Blue and white is such a classic wedding palette, and this bride wanted to get even more fun and bring in a variety of colors that really ended up making the look. Thank you to Charleston Weddings Magazine for featuring this Lowndes Grove wedding of ours photographed by Corbin Gurkin.
This wedding was such a stunner, that we had to share some of our own favorite details in addition to the feature in the new Charleston Weddings Magazine. Our couple married at Kiawah Island Resort, with an indoor ceremony in a ballroom we transformed, followed by an evening of dinner, dancing, and details. The bride is Mexican, so were able to use a lot of beautiful details as a nod to her heritage, and incorporate glamorous design that represent the couple’s taste. Corbin Gurkin captured all of the lovely images. 
Wedding papers by Lettered Olive featured gilded paper and inks, a custom monogram and velvet touches. The save the dates were acrylic thumb drives of a styled video the couple made featuring Kiawah Island to get guests excited for the big day.
The bride wore a gown from Kleinfeld Bridal by Pnina Tornai and shoes by Christian Louboutin. We created her bouquet using shades of blushes and white with opulant orchids, garden roses, and lily of the valley hand tied with an embroidered velvet ribbon. Custom cuff links for the groom were engraved with the wedding date.
Classic black tuxedos complimented the bridesmaids lace and silk full length gowns- by Kate McDonald Bridal. I love seeing sleeves for the bridesmaids!
We transformed one of the ballrooms at the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island by laying white carpet and bring the outdoors in… We covered golden branches with orchids, and lined the aisle with greenery boxes, and hung white sheer fabric for a beautiful photo backdrop.
A floral covered monogram added pretty detail to the hotel space. Members of the family who couldn’t be there where there in spirit with a remembrance table at the ceremony. In addition to the Virtuosi orchestra at the ceremony, a bagpiper, and Mariachi band provided a variety of music.
Perfectly timed, a confetti cannon went off just as the couple sealed their vows with a kiss.
Cocktail hour featured a salsa and taco station… Covered in greenery, a hotel chandelier makes for a great escort card station. Acrylic cards calligraphied by Penned by Palmer were hung by ribbon.
For this bride, typical chivari chairs just wouldn’t cut it. So, white fabric was woven throughout to give a frilly and extravagant feel. A centerpiece of the dining room was a large fixture we covered in greenery and draped orchid strands from.
Perfectly piped linens (one of our signatures) provided tailored tabletops with rows of lush floral centerpieces. Delicate glass candlesticks offered a mixture of height. Place cards were embroidered satin ribbons tied to the napkins at each place setting.
Jim Smeal created a modern and elegant cake using two of the main design elements- marble and gold gilding.
Perfectly positioned lounge seating and tables provided guests a place to perch when not dancing.
Marble was an element that kept popping up in the bride’s inspiration photos, so we created a marbleized dance floor as a stand out focal point of the room.
Since it’s seen in so many of the photos, the band’s stage can stick out like a sore thumb, or blend in perfectly. Fabric draped curtains and custom edging create a showcase for the band that show the extra thought that goes into designing the space.
As a send off, the guests were showered by orchids, and departed in a vintage car with the prettiest of petals making the final look as special as the first. Congrats Gaby and Ward!
photos by Corbin Gurkin
2019 was full of new experiences and locations.. We were thrilled to work with new backdrops and forge relationships with new vendors. Full steam ahead into 2020! Above, our first wedding of the year took us to “30A”, Watercolor, Florida. Getting it’s name from the colors seen in the water and sky the beautiful beaches there, our bride’s family grew up vacationing there. We tented the town square for the ceremony and reception, but the family opened their door for a Thursday night rehearsal dinner.
photos by Ryan Ray
Our only local wedding this year had us at Runnymede. One of our favorite blank slates to create whatever our client envisions; its also able to accommodate the largest of groups.
photos by Sylvie Gil
Starting off the summer at Gurney’s in Montauk provided an amazing view of the ocean (and of course, one of the quintessential afternoon showers), and a perfect casual sophistication Montauk is known for.
photos by Jose Villa
Back in New York a couple of weeks later, but in an upstate country retreat called Troutbeck. Perfect as a postcard, the weather, the scenery, and with almost all of the guests being able to stay onsite, a fun weekend for this wedding.
photos by Corbin Gurkin
Fall in Greenville, SC can be particularly lovely… leaves changing colors, usually a slight nip in the air, or a tropical storm???? Yes, this year, for our wedding that was NOT in Charleston, but in Greenville, we had a tropical storm. Our clients took it in stride and we made sure it didn’t dampen the day. Plus, our clients were so happy and in love, nothing was going to rain on their parade.
photos by Anne Rhett Photography
We celebrated our last wedding of the year in Jamaica. Our bride spent her childhood vacationing at Round Hill, so it was the perfect spot for the mostly NY and London guest list to warm up with winter setting in… We loved getting to work with a different beach backdrop, and all of the lush surroundings made for amazing decor foraging.
Recognized as one of the nation’s leading tastemakers, Tara Guérard has earned a widespread reputation for her ability to create spectacular settings celebrating life’s most anticipated occasions. As the visionary and founder of Tara Guérard Soirée, she is best known for her distinct style that honors the storied traditions of Southern hospitality paired with a modern aesthetic and flair for the unexpected.
