Category Archives: Travel

Jun 13, 2018

Stone wall

Martha’s Vineyard is one of our favorite spots out of town for weddings.  We can’t wait to be up there again at the end of the summer! But for today’s wedding Wednesday, we’re sharing this July wedding from 2010. Blue and white ikat was the design inspiration along with wooden and natural elements playing off of the family barn where the reception was held.  Photos by Adrienne Page.

Guest bag

We love incorporating local flavor in the wedding guest welcome bags. The oh so perfect  Martha’s Vineyard bags from Maptote; also included were custom printed playing cards with the wedding emblem, locally sourced and bottled waters, vintage island post cards, Cape Cod chips, and homemade sea salt caramel bars.

Bridal Collage

A gift from the groom- a vintage Hermes enamel bracelet perfectly finished the bride’s ensemble.

Invite and bouquet

Flower girl Collage

Martha’s Vineyard has so many glorious roadside flower stands, for all of the bridal party flowers, we ordered nothing ahead of time and shopped these stands for all of the personal flowers that day.  For the brides’ something blue, all of the mother’s and grandmother’s monograms were embroidered on her bouquet ribbon.

Ceremony sign

The ceremony took place up on a bluff overlooking the farm, so guests were able to take in the property on their stroll to the ceremony.

Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids wore Lela Rose bridesmaids dresses (Lela, also in attendance is friends with the groom and his family in Dallas). All white bouquets from roadside farmstands were a contrast to the bride’s colorful bouquet.

Ceremony Collage

Massive clusters of baby’s breath created a natural and whimsical feel for the simply elegant ceremony.

Bride and groom 2

Front of barn

The father of the bride had an affinity for vintage barns, and had this one moved down piece by piece from Canada. It was the perfect spot for the wedding dinner.

wreath on barn color

Cocktail hour Collage

Cocktail hour took place below in the stable area below the barn with seating throughout. Individual wooden signs let guests know where they were seating for dinner.

View of barn overall Dinner Collage

Menus were printing on large wooden signs, much like the one we made for the stone wall entrance.

dinner Tablescape

Little wooden stirrers tied to the napkins with blue baker’s twine were sweet place cards.

bride and groom at table

Boogie tent Collage Reception Collage

After dinner, guests partied in the “boogie tent” and lounge for the rest of the evening.  A stylish blue lounge provided a serene place for guests to enjoy cake, a cheese cart, cocktails and a reprieve from dancing.

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Getaway Collage party at night

After a birdseed toss (friendly for the environment of the farm), the bride and groom departed by a vintage Woody and spent the night in town before heading off for their honeymoon.

6.13.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Parties, Reception, Travel, Weddings | Comments >>

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This wedding has all the makings to get us excited for the Spring season ahead- pretty pastel palette, beach front ceremony, and spring design elements like peaches, dahlias, and greens. Guests were able to spend a vacation like weekend on Kiawah Island, SC celebrating with the couple. Corbin Gurkin was on hand to capture all of the lovely images.

LO Collage

Guests received simply gorgeous letterpress invitations in a simple spring green all designed by Lettered Olive. A floral but not fussy motif set the tone for the events. Upon arrival, custom printed Kiawah Island totes filled with locally made tea, honey, and snacks welcomed guests. The floral pattern used on the printed tags became a big design factor in other places at the wedding.

Bridal Collage

The bride wore a Monique Lhuillier strapless light and airy lacy mermaid silhouetted gown.

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Our bride enjoyed a day of dressing with her bridesmaids all in Plum Pretty Sugar.

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The couple opted for a First Look- I love the look of excitement and anticipation on the groom’s face as we awaits her to approach.

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The pale green and grey color palette was a lovely background for the palest of spring florals. The bridesmaids wore varying gowns in the same fabric by Amsale.

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To dress up and tailor this beach front ceremony, a pristine white carpet runner was laid over the immaculate grass. A simple chuppa with flowing white curtains and floral tie backs still offer guests a view of the ocean.

