Category Archives: Weddings

May 02, 2018

8731_24.©LizBanfield

Today we are tossing it back a few years to this wedding we did in Athens, Georgia at the bride’s family home. Full of bright Spring florals and details, we built a tented reception for over 400 on the property that felt like an extension of the home. The family was so amazing, and we are always challenged with not imposing on their lives leading up to the big day while we’re constructing the event. This one was a beauty just like the bride, and thank you to Liz Banfield for the pretty snaps.

Bridal Collage

I love the images photographers are able to capture when a bride marries at home. Because of the bright palette for the wedding, bridesmaids wore a neutral metallic so that the flowers would pop. We also made two bouquets for this bride- one all white and one colorful and let her chose what she wanted to carry. Those coral charm peonies are near impossible to turn down, so colorful it was!

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Since there was an amazing oak tree on the front lawn, we chose that as our ceremony “alter”. Lettered Olive also created a linking monogram of M and W (the two last initials), which along with the oak tree emblem was used throughout their printed materials and embroidered on their boat bag guest welcome totes.

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The M and W monograms were used as floral decor throughout the wedding – here as the bride watches the guests arrive before her walk down the aisle.

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Because the aisle blanketed with colorful rose petals made such a statement, we wanted to make sure it was preserved for the bride’s walk. We draped boughs of boxwood garlands accented with bouquets of coordinating blooms down the inner aisle. Wrought iron candle lanterns hung with boxwood greenery and adorned with lush bouquets of flowers created a spectacular alter.

Ceremony Collage Guest sign in Collage

Because of the large number of guests- we didn’t want the Southern guest book tradition to create a bottle neck. So, we placed bags with a card (featuring the bride’s favorite quote on love) and a pen for everyone to write their well wishes during the ceremony prelude. Guests then dropped them in a birdcage hanging on the way out of the ceremony.

Scenery Collage

Guests enjoyed cocktails in cabana tent surrounding the pool. Potted boxwoods were artfully placed throughout as a nod to the landscape design used on the property. Cocktail tables were lucite boxes with live plants underneath- one of our favorite details on this one!

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Sylvia Weinstock’s cake was such a showpiece, it deserved it’s own conservatory.

FLowers Collage

Night time Collage

With this bright color palette, the tent was so dreamy and glowing when the sun set.  To dress up the restroom trailer, a flip flop and pashmina station was displayed for ladies to grab on their way out and back to to the party.

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Custom birdseed packets were made for tossing at the send off. After a quick change into a traditional departure outfit,  the couple left in the comfort of a Bentley for their two hour ride to Atlanta to depart for their honeymoon.

5.02.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | 1 Comment

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Since Friday evenings going into a weekend are traditionally celebrated with the “rehearsal dinner” part of the weekend, today we’re sharing a super cute one with lots of DIY tips you can take away for any planning you may be doing this year! Liz Banfield shot these lovely images for us.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Choose a “theme” or color palette for your event. Having a cohesive look with details like your printing materials, flowers, linen colors, will easily help give your event a custom feel. Even if you purchase some great stock paper buy enough for the invitations, menu cards, and dinner menus. There are so many programs and options for designing professional printing items and having them printed, so the splurge here would be the paper – look for kinds with design details already done.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Here, an inexpensive but bountiful mix of flowers (bought from a local wholesaler or farm) in a pretty color palette is so easy and lovely! We added details like gluing a dual layer of nice sturdy ribbon in complimentary color to dress up clear glass vases.  Wooden trays similar to these can be purchased at a craft store, and painted to match any color you can dream up.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

We talked on Wednesday about how we sometimes use random ordinary elements in our designs- lining the trays with bulk bought millet to add some color and anchor the tented seating cards. Other items we’ve used are dried split peas (for green), and dried orange lentils.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

This rehearsal dinner after party was held at Hibernian Hall in Charleston. An after party is a great way to cut costs, but include all of your guests. After a smaller dinner with immediate family and wedding party, this couple invited all of their wedding guests to join them in a larger space for cocktails and dessert.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

We welcomed guests in the foyer by relocating a large table that was already on site in the venue. We covered it in glass cylinders with the same yellow millet and candles, colored vases with single stems, and smaller vases with monochromatic flower clusters, the mixture and slight variation made for a big impact.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Dress up (and give new life) to those inexpensive paper lanterns that everyone has in the garage!  We hung ribbon streamers with live flower heads affixed to them – so easy!!!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

5.01.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Parties, Rehearsal Dinner, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Apr 30, 2018

photo by Marni Rothschild

One of the most fun events surrounding a wedding weekend can be the bridal luncheon. It’s the last time to be with just the girls and take your mind off of all the last minute details. Today, we’re sharing some snippets from some of our favorite past ladies’ lunches.

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The first luncheon took place on the decks of a private yacht. The girls got to lounge and enjoy each other’s company, eat and sip, and had manis/pedis on site.

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The bride gifted custom clutches made from fabrics that she personally chose for each girl, and had their initials embroidered on the inside.

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photos by Liz Banfield

Jamie Moran with son Riley Moran

Our bride’s favorite movie was “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” , so naturally a Tiffany themed luncheon was perfect. All of the girls dressed the part with Tiaras and tea length black gloves.

Jamie Moran with son Riley Moran

Jamie Moran with son Riley Moran

Lunch was held in the private dining room at Peninsula Grill in Charleston, SC.

Jamie Moran with son Riley Moran

Pearl napkin ties and a famous Tiffany blue box cake completed the details. Cake by Jim Smeal.

Jamie Moran with son Riley Moran

Tiffany pearl bracelets from the bride were a thoughtful accessory for each girl to wear as part of their bridesmaid ensembles on the wedding day. Photos by Liz Banfield

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This Southern Belle bride loved girlie touches. Since her wedding took place at a mountain getaway, we decided to utilize the resort’s dining room to host the luncheon.. Itt was so fun to incorporate all of the pink and frills into such a rustic location.

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 We monogramed luncheon napkins that the bride could take home for her linen collection. And the monogramed cocktail napkins were not only the place cards, but fun takeaways for the guests.

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Along with pink sorbet, we surprised the girls with cotton candy (that we personally made for each guest) at the end for a fun treat. Photos by Liz Banfield

4.30.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Entertaining, Event Design, Events, Flowers, Food and Drink, Gifts, Parties, Weddings | 2 Comments