Category Archives: Press

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 >>

wedding-party-at-lg

We love revisiting some of our past weddings… Today, pretty pastels and pattern play were the name of the design game here, with photos so pretty from Corbin Gurkin.  Bridesmaids dresses in the lovliest shade of not quite lavender and not quite violet from Jenny Yoo at Bella Bridesmaid.

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The bride wore a Monique Lhullier gown and elegant flats from Dolce and Gabbana.

bridal-portrait

Our beautiful bride carried a cascade of phalenopsis orchids, roses, and fern fronds. We were overjoyed when we found the perfect blue and white bird themed fabric at fabric.com, we used it as a photo wall back drop, to make pillows, and cover the bar.

printing-collage

The blue and white papers designed by Lettered Olive made a statement with colored stock, pattern, die cut shapes, and letterpressed motifs.  Our wedding welcome bags were filled with local cheese biscuits, handmade chocolate, and wine all in a custom Charleston map tote featuring all of the weekend locations noted.

french-huguenot-church-w-horse

The ceremony was held at one of my truly favorite local churches, the French Huguenot Church.

bride-and-groom-outside-church

After the ceremony, guests tossed rose petals on the couple exiting the church, all to the tune of a local gospel choir.

wedding-party-collage

Playing off of the cascading orchid bridal bouquet, the bridesmaids carried a fluffy and colorful mix of roses, orchids, and lilacs.

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bride-and-groom-outside-tent

I always advise my clients when developing our timelines, to allow themselves to steal away some private time with the photographer, in order to capture images like these.

dinner-collage

Long tables were dressed in custom linens with patterned toppers, while the smaller squares were dressed in all blue and white. I love that our bride let us play with all of these patterns and colors!

dinner-table

cake-collage

The flowering cake by Jim Smeal, resting atop a bed of greens made for a drop dead centerpiece in the after dinner lounge.

reception-collage

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The after dinner lounge had a glamorous and feminine feel, and lots of thoughtful touches- one of my favorites was the phone charging station designed with the wedding hashtag signage. Oh, and the sliders on pretzel rolls by PPHG, were a HUGE hit!

sparkler-send-off going-away-car

After a quick change and pretty sparkler send off, the couple departed by a vintage Rolls Royce ready to “Skip Down the Aisle” Together…

You can see more of this wedding on  Charleston Weddings

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