Tag Archives: Ga

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 >>
May 23, 2018

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Can you tell how ready we are for summer and beach season over here? Today we are sharing this Sea Island wedding full of seagrass and shell details.  Surprisingly, while we are located in Charleston, SC we are rarely able to do any beachside weddings as they aren’t allowed here.  So, when we are working with a client hosting a beach wedding we do like to make use of the surroundings.

Tara Guerard Soiree by LIz Banfield

The ceremony itself took place at a local chapel before guests made their way to the Ocean Forrest Club at Sea Island.  I love that this guest really got in the spirit with her woven and seashell motif Nantucket handbag.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Hearty flowers are a must for outdoor weddings. These bouquets included summer blooms such as tulips, roses, ranunculus, and cymbidium orchids.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Being held at a private beachside club afforded photographer, Liz Banfield, the chance to get some amazing shots of the wedding party on the beach. That light was so incredible!

And, I love the coastal groomsmen ensemble- white gabardine pants, navy blazer, crisp blue oxfords, and Vineyard Vines tie that coordinated with the girls’ dresses.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

As a nod to the brides’ family’s Scottish heritage, a bagpiper greeted guests as they entered into the cocktail tent.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Woven seagrass beach bags with local food treats, and maagzine, waters, and emergency hangover kit, and koozies for guests to use on weekend boating and beach adventures.

Food and drink Collage

Using the local bounty available, we created a seafood ice bar with the catering team at Sea Island. Southsides (a favorite of the couple) were served beachside, head here for a recipe.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Each guest was seated at tables named after actual seashells and a coordinating shell was affixed to their card, giving guests a nice little take home memento.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

This was easily one of the most difficult tent drapes we have ever done, but one of the most rewarding. The tent ceiling is made from woven sheets of seagrass, normally a hearty material, but in the blustery conditions of a tent about 100 feet off of the beach, it was beyond challenging. Guests couldn’t believe it when they saw it though (and it had an amazing natural scent).

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

In order for guests to have the best view of the ocean during dinner, we had the tent flooring raised up several feet, giving guests a literal beachside lounge.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

One of the main design showcases of the evening were shadowboxes containing sand and shell displays.  And, those are icing sand dollars and shells on the cake by Jim Smeal.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The bride and groom departed by a vintage car adorned with ribbon streamers and orchid blooms.  Happy Wedding Wednesday!

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