Tag Archives: corbin gurkin

Bride/Tara Guerard Soiree/Corbin Gurkin

After bringing you this lovely bride’s advice in our Real Bride to Bride advice series, and looking through her photos, it made me remember what fun we had planning and designing her day and wanted to share for this Wedding Wednesday. Corbin Gurkin always provides such stunning imagery (like the portrait above), and I loved how tailored and chic the navy and white was paired with citrusy spring colors.

Bride and Groom Collage

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

Lettered Olive created a fresh take on traditional invitations- with going navy versus black and  hand caligraphied text versus a stock font. An image of Hibernian Hall was letterpressed into the background of the reception card as a nod to the venue.

church Collage

Simple greenery en masse made a super chic design element for the church. Lemon Leaf garland was woven into the exterior gates at First Scots Presbyterian Church, and bouquets of lemon leaf and boxwood branches lined the ceremony aisle.  The alter was adorned with large arrangements of greenery proving that you don’t have to spend a ton on flowers to get an impactful look.

Exterior Collage

Guests were greeted at Hibernian Hall with draped gates, planted boxwoods and lanterns on the large steps (to later provide a glowing design into the evening for the porch lounge seating), and a custom designed monogram flag.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

Hibernian Collage

Delicate but sophisticated seating viognettes were set up surrounding the dance floor and stage making guests feel right at home. For a cake and dessert table, garlands of greenery and bright florals created a gorgeous display.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

Food Collage

Since this was a cocktail type reception, we really wanted to make the food displays on point.  Composed hors d’eouvres were artfully displayed for easy pick up, and different areas throughout the evening provided an evolving menu- like late night hot biscuits. Rolling carts with cronuts and iced coffee shots were wheeled out to guests late into dancing for a sweet sip.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

I love a clean but ample bar- no bottles, or mixers on display… glassware is presented in bookcases or cabinetry as it would be at home, and a butcher block wooden top and custom fabric give it that chic and tailored look for guests spending time in conversation while getting cocktails.

Getaway Collage

Custom confetti poppers sent the bride and groom off in the vintage convertible. The couple grabbed the flag from the front gates and waved it during their send off!  Congratulations to Annie and Davis who are expecting their first child, which always makes me feel like we did our job!

See more from this wedding over at Charleston Weddings Magazine.

4.20.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Press, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
Mar 15, 2016

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

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!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

Invitation suite by Lettered Olive

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

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!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

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!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

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!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

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.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Corbin Gurkin

3.15.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Photographers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | Comments >>
Feb 24, 2016

We are thrilled to be bringing you more details from our #HappilyHansom wedding that is currently featured in Charleston Weddings Magazine. There were plenty of stunning gold and cream details for this glamour girl! Starting with gold lame bridesmaids dresses by LulaKate, laser cut lace printed details from Lettered Olive, a lovely backdrop and divine cuisine at the William Aiken House, and stunning images by Corbin Gurkin. We hope you enjoy all of the Wedding Wednesday prettiness!

Bridal details
Printed itemsCeremony

Cocktail Hour

Wedding Food

Dinner collage

After dinner Collage

getaway Collage

2.24.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | 1 Comment