Award winning wedding planner and event designer in Charleston and New York City specializing in destination weddings, wedding and event planning.

Jan 08, 2019

(Image by Jose Villa for Mrs. Box)

So, the holidays are a huge time for engagements- and maybe you are one of the lucky ones who received one of these beauties. Now, it’s time to be getting back to work and out and about to be sharing the good news and showing off your new piece. We’ve asked our Cos Bar resident beauty expert, Kori Mahoney for her favorite products and advice on keeping your hands and nails show off ready as the temps have finally dropped!

(Image by Elizabeth Messina)

For starters, using a coarse hand scrub (like the Cle de Peau Beaute body exfoliator or La Mer Body Refiner available here) to smooth the skin and get rid of any flakiness followed with a nice, non-greasy hand cream. There are so many hand cream options available, so it’s really up to you as far as what you like in terms of texture and fragrance.

(Image by Corbin Gurkin)

Look for those containing anti-aging benefits such as Vitamin C or sunscreen (even in winter months)! Kori recommends hand cream by Omorovicza and Rich Girl Broad Spectrum by Deborah Lippmann. Reapplying throughout the day, especially after hand washing is key. Sleeping in cotton gloves while wearing hand cream underneath can soothe severely dry skin.

(Image by Elizabeth Messina)

Don’t forget the nails! A manicure is where your personality can really shine through. We recommend a classic pale pink (such as Essie’s “Ballet Slippers”) for your wedding day, but you might choose a chic red nail for the early days of engagement (I LOVE the name of this Bobbi Brown- Scotch on the Rocks!). Have fun with it and remember that your hands will be in many of your wedding day shots. Have your nails done professionally for your special day and make sure to take your color and a fresh topcoat along with you in case of an accidental chip.

(Image by Corbin Gurkin)

1.08.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Accessories, Beauty, Bridal, Bridal Style, Fashion, Photographers, Weddings | Comments >>

Jan 07, 2019

A Year in Ceremonies

photo by Christian Oth/Christian Oth Studios

2018 was a big year in weddings for us… Even though we only do a handful per year, we found ourselves in some familiar and different locations. Working with some of our tried and true and new vendors, and working hard to come up with fresh and custom details for all of our clients. I’d say we had a pretty fantastic year. So, here is a look back as we recap some of our favorite ceremonies from last year. Above, we were in Palm Beach, Florida for a stunner of a wedding at the Breakers. But, the ceremony was at the groom’s family church locally, which I loved because it seems unexpected for Palm Beach- love the pale blue exterior, perfect for a wedding’s something blue.

photos by Liz Banfield

Our last wedding of the year found us in our own backyard of Charleston, at historic Grace Episcopal Church. Lots of gothic and historic architectural details make for some pretty photo backdrops. photo by Lauren Bailey Photo

A new venue for us this year was the gorgeous Barnsley Gardens resort outside of Atlanta, GA. The sweeping grounds had many different pretty spots for a ceremony, so one surrounded by greenery and old oak trees was where we landed. An airy sailcloth tent was perfect acting as a large “sunbrella” for guests, but a light unexpected shower rolled thru also.

photos by Corbin Gurkin

Again, back in Charleston, at one of our all time favorite spots, the Huguenot Church, an intimate ceremony was adorned with very natural and delicate pieces. The lighting in this church is always so romantic.

photos by Tec Petaja

This was a fun wedding for us in Kansas City, Missouri. One, because we had done a wedding previously for the bride’s brother and loved getting to work with the family again. Two, because the venue was so different than what we do here, and we were working with so many new people. The church, however, did feel sweet and familiar since it was full of so many historic notes.

photos by Tec Petaja

I would say for Charleston, this venue (Runnymede Plantation) is my most favorite for designing weddings. It’s a blank slate with a gorgeous natural backdrop. It can host a large amount of people, and it’s easy getting in and out… For this ceremony, we chose a shaded area under historic old Oak Trees overlooking the river banks, and created an aisle by laying down a seagrass runner and draping an airy ceiling in fabric.

Here’s to another year of amazing moments in 2019!

1.07.19 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Flowers, Photographers, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Dec 19, 2018

Silver and Gold

With Christmas right around the corner, for this Wedding Wednesday, we’re going back to this stunning celebration from 2013 in Oklahoma City. 525 people joined our couple for a sparkling metallic palette, glamorous, personalized over the top New Year’s party. There are so many details I want to share from this wedding it was hard to chose our favorites. Liz Banfield was there with us to capture all of the twinkling tidbits.

The bridesmaids sparkled in two piece silver sequined tops and ballgown skirt ensembles from Synderela. Our friend, Julie Sabatino with The Stylish Bride, worked with the bride and designer to develop the custom creations.

The Brides’ childhood church was the perfect ceremony backdrop. We added our own special touches to their already lovely Christmas decorations, which included lush eucalyptus garlands, spruce wreaths, and glowing candle cylinders covered in custom laser cut metallic paper.

One of the most stunning ceremonies I’ve seen, after the processional, the lights were dimmed and the rest of the ceremony was held by candlelight. Truly magical and you could feel the love in the room!

Wow, did Lettered Olive get to have fun and create some spectacular design for the wedding papers. Gold metallic foil printing, laser cut papers, velvet finishes, and a pop up skyline were just a few of the details. We love the way the bride wrote her name along with the grooms, so we used her signature as a detail throughout too just to personalize it even more.

These guest welcome bags truly showered the guest who traveledfrom afar and celebrated with them over the holiday weekend. A custom candle with printed matches, custom letterpress coasters and Veuve Clicquot splits, waters, favorite snacks and candies from the couple, and an “emergency” kit left the guests with everything they could need for a comfy stay.

Guests were greeted with a glowing welcome to the reception, where the exterior of the private club was covered in the wintry candle cylinders.

The finest details were not spared for this event. White gloved servers donning aprons in the couples’ custom monogram (and custom bowties) received guests with an array of offerings including Manhattans (where the couple reside) and Champagne.

The cocktail lounge was a sight to behold. Suede covered loungers with orchid “chandeliers” offered guests a place to gather, and the escort cards were mini versions of the paper covered cylinders with the names caligraphied on them, and displayed together on shelves for a statement wall!

The dining room shone in silver and gold. Lamplight and candlelight came together to create the most perfect ambient dinner experience, and while there were over 500 guests, it still managed to feel somewhat intimate!

Tables alternated complimenting pewter sequined linens topped with oversized clear crystal candelsticks and ones topped with soft silver suede and crystal lamps. All of the menus were backed in a gold laser cut velvet and place cards were gold name plates affixed to the letterpressed menus.

Two of my favorite little dinner details were the bride and groom chairs- embroidered with the handwritten names; and the first course soup served in these stunning gold bowls- fabulous!

A spectacular 8 tier cake with handmade flowers by Fancy Cakes by Lauren out of Dallas, Texas.

The couple share their first dance as husband and wife on a dance floor covered with their custom “fireworks” design.

This uber glam reception lounge provided the perfect pad for ringing in the New Year. The marble topped bar we built on site, and I always find the glassware to be an awful site, but we built a display for it, and it became a lovely backdrop.

The going away favors were a lovely packaged snack mix that included roasted dried black eyed peas- a traditional food said to bring luck to those who eat it on New Year’s day.

If there was ever a perfect time for a sparkler send off and fireworks at a wedding, it’s on New Year’s. The couple drove off into the night as coordinated “sparklers” popped as they drove by in their vintage convertible. Happy New Year to all!

12.19.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

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