We love our Charleston Weddings Magazine Summer, 2010 feature on last August’s wedding at Lowndes Grove Plantation …. There are some spectacular photos thanks to Liz Banfield from this wedding that I’ll share next week, and here on our website.

 

 

 

 

One of our favorite blogs, the Southern Weddings daily blog is also doing a Weddings by Tara Guerard book giveaway… cruise over there to see inspiring weddings from all over the south and enter to win your copy!

 

Two lovely ladies from Texas who own Wedding Day Bliss in Dallas were in Charleston recently for a girls weekend and stumbled upon our office… Read about their adventure on their blog…

Inside the Photographer’s Studio

Liz Banfield also put a lot of elbow grease into her her Minneapolis studio, and we were oohing and ahhing when she shared the final product photos with us, so of course had to share.

Introducing…

There is a new blog in town!  The Wedding Row features real local weddings…Thank you for the new book, and check them out for what’s new in the wedding world in Charleston.

 

Esteemed local event planner, Tara Guerard from Soiree has done it again. The premier planner’s latest book, “Weddings” is yet another stunning success. Known for her impeccable style and taste, Tara takes us on a guided tour through twelve dream weddings. From a formal Southern soiree to an ocean island affair. Tara spends her time in Charleston and in New York these days. So if you do not have the opportunity to work with her and her team, you can pick up a copy and be inspired. Congratulations Tara!

 

We are back from a fabulously successful trip to San Francisco for the Weddings 360 University.  It was a truly informative week, getting to see what is up and coming and what is changing in our industry as well as meeting other people who have made huge contributions to our industry (Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, David Beahm, and Sean Low) and how they have grown their businesses was worth the across the country flight several times over…

our first day of classes at the Four Seasons, San Fransisco

One of my favorite sessions was by Rebecca Grinnals, founder of Engaging Concepts… her footprint on many large clients in the event and hospitality business is unfounded, so any chance you have to hear her speak, you must!  Actually, she is the brainchild behind the Engage! summits, at which Tara will be a guest speaker at the Breakers in Palm Beach, FL in October. Here is a link to the Carolina Herrera article from her program, it’s quite interesting…

Tara’s class on Spacial Challenges at Events and Venues and how to Overcome Them sparked so many questions from the audience, it was nice to see how relative and helpful the topic was for the attendees.

our new best friend, Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee tweeting during Tara’s class- we love her!  To follow her on twitter, click here.

So you can see how cute Maria of Ritzy Bee really is!

The Soirettes with Jean Marks and Jubilee Lau, the founders of the Weddings 360 University and two oh so lovely ladies!  We are so thankful for all of their hardwork in putting this entire event together!

Karen was one of the Weddings 360 “hostesses” who totally saved the day for us… our tabletop material seemed to be lost in the shuffle when all of our supplies were to arrive before us, but she personally searched through all of the piles of boxes scattered throughout the St. Regis and found it for us!  Go Karen!

There was a photobooth set up at the Emerald Underworld party (so beautifully put together by Gloria Wong Design out of California), which of course always makes for good times!

Thank goodness for William and JJ who came out to help with our Design Showcase…

Speaking of design showcases… we were one of 4 designers (and the only one not out of California) asked to set up a vignette that attendees could walk through during the days of the event…Our theme was “Animal Husbandry”… keeping in line with our typical style, we did very clean, minimal, simple and elegant, but with a modern funky twist here and there.

Classic Party Rentals was kind enough to set up our tent, and do this fabulous hardwood flooring for us… and when our fabric to line the tent and walls didn’t arrive in time, they of course came to our rescue, and it was the perfect color!!!!

We used cowhides that we have in our office and horns from local S.C. white tail deer to hang butler cards from. Beth Ann from Studio Cakes in California made our cake for us, with gold filligreed design to match our printed materials and a quilted pattern in the fondant.

Our new favorite design element for this year is the faux python skin toppers we made for our dining and cake tables… it was so luxurious! We also saved by purchasing inexpensive lights from ikea and then wiring our own leaves to them and spray painting them gold… And of course, one of our favorite touches, the etched glass place cards!

All of the designers participated in a panel where guests could ask about their design asthetic, inspiration, and how to pull it all together…We had the pleasure of reuniting with one of our all time favorite friends, Nancy Liu Chin from San Fransico… She has one of the kindest spirits I’ve ever met, and is SO MUCH FUN!  She and her husband, along with Yungsong  Martin, founder of Wildflower Linen took us to an authentic only in the know Chinese restaurant in Chinatown- what a feast!!!!

Nancy’s vignette was inspired by the future and by the movie Avatar… you can’t see it here, but her room glowed a moody blue… her cake was amazing!  Love the center set on an acrylic box almost like an “internal” cake topper… and her wall of bubbles gave an interesting detail to white fabric draped walls…

We did have one day to explore- St. Patty’s day… So we hopped on a cable car and set out across town

This Cathedral window would make an amazing pattern for stationary items…

First stop was lunch at the Swan Oyster Depot… a famous must try local favorite seafood only spot…

There is always a line out the door… as long as you stay “under the awning” you can enjoy libations in line

Everything was so amazingly fresh… um hello, why don’t we have a spot like this in Charleston… There are only about 20 seats (all counter stools) in the entire place!

