Tag Archives: Charleston wedding

Apr 05, 2017

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With Easter right around the corner, for this Wedding Wednesday post, I just had to pull out this wedding from many years ago. This may have been one of the first weddings that Liz Banfield did with us. This couple let us play on the Easter theme with the decor, and Charleston is such a special place to be this time of year, there are many photo opps around town that Liz was able to take advantage of.

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One fun Charleston tradition is the Easter Hat parade down Broad Street. The couple was married in a hidden garden off of Broad Street, so this was a happy coincidence earlier in the day.

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Flower Girl collage

Before the ceremony, the flower girls took place in an Easter Egg Hunt on the ground where the ceremony was held.  After gathering in the garden, the girls traded their baskets for bouquets of bright spring blooms.

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The couple having done photos together before the ceremony, were able to have some quiet time together before walking down the aisle to be married.

Ceremony Collage

The Confederate Home and Garden is a lovely spot for ceremonies, and is in walking distance for many of our historic reception venues. A colorful wreath and open door greeted guests. I loved the hanging bouquet we made for the “alter”- greenery speckled with colorful flowers matching a carpet of bright petals making a simple but thoughtful alter.

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The Bride and Groom took a horse and carriage through the streets of Charleston on their way to the reception.

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F&B Collage Details Collage

Guests were received at Hibernian Hall. A colorful cocktail hour was held on the sweeping porch and first floor foyer. One of my favorite design items we created back in the day for clients, was a large hanging “candle chandelier”. We built a wooden shelf that could hold glass cylinder of flowers and candles and could be suspended from a tent ceiling or venue, etc.  For this wedding, we also hung the dinner escort cards.

Dining Room Collage

The second floor of Hibernian held springlike dinner tables and an after dinner lounge and dance floor.

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Jim Smeal’s sweet and simple floral cake perfectly fit in with the weddings look .

Send off Collage

After a sparkler sendoff, the couple departed by rickshaw- the best way to enjoy a refreshing Charleston evening.

4.05.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Feb 08, 2017

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We are back with part two of this glorious and golden Charleston wedding. Our couple, the bride in Vera Wang,  was married at the historic First Baptist Church downtown. Corbin Gurkin is responsible for the lovely images.

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The gorgeous golden bridesmaids gowns are by Kate McDonald.

William Aiken CollageGuests were welcomed at the William Aiken House in downtown Charleston. The historic home has been fully restored to it’s splendor with museum quality interiors. And, the grounds  were designed by a renowned local horticulturalist, so we love getting to design for our couples at this property.

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A lovely lounge was waiting on the front lounge for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour and as a getaway for after dinner dancing.

F&B Collage

Cocktail hour included a bourbon bar, passed champagne, and Southern staples like ham biscuits, and fried chicken biscuits mixed with Asian favorites- tuna tartar and dumplings.

Porch Collage

In true Charleston fashion, we utilized the sweeping piazzas for seating niches. We hung the letterpressed and caligraphied dinner escort cards on the porch for guests to gather while enjoying cocktails.

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The cream and golden color palette made for a perfectly formal Southern dinner scape. Tables were dressed with silk linens, and the die cut lace paper wraps from the invitations were brought back in to adorn the dinner napkins. Caligraphied tags tied to the lace acted as place cards.

Dinner Collage

Fabric swathes dressed up standard Chivari chairs… Even a traditional spinach salad has a new take on it’s presentation.

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Doesn’t that tent look so happy and cozy like you wouldn’t want to leave????

Cake Collage

The wedding cake by Jim Smeal mimicked the lace pattern from the bride’s bridal gown in gold and cream.  We created a vignette under the William Aiken House pergola for the cake with chandeliers, candles, and a linen dressed up with greenery and flowers. Having been introduced through their mutual veterinarian, the grooms cake included a “dog park”, also by Jim Smeal.

Dance tent Collage

Details for the after dinner dancing lounge included a monogrammed dance floor and sofas with custom embroidered pillows. The chandelier is dressed up with flowers and greenery.

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Going away Collage

After dancing the night away with friends, the couple departed by a sparkling send off and a vintage white Rolls took them away. Lettered Olive handmade the Best Day Ever sign with golden glitter! This couple’s special day was definitely #HappilyHansom!

2.08.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Feb 01, 2017

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Today for wedding Wednesday, we’re revisiting this gorgeous golden hued celebration photographed by Corbin Gurkin. Since there are so many details to savor, we’re splitting up this celebration across two parts, so make sure to come back next Wednesday for the reception and party details. You can also see more of this wedding over at Charleston Weddings Magazine.

printing Collage

 Lettered Olive used golden metallic paper to create a die cut lace pattern complimentary to the bride’s dress, I think the white ink on the metallic envelopes was such a lovely and wedding-y touch. Welcome guest bags were custom printed totes featuring the wedding hashtag filled with champagne splits, mini Candlefish candles, and many of the couples favorites things.

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The girls all gathered to get ready together with Plum Pretty Sugar robes gifted by the bride- even the littlest ladies were included.

Getting ready Collage 2015_Meredith_Tate_0276

The Groom’s tuxedo was by Vera Wang (yes, she does men’s attire) available through the Men’s Warehouse.

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The bride wore a gown by Vera Wang.

B&G Collage

The couple elected to do a “first sight” at one of the many gorgeous parks in downtown Charleston. Corbin staged the groom so that the bride could sneak up and surprise him. This locale also made for a stunning backdrop for photos before heading over to the ceremony. I love when couples decide to do this, because it allows the photographer to really get great shots when the couple is alone and relaxed.

Church Collage

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The couple married at First Baptist Church in Charleston, the glorious gates out front were adorned with floral wreaths of roses, hydrangeas, and lemon leaf. Large golden urns flush with greenery and flowers flanked the alter, as the couple celebrated with their first kiss.

Flower Collage

The bridesmaids wore floor length gold lame gowns by Lula Kate. The lush bridal bouquet  made the perfect transition from winter to spring with cream roses, peonies, lily of the valley sprigs and soft lambs ears, and was tied by vintage ribbon I sourced in New York.

Join us next Wednesday for part two of this glittering celebration at the William Aiken House.

2.01.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Fashion, Flowers, Photographers, Press, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>