Tag Archives: SC

Mar 26, 2018

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

Today, we are going back in the archives to this sweet and simple William Aiken House wedding. This couple embraced the spring season in Charleston, and since their children were a large part of the wedding, Easter was celebrated as well. Thank you to Gayle Brooker for the images.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

The brides’ bouquet was just gathered out of the garden, with flowering vines, jasmine, dogwood branches, and fern.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

Easter baskets for the youngest guests were delivered to the hotel rooms on Sunday morning, full of sweet treats.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

A bar where guests could get a refill and have a seat and conversation was stationed on the front lawn.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

Casual seating in the “Easter” color scheme was also set up on the lawn overlooking the reflecting pond for guests to enjoy after dinner.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

A Lowcountry live oak was also a design element, so to incorporate the natural element seating card pockets were planted in grass and hung from tree branches.  Each table was named for a different type of tree found in the lowcountry.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

Adult guests together in the ballroom at tables designed in a springy but neutral palette. Menus were booklets bringing back in the tree theme and also doubling as place cards.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker Tara Guerard Soiree by Gayle Brooker

The “children’s” table was stationed on the porch overlooking the party on the front lawn. Luckily it’s such a perfect spot with a birds eye view, no one felt like they were being put at the kiddie table.

3.26.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>

2013_Diana_Ezra_0431

This wedding has all the makings to get us excited for the Spring season ahead- pretty pastel palette, beach front ceremony, and spring design elements like peaches, dahlias, and greens. Guests were able to spend a vacation like weekend on Kiawah Island, SC celebrating with the couple. Corbin Gurkin was on hand to capture all of the lovely images.

LO Collage

Guests received simply gorgeous letterpress invitations in a simple spring green all designed by Lettered Olive. A floral but not fussy motif set the tone for the events. Upon arrival, custom printed Kiawah Island totes filled with locally made tea, honey, and snacks welcomed guests. The floral pattern used on the printed tags became a big design factor in other places at the wedding.

Bridal Collage

The bride wore a Monique Lhuillier strapless light and airy lacy mermaid silhouetted gown.

2013_Diana_Ezra_0448

Our bride enjoyed a day of dressing with her bridesmaids all in Plum Pretty Sugar.

2013_Diana_Ezra_0615

The couple opted for a First Look- I love the look of excitement and anticipation on the groom’s face as we awaits her to approach.

2013_Diana_Ezra_0833

The pale green and grey color palette was a lovely background for the palest of spring florals. The bridesmaids wore varying gowns in the same fabric by Amsale.

2013_Diana_Ezra_0878

To dress up and tailor this beach front ceremony, a pristine white carpet runner was laid over the immaculate grass. A simple chuppa with flowing white curtains and floral tie backs still offer guests a view of the ocean.

Ceremony Collage

Simple seagrass anchored in sand were simple chic and affordable aisle decor!  We offered flip flops in varying sizes to guests who didn’t want their heels sinking into the ground. Fan shaped programs on the thickest Italian paper we use, made for perfect weather tamers during the ceremony.

2013_Diana_Ezra_1194The brides hand tied bouquet featured David Austin garden roses, white peonies, white roses and tea roses, and grey lambs ear for color and texture.

Details Collage

Cocktail hour was open air on the porch; a bowl of peaches provides information about the cocktails served and pretty bar decor; monogrammed table runners were placed throughout the ballroom venue to keep it feeling personal.

2013_Diana_Ezra_0377

Of course, being a SC girl, this was one of my favorite escort card displays we’ve done- a table of peaches with hand caligraphied floral die cut cards, LOVE!

2013_Diana_Ezra_0420

One design area worth the splurge at this event was covering the typical busy and bright ballroom carpet with white carpeting, giving the ballroom a crisp and polished feel. Dinner linens were the palest of green with a darker complimentary green piped on the edges and peeking out in corners. Dinner chairs were perfectly matched in a pale green.

Dinner Collage

Place settings were prettied with matching ribbons and eucalyptus springs and a caligraphied leaf place card. Low lying centerpieces of pink dinner plate dahlias, leafy greens, and seeded eucalyptus accented with mercury glass were classic glam.

2013_Diana_Ezra_0480

2013_Diana_Ezra_0468

A pale green ruffled and sugar flowered cake, all handiwork by Jim Smeal .

Dancing Collage

We had the floral pattern designed for the couple’s printed materials put onto their dance floor which really made for a breathtaking addition to the ballroom. A guest book was made by guests taking pics with an old fashioned Polaroid and leaving a personal note.

2013_Diana_Ezra_1385 2013_Diana_Ezra_1868

After a traditional Horrah dance and a quick change, the bride and groom departed by sparklers.

3.14.18   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | 6 Comments

Dendy and Devon by Gayle Brooker

Summerville, SC is a town steeped in Southern tradition and history. After moving to Manhattan, and becoming celebrity dermatologist and skin care consultant for Elizabeth Arden, Dr. Oz, People Magazine, etc Dr. Dendy Engleman met her dream man. He popped the question, and they headed South where she wanted to share her hometown with her nearest and dearest. Thank you Gayle Brooker for the gorgeous photos.

Church exterior/Tara Guerard Soiree/Gayle Brooker Photography

The ceremony took place at her childhood congregation, a classic Episcopalian church outside the Historic district.

Orchid Boutoinerres by Tara Guerard Soiree

The bride really wanted to bring in a modern perspective representing her life in New York to play against the traditional feel typically seen growing up in Summerville. A bold green and warm chocolate color palette was selected and lots of natural elements like greenery, branches, dried lentils, mosses, and berries were used throughout.

Orchid bouquets by Tara Guerard Soiree

Orchids in the greens and browns used throughout compliment the bridal bouquet cascading and lush with branches, berries, and orchids in different varietals.

Cocktail seating on the lawn by Tara Guerard Soiree

Simple potted phalenopsis orchids in moss covered pots were the perfect centerpieces for the cocktail tables covered in green and chocolate silk scattered amongst the lawn.

Manhattans

Signature drink for a couple living in New York but marrying in South Carolina?  Manhattans, obvi.

Monogram wedding cake (Jim Smeal); tent design by Tara Guerard Soiree

The wedding cake by Jim Smeal was a stunning centerpiece in the tent. The tiers were accented by hand made samples of lace from the bride’s dress, and a custom icing monogram designed by Soiree and Lettered Olive.

Wedding lounge by Tara Guerard Soiree

The dance tent and lounge were modeled after some of the couples favorite Manhattan clubs, but with wedding elegance of course! My favorite is a clear top tent which allows the space to feel bigger and more open but the temperature has to be just right (can you say greenhouse chic??)

Wedding bar by Tara Guerard Soiree

Had to make one of our signature bars, of course. Tops were custom wood to keep in line with the fall design and the couples monogram designed by Lettered Olive was used on banners to decorate large spaces like this bar, pillows in the lounge, printed items, and the cake. The most important thing though is that it’s accessible from many angles for many people- NO LINES!

The Woodlands wedding reception by Tara Guerard Soiree

The Woodlands Resort was a classically elegant 5 star resort with amazing architecture and equally amazing food (it’s since closed and become a private home).  We added some draping and lighting to the exterior for some drama which kinda ended up being a scene stealer.

Bride and Groom send off

The knockout couple ended their evening (after a quick change by the bride into a going away shortie dress) with a traditional rice toss before heading off into married life together.

10.18.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Cakes, Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, New York, Reception, Weddings | Comments >>