Aug 13, 2018

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Today we are sharing a  Big Greek wedding  from about 12 years ago.  I love this sweet bride and I just bumped into her recently in New York, which reminded me to share her big day. Margaret Anne Florence, an actress (she has been on everything from Inside Amy Schumer, to 30 Rock, to Guiding Light, and most recently CMT’s Sun Records), married fellow South Carolinian, Peter Saichos in a traditional Greek celebration! We don’t have the opportunity to do too many Greek weddings, so we had a lot of fun with this one!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

We do have a Greek Orthodox Cathedral here in Charleston, which in and of itself has some beautiful architctural details. Margaret chose a purple and bronze color palette, so we brought in orchids and lilies (favorites of the brides’) which also helped lend to that color palette.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The bride’s bouquet was an arrangement of white Casablanca lilies and purple dendrobium orchids blended for a pop of color.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Jim Smeal provided a perfectly lovely cake in the palette used throughout the wedding.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

In addition to the wedding cake, we of course had to serve traditional Greek wedding desserts like homemade Baklava, and the Almond Pear (Amigthalota) which are a staple of the wedding celebration. Get the recipe here.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

To dress up the tradition of Ouzo shots- we made a large display with shot glasses chilling in crushed ice. Then, we froze the ouzo bottles in ice with orchids frozen inside for a wedding design element.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Guests lounged on lavendar fabric benches by candlelight in glowing orchid filled cylinders.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Guests left with personal boxes of Jordan Almonds, and we prepacked rose petals in the wedding colors for guests on their way out to properly send off the bride and groom.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

A classic T Bird adorned in strands and strands of the orchids made for a perfect getaway for this couple- classic and fun loving…  Thank you to Liz Banfield for the photography.

8.13.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, Parties, Photographers, Reception, Recipes, Weddings | Comments >>
Aug 08, 2018

couple

It’s Wedding Wednesday, our favorite day of the week! Today, we’re going back to a couple celebrating their anniversary this September. This beachfront beauty took place at the amazing Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, SC. Liz Banfield was the photographer for this big day.

printed-materials-collage

The bride had studied art history and worked in galleries, and the main inspiration for the wedding design came from the bride’s favorite Van Gogh painting.  Lettered Olive  incorporated the design into all of the printed materials along with developing complimentary patterns, which were great for designs elsewhere.

bridal-collage

We try to have Cacky of Cacky’s Bride Aid on hand for dressing all of our brides- if you can afford this on your day, it’s more than worth it! The bride’s strappy Chanel sandals worked all night from bridal gown to getaway dress. The bouquet was a textured mix of roses, berries, leaves, and astilbe.

bridal-party-collage

Bridesmaids wore a mix of colors and styles from JCrew, and Amsale through Bella Bridesmaids. The bride gifted the groom his Hermes tie for the big day.

©LizBanfield.low_res.7314.11.2012.27

The groom is an avid golfer, so having his ceremony on the famed Ocean Course overlooking the greens and the water made for a very happy day.

happy-couple

©LizBanfield.low_res.7336.46.2012.27

©LizBanfield.low_res.7327.45.2012.27

Guests were graciously greeted on the porch after the ceremony for cocktail hour, the ocean breeze made it a perfect and comfortable place to sip and snack.

passed-collage

Cocktail hour was also full of fun details like servers in custom elephant printed ties and white glove service.  Elephants are the brides favorite animal and signify good luck! And,  signature cocktail was a replication of the bride’s favorite drink at the country club her family belongs to…

Escort card Collage

The escort card display was a new take on a traditional display.  Gold caligraphied cards affixed with a mongramed wax seal were nestled in boxes of ruffled blooms.

dinner-collage

Lots of yummy details made for beautiful and luxurious dinner tables. The bride and groom sat at chairs with embroidered toppers that made the logo used on their invitations.

cake-table

Jim Smeal is the mastermind behind the cakes mimicking the favorite painting, and we SCORED when we found these elephant cocktail tables perfect as cake stands!

©LizBanfield.low_res.7338.42.2012.27

©LizBanfield.low_res.7338.44.2012.27

As the sunset during dinner, the after party tent and porch lounge was a glow and ready for the revelers.

Lounge Collage

©LizBanfield.low_res.7338.51.2012.27

In the dance and lounge tent, an extra long printed fabric bar was a super glamorous backdrop . Bar stools anchored either end, so guests wanting to take a cocktail break could still look in on all of the dance floor action. I loved the seafoam carpet we found, I really like the polished look it gave the tent.

candle-collage

Favors were locally made Rewind candles, and custom printed matches with the couple’s favorite photo from their engagement session.

©LizBanfield.low_res.7342.09.2012.27

sign-in-book

Guests signed a book complied from engagement photos… a perfect coffee table book for their new home.

rose-petal-cones

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After a change into a Christian Dior dress the bride found while in France with her family before the wedding, the couple departed by a rose petal toss. Cones of printed paper holding petals were passed out to guests on the way out…

getaway-car

8.08.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Cakes, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

After being voted the #1 city 5 times in a row, it’s not hard to see why Charleston has become a top bachelorette party spot.  Today, we’re sharing a Charleston Bachelorette Weekend guide. Forty eight hours of around the clock ideas for where to stay, eat, and hang.

Bachelorette Hotel

For those looking for the modern or boutiquey places to stay- there are new places coming on the Charleston market all the time, but a few of our favorites are The Spectator Hotel (one of our past brides was the interior designer), the Dewberry, and the newly redesigned Restoration Hotel.  If you want a more Southern traditional Charleston abode then The Charleston Place is a classic, and the Mills House has more than a few historic claims to fame.

And for a big group of girls all wanting to stay together of course there are AirBnB properties, but another great resource focusing on Charleston and the beaches is Luxury Simplified Retreats.

BB.BachWeekend_Dine

Figuring out where to dine in Charleston for an upcoming visit can be a full time planning job in and of itself, but, we’ve got you covered. Start with an early dinner of Lobster Rolls and Rose Friday evening at 167 Raw. Then, head back to the hotel for an early nightcap at your lobby or rooftop bar.  You can’t miss Chez Nous – it’s truly one of my most favorite spots and such a special little place. Lunch at the large outside table would make for a lovely afternoon. Saturday night calls for Upper King- dinner at Darling Oyster Bar makes for an effortless first stop.  Duck into any of the other hot spots around as you make your way to late night dancing at The Commodore. Cure the “Blew it Out Blues” over Sunday brunch at the Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island.

BB.BachWeekend_See

Charleston is wonderful on foot of course, but bikes can get you farther into the upper and lower areas of town (helpful for getting you to lunch at Chez Nous). Affordabike offers rentals and deliveries throughout downtown. If you are staying at the Spectator or the Restoration, inquire about the bikes they have in house. King Street is known for it’s shopping, from national and worldwide chains, to local boutiques. Hampden Clothing is a must hit, as well as Finicky Filly across the street.  Since, you’ll be on Sullivan’s for brunch, plan on staying for the afternoon and enjoy the beach!

8.07.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Fashion, Food and Drink, Shopping, Travel, Weddings | Comments >>