Next stop- the world famous Buena Vista Irish bar for St. Patty’s day

Irish coffees!  These are all Tara’s… just kidding!

A big thank you to all who made the trip such a huge success for us!

Charleston Fashion Week- Bridal Showcase

Saturday, Tara and I along with our Bride and Mother of the Bride for October 16th attended the Bridal Couture Show… There was puffy whiteness everywhere!  Definitely the two trends that stuck out the most to me were short dresses and the one shoulder neckline! Maddison Row and LulaKate were my top two favorites.

asymetrical short dress at Maddison Row

LulaKate is now bridal only doing both bridesmaids and wedding gowns… her gowns were stunning!  Definitely competeing with the top national known designers… Carol Hannah Whitfield, a finalist in last season’s Project Runway was also there to debut her bridal collection…

this grey chiffony thulle number was my favorite of the entire day!… from Maddison Row

so different and unique, looked as if it had a removable thulle overlay skirt!  fun!

mmmmm, maribou feathers.

love the shirred taffeta on this..

sorry for the horrible exposure, but this crisp tailored pleated short number is perfect for other wedding related events, or for reception dress number two! All from LulaKate.

Another short little ruffly dittie, but the backlessness of this is hot! From White boutique on Daniel Island.

My friend, Ivy Robinson, event planner extraordinaire came down for the shows with her jewelry designer friend, Kristen Morris. Um, I am obsessed!  Kristen had this necklace on at the show, and I was pining…

And Ivy was sporting this new bracelet… all handmade from vintage pieces…

She can do all custom bridal jewels as well! Her stuff is really amazing…

Finally, Charlestonians are experiencing the lovely weather that keeps us all living here… 70 degrees and sunny, not a cloud in the sky… makes for perfect “break down” weather for the Snyder Event Rentals crew over at the Charleston BB&T Wine and Food Festival.

For more recaps from the festival events, photos of all of the celebrity chefs, and local notables check out:

www.readcharlie.com

www.charlestoncitypaper.com

 

In Print…

 

Last week we shared photos from Tara’s in home photo shoot with Southern Living (the march issue on newsstands now), but for more photos not included, go to their website here.

We were thrilled to see photos from Liz Banfield of our past bride, Laney Faulkner glorious hair piece in the current issue of Town and Country Weddings.

Around Town…

Congratulations to Chef Nico Romo from Fish Restaurant and Patrick Properties Events (owners of Lowndes Grove, William Aiken House, and the American Theater) who is the youngest ever and first in South Carolina to be named a Master French Chef.  We have the pleasure of working with Nico on several events per year, and they are always a culinary delight!

Happening now on King Street is the Novel pop-up shop in the former Nancy Koltes shop.  I had a chance to stop in and grab some shots of some of the things I love in store right now.. They are all one of a kind collections and pieces from Jane Pope and Balboa Jewelry (whose gold Scarab necklace is one of my favorite pieces from my personal jewerly collection), Library: Archives of Fashion (I scored some super fab vintage ostrich Gucci heels last year), Julia Lynn photography (3 of her amazing photographic landscapes hang over my bed), Marysia swimwear (who is currently featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue), furniture pieces from ESD, and paintings from Ivy Williams and Sally King Benedict to name a few… You can see more here.

the front window with awesome chinoiserie white metal garden chairs from ESD

a collection of Jane Pope necklaces

Um, hello fabulous friday night rehearsal dinner dress, or even 2nd dress at your reception! from Library:Archives of Fashion

the Camelias are in full bloom right now, but this bright cheery photo from Julia Lynn screams springtime

you can’t tell the size here, but these are precious suits from Marysia Swim for little girls, so sophisticated!

again from Library, a perfect vintage party dress

these jemstone necklaces from Jane Pope are perfect accessories with your wedding gown, or even as gifts for your bridesmaids

Local painter Ivy Williams pieces paired together on a wall would truly make a statement

loving those ruffles, so cute for little beach bodies

Julia Lynn’s Lowcountry series features hidden spots or ones that you may have seen many times but just from her keen eyes perspective…

What’s Coming Up…

Spring is definitely in the air, and everyone is ready to get out, so the big events in town this week will surely have a great turnout.

I’m looking forward to attending the Charleston City Paper’s “Best Of” party this week. Every year readers vote on their favorite local business in a plethora of categories such as best hot dog, best local band, and favorite special occasion restaurant.  One of the main reasons I’m excited for this event is that it’s being held at the new Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art on the College of Charleston Campus… since graduating 12 years ago, I have a rare chance to go back to campus, and I hear this building is must see for everyone (not just students).

Then, on Saturday, March 13th we have the Party of the Parks… Love this concept of an upscale street fair… For more information and tickets go here.


And, starting next week, we’ll be in San Francisco for the Weddings 360 Academy for Planners and Designers.

We will be presenting in the Design Showcase, Tara will sit on several design/decor panels, be signing books, and presenting a class on spacial planning and overcoming special difficulties in event design.

That being said, there will be no new blog post on Monday, but the following week loads and loads of photos from all of this for your perusing!

Tara’s Tidbits…

I am so looking forward to all of our spring weddings starting up, but if we didn’t have one this weekend, here’s where I would be!  What a fabulous idea!

(from I Suwannee blog)