Tag Archives: Corbin Gurkin photography

Jan 14, 2020

This wedding was such a stunner, that we had to share some of our own favorite details in addition to the feature in the new Charleston Weddings Magazine. Our couple married at Kiawah Island Resort, with an indoor ceremony in a ballroom we transformed, followed by an evening of dinner, dancing, and details. The bride is Mexican, so were able to use a lot of beautiful details as a nod to her heritage, and incorporate glamorous design that represent the couple’s taste. Corbin Gurkin captured all of the lovely images. Wedding papers by Lettered Olive featured gilded paper and inks, a custom monogram and velvet touches. The save the dates were acrylic thumb drives of a styled video the couple made featuring Kiawah Island to get guests excited for the big day.

The bride wore a gown from Kleinfeld Bridal by Pnina Tornai and shoes by Christian Louboutin. We created her bouquet using shades of blushes and white with opulant orchids, garden roses, and lily of the valley hand tied with an embroidered velvet ribbon. Custom cuff links for the groom were engraved with the wedding date.

Classic black tuxedos complimented the bridesmaids lace and silk full length gowns- by Kate McDonald Bridal. I love seeing sleeves for the bridesmaids!

 

We transformed one of the ballrooms at the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island by laying white carpet and bring the outdoors in… We covered golden branches with orchids, and lined the aisle with greenery boxes, and hung white sheer fabric for a beautiful photo backdrop.

A floral covered monogram added pretty detail to the hotel space. Members of the family who couldn’t be there where there in spirit with a remembrance table at the ceremony. In addition to the Virtuosi orchestra at the ceremony, a bagpiper, and Mariachi band provided a variety of music.

Perfectly timed, a confetti cannon went off just as the couple sealed their vows with a kiss.

Cocktail hour featured a salsa and taco station… Covered in greenery, a hotel chandelier makes for a great escort card station. Acrylic cards calligraphied by Penned by Palmer were hung by ribbon.

For this bride, typical chivari chairs just wouldn’t cut it. So, white fabric was woven throughout to give a frilly and extravagant feel.  A centerpiece of the dining room was a large fixture we covered in greenery and draped orchid strands from.

Perfectly piped linens (one of our signatures) provided tailored tabletops with rows of lush floral centerpieces. Delicate glass candlesticks offered a mixture of height. Place cards were embroidered satin ribbons tied to the napkins at each place setting.

Jim Smeal created a modern and elegant cake using two of the main design elements- marble and gold gilding.

Perfectly positioned lounge seating and tables provided guests a place to perch when not dancing.
Marble was an element that kept popping up in the bride’s inspiration photos, so we created a marbleized dance floor as a stand out focal point of the room.

Since it’s seen in so many of the photos, the band’s stage can stick out like a sore thumb, or blend in perfectly. Fabric draped curtains and custom edging create a showcase for the band that show the extra thought that goes into designing the space.

As a send off, the guests were showered by orchids, and departed in a vintage car with the prettiest of petals making the final look as special as the first. Congrats Gaby and Ward!

1.14.20   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

We loved seeing the new edition of Charleston Weddings Magazine… This wedding was near and dear to me (the father of the bride is my children’s pediatrician), so we loved working together to create a special day for our bride. Stay tuned as we’ll share more details from this wedding on our Wedding Wednesday features!

3.27.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Announcements, Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Photographers, Press, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Jan 08, 2018

Winter coupleSo, you’ve decided to get married in the midst of freezing temps yet potentially stunning winter weather photo opps? An unseasonably cold winter so far here in the Southeast, has me thinking about winter wedding style, since we don’t have a chance to experience that often.  Today, I’m sharing just a few of my favorite picks for winter wedding style and design ideas.

photos by Corbin Gurkin and Liz Banfield

Of course, the number one accessory brides go for on their wedding day in colder temps is some kind of fur (faux or not) wrap or jacket. Some brides are able to use a vintage one as their something “borrowed” from their mother or grandmother, but if not, lots of lovely finds are on places like etsy, ebay, and even local antique stores!

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For a recent wedding, the bridesmaids wore white- white faux fur coats which added a hint of chic to their already fabulous emerald green gowns…

White Fur Wrap

photo by Liz Banfield

I love this faux wrap option from Nordstrom.com for your bridesmaids- which you could gift to them!

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Guests love the chance to break out accessories they may not get many chances to, and I love seeing them embrace the opportunity!

Boots of course are mandatory! I love these Silver Hunter boot options (photo by Liz Banfield, taken from A Crimson Kiss), or you could get the sky blue as your something blue. Or furry snow boots like the ones from Rachel  A Clingen’s bride.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Adrienne Page

photo by Adrienne Page

Bouquets can be a place to show some seasonal love as well. Anything from an all white formal arrangement, to one bringing in elements and seasonal greens. This lush white mixture we did includes seeded eucalyptus, cotton blossoms, a mixture of white blooms, cypress greens.

photo by Corbin Gurkin 

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

photo by Liz Banfield

If you can’t guarantee snowfall, or your event is taking place inside a venue you can create snow like branches out of pre strung cymbidium orchid strands.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

To create this winter wonderland, clear twinkle lights give guests the illusion they are dining under snowflakes …

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

photo by Liz Banfield

Of course, candlelight is key – and to give these an illusion of snowflakes, we wrapped clear glass cylinders with laser cut paper mimicking snowy patterns..

1.08.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Fashion, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>