Category Archives: The Lettered Olive

Jan 28, 2019

Sometimes the rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, or Post Toasts (as we are now calling them more often) from our weekends are too sweet not to share. Carleton and Gael married at her family home in Birmingham, Alabama in an affair with a Southern chic feel and French notes, as a nod to the groom’s heritage. For the intimate dinner, our bride rocked a pairing of Brandon Maxwell pants, and a Remy Brook top, looking amazing next to her tux clad groom. Photos by A Bryan Photo

For rehearsals, when possible, we set up seating so that all of the family members and other participants can get a feel for where to sit and to make sure we have it all covered- sometimes people forget that Aunt Susan needs to sit up in one of the front rows!! It also really helps with spacial planning for the actual ceremony and alter.

Leading into the wedding, we try to incorporate hints of whats to come in different ways into the rehearsal dinner design. Here, sleek seersucker linens provide a palette for the layered French garden tablescape.

Custom printed vellum menus wrapped around French baguettes, and were tied off with butcher’s twine and a fresh sprig of lavender. A baker’s tier of pastries was mixed with gathered blooms and antique glass votives for an unexpected centerpiece.

As always there are many emotions and special moments with loved ones, so I can’t impress more to consider having your wedding photographer there to capture those moments over the entire weekend…

1.28.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Parties, Photographers, Rehearsal Dinner, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized | Comments >>

Jan 09, 2019

An Aspen Affair

Bennett invitation suite

For this Wedding Wednesday, we are heading out to Aspen, Colorado for the celebration of Mollie and Sam. Corbin Gurkin captured all of the lovely images. I loved the mixed color palette on this one of blues, purples, natural wooden hues, gray, etc. This letterpress invitation suite from Lettered Olive incorporated the Colorado scenery.

Bridal Collage

The bride wore a custom dress from Nardos Imam; a monogrammed Mrs. Box is a perfect way to keep a reminder of the day; the brides’ bouquet was wrapped in vintage ribbon sourced in New York. The littlest ring bearer in his bow tie couldn’t be left out on the big day.

How cute is this? The bride being a big fan of the movie, Father of the Bride, wore lace tied sneakers under her gown much like the daughter in the movie!

Guest bag Collage

A canvas and leather tote was filled with his and hers S’well bottles, snacks, sweets, and a weekend guide book amongst other take home goodies.

Bennett bridesmaids

Bridesmaids wore different complimenting shades and styles from Lula Kate.

Bennett ceremony

The scenery could not have been more gorgeous, so to compliment and anchor the ceremony against the mountain backdrop, we added pops of vivid purples against the greenery arch. A custom monogrammed aisle runner laid over wooden planks added some soft but rustic glamour to the space.

Scenery Collage

COcktail hour Collage

The reception took place at the Roaring Fork Club. Guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the portico, dancing inside with sweeping views through open doors and windows, and then dancing and dessert in a tent on the lawn.

seating cards Collage

Flower die cut escort cards by Lettered Olive, in the wedding colors were hung from a chandelier in the foyer heading into the dining room.

dining table Collage

Long tables were minimal and tailored; Menus were housed in leather bound booklets “branded” with each guests’ name; wooden cut outs were used for the table numbers.

Lounge

Guests moved into the reception tent after dinner. The “club” we created had hardwood floors landscaped with cowhide rugs, open air mountain views, and low lighting perfect for cozy conversation.

The delicate floral cake by The Caribou Club was the perfect feminine touch against the rustic terrain.

dancing

The couple shares their first dance as husband and wife on a custom designed dance floor surrounded by their closest friends and family. Their first dance song: “All of Me” by John Legend.

1.09.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Photographers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | 3 Comments

Nov 13, 2018

A Thanksgiving Table

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( all photos by Southern Living/Laurey W. Glenn)

This Thanksgiving table scape photo shoot that we did with Southern Living Magazine a few years back is one of my favorites. I host Thanksgiving every year at our family’s cottage at Flat Rock in the NC Mountains so it was even more special this year as my family got to enjoy our photo shoot set up! I pulled some of my favorite shots, but you can see all of the details on Southern Living. The china is from my husband’s family so I went somewhat unexpectedly with the pink and gold color theme from the china’s pattern.

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I had a yummy suede linen made to fit our dining room table with a large cabled piping in the pale pink. And these “petal pink” taper candles from Creative Candles were the perfect added touch of color to offset not having any flowers in the centerpiece.

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There are fabulous antique markets and thrift stores up in the Hendersonville/Asheville area near where we are in Flat Rock. I found old clear glass candlesticks and painted them gold with craft paint. The apples are fall harvest NC apples that were so lovely on their own, I hated to paint them, but they sure did turn out beautifully. All SO easy to DIY and inexpensive!

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I love my etched glassware, which doubles as a perfect place card and surcie. I also believe you can never have enough embroidered napkins! These are from Lettered Olive and Elizabeth Joyce Monograms.

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Because it happens to work well in our space, and makes it easier for me as the hostess finishing up a large dinner, I always set up a self serve bar. I stock it with the cocktails, proper glassware needed, and cocktail napkins or any other tools needed to properly mix and serve.

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Another inexpensive DIY trick that we did here, is to get affordable cotton cocktail napkins (like these from CB2.com) and iron on monogram letters (available online and at most fabric and craft stores).

11.13.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Etiquette, Food and Drink, Interior Design, Parties, Shopping, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized | 1 Comment