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City Guide to Charleston by Tara Guerard Soiree
Cobblestone streets, historic homes & some of the most beautiful wedding venues & southern fare in the country... writing a love letter to the city of Charleston just wouldn't be complete without input from the ultra-fabulous,...
Cobblestone streets, historic homes & some of the most beautiful wedding venues & southern fare in the country... writing a love letter to the city of Charleston just wouldn't be complete without input from the ultra-fabulous, Vogue-recommended wedding planner, Tara Guerard of Tara Guerard Soiree.
As one of the nation’s leading wedding planners and tastemakers, we were lucky enough to tap into Tara's southern hospitality and nearly two decades of experience executing impeccable events as she picks her favorite hotspots around chosen homebase of Charleston, SC. A noted style expert, Tara has been featured in Food & Wine, InStyle, Southern Living, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Town & Country Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings and on The Martha Stewart Show, The Nate Berkus Show, the Style Network, and was named by Vogue as one of the country’s top wedding planners. Additionally, Tara shares entertaining tips and advice on her Bon Bon Blog. Did we mention she also designs her own line of furntiture for Frank and Lane and custom invitation suites and entertaining essentials through The Lettered Olive? To say she's an expert on entertaining and gathering is a majjjjjor understatement. We're so glad she's sharing her favorite Charleston, SC wedding venues with us.
As one of the nation’s leading wedding planners and tastemakers, we were lucky enough to tap into Tara's southern hospitality and nearly two decades of experience executing impeccable events as she picks her favorite hotspots around chosen homebase of Charleston, SC. A noted style expert, Tara has been featured in Food & Wine, InStyle, Southern Living, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Town & Country Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings and on The Martha Stewart Show, The Nate Berkus Show, the Style Network, and was named by Vogue as one of the country’s top wedding planners. Additionally, Tara shares entertaining tips and advice on her Bon Bon Blog. Did we mention she also designs her own line of furntiture for Frank and Lane and custom invitation suites and entertaining essentials through The Lettered Olive? To say she's an expert on entertaining and gathering is a majjjjjor understatement. We're so glad she's sharing her favorite Charleston, SC wedding venues with us.
What's your favorite boutique hotel for a stay cation?
The Spectator Hotel and The Dewberry Hotel (just opened in April 2016)
The Spectator Hotel and The Dewberry Hotel (just opened in April 2016)
Is there a particular venue in your city you simply love to plan weddings at? Why?
Lowndes Grove is a favorite for bigger weddings. It has a Southern plantation feel that also allows for modern touches we like to incorporate. From the ceremony to cocktail hour, dinner to dancing, the location offers plenty of separate areas.
Event Design + Coordination: Tara Guerard Soiree
Lowndes Grove is a favorite for bigger weddings. It has a Southern plantation feel that also allows for modern touches we like to incorporate. From the ceremony to cocktail hour, dinner to dancing, the location offers plenty of separate areas.
Event Design + Coordination: Tara Guerard Soiree
What's your favorite venue, perfect for intimate I-do’s?
For a more intimate group, I’d host at Lucca restaurant. It is a favorite of mine for family style dinner and would be a delicious choice for an intimate occasion. It’s a corner trattoria in Charleson’s Elliotborough neighborhood serving traditional Tuscan fare.
For a more intimate group, I’d host at Lucca restaurant. It is a favorite of mine for family style dinner and would be a delicious choice for an intimate occasion. It’s a corner trattoria in Charleson’s Elliotborough neighborhood serving traditional Tuscan fare.
Venue in the city perfect for larger I-do’s? For something bigger and more traditional, we love the ballroom at The William Aiken House. Conveniently located on King Street, the beautifully restored historic property and grounds is an oasis in the heart of the city. We’ve designed formal events in the ballroom and outdoor parties in the courtyard for weddings large and small.
Event Design + Coordination: Tara Guerard Soiree
Event Design + Coordination: Tara Guerard Soiree
Favorite bar for upscale cocktails?
