Tag Archives: coastal living

Jul 30, 2019

Since it’s finally live on Coastal Living, we are thrilled to finally be able to bring you this gorgeous beach wedding we did at a private home on Sea Island, GA…Our couple, Ryan and Allie married at a historic chapel before celebrating with friends and family at a family member’s beachfront estate.  All photos by Corbin Gurkin.

Our bride chose a an airy Amsale confectionary gown, and paired it with feather adorned Jimmy Choo heels.

We designed our bride’s bouquet in the punchy palette with coral charm peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, and delicate greens as airy accents. I was able to find the perfect vintage ribbon from my collection to hand tie the blooms.

I am loving this somewhat newer tradition of brides saving their full look from their girls for a big reveal. Kind of like a “first look”.For the bright and sunny ceremony, coral wreaths welcomed  guests at the doors and matched the abundant alter arrangements.  Lettered Olive designed modern ceremony programs with metallic gold edging featuring a custom monogram used on their wedding printing.


The bridesmaids wore custom poppy colored high low gowns by Patti Flowers out of Dallas, Texas (where our bride lives).

We love a home wedding, and encourage our clients to use all of their home when hosting. Guests entered through the front door (with the wedding monogram in orchid blooms), and proceeded outside for the festivities overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Cru Catering traveled to Sea Island with us because getting to use our trusted vendors off site is so important. Of course we had to have servers as part of the decor in custom embroidered aprons and silk bowties. The rose looked so pretty served on poppy paper lined trays. A garden fountain hosted fresh shrimp cocktail, and mini foods were passed perfection.

The mother of the bride had the fun idea of using different sayings throughout the decor- like here on the cocktail napkins and also on the lounge pillows. Sayings like “Champagne is Always the Answer” and “Nobody puts baby in a corner” were a big party hit with the guests. Since this wasn’t a seated dinner, we wanted to make sure to not fall short in the decor department.  Stations running the length of the tent held multiple food components, and an oversized bar ensuring there are no lines. So, we covered the fronts of the marble topped stations with fresh greens and ombre rose panels.
Seating was a mixture of al fresco tables and lounge seating vignettes were guests could converse while enjoying a plate and drink.

The dance floor was the focal point of the main tent, so it needed to make a statement. During the planning process our bride showed me a photo of a ribbon installation over a dining table. So, we decided to do it in the ombre pinks over the dance floor. The ocean breeze had it fluttering all night.  The dance floor also added to the vibrant design with a custom monogram decal.

In order to preserve space and the cake (by keeping it cool in the AC), we created a “picture window”. We utilized a big bay window overlooking the tented space by setting up the cake cutting there. The bottom of the window featured a huge floral installation to give the look of the cake placed in the middle of an indoor garden.

A pool house and pool on property was converted into an after party space… by adding a DJ booth and custom made light installation featuring the couples wedding hashtag. Of course, we had to curtain all of this off as a surprise for the guests and the bride and groom.   A mobile bar was set up on the beach for guests to get their feet in the sand…

For the sake of tradition, the bride and groom departed by sparklers and golf cart, but did a quick change and returned to the after party… The couple’s friends DJ’d and guests ate sliders while dancing.

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

Spring has sprung in Charleston, and along with all of the events and tourists around town, the flowers are blooming (and so is the pollen!).

I love this reference guide for the meaning of particular flowers.  I’m also sharing shots of some of our favorite spring florals….

129c48b337d6856189ee674804f83ae8

Rr55jVT6eMGL2lZM24-0WBzLlsPwKl0IG-8mO42Xz2Q,RmF3xv7GewmbYSqJhKdvAmXMi7zSzqewlijbBRce7_A

OE8ZsOnV1NjSgJkktRmhajHN-_Wz8cOiFwlr-YRdID8

ZG2RwzKa8MPnxUKKSP6qFxfw7kFq8cdJ7ODCOWlQr7Q

wB_96HfZqy6ksedkWoCFhrpZg9tXD0GntUq9lUrNDKI

bqI7nVdb5EB1MqRrbD4K2pCN5x2gnhKqvRfS95vvwN4

bNT7eb7nbJ5e-1Aqd7vSny5AP8sEW2dEUAtC8Sphj3c

3qNS3-Og0jZVC2C7eOA8cSG0RUubPFaVElbsbNhqpPU

Also, on newsstands now- the April issue of Costal Living features a quick head to head City reference guide with Charleston vs. Portland. Maybe the “Red Wedding” cocktail from Edmunds’ Oast can inspire some signature cocktails. Check out the Tastemaker section as well (wink, wink).

unnamed

3.23.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Flowers, Press, Weddings | Comments >>