Category Archives: Rehearsal Dinner

Aug 16, 2016

Kerr-centerpiece_blog

photo by Liz Banfield

A big thank you to one of our favorite design supply companies, Jamali Garden for featuring us on their blog in their Designer Spotlight series. We have been using many of Jamali’s products at our weddings and events for years and years, so today, I’m sharing some of our favorite products and tips on customizing them to your event.  For the centerpieces above, we used their Antique Black Oval Urns and spray painted them gold!

Hull Umbrella

photo by Liz Banfield

To hide the bars and inner workings on garden umbrellas, we cover with a bevy of flowers (by wiring in some oasis cages), and hang votive style lanterns like these from Jamali.

Frog Collage

photos by Liz Banfield

These handy dandy gadgets, called Frogs, can be hard to find, and we use them for so many things. Often times we cover them with flowers, moss, shells, or any other design element from the current event, and use them on trays to hold the food and drink signage. Or, when using a smaller flower vessel, they hold the stems in place. They have been invaluable to us over the years.

Vickers table boxes

photo by Adrienne Page

For long continuous dining tables, we love the look of longer flower vases… Jamali has numerous choices, but these stained wooden window boxes were just perfect.

Rice centerpiece and candles

photo by Liz Banfield

I love these iridescent votive candle holders… they are on sale right now on Jamaligarden.com. The glass is super delicate and versatile enough to work with any decor, but when used en masse, they can also make a bold statement.  But, one trick I must reiterate- please make sure you use the votive candles with the clear glass bottoms, and not the metal dishes!  It makes for such a more polished look when using clear votive holders.

photo by Gayle Brooker

For a very simple, affordable, but still elegant and formal centerpiece idea- buy phalenopsis orchids from a local wholesale florist (or even Trader Joe’s usually has lovely ones) and put in some of Jamali’s mossed pots!

8.16.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Parties, Press, Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, Shopping, Weddings | Comments >>
Feb 12, 2016

Tara Guerard Soiree by Perry Vaile

This rehearsal dinner was just too sweet not to share. Our bride Caroline, from our Real Bridal Advice series, and her soon to be husband celebrated with an intimate group of family and friends in the treehouse style gathering spot- Moreland at Palmetto Bluff.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Perry Vaile

Guests arrive by vintage trolley. One way we manage our transportation is by letting guests know in the Welcome booklets not only the pick up times, but scheduled return trip times so that we can ensure all vehicles are back on hand at the end of the evening to get everyone home.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Perry Vaile

Hand illustrated invites by Lettered Olive.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Perry Vaile Tara Guerard Soiree by Perry Vaile

The quaint surroundings at Moreland are the perfect backdrop for our bar-b-que and oyster roast.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Perry Vaile

To play along with the travel totem pole signage, we created a custom sign for the couple.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Perry Vaile

For this sized group we thought community tables would really bring everyone together, and are a great way to have different samplings of all of the party food. I loved the simple arrangements of white hydrangeas and magnolia branches! Leaves were a big design element at the wedding, so these were such a nice compliment for the next day!

Tara Guerard Soiree by perry Vaile

Burlap linens and carnival lights finished up the simple but stunning feel for this couple’s rehearsal dinner.

Thank you to Perry Vaile photography for being on hand to capture these moments.

2.12.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Parties, Rehearsal Dinner, The Lettered Olive, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

I could not think of a more perfect way to spend New Year’s than at a lovely dinner party followed by dancing- i.e. you are close friends or family and someone is having their wedding or rehearsal dinner and you’re invited!  You get to dress up, go celebrate with loved ones, and not spend a dime, pretty perfect, don’t you think?  This sweet couple celebrated New Year’s at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas on the eve of their wedding with a fabulous three course dinner followed by dancing in the ballroom decked out for a New Year’s bash. Thank you to Liz Banfield for the photos.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Dinner menus were etched on clear acrylic cards placed at each seat. Sometimes working with the already in place hotel decor can be somewhat challenging but with a black, white, silver, and gold New Year’s theme, it worked out!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Place cards were attached to each chair so that the acrylic menus took front and center at each place setting. Tying them with festive silver fringe added to the New Year’s theme!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

I loved the killer silver fringe chandeliers we made for the occasion. They made for a perfect twinkling touch inside a hotel ballroom. Which, did have this intricate and lovely latticework on the walls and ceiling which was so unique, we lucked out with that design element!

Tara Guerard Soiree by liz Banfield

Of course, Veuve was flowing throughout the night, and all of the proper accoutrements were supplied in the party colors; everyone was decked out in New Year’s gear for the midnight countdown.

Tara Guerard SoireeThe couple rang in the New Year that would bring them a new start as husband and wife, a new home together, and many other personal accomplishments. I’d say that’s a great way to kick off a wedding weekend and a New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone and may 2016 bring a year full of health and happiness.

12.30.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Events, Rehearsal Dinner, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Travel, Weddings | Comments >>