

For this ceremony at the bride’s home, one of my favorite features was the colorful rose petal aisle. Tara’s Tip: we had boxwood garland lining both sides of the aisle, so guests entered from the outside in to protect the petals for the bride’s processional.

Sobiloff ceremony

photo by Liz Banfield

Vintage church pews provided an elevated rustic feel to this fall ceremony.

ceremony view final

photo by Liz Banfield

The breeze coming in off of the ocean was nice to keep the guests cool and the bugs away, but could be detrimental to your flower arrangements. These cement urns were instrumental in anchoring the arrangements.

Woodburn ceremony

photo by Adrienne Page

For a summer wedding in a meadow on Martha’s Vineyard, market umbrellas helped guests feel relief from the sun’s rays. Wrought iron urns full of baby’s breath made for a stunning aisle for the bride.

Vickers ceremony

photo by Adrienne Page

Ford Plantation is a picturesque venue for weddings… for this Sunday brunch wedding we tucked the chuppa under some live oaks on the riverbanks for this couple’s intimate ceremony.

6.04.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Photographers, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>

May 23, 2018

Beachfront Bash

Can you tell how ready we are for summer and beach season over here? Today we are sharing this Sea Island wedding full of seagrass and shell details. Surprisingly, while we are located in Charleston, SC we are rarely able to do any beachside weddings as they aren’t allowed here. So, when we are working with a client hosting a beach wedding we do like to make use of the surroundings.

The ceremony itself took place at a local chapel before guests made their way to the Ocean Forrest Club at Sea Island. I love that this guest really got in the spirit with her woven and seashell motif Nantucket handbag.

Hearty flowers are a must for outdoor weddings. These bouquets included summer blooms such as tulips, roses, ranunculus, and cymbidium orchids.

Being held at a private beachside club afforded photographer, Liz Banfield, the chance to get some amazing shots of the wedding party on the beach. That light was so incredible!

And, I love the coastal groomsmen ensemble- white gabardine pants, navy blazer, crisp blue oxfords, and Vineyard Vines tie that coordinated with the girls’ dresses.

As a nod to the brides’ family’s Scottish heritage, a bagpiper greeted guests as they entered into the cocktail tent.

Woven seagrass beach bags with local food treats, and maagzine, waters, and emergency hangover kit, and koozies for guests to use on weekend boating and beach adventures.

Food and drink Collage

Using the local bounty available, we created a seafood ice bar with the catering team at Sea Island. Southsides (a favorite of the couple) were served beachside, head here for a recipe.

Each guest was seated at tables named after actual seashells and a coordinating shell was affixed to their card, giving guests a nice little take home memento.

This was easily one of the most difficult tent drapes we have ever done, but one of the most rewarding. The tent ceiling is made from woven sheets of seagrass, normally a hearty material, but in the blustery conditions of a tent about 100 feet off of the beach, it was beyond challenging. Guests couldn’t believe it when they saw it though (and it had an amazing natural scent).

In order for guests to have the best view of the ocean during dinner, we had the tent flooring raised up several feet, giving guests a literal beachside lounge.

One of the main design showcases of the evening were shadowboxes containing sand and shell displays. And, those are icing sand dollars and shells on the cake by Jim Smeal.

The bride and groom departed by a vintage car adorned with ribbon streamers and orchid blooms. Happy Wedding Wednesday!

5.23.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, Photographers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | Comments >>

May 16, 2018

Soiree By the Sea

Because we clearly have Spring fever, and we are working on a new and exciting project that the mother of this bride is helping with, (our You Tube channel, stay tuned), today we are sharing this sweet and lovely wedding. The reception was at one of Charleston’s hidden gems, and there was definitely elegance but also graceful casualness that only hometown Charlestonians can offer. Photos are by both Gayle Brooker and Corbin Gurkin.

Traditional engraved invitations were accented with vintage sailing stamps as a nod to the yacht club where the reception was to be held.

A family heirloom locket held photos of the groom, so the bride could “see” him before seeing him at the church. While a mostly pale blue and green palette was chosen to reflect the water and surroundings, the bride wanted some sweet pastel colors brought in to brighten things. White tulips, perfect in Spring make happy boutonierres.

The bridesmaids wore varying pastel silk gowns by Lula Kate (available through Bella Bridesmaid),and carried perfectly plush bouquets of peonies, sweat peas, and tulips.

The bride and her maids got ready in her childhood home, which was a perfect backdrop for pre ceremony photos, especially with the family pup. The bride wore a custom gown by Carol Hannah.

Being a proper 6pm church ceremony, the gentlemen were in white tie and tails. All of the couples’ special little friends were honored as flower girls and ring bearers.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom rode separately to the reception (about 45 minutes outside of town) together to have time to reflect on the ceremony and the day. I love when couples can take some private time together.

Out of town guests were treated to the best of Charleston. The bride, who works for the Charleston CVB included locally made tea and sweet tea vodka minis. Along with cheddar biscuits her mother makes, and Charleston Benne Seed wafers.

Guests were treated to one of the best kept secrets with a reception at the Sea Island Yacht Club in the tiny coastal village of Rockville, SC.

The scenery here is hard to beat, river views, coastal marshland, and ancient live oaks.

A coastal map of the Lowcountry served as the couple’s guest book. Guests could sign well wishes, and the map is now framed and hanging in the couple’s home.

Bright greenery was used to cheer up the floral arrangements, as well as some of the quirky parts of the old yacht club. The mantles were such a great focal point, but obviously in warm months we didn’t need a fire, so we covered in lush greenery for more decor.

This cocktail reception offered local favorites like Crab cakes, mini chicken tarts, and a nod to the couples Mexican favorites- mini margaritas and tuna tacos.

Not being a seated dinner, displaying the food needs to be as thoughtful and elegant as the food itself. Stations on the grand porch had marsh views, and were tailored with lamplight and handmade signage. Our shadowbox bars were filled with gardenias, which all of the ladies just loved!

A floral cake by Jim Smeal was a show stopping centerpiece accented with family silver vessels of different spring flowers.

As the sun set, guests enjoyed the party both inside and out.

Wishing lanterns were released over the water as the couple left off of the dock by boat.

5.16.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Photographers, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>