Tag Archives: Charleston wedding

Mar 02, 2016

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

We are so excited to be sharing more from this special wedding today on Wedding Wednesday. Candice was gracious enough to share her advice for staying cool under the pressure of planning with us yesterday, so we thought sharing more of the beautiful photos from Liz Banfield was fitting!  The nuptials took place over looking the banks of the Ashley River at Runnymeade Plantation. The Oak trees on property provided much of the inspiration as you’ll see in many of the details throughout.

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

The printed materials were a huge importance for this couple, so Lettered Olive letterpressed wood grain paper, incorporated etched bronze elements, and created a custom pattern used for many decor elements. The couple’s two Australian Shepards are an important part of their lives, so we really wanted to have them in the wedding somehow.  They were the perfect backdrop for the couple’s “Save the Dates”, and for favor boxes of take home wedding cake we fashioned into “Doggie Bags”.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Wild and lush was the feel of the flowers for this celebration with an unexpected color scheme- teal, peach, cream, bronze, natural wood.  The bouquets still felt refined and composed with garden roses, hellebores, berries, sweet peas, ranunculus, lily of the valley, and various greens.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Cocktail hour took place on the riverbanks and incorporated al fresco lounge seating and custom designed umbrellas by Boutique Tents. Fabric was printed and sourced to be fashioned into pillows bringing in all of the patterns and colors used throughout for a layered look.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The couple are oenophiles so to give them something cherished for their collection, we had a select magnum displayed during cocktail hour for guests to sign…

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Multiple cakes by Jim Smeal were displayed on a galax leaf covered table. Cakes included hand molded flowers and blades of marsh grass.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Guests dined in a tented carpeted in seagrass as woven greenery garlands created the effect of dining under branches. Ostrich leather topped tables were topped with lamps, and glass vases of different bundles of flowers. Velvet menu books in shades of greens were marked with bronze name plates as seating cards.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

After the sun set and dinner was finished, guests moved into the lounge tent which was a luxe with soft peach carpet, beige velvet sofas, chandeliers, and an al fresco porch for those wanting a break from all of the dancing.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Late night treats included a cigar roller, a hot dog cart and hamburgers from their favorite spot, and passed milkshakes which were a cool treat for those into the dancing!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The couple departed by sparklers in a vintage Chevy pick up truck with hay bale seats!

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

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

This is a great way to kick off a week! Today we are sharing part two our gold and plum party held at a ballroom in downtown Charleston, SC. As you can see the space overlooks the Charleston Harbor, so we had to take advantage of that and create lounge seating for guests to enjoy the amazing view.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Gold Rush roses and metallic leaves dotted lush arrangements scattered throughout the reception.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Since the couple were from Charleston, we used local street names for the table names. Tables dressed in gold from the suede linens, to the “tree” centerpieces welcomed guests for dinner. Each guest was gifted a box of macaroons in the coordinating wedding colors.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The amazing Jim Smeal knocked it out of the park with this cake! Adorned with designs in metallic gold and handmade flowers, real peonies separated the alternating round and square layers which smelled divine!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The dining room by candlelight. We carpeted and draped the expansive room which gave it the most cozy atmosphere. The girls in the office and I have always talked about the photos from this wedding just didn’t do it justice. The way the room glowed and felt that evening was one that will always stick out in doing over 600+ weddings!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Keeping guests comfortable and taking care of them is always important to me and is something I feel Soiree is known for… We had large baskets of flip flops and pashminas for guests dancing or enjoying the evening out overlooking the water.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Enormous drum shades covered in the perfect plum satin provided the ambient lighting we like to create at our events. Since being inside a building where the footprint already existed, we had to squeeze a cocktail hour, seated dinner and reception for 300+ AND a secret to be revealed later after party. We weren’t able to do dinner and dancing in separate rooms as we typically, so this was the solution to our space problems!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The Bride, whose nickname is “Lawdy” is a big fan of local Firefly sweet tea vodka. So, the perfect signature cocktail was born- Firefly over ice w/ a squeeze of lemon- the Lawdy Toddie!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

As a focal point in the space, the expansive bar we built worked for cocktail hour before dinner as well as for the reception after dinner, and the secret late night after party. And provided a great hangout spot for guests taking a break and refreshing their cocktail…

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

We’ve all seen the sparkler send off (it still rocks in photos!), but we always try to do something to punch it up a bit… Custom metallic gold logo printed matchbooks gave guests a little something to toss in the purse or pockets at the end of the evening..

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

With two little ones in their family now, I think it’s safe to say, they lived Happily Ever After…

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

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

I love this golden glowing ballroom wedding we did for two high school sweethearts. Both grew up in Charleston, and the bride’s mother’s home was directly across the street from the church where the ceremony was held- the French Huguenot Church.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

This made for a lovely day of the bride getting ready at home with all of her girls and then walking across with her father to marry her long time love. Liz Banfield was on hand to capture the big day!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

When first presented with the purple and gold color scheme, we knew we needed to find the perfect shades as to not look too much like a high school Homecoming dance. A glittery gold and deep plum became our match made in heaven. Lettered Olive glammed it up for the custom letterpress wedding papers. Backings and belly bands were main design elements and all were accented with a metallic gold print.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The bride’s all white rose and peony bouquet was finished off with a cameo of her grandmother’s so that she could be there with her; The ceremony was breathtakingly held by candlelight; Lettered olive did the same metallic gold monogram on the ceremony booklets which were tied with gold satin Midori ribbon.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

To create a dramatic entrance for guests (and bride of course!), we adorned the wrought iron gate entrance to the French Huguenot Church with an archway of gold leaves and hanging rose floral balls.  The simple act of painting leaves and premade greenery garlands gold ended up being one of our most impactful and cost saving design elements!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Taking a note from the rounded all white bridal flowers, bouquets crafted from white garden roses, peonies, tea roses, and Gold Dust roses were the perfect accessory for bridesmaids wearing deep plum satin dresses.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

These adorable little ladies were a tough act to follow even for a bride! We crafted gold baskets adorned with golden leaves and peonies and matching headbands for their big debut!

Check back with us on Monday for all of the gorgeous reception details from this wedding!  Happy Weekend!

11.06.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | Comments >>