Ceremony Collage

Simple seagrass anchored in sand were simple chic and affordable aisle decor!  We offered flip flops in varying sizes to guests who didn’t want their heels sinking into the ground. Fan shaped programs on the thickest Italian paper we use, made for perfect weather tamers during the ceremony.

2013_Diana_Ezra_1194The brides hand tied bouquet featured David Austin garden roses, white peonies, white roses and tea roses, and grey lambs ear for color and texture.

Details Collage

Cocktail hour was open air on the porch; a bowl of peaches provides information about the cocktails served and pretty bar decor; monogrammed table runners were placed throughout the ballroom venue to keep it feeling personal.

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Of course, being a SC girl, this was one of my favorite escort card displays we’ve done- a table of peaches with hand caligraphied floral die cut cards, LOVE!

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One design area worth the splurge at this event was covering the typical busy and bright ballroom carpet with white carpeting, giving the ballroom a crisp and polished feel. Dinner linens were the palest of green with a darker complimentary green piped on the edges and peeking out in corners. Dinner chairs were perfectly matched in a pale green.

Dinner Collage

Place settings were prettied with matching ribbons and eucalyptus springs and a caligraphied leaf place card. Low lying centerpieces of pink dinner plate dahlias, leafy greens, and seeded eucalyptus accented with mercury glass were classic glam.

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A pale green ruffled and sugar flowered cake, all handiwork by Jim Smeal .

Dancing Collage

We had the floral pattern designed for the couple’s printed materials put onto their dance floor which really made for a breathtaking addition to the ballroom. A guest book was made by guests taking pics with an old fashioned Polaroid and leaving a personal note.

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After a traditional Horrah dance and a quick change, the bride and groom departed by sparklers.

3.14.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | 6 Comments
Mar 05, 2018

222.8302.16.2016.27 © Liz Banfield med_res

Since we just featured their lovely wedding, we thought it only fitting to share their super fun Saturday night rehearsal party full of fun and games. For the eve before their wedding this fun loving couple had a truly personal rehearsal and welcome party. Think tropical beach party (but indoors) which was appropriate considering a tropical storm kicked off their wedding week. Photos are by Liz Banfield.

Cocktail collage 200.P645Z.298.2016.27 © Liz Banfield med_res

All of the delicious bites from Cru Catering were on point! Party perfect cocktails greeted guests along with passed apps like mini Tacos and gazpacho shots. We also set up a display of personalized paper cones filled with fried plantains for guests to grab and munch before sitting down to dinner.  We love little touches like matching servers and staff to fit the event, so tropical shirts were a must!

Dinner Collage

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Long family style tables named after islands the couple has traveled to together, were dressed with with colorful patterned toppers and lush foliage at each place setting.  Guests enjoyed a lively dedication video and photo montage towards the end of dinner.

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The groom is a big movie lover, so his groom’s cake was an unbelievable nod to his favorite movie- I’ll let you guess which one!

After party Collage

After dinner, curtains were pulled back and revealed a beach party, complete with a sand dance floor, seagrass lounge seating and tropical umbrellas. Guests could check their shoes, and we had a foot wash with buckets of water and paint brushes to clean up after dancing.

383.P645Z.418.2016.27 © Liz Banfield med_res

Cocktails Collage

For our tropical bar, palm fronds were the perfect design element. Frozen cocktails like Pina Coladas and Pain Killers got guests in the spirit, and Co Co & Co custom coconut water kept everyone hydrated. This is our new favorite, how awesome is their beach cart, and you can serve the coconuts with or without booze!

Party Collage

In addition to the dessert bar featuring homemade churros, mini banana puddings, and coconut cream pie shots, a full video arcade sparked fierce air hockey competitions into the late hours.

3.05.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Parties, Rehearsal Dinner, Travel, Weddings | Comments >>