Category Archives: The Lettered Olive

Aug 01, 2018

We were so thrilled to see this wedding feature on 100 Layer Cake this week. . Elizabeth Messina was here to shoot with us, and as you can imagine the imagery is pretty spectacular, her style was the perfect fit for this ethereal bride.

The couple was wed at the French Huguenot Church in downtown Charleston, one of my all time favorite churches (the Guerards were one of the first Huguenot families in Charleston).

We try to encourage our clients to do a “first look” when appropriate. It still allows for the moment that a groom sees his bride on their wedding day, but on a more intimate level, which some of our brides find really relieves a lot of the pressure of walking down the aisle in front of all of those guests. And, it allows for some one on one time with the photographer to really capture some great shots together and with the wedding party without missing out on your party after the ceremony!

Vintages touches throughout the stationary by Lettered Olive really set the stage for the wedding day feel. Custom antique postcards were crafted and a logo with a vintage lace border was used throughout the wedding design. We even made a custom cornhole game for guests to play during cocktail hour!

Lettered Olive also crafted a custom “Charleston” map which was printed on the guest welcome bags. All of the wedding weekend locations were noted.

Antique keys and tags engraved with guests’ names, and attached to paper cards with table numbers, adorned a moss covered board for guests to find their seats at dinner.

Large wooden bed swings hung from live oak branches overlooking the river during cocktail hour.

As a special treat for the groom and his friends, a true Southern bourbon bar was on hand.

Lush greens, pale pinks, and creams dotted all of the florals we designed.

Draping covered in green garlands helped to give a landscaped garden feel to the dining room.

Moss and ivy topiaries on longer tables were perfect accents to the floral centerpieces on the square table. I love giving a dining room a layered look by working with different sizes, shapes, heights, and textures.

Jim Smeal did his version of a naked cake decorated with champagne grapes…

What else other than a vintage Model T could be more perfect for this couples’ departure.

8.01.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Cakes, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Photographers, Press, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Jul 25, 2018

Down on the Farm

Fall weddings are on the horizon, so it’s perfect timing to share our Kentucky farm wedding recently featured on Carats and Cake. I loved working with these clients from the beginning. Just the fact that a hurricane (of all things) is what we had to contend with during production going into the wedding weekend, and they didn’t loose their cool, made all of the hard work even more worth it. Thank you to Melanie Mauer for the weekend photos.

What Lettered Olive designed for our clients is still one of my most favorite. The watercolor design of the antique barn on the property graced the save the dates. The invitations incorporate metallic copper ink and guinea feather accents- stunning! And, the wedding welcome box featured a custom barn emblazoned on the front and was filled with goodies perfect for a Kentucky celebration.

Our bride, owner of popular Lexington boutique, Morton James, of course stunned in a gown by Vera Wang. A gathered from the garden bouquet of garden roses, ranunculus, hellebores, and foliage was both a lush and lovely accessory.

While in the planning stages with the couple, who were making plans to build on the property and move the barn, I knew we had to use it as the backdrop to the ceremony. It’s so perfect. We created a huge greenery wreath to act as our “alter” decor. Guests walked straight into the barn for cocktail hour. A huge square shaped bar anchored the room, and guests enjoyed small bites by Apiary Fine Catering and Events. One of my favorite elements to doing destination weddings is finding new and incredible vendors to work with… They are truly one of my new favorite caterers, our vision synched up perfectly!

Because of the torrential rains all week, the ground remained pretty soggy for the wedding day. We were able to build a weathered wooden boardwalk for guests to make their way from the barn to the dinner and reception tent without getting too bogged down.

The sailcloth tent was breathtaking with greenery draping, oatmeal linen, and wildflower bouquets anchoring wooden lamps. We found super fabulous feather candles so perfect for this event. Copper table top details included hand painted table numbers, copper foil printed menus, and even copper water cups. The place setting featured menus tied with twine and imprinted leather place cards… oh and a little guinea feather for good measure.

The simply stunning four tired cake by Martine’s Pastries was embellished with fresh blooms used throughout the wedding. Since the rent of wedding decor fell in line with the rustic feel, we wanted the lounge to be more on the feminine and airy side.

Of course, being in Kentucky there had to be a bourbon and cigar lounge for after dinner.. Guests enjoyed our dessert cart with a variety of treats passed throughout the dance lounge.

The couple was sent off by fireworks as they enjoyed S’mores by the the fire pit with friends late into the night.

7.25.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Flowers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | Comments >>

Jul 18, 2018

Texas Rose

Today we are throwing it back to our Tyler, Texas wedding shot by Liz Banfield. This was our glamour girl bride, and you know in Texas they go big! So there were lots of flowers and lots of luxe details (think sequin linens, golden antlers, etc). The bride’s wore a custom gown by Nardos Imam.

I was really pleased with how her lovely printed materials turned out. Lettered Olive created a custom monogram using antlers and lace from the bride’s gown. I love the two opposing masculine and feminine elements together. An idea for you to steal- the tags on the guest welcome bags (which were actually canvas shoe bags for guests to take home), doubled as “do not disturb” signs for the hotel rooms.

Our bride’s colorful bouquet full of an array of blooms was hand tied with the most lovely and sweet vintage ribbon. Really gave it that special finishing touch.

As you’ll see in more details, Lettered Olive also created the custom floral print that we had turned into fabric at Spoonflower to use throughout the wedding design- here we made custom little flower girl pouches.

Our couple didn’t do a first sight moment, so I found this such a touching moment of the mother being with the bride before walking down the aisle. And, that bow!!!!!!

The alter was overflowing with large cement urns full of flowers in the wedding colors. We got lucky with the alter cloth being so lovely and in line with our decor.

There are so many arrays of churches and decor out there. We love when the churches allow us a bit more freedom to decorate. We laid down a white carpet aisle runner to soften all of the dark in the space, and lined the aisle with boughs of greenery, candle lit lanterns with rose petals, and mini bouquets tied with bows to accent the bride’s gown. After the church ceremony, guests made their way to a private club for the seated dinner and dancing reception.

We didn’t want a huge emphasis on boozy drinks, so for cocktail hour we dressed up water with different combinations- here fresh strawberries and mint. And, the gold foil printed coasters announcing the new husband and wife were a big hit!

It has always seemed so strange to me to have this big white tent that is plain and plasticy on the outside but when you walk in, it’s this other world beautiful sight. So, for this wedding, we made a custom “carpet” with the antler logo, and fabric awning with our floral printed fabric and edging from Boutique Tents.

Inside was a fabric draped, rosey lit knockout space. We carpeted the tent in pale pink. The pale pink sequined linens were so pretty with the bold colorful centerpiece. Gold antlers and a mixture of candles added to the tablescapes. Custom embroidered logo napkins were an unexpected touch. And the tent in the center housed the wedding cake for a focal point to break up all of the tables.

The 5 tiered floral cake looked as if was supported by urns overflowing with matching blooms.

A coordinating dessert station offered guests more sweet treats.

Surrounding the dance floor, were seating nooks and cozy cabana tents where guests could enjoy cocktails and conversation.

Wine decanted with calligraphied tags, and a handwritten menu offer a much prettier bar design than displaying the not as attractive bottles on top of the bar! And, if budget only allows for basic label offerings- this is a lovely way to let guests know the varieties you are serving without mentioning the makers.

Servers in custom embroidered aprons presented guests late night offering on the dance floor- such a treat to have little sips and nibbles brought to you while boogying.

In true Texas Rose fashion, a big floral display adorned the fabulous getaway vehicle!

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