Category Archives: Weddings

Apr 16, 2018

For this celebration of Spring time post, we are sharing a little pretty. We always do so much to design a ceremony, or a dinner table, or reception lounge, etc. but what about the first impression moments? The gates of the churches, or reception venues, the homes were the weddings were being held- we can’t forget those! So, here are some of the things we like to do to adorn those spots also.

photo by Squire Fox

One of our first design elements were to hang lovely window planters full of live blooming plants, maybe accented with some hearty flowers. But lush, wild, and thoughtful nonetheless…

photos by Corbin Gurkin and Liz Banfield

Of course, wreaths are such a part of the long standing tradition of weddings, and we still love doing wreaths…We find ourselves doing a lot of progressive parties, where guests have to move from spot to spot, and what’s prettier eye candy than a full flower wreath? Perfect on gates, church gates or doors, entrances at homes etc.

photos by Corbin Gurkin

Of course, in true Soiree style, you know that it doesn’t have to be just flowers… Greenery has it’s place and position as well… For the first photo, not only does a greenery swag fill in the gates, but full greenery wreaths were perfection as well. Paired with fabric for an elevated look or flowers for a sweet touch, the gates greet the guests with style.
photo by Corbin Gurkin

Our idea of a special touch that we can’t do without!

4.16.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Flowers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Apr 11, 2018

Glamorous Georgia Garden Wedding

Today’s wedding Wednesday post celebrates one of my favorite types of wedding to design and plan- a wedding in the client’s home. There is nothing more special for a bride to get married at the home where grew up, or where the parents have created a home. And, how fantastic for a bride to get ready for the day in a place where she is comfortable! We look forward to heading back to our client’s home in October, when we will be doing another wedding at their home for this bride’s younger sister! Liz Banfield provides this lovely imagery.

This bride wanted a formal and classic feel for the day. Guys wore white dinner jackets, which was the perfect compliment for the blue and white color palette accented with green. All white flowers were still lush and full of texture.

The aisle began at the front door making for a grand entrance for all of the wedding party attendants.

Flooring was laid over the front yard and covered with seagrass making for a natural extension of the surroundings. Wrought iron chandeliers full of greenery and flowers blanketed the ceremony “alter”.

I always encourage clients who are hosting the wedding at their home, to open it up. Invite the party in! Use your silver and serving pieces, there is no more perfect occasion to do so!

Since, this wedding had hundreds of guests in attendance, we needed to be strategic in the layout and serving of food. With an overall garden theme, cocktail shrimp served in a garden fountain just seemed like the perfect fit!

Large food stations with individual composed dishes were arranged throughout the grounds. For me, seated dinners provide such a template for design and decor that you sometimes can’t achieve as well with stations or buffet style parties. So, we really work to dress up and design our stations and bars. Umbrellas were filled with greenery, flowers, and candle lanterns. Custom fabric and toppers finish off the tailored feel we were going for…

The mother of the bride is an avid and accomplished gardner in her own right. A couple of weeks after the wedding, the local Garden Tour was set to make it’s final stop at her property… so, we already had surroundings that most people would only hope to have.

We decided to house the cake in it’s own “greenhouse”. The home had a Cistern type building on the grounds that made a beyond elegant backdrop for the cake. We designed a flower installation to accent the amazing detail of the cake florals made by Jim Smeal.

To keep guests sustained and entertained well into the evening, late night food stations with mini donuts and hot pretzels were set up and servers passed root beer floats around the dance floor (which also provided a refreshing treat on the dance floor).

Sparklers and fireworks provided a photo worthy send off of the couple…

4.11.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>

Apr 10, 2018

Blooming Branches

photo by Corbin Gurkin

It’s Spring officially (sorry Northeast friends) and for us that means one of our very favorite items for floral design are here- blooming branches! Quince, pear, cherry, even dogwood are just some of our favorites, and we are lucky enough to use them at least one or twice a year for clients. Come with us to see all of the ways we like to use them, maybe they will help inspire you!

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For this ceremony in Charleston, two urns of blooming pear branches anchors a soft but bountiful centerpiece… We like the height they give in this church with large vaulted ceilings.

photo by Liz Banfield

For a springtime backyard affair, we wanted the tents to feel like indoor gardens. So, we filled large terra cotta pots with hydrangeas and huge cherry blossom sprays. Live sculpted boxwood in planters were also used throughout.

photo by Liz Banfield

Love love love this wedding where we were able to use the branches trimmed down in the centerpieces… it added such an airy component.

photos by Liz Banfield

But, really our favorite is in ceremony decor… They would be just as stunning on their own or partnered with floral pieces.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Of course, we aren’t above making them ourselves… for this bride who really wanted some drama to her ceremony decor but was in the off season, we painted small tree branches, and glued live miniature orchids to create our own blooming branches!

4.10.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Flowers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>