We hope you enjoy our tips on putting together your wedding weekend welcome guest bags. For the full episode please head over to our YouTube channel to see more.
photo by Melanie Mauer
We have been seeing a lot of articles out there regarding wedding trends for 2018, so we thought we would weigh in on some of that we are seeing and predicting what some of this year’s trends will be! Of course, metallics have been hot now for many years and where rose gold was the metallic of the moment in 2017, we are loving Copper for 2018! For a rustic but glamorous fall wedding in Kentucky, copper cups were a unpredictable detail for the water/bourbon cups, and copper foiled ink on menus, invites, etc dressed up the printed pieces.
Photo by Liz Banfield and Corbin Gurkin
Watercolor! Let’s just say, watercolor is the deal… You are seeing it everywhere from invitations (like these from Happy Menocal for our Hamptons client) to wedding design. We even printed some linens recently in a custom watercolor design!
photo by Corbin Gurkin
This one will certainly make all of the grooms and groomsmen happy. While bourbon bars are still required in areas where bourbon is king, we are doing beer walls and taps. This one was a focal point in the after dinner lounge… A few varieties made it a fun tasting experience for those taking a break from dancing.
photos by Liz Banfield and Corbin Gurkin
Finally one of our other favorite trends (meaning we hope it becomes a mainstay vs a trend) are our custom printed matchbooks. Reminds me of the old school restaurants where they had a bowl of matches on the Maitre d’ stand.
Today, our sweet bride Annie shares her top tips on the planning process. Annie and Davis wanted a fun and seamless wedding weekend for their guests- Mission Accomplished!
What was your favorite part of planning your wedding?
Working with Tara and her amazing team. I started interning in the event industry when I was a sophomore in College; first in Dallas, then in NYC, and after graduating went to work in events in both NYC and LA for almost 6 years. I had always followed Tara and her work, so when I first spoke with her, I felt like I was speaking with a celeb. I was obsessed with everything she had done before, and couldn’t wait to see how she would pull together an event unique to Davis and I. I loved pulling inspiration for them and I really loved working on the invitation! I currently work in the custom stationery industry. Also, I loved the welcome boxes… people are still talking about them today!
Invitation suite by Lettered Olive
Custom guest welcome boxes by Tara Guerard Soiree and Lettered Olive
What was the biggest challenge during the planning process?
Making up my mind and letting go so that Tara could do her thing. I knew she would do an amazing job, but working in the events industry makes you a little OCD… so I had a hard time letting go. We also had Soiree coordinate the rehearsal dinner which really made the weekend mesh so well.
What do you miss the most now that it is over?
Looking back, it was one of the best parties we had ever attended, and it’s still hard to believe it was our wedding. Everything I had dreamed of for so long became a reality in that evening. I would relive that night over and over if I could!
What is the moment that when you think back on your wedding you remember the most?
Our band was AMAZING – Simply Irresistible – so dancing on stage with them and looking down on all our favorite people having an amazing time was one of the best moments. Also, when we first walked into the room upstairs, I was speechless. The custom navy and white geometric dance floor and the boxed woods on the stage made a huge impact and were two of my favorite things. Also, our honeymoon was a surprise, and Davis ended up telling me where we were going during the first dance. It was amazing!! One of my favorite pictures was taken the second he told me, and it brings back that feeling every time I look at it!
Is there anything you would do over and what? Would you wear the same dress?
It really was as close to perfect as could be. It was the perfect weekend, and we had the best time. It still doesn’t feel real sometimes! I would absolutely wear the same dress (even though i was SO HOT before the ceremony), and I loved the dress I left it. I wish I had changed into my leaving dress earlier, but we were having too much fun to stop!
Can you please give a brief description of your engagement?
Davis and I lived in Los Angeles, California for two years together, and he purposed on our last night in Cali – before moving back to Charlotte. He booked the best hotel room in my absolute favorite boutique hotel in Santa Monica (Shutters on the Beach), and ended up purposing on the balcony at sunset (unreal views!!). It was perfection, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The next morning we got up to start our drive back across the country… it gave us plenty of time to call and tell everyone the story!
Annie and Davis were married on September 6, 2014 at First Scots Presbyterian with a reception at Hibernian Hall in Charleston, SC. Corbin Gurkin is responsible for the beautiful imagery.
Recognized as one of the nation’s leading tastemakers, Tara Guérard has earned a widespread reputation for her ability to create spectacular settings celebrating life’s most anticipated occasions. As the visionary and founder of Tara Guérard Soirée, she is best known for her distinct style that honors the storied traditions of Southern hospitality paired with a modern aesthetic and flair for the unexpected.
