Tara Guérard helms Tara Guérard Soirée, a full-service event planning and design company headquartered in historic Charleston, South Carolina. Since opening their doors in 1997, Soirée has earned a reputation for its ability to create spectacular settings celebrating life’s most anticipated occasions, right down to every last stylish detail. We couldn’t wait to get Tara’s inside scoop on weddings in the lowcountry…

{THE BRIDAL CIRCLE:} CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

{TARA}:  Southern by birth, I grew up in Camden, South Carolina (a pretty little town in the heart of South Carolina horse country).  I moved to Charleston to attend the College of Charleston and was immediately smitten with the city.  During school, I waited tables and worked various jobs in the food and beverage industry, which gave me a wonderful education on the ins and outs of food, wine and service.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER YOUR LOVE OF WEDDINGS? WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE WEDDING PLANNING AS A CAREER?

When I began Soiree in 1996, I originally envisioned a “party planning” business.  It happened that my first few clients were brides and I fell hook, line and sinker for weddings! I realized I really loved getting to know the brides and grooms and their families and loved the process of creating the events that celebrated the most important day in their lives.

WHAT IS YOUR TITLE? WHERE ARE YOUR OFFICES LOCATED?

I’m the founder, designer, planner and chief schlepper of Tara Guérard Soirée.  We have offices in Charleston, SC and New York City.

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS, WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE, WHAT ARE YOU KNOWN FOR AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

Tara Guérard Soirée was founded in 1996 and we are coming up on our 17^th year in business.  We provide comprehensive (soup to nuts!) wedding services – from design, décor and florals to planning and execution of the event.  In addition to the weddings, we often help with all of the parties that surround the big event: engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons and the like.

DO YOU DO DESTINATION WEDDINGS? WHERE HAVE YOU PLANNED THEM AND WHERE ARE YOU GOING THIS YEAR?

Yes!  We travel anywhere our brides want us to go!  We’ve planned weddings all over the country – from Charleston, Nashville and Little Rock to NYC, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. This year, we are headed to San Antonio, TX, Oklahoma City and New York among other destinations.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR WEDDINGS ARE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY, AS OPPOSED TO NYC OR OTHER LOCATIONS?

About 50% of our weddings are in Charleston and the surrounding areas – otherwise, we’re on the road.

WHERE EXACTLY IS THE LOWCOUNTRY? WHAT AREA/TOWNS/CITIES ARE INCLUDED IN IT?

The “lowcountry” is an area that runs from the coast of southern Georgia (Sea Island and Savannah) north into coastal South Carolina (Hilton Head, Beaufort, Charleston and Georgetown).

WHAT IS THE ALLURE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY? WHAT DO PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT IT?

Where do I begin?!  There is definitely something special about this part of the country.  Most obviously, people love our amazing (warm) weather, the beaches, coastal landscape and natural beauty.  We’re surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, gorgeous marshes, rivers and live oaks.  Additionally, we have lovely historic architecture that’s been well preserved over time.  Charleston has a real European feel.  It’s a walk-able city with world-class restaurants and shops.

WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES FOR FOOD, DRINK AND ENTERTAINMENT? WHERE DO YOU GO? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOT SPOTS?

Again, this is a long list!  I really love FIG – a well known restaurant owned by my friend, Chef Mike Lata.  Bin 152 is a great little wine bar on King Street near Billy Reid’s shop.  Fulton Five is a longstanding local spot that’s great for a romantic dinner.  Monza is my go-to for a lunch of salad with local shrimp and butter beans and wood oven pizza.  I also love Goat Sheep Cow, a wine and cheese shop on Church Street (around the corner from our house).  With three children, a good bottle of wine and a cheese plate can be a big night out!

WHAT ARE THE MUST VISIT SHOPS TO CHECK OUT? IS THE LOWCOUNTRY KNOWN FOR SOMETHING IN PARTICULAR? ANTIQUES, FASHION, ETC.

We have great shopping on King Street – In addition to national brands like Gucci, Calypso and J Crew, Hampden Clothing and Finicky Filly are two locally owned boutiques that feature higher end fashion.  Bob Ellis is the BEST place for shoes!  I mentioned Billy Reid above and also like Grady Ervin and Ben Silver for men’s clothing.

Croghan’s Jewel Box has lovely estate jewelry as well as contemporary designers such as Temple St. Clair.

For Antiques, I head across the Ashley River bridge to South Windemere Antiques and its sister shop, 17 South.  ESD is another great destination on Highway 17.

Historic Charleston Foundation Shop on Meeting Street is an excellent source for books on architecture and design.  They also have a good selection of local cookbooks.

Ann Long Fine Art on Broad Street is my favorite gallery!

WHAT ARE THE MUST SEE HISTORIC OR SCENIC PLACES/SIGHTS TO SEE IN THE AREA?

The Aiken Rhett House (just around the corner from our office!)

Gibbes Museum of Art

Middleton Place

Drayton Hall

White Point Gardens (a public park also known as the Battery)

Really, just walking around downtown is a wonderful way to take in the architecture and beauty of the city. If you have your tennis shoes and some extra time, walk the Arthur Ravenel Bridge!

WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO GET MARRIED IN THE LOWCOUNTRY? PLACES THAT INCLUDE PLANTATIONS, HOTELS, PLACES YOU CAN TENT, ETC. (3-4 EXAMPLES WITH LINKS, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY THEY ARE AMAZING).

There are some really wonderful places to get married in the Lowcountry – where you end up really depends on your taste.  You can go high brow with an 18^th century ballroom, or perhaps choose rustic elegance, or a beachside affair.

The Sanctuary, Kiawah Island  This Kiawah Island beachfront hotel is about 45 minutes from Charleston.  There’s a fabulous spa, dining, golf, tennis – the works.  It’s perfect for a destination wedding!

Palmetto Bluff  Located between Charleston and Savannah, Palmetto Bluff is a charming little spot for weddings and parties.  The restored chapel overlooks the May River and picturesque grounds.  Auberge Resorts runs the Inn, so you know that the property is all about luxury and good service.

The William Aiken House  This historic property is a stunner and a fabulous location for larger weddings.  We typically have cocktails and a seated dinner in the house and move guests to a tented lounge for dancing into the night.

Boone Hall Plantation Cotton Dock  Boone Hall is the epitome of the “old south” – with a backdrop of a beautiful oak allée leading up to a lovely plantation home.  The property’s best feature is the Cotton Dock with a restored barn perched on the edge of the tidal creek.  Rustic chic at its best!

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO CELEBRATE LOWCOUNTRY STYLE? SIGNATURE LOW COUNTRY FOODS, DRINKS, TYPES OF PARTIES, FAVORS, ETC?

We have a number of signature Lowcountry eats and drinks that guests go wild for!

-Our Tara Guerard “Cracque” Biscuits are homemade with cheese and pecans.  The name fits – you can’t eat just one (or two!).

-My Killer Bloody Mary makes a great brunch drink – I use Clamato juice and pickled okra for a twist.

-My signature welcome drink is a Lowcountry Lemonade – it’s light and refreshing!

-We love to create custom Welcome bags for out of town guests that are chock full of local goodies like Benne Wafers and tea.

The quintessential Lowcountry party is an Oyster Roast – casual and fun, hot oysters will all of the fixings!

ANYTHING BRIDES AND GROOMS SHOULD BE AWARE OF, LIKE BUGS, WIND, WEATHER, PACE, BEACH PERMITS, SEASONAL ISSUES, ETC. WHEN GETTING MARRIED IN THE LOWCOUNTRY?

Definitely be aware of the weather – it can get HOT in the summertime!