Category Archives: Uncategorized

Nov 28, 2018

I’m so excited to be able to finally share this gorgeous garden wedding we did for our former intern, Carleton. She married at her parents home in Birmingham, Alabama which featured the ceremony on the front lawn, and an alfresco style dinner overlooking the back. You know how much I love a home wedding.  Carleton is also the niece of Flower Magazine founder, Margot Shaw, who has always been such a great supporter of Soiree. See more of the gorgeous details over on Over the Moon. All photos courtesy of A Bryan PhotoLettered Olive worked closely with our client to make sure the simple and chic feel she wanted was delivered. 

Carleton chose the Greenhouse gown by another favorite friend, Lela Rose. For her it was the perfect mix of modern and classic…

While, the groom, Gael, wore a custom made Ralph Lauren tuxedo, the ladies were asked to chose their own dress within a color palette…. The look was so curated and worked perfectly with the “gathered greens” bouquet we did for each of the ladies.

The scenery, weather, etc was just so perfect for this garden ceremony. A simple arbor waited at the end of a blanketed aisle of rose petals. Greens attached to chairs acted as “pew markers”. Mini jute totes placed on each chair included blank note cards and pens asking guests to leave well wishes for the couple- in lieu of a traditional guest book. After a cocktail hour throughout the house and garden, guests make their way to the back lawn for dinner featuring family style tables and open air scenery.

Keeping in line with the simple at home feel, we wanted to do something different instead of an escort card display. Hatch Cove Designs and Lettered Olive worked together to create a watercolor illustration of the home and tables with the guests names in their places. This  also became a lovely piece of artwork for the couple’s new home.

The tablescapes married the French and Southern influences seen throughout the wedding.  Sweet garden roses and ranunculus were dotted with greens and fresh lavender peppered throughout. Handwritten and hand tied menus sat atop French lace patterened plates and 100 percent linen tablecloths.

After dinner guests enjoyed a lounge, bars, and dance tent with seating areas hidden throughout trees and secret spots.  To keep the intimate feel to the day, wedding cake was served inside the home’s dining room in petit comité. Before all guests finished their dinner, the couple gathered with their families in the dining room and cut the cake while a pianist played “La Vie en Rose,” a nod to the Groom’s French heritage. I think it’s so important for the couple to steal a few moments away from the larger crowds to soak in bits and pieces of the day here and there. After the cake cutting, a horn line (as a nod to the Southern heritage) came and lead the couple through the dining area to get guests up and out of their seats, and got them to the dance floor.  The first dance song, Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli was the perfect way to kick off the dancing.

The couple was sent off by biodegradable confetti and French “jut married” sign…

11.28.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Photographers, Press, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Nov 26, 2018

chmdec2016cover

Imagine my joy when I saw this Charleston Magazine with my sweet springer, Georgia on the cover! I had a blast working with our friends at Charleston Mag on this feature- Peter Frank Edwards, Melissa Bigner, and Darcy Shankland. For more tips and outtakes head over here.

chm-decking-the-halls-1 chm-decking-the-halls-2 chm-decking-the-halls-3 chm-decking-the-halls-4 chm-decking-the-halls-5

11.26.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Etiquette, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Photographers, Press, Spotted!, Uncategorized | Comments >>
Nov 19, 2018

Photos by Lucy Cuneo 

You’ve got a house full of family (or friends) and have to focus on the big meal later in the day… Well, here are a few ideas that hopefully you can use to serve a fun and easy breakfast and maintain your status as the hostess with the mostest. First of all, the big  Thanksgiving meal coming up tends to be more formal, so feel free to let the a.m be more casual, even self serve.  Set it and forget it.  If weather in your area permits, this could even be outside or on a porch allowing for the dining area to stay prepped for later.

Here, I went with a Bloody Mary and Biscuit theme. So, sett out your favorite mixers and garnishes and let guests build their own bloody marys. Other snacky type items, fruit, veggies, (I even like Bacon in my bloodys) here can also double as a buffet- make your drink and plate in one place.  This can certainly be a light meal in anticipation of stuffing face later.

A great item that we like to have in the freezer to pull out are biscuits, and some of our favorite are Callie’s Charleston Biscuits… You can see more of us making biscuits in the kitchen with Carey Morrie here. A great item to include on the buffet, and works with everything.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

11.19.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Food and Drink, Uncategorized | Comments >>