Category Archives: The Lettered Olive

Feb 01, 2017

Today for wedding Wednesday, we’re revisiting this gorgeous golden hued celebration photographed by Corbin Gurkin. Since there are so many details to savor, we’re splitting up this celebration across two parts, so make sure to come back next Wednesday for the reception and party details. You can also see more of this wedding over at Charleston Weddings Magazine.

Lettered Olive used golden metallic paper to create a die cut lace pattern complimentary to the bride’s dress, I think the white ink on the metallic envelopes was such a lovely and wedding-y touch. Welcome guest bags were custom printed totes featuring the wedding hashtag filled with champagne splits, mini Candlefish candles, and many of the couples favorites things.

The girls all gathered to get ready together with Plum Pretty Sugar robes gifted by the bride- even the littlest ladies were included.

The Groom’s tuxedo was by Vera Wang (yes, she does men’s attire) available through the Men’s Warehouse.

The bride wore a gown by Vera Wang.

The couple elected to do a “first sight” at one of the many gorgeous parks in downtown Charleston. Corbin staged the groom so that the bride could sneak up and surprise him. This locale also made for a stunning backdrop for photos before heading over to the ceremony. I love when couples decide to do this, because it allows the photographer to really get great shots when the couple is alone and relaxed.

The couple married at First Baptist Church in Charleston, the glorious gates out front were adorned with floral wreaths of roses, hydrangeas, and lemon leaf. Large golden urns flush with greenery and flowers flanked the alter, as the couple celebrated with their first kiss.

The bridesmaids wore floor length gold lame gowns by Lula Kate. The lush bridal bouquet made the perfect transition from winter to spring with cream roses, peonies, lily of the valley sprigs and soft lambs ears, and was tied by vintage ribbon I sourced in New York.

Join us next Wednesday for part two of this glittering celebration at the William Aiken House.

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

Dec 07, 2016

Wintery Wedding Wednesday

These two, aren’t they just the cutest? It’s been 6 years since we traveled to Arkansas to do the December wedding for this couple. While the groom was running for public office, the bride was in her second year of law school and planning her wedding! She was graceful under pressure and both she and her family were a joy to work with. And her dress- a perfectly pleated silk faille Carolina Herrera masterpiece paired with a vintage fur wrap for the chillier moments.

Influenced by classic blue and white china, complimentary patterns were paired together throughout the printed pieces. Lettered Olive designed a custom monogram featuring a lion head door knocker, that the bride wanted to incorporate throughout. We had custom velvet shoe bags made to use as the guest welcome bags. Full of champagne, local sparkling water, and snacks, guests had everything they would need for a pre wedding celebration.

Pieces of the perfect blue and white fabric we found to use throughout the wedding decor, made the perfect bouquet wrap. The bride’s dress had a row of covered buttons, so we added that little detail for her on her flowers. Simple all white flowers (peonies and roses) were just the thing for this winter wedding.

The reception took place at Marlsgate Plantation just outside of Little Rock. The couple did do a “first sight” at the plantation house before the ceremony. This worked so well for this event, since the sun sets a bit earlier this time of year. Liz Banfield was also able to steal the couple away to capture some amazing private moments before the sunset.

We scored a vintage lion’s head door knocker while out sourcing that we knew we had to snag to use somewhere- like the fabric covered escort card and “sign in” board.

Shades of blue in the ceiling upped the look of the all white dining room. Antique wrought iron chandeliers with pillar candles became amazing statement pieces.

Special little touches like golden pillar candles, white velvet linens lined with thick blue piping, and lush white carpeting made for a warm, glowing, and breathtaking dining room.

The 5 tier cake was hand painted with each different pattern used throughout the wedding printing and decor and was the centerpiece of the dining room.

A 40 foot bar anchored the lounge tent with shelving to create a focal point for the blue votives.

To give guests a different feel for dancing, we darkened up the lounge with navy blue and gold tones.

Rice produced by the bride’s family’s business was packaged in custom stamped muslin pouches to toss during the couple’s getaway…Wishing our bride and groom the happiest of anniversaries.

12.07.16 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Cakes, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Sep 27, 2016

A Paper Party

photos by Liz Banfield

The client’s demand for beautifully designed and printed wedding paper materials led me to start our printing company, Lettered Olive. Not only are all of the wedding details important to nail, but giving a good first impression with the save the date or invitation sets the guests’ tone for the entire event. Many times our clients want all of the weekend’s events to compliment each other with the wedding of course being the big night. This gives us a chance to create “party packs”. For a wedding weekend in Oklahoma, a cut out skyline of the city is the centerpiece of the pack, with all of the invitations surrounding it. Then, a reply card with each event listed in order of when they are happening allows guests a quick and easy response and the bride and groom can know what to prepare for in plenty of time.

photos by Liz Banfield

For this client, having an elegantly rustic weekend with a ceremony under a live oak tree overlooking the Ashley River along with several other events, wood grain paper was used as a common design element. That paper was used to back the save the dates, used as a folder for the wedding invitations, and letterpressed upon for the wedding day BBQ brunch. Lettered Olive designed a pattern that was subtly brought in throughout the designs as well, which is another good way to create cohesiveness. The pattern was used in the wedding colors as the save the date envelope liner, then the colors were flipped in the pattern for the welcome party invite.

photos by Liz Banfield

For our bride wanting to incorporate natural flora and fauna elements into all aspects of her wedding design, a lush landscape reminiscent of designer wallpaper was created to use throughout. A custom “watercolor” monogram also gave a personal touch. Then, to create a complimentary flow throughout all of the papers, elements were broken out to head up the designs of individual party invitations, menu cards, ceremony programs, and welcome guest booklets.

We often take a monogram we design and create personal stationary like thank you notes or notecards for our brides to use after the wedding.

9.27.16 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Parties, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>