For upscale cocktails, I head to The Spectator Hotel’s lobby bar. It’s the perfect spot for drinks with girlfriends or date night.
For upscale cocktails, I head to The Spectator Hotel’s lobby bar. It’s the perfect spot for drinks with girlfriends or date night.
Is there a particular venue in your city you simply love to plan weddings at? Why?
Runnymede Plantation is extraordinary – it’s a pristine plot on land that sits on the banks of the Ashley River and offers the most picturesque backdrop for an outdoor event.
Event Design + Coordination: Tara Guerard Soiree
Runnymede Plantation is extraordinary – it’s a pristine plot on land that sits on the banks of the Ashley River and offers the most picturesque backdrop for an outdoor event.
Event Design + Coordination: Tara Guerard Soiree
If you were going to host a dinner party, what restaurant would you choose? Why?
Chez Nous for sure. It’s a small restaurant will a menu that changes daily and is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea – always fresh, and perfectly intimate.
Chez Nous for sure. It’s a small restaurant will a menu that changes daily and is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea – always fresh, and perfectly intimate.
What’s your favorite café? What do you order?
There’s a great spot on Broad Street near my house called Fast & French where I order the cold cucumber soup. I’ve even ordered it to go and served it in small glasses as an aperitif at cocktail parties. It’s no fuss French food – great for lunch or for dinner.
There’s a great spot on Broad Street near my house called Fast & French where I order the cold cucumber soup. I’ve even ordered it to go and served it in small glasses as an aperitif at cocktail parties. It’s no fuss French food – great for lunch or for dinner.
Favorite store/place to shop for clothes? Home décor?
For clothes, I shop at Hampden Clothing. The owner, Stacy Smallwood, is a great stylist and they sell an amazing assortment of womenswear and accessories.
For clothes, I shop at Hampden Clothing. The owner, Stacy Smallwood, is a great stylist and they sell an amazing assortment of womenswear and accessories.
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Favorite place for ice cream? Or your favorite dessert :)
If the kids are in town, it’s Jeni’s Ice Cream on King Street and an old favorite of mine is the pot de crème at Hominy Grill
If the kids are in town, it’s Jeni’s Ice Cream on King Street and an old favorite of mine is the pot de crème at Hominy Grill
Is there place in the city you haven’t been, but it’s the next place you MUST see or eat at?
The Dewberry Hotel (opened 2016)
The Dewberry Hotel (opened 2016)
If you were in charge of hosting a group getaway within an hour or two of the city, where would you choose and why?
Palmetto Bluff is just perfection. it’s got the most charming architecture, pool, spa, restaurant and you can even rent little cottages for groups.
Palmetto Bluff is just perfection. it’s got the most charming architecture, pool, spa, restaurant and you can even rent little cottages for groups.
Favorite place to see live music? Inside or outside (or both!)
The Dock Street Theatre is a great venue for live music and it was lovingly restored a few years ago by the City of Charleston. There’s a beautiful courtyard for pre and post show cocktails in the back!
The Dock Street Theatre is a great venue for live music and it was lovingly restored a few years ago by the City of Charleston. There’s a beautiful courtyard for pre and post show cocktails in the back!
Fave hotel in your city with the best pool?
Belmond Charleston Place has a great pool and rooftop lounge area (with room service!) along with a killer spa.
Belmond Charleston Place has a great pool and rooftop lounge area (with room service!) along with a killer spa.
Favorite brunch spot?
For a big group, the Sunday brunch at Hall’s Chophouse can’t be beat – food will soak up all of last night’s sins and it’s always a lively crowd. We also love the drive out to Sullivan’s Island for brunch at The Obstinate Daughter.
For a big group, the Sunday brunch at Hall’s Chophouse can’t be beat – food will soak up all of last night’s sins and it’s always a lively crowd. We also love the drive out to Sullivan’s Island for brunch at The Obstinate Daughter.
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