Category Archives: Reception

Apr 04, 2018

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This pretty, feminine, and chic beach wedding is the perfect share for this Wedding Wednesday. The bride, having grown up in SC and going to the beach at Kiawah Island, thought it to be the perfect destination for all of her Manhattan friends. With a really lovely pastel palette of lavender, pale blue, pale, pinks, and hints of grey, that was something about this wedding that just set my heart aglow. Photos are by Velvet Raptor.

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Lettered Olive created a letterpress invite set using a lavender ink and guipure lace belly band cutout mimicking the pattern from the bride’s dress.

Bridal Collage

The bride wore a corset style dress from Monique Lhuillier and killer jeweled heels by Miu Miu. The frilly bridal bouquet of sweet pea, peonies, and ranunculus was hand tied with an embroidered monogram satin ribbon and finished with a vintage family broach.

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The bride awaits her walk down the aisle behind the scenes with her father. Love these two and this photo.

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Sprigs of blooming lavender hand tied with satin ribbon made chic boutonierres.

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The mother of the bride acquired these plaster sheep and has them on the lawn at their beach house, so we had them brought over to greet guests upon arrival. Of course, they had to have floral wreaths!

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For a prime view of the ocean, guests sat on linen ottomans with a lush floral arch to define the alter.

Ceremony Collage

I just love this aisle being so fabulous and floral but beachside. Along the aisle were planter boxes full of lush white flowers.

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For the bride, who worked for a well known jewelry atelier, we found lavender velvet jewel boxes, which we put table numbers inside of and name tags on top as the escort cards. Lettered Olive designed a custom monogram that was used throughout the wedding decor.

Cocktail hour Collage

After the beachside ceremony, guests enjoyed an al fresco happy hour on the porches and lawn over looking the ocean.

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Dining room Collage

Inside for dinner, tailored linens and lush white florals and candles dressed the tables. The bride and groom’s chairs were adorned with floral wreaths. Embroidered napkins were cleaned and given to the couple to have in their new home.. Mini menu books at each place give details of the food, and schedule of the evening, along with anecdotes about the couple…

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The mother of the bride is a quintessential hostess and known for her cold cucumber soup. Best served- COLD. So, we had our ice sculptor design individual ice bowls for each guest’s soup serving.

Cake Collage

We love any touches that represent the couple or family that can be brought into the wedding day. Here, the mother of the bride had been collecting vintage cake toppers for years and then restoring them. She made a special one for the wedding cake, and then gifted one to each of the bridesmaids as well.

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Well into the late hours of dancing, a nasty storm started to roll in. We had a very special car for the getaway that couldn’t get wet, so we had the band play their “last call” , and got guests out front for the send off- just in the nick of time…

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Beating the weather, the couple departed in a vintage convertible (the driver is adorable in plaid knickers, and cap) and guests waved purple glow sticks (avoiding a mess and still giving great photos)…

4.04.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Reception, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Mar 26, 2018

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

Today, we are going back in the archives to this sweet and simple William Aiken House wedding. This couple embraced the spring season in Charleston, and since their children were a large part of the wedding, Easter was celebrated as well. Thank you to Gayle Brooker for the images.

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The brides’ bouquet was just gathered out of the garden, with flowering vines, jasmine, dogwood branches, and fern.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

Easter baskets for the youngest guests were delivered to the hotel rooms on Sunday morning, full of sweet treats.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

A bar where guests could get a refill and have a seat and conversation was stationed on the front lawn.

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Casual seating in the “Easter” color scheme was also set up on the lawn overlooking the reflecting pond for guests to enjoy after dinner.

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A Lowcountry live oak was also a design element, so to incorporate the natural element seating card pockets were planted in grass and hung from tree branches.  Each table was named for a different type of tree found in the lowcountry.

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Adult guests together in the ballroom at tables designed in a springy but neutral palette. Menus were booklets bringing back in the tree theme and also doubling as place cards.

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The “children’s” table was stationed on the porch overlooking the party on the front lawn. Luckily it’s such a perfect spot with a birds eye view, no one felt like they were being put at the kiddie table.

3.26.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>
Mar 20, 2018

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photo by Liz Banfield

The debate has been around as long as I have been planning weddings- kids or no kids?  Of course, we roll with whatever is the best plan for our clients, but if you are a little hesitant about including peanuts, maybe some of these ideas will help you feel more confident about having kids at the wedding.  And, head over Vogue.com for more kid friendly ideas from some of our event colleagues.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

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photo by Liz Banfield

As mentioned in the Vogue.com article, I think kids in a ceremony are adorable. It’s not about whether they make it down the aisle perfectly or not, and it definitely helps take the pressure of the bride. Sometimes, having a parent in the wedding party that one can walk to or with or older flower girls can be a big help in keeping the tiniest ones comfortable.

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photo by Liz Banfield

Once at the reception- whether it’s a seated dinner or station/buffet style we suggest have a separate seating area for the kids. Not only does this help save money on the fancy table decor you may be doing for the other tables, but also gives the parents a chance to relax and enjoy conversation. You could have preset family style meals for the kids too… Full tummies always help keep the kiddos on track.

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photo by Liz Banfield

We like to do special boxes or gift bags for the kids, full of snacks and games and activities.  If your venue has the space for it, we’ve often hired babysitters to come and be with all of the kids in a separate area. They are still close by for the parents to check on them but under other adult supervision.

3.20.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Press, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>