Category Archives: Weddings

May 21, 2018

Many of our clients find their welcome party or rehearsal dinners an extension of the wedding. So, of course, the big question is do they want to look like the bride the entire weekend, or step out and do something fun and different… Our clients are a mixture of both, so we’re sharing some of the ideas our brides have had in the past on what to wear to a rehearsal dinner. I think the men also struggle on what’s appropriate, so we hope this helps with that too. Our clients above married on Sea Island at a private home, with a rehearsal dinner the night before at the Boathouse. Since shades of pinks were her wedding palette, she opted for a custom ladylike pale pink dress with bridal like white florals by Dee Hutton bridal.

photo by Liz Banfield

Some brides want a nod to being bridal but with a twist. And, many well known “bridal” designers also have ready- to- wear or can do custom creations, which is how many brides coordinate looks throughout the weekend. Here, our bride, Lesley wore a custom dress by Monique Lhuillier in white lace with pops of bright color. One other thought to consider is hair and make up styling. Since she would be wearing a classic bridal chignon the following day, wearing her hair down was a fun way to switch it up.

photos by Corbin Gurkin and Liz Banfield

For some ladies, being a bride all weekend is the only way to go and Little White Dresses are the only thing to wear. Left: The high low frock by Nardos Imam is perfectly bridal. Center: Our Bride who would be wearing a full Austin Scarlett ballgown on her wedding day, went for a flowy grecian look for Friday night. Right: This beaded and lace dress by Oscar de la Renta was so stunning.

photo by Adrienne Page

This couple having a good old fashioned Southern weekend hosted their guests for a Friday night BBQ in Forsyth Park in Savannah, GA. A perfect mix of fun and casual, and perfectly acceptable for the attire to match!

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For this couple having a Friday night fete with a nautical feel at a Charleston Yacht Club, the brides navy and white Oscar de le Renta party dress was perfect. A fun and bright pair of Louboutin’s were able to have their night to shine. And for the groom, a classic tailored lightweight khaki suit was fitting for his big role as the evening’s host.

5.21.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Dresses, Fashion, Parties, Weddings | Comments >>

May 16, 2018

Soiree By the Sea

Because we clearly have Spring fever, and we are working on a new and exciting project that the mother of this bride is helping with, (our You Tube channel, stay tuned), today we are sharing this sweet and lovely wedding. The reception was at one of Charleston’s hidden gems, and there was definitely elegance but also graceful casualness that only hometown Charlestonians can offer. Photos are by both Gayle Brooker and Corbin Gurkin.

Traditional engraved invitations were accented with vintage sailing stamps as a nod to the yacht club where the reception was to be held.

A family heirloom locket held photos of the groom, so the bride could “see” him before seeing him at the church. While a mostly pale blue and green palette was chosen to reflect the water and surroundings, the bride wanted some sweet pastel colors brought in to brighten things. White tulips, perfect in Spring make happy boutonierres.

The bridesmaids wore varying pastel silk gowns by Lula Kate (available through Bella Bridesmaid),and carried perfectly plush bouquets of peonies, sweat peas, and tulips.

The bride and her maids got ready in her childhood home, which was a perfect backdrop for pre ceremony photos, especially with the family pup. The bride wore a custom gown by Carol Hannah.

Being a proper 6pm church ceremony, the gentlemen were in white tie and tails. All of the couples’ special little friends were honored as flower girls and ring bearers.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom rode separately to the reception (about 45 minutes outside of town) together to have time to reflect on the ceremony and the day. I love when couples can take some private time together.

Out of town guests were treated to the best of Charleston. The bride, who works for the Charleston CVB included locally made tea and sweet tea vodka minis. Along with cheddar biscuits her mother makes, and Charleston Benne Seed wafers.

Guests were treated to one of the best kept secrets with a reception at the Sea Island Yacht Club in the tiny coastal village of Rockville, SC.

The scenery here is hard to beat, river views, coastal marshland, and ancient live oaks.

A coastal map of the Lowcountry served as the couple’s guest book. Guests could sign well wishes, and the map is now framed and hanging in the couple’s home.

Bright greenery was used to cheer up the floral arrangements, as well as some of the quirky parts of the old yacht club. The mantles were such a great focal point, but obviously in warm months we didn’t need a fire, so we covered in lush greenery for more decor.

This cocktail reception offered local favorites like Crab cakes, mini chicken tarts, and a nod to the couples Mexican favorites- mini margaritas and tuna tacos.

Not being a seated dinner, displaying the food needs to be as thoughtful and elegant as the food itself. Stations on the grand porch had marsh views, and were tailored with lamplight and handmade signage. Our shadowbox bars were filled with gardenias, which all of the ladies just loved!

A floral cake by Jim Smeal was a show stopping centerpiece accented with family silver vessels of different spring flowers.

As the sun set, guests enjoyed the party both inside and out.

Wishing lanterns were released over the water as the couple left off of the dock by boat.

5.16.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Photographers, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

May 15, 2018

Ceremony Tips and Tricks

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Since we are in the height of Spring wedding season, we’re sharing some takeaways on a variety of subjects that will hopefully make your wedding planning process easy and thoughtful.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

One thing we’ve started doing (and our photographers are thankful for it) is nicely tying off the ceremony aisle, and seating guests from the outside. Of course, we don’t ask which side anymore and guests are seated evenly on both sides of the aisle. But, we are having our ushers seat from the outside in- it’s easier to fill in, you aren’t having to step over people already seated, and keeps the aisle in pristine condition for the wedding party and bride’s entrance.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Speaking of wedding parties, we are also seeing the thought that both sides have to match up is ending. People are asking the ones they are closest to to standup with them, whether their partner has an equal number or not.

photo by Perry Vaile

Another big factor couple take into account for during their wedding ceremony is music. Some of our very favorite musicians, Charleston Virtuosi offer many different instrument combos, and are able to play a wide array of music from Classical/Traditional to Jazz to modern Pop covers. Some of our non traditional favorites for ceremony music – Don’t Stop Believing by Journey, All You Need is Love by The Beatles, and Viva La Vida by Coldplay.

photo by Perry Vaile

Another more popular musical component we see for a lot of our Southern weddings are gospel choirs and singers. From cheerful praise songs celebrating the end of the ceremony, to as seen here a vocalist singing an a capella version of the Lord’s Prayer during the ceremony. It’s a stunning and moving way to add more to the emotion of the day.

photos by Melanie Mauer

Also, we’ve learned to embrace obstacles… for this wedding on the couple’s farm with wide open space, instead of spending money trying to create a big ceremony focal point, we turned the barn on site into a backdrop.

photo by Liz Banfield

It also doesn’t have to be a father that walks a bride down the aisle… for this bride, it made more sense for her mother to walk her down the aisle… For some it’s a brother, grandparent, etc.

photo by Liz Banfield

One last takeaway for you… We have done this trick for a couple of our weddings with large guest counts, to avoid a line or perhaps missing the “guest book” we place bags with the printed ceremony programs, a blank card, and pen for guests to write a note to the bride and groom. We’ve hung birdcages from branches for guests to drop the notes in, or designed custom boxes for the notes, but it’s a great way to ensure everyone has the opportunity while you are waiting for the ceremony to start!

5.15.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Event Design, Event Planning, Photographers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>