Tag Archives: holiday

Dec 05, 2017

Today, we are sharing a very easy and affordable way to turn your tabletop into holiday perfection. It’s so easy we were able to whip this up in our office before a little holiday Soiree lunch. We used things readily available, and often lying around. This time of year when decorating at home or the office, I’ve found that I often have to trim bottom branches of the tree, or pieces fall off the pine garlands.  Taking these and doing something different with them instead of tossing them is what inspired this idea!

My kids love pears, so we always have them around the house. So, we took pears, and the extra tree trimmings and spray painted them gold.  Of course, Copper (our new favorite metallic), rose gold, or silver would all be lovely as well.  I took the color inspiration from the plates I wanted to use, so if you’re stuck making that decision, look there for an idea (or a napkin, table linen, or whatnot).

While you may not favor them for everyday table use, colored candles can be an easy way to add an out of the ordinary pop of color. I’ve been seeing them more and more at local gift store, etc, but our favorite source for them is Creative Candles.

The rest is up to your imagination to play… We took a very small dish for stacking our centerpiece, but a large clear bowl, or something with embellishments would all be really lovely. I always like mixing candles- votives with tapers, etc to fill up the table, use enough so that a bright overhead light isn’t necessary.

And, of course, there are so so many ways to embellish or “juge” up each place setting. I always find that this is one of the main ways at our weddings that makes guests feel special. Seeing their name written in a special way, or on a unique item (a leaf, a stone, or maybe even a ribbon used to tie the napkins). These looked great mixed on the table, and were straight from the yard- a simple camelilia bloom, or a sprig of your favorite greenery.

We’d love to see some of your favorite tabletop designs, share with us some of the ones you were proud of, or loved creating.

12.05.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Interior Design, Parties | Comments >>
Nov 14, 2017

Photos courtesy of Southern Living Magazine

Yesterday’s post focused so much on planning a holiday or dinner party that would most likely be a grown up function, I wanted to make sure to share a few idea on setting up a kid’s table, and making it chic enough that adults and older kids would feel just as special sitting there too! For a photo shoot with Southern Living Magazine many years ago, we created a formal Thanksgiving spread at our home in Flat Rock, NC. I wanted the kids’ table to still feel formal, but important pieces that I would be heartbroken if ruined were reserved for the adults. One fun detail we did was have the kids’ names etched on glasses, so that it served as a place card and also something they could keep at home.

Photos by Liz Banfield

For younger kids, offering games or activities at the table may give the grown ups time to enjoy dinner and conversation.  For this party, we served all of the kids’ meals on little trays so they would be done in advance and served while the adults were serving themselves. I also love the idea of getting inexpensive wooden ornaments or figures at a craft store (or online) and handwriting on them for place cards! You could even do trees, stars, or angels and the kids could have them for Christmas ornaments a month later!

Photo courtesy of One Kings Lane

There are so many sources for nice melamine or bamboo placesettings and utensils that you could consider dressing up your disposables to cut back on all of the clean up- a kids table is a perfect spot for this! Here, having bowls of fruit or other goodies on the table if the food is still being served can help those hungry tummies. We have a local chocolatier that we placed at each placesetting that had the kiddos excited.

Something we have done at several of our weddings that would be a good idea “steal” are gift boxes/baskets at the kids’ table. We have filled these with mini puzzles, crayons/coloring books, or an assortment of toys to keep kiddos busy during dinner.

 

11.14.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Press, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized | Comments >>

new years wedding

Last week we shared a beautiful New Year’s Eve wedding of ours that was featured in Inside Weddings. We had so much fun planning this special event that we thought we would share a few more details from the wedding we celebrated one year ago today! Thank you to Liz Banfield and Adrienne Page for the gorgeous photos.  

new years2

Guests received welcome bags upon arrival filled with the bride’s favorite champagne and treats from Oklahoma City where the wedding was held. The reception was set up like the ultimate New Year’s Eve bash with rows of lush orchids hanging from the chandeliers and gold fabric draped from the ceiling above a 36-foot custom copper bar. Laser cut candle wrappers served as escort cards, and lit the way for guests to their table, and of course it’s not New Year’s without ever-flowing champagne (we mixed ours with St. Germain!).

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The party really got started when women checked their high heels at the shoe check and hit the custom dance floor, where they stayed until the wee hours of the morning! Sequin tablecloths set a festive tone and flickered against the glow of the candles. Lamps on each table added to the ambiance and gold flatware and gold embroidered seat covers for all finished the look. We served a big breakfast just after the clock struck midnight as a fun way to ring in the new year! Cheers to the sweetest bride and groom ever – Lindsey and Sean! Happy anniversary!

12.31.14   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers | 1 Comment