Tag Archives: runnymeade plantation

Mar 02, 2016

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

We are so excited to be sharing more from this special wedding today on Wedding Wednesday. Candice was gracious enough to share her advice for staying cool under the pressure of planning with us yesterday, so we thought sharing more of the beautiful photos from Liz Banfield was fitting!  The nuptials took place over looking the banks of the Ashley River at Runnymeade Plantation. The Oak trees on property provided much of the inspiration as you’ll see in many of the details throughout.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The printed materials were a huge importance for this couple, so Lettered Olive letterpressed wood grain paper, incorporated etched bronze elements, and created a custom pattern used for many decor elements. The couple’s two Australian Shepards are an important part of their lives, so we really wanted to have them in the wedding somehow.  They were the perfect backdrop for the couple’s “Save the Dates”, and for favor boxes of take home wedding cake we fashioned into “Doggie Bags”.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Wild and lush was the feel of the flowers for this celebration with an unexpected color scheme- teal, peach, cream, bronze, natural wood.  The bouquets still felt refined and composed with garden roses, hellebores, berries, sweet peas, ranunculus, lily of the valley, and various greens.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Cocktail hour took place on the riverbanks and incorporated al fresco lounge seating and custom designed umbrellas by Boutique Tents. Fabric was printed and sourced to be fashioned into pillows bringing in all of the patterns and colors used throughout for a layered look.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The couple are oenophiles so to give them something cherished for their collection, we had a select magnum displayed during cocktail hour for guests to sign…

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Multiple cakes by Jim Smeal were displayed on a galax leaf covered table. Cakes included hand molded flowers and blades of marsh grass.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Guests dined in a tented carpeted in seagrass as woven greenery garlands created the effect of dining under branches. Ostrich leather topped tables were topped with lamps, and glass vases of different bundles of flowers. Velvet menu books in shades of greens were marked with bronze name plates as seating cards.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

After the sun set and dinner was finished, guests moved into the lounge tent which was a luxe with soft peach carpet, beige velvet sofas, chandeliers, and an al fresco porch for those wanting a break from all of the dancing.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Late night treats included a cigar roller, a hot dog cart and hamburgers from their favorite spot, and passed milkshakes which were a cool treat for those into the dancing!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The couple departed by sparklers in a vintage Chevy pick up truck with hay bale seats!

3.02.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Weddings | Comments >>

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Today, we are talking with our beautiful bride, Candice. She and her husband will be celebrating 5 years this April, but their wedding is still fresh in my memory as one of the most fun and beautiful ones we have ever done!  She and her groom were so fun and easy going and we had a blast planning together! See what she thinks can help keep perspective to all of you currently planning your big day!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

What was your favorite part of planning your wedding?

Working with the Soiree team was such a treat. I never doubted any decision they were making so that took a lot of pressure off of me. I also love surprises so leaving some of the decisions up to Soiree made the overall experience even more exciting for both me and Graham.

What was the biggest challenge during the planning process?

In the beginning I was stressed over the fact the wedding date we had chosen was Bridge Run Weekend, which is a hugely popular date in Charleston bringing in thousands of  people. I knew hotel rooms would be more expensive for our guests and potentially limited around town. Luckily, it all worked out, we were able to secure “blocks” in enough time so we were guaranteed a certain quantity of rooms at a certain price before all of the runners started booking them all.?

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

What do you miss the most now that it is over?

Your wedding day is probably one of the only days you get to spend with all of your family and friends that you love so much in one place at one time.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

What is the moment that when you think back on your wedding you remember the most?

We decided to have a seated dinner. It truly gave Graham and I a chance to relax and the opportunity to slow down and really take in such a special evening. Secondly, the dancing! I loved our band, Party on the Moon, and surprise entertainer Tone Loc!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Is there anything you would do over and what? Would you wear the same dress?

I honestly can’t think of anything I would change. I would definitely wear the same dress, especially the shorter party dress I changed into for dancing. To this day it is my favorite dress of all time.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Tell us about your engagement.

We were vacationing in Cabo with a few of our closest friends. Towards the end of the trip, Graham asked me to walk with him one morning on the beach nearby the house we had rented. To my surprise he popped the question! We later headed to Nikki Beach and spent the rest of the day celebrating with our friends!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Candice and Graham were married in April of 2011 at Runnymede Plantation outside of Charleston, SC. Thank you to Liz Banfield for the images of their big day!

3.01.16   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Uncategorized, Weddings | 1 Comment

Soiree Wedding -1

We were so excited to see the latest issue of Charleston Weddings magazine this week, since it featured our beautiful Soirée bride Kelly Broad and her husband James Affinito. We worked with them on their wedding almost one year ago today (happy anniversary y’all!) at The First Baptist Church here in Charleston, and with a beautiful reception at Runnymede Plantation. We’re sharing a sneak peek of the story here, but make sure to pick up the Fall/ Winter issue of Charleston Weddings magazine to see the rest of the photos (all by Corbin Gurkin)!

soiree wedding -2

Now, this is the way to kick off a wedding, don’t you think? Every girl should celebrate with a glass of champagne before walking down the aisle, and we loved that the bridesmaids joined in. Savor this special moment!

soiree wedding -3

The reception tent entrances were custom made using a smart striped fabric, and finished with seagrass runners and a row of boxwoods.

soiree wedding 4

We love calligrapher Elizabeth Porcher Jones, and think she did a fabulous job with our place cards, don’t you? The tabletop came together nicely with classic blue and white china and silver and gold flatware.

soiree wedding 5

We do all of our own flowers here at Soirée, and we loved the finished look of this floral table runner! The deep turquoise trim on the tablecloth gives it a nice contrast so you really see the drama where it hits the floor.

soiree wedding 6

A cheese tasting was set up at the reception atop a beautiful slab of marble and served with fruits and honey.

soiree wedding 7

Happy anniversary to Kelly and James… wishing you all the best! Thank you for letting us share in such a special day.

10.10.14   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Press, Weddings | 1 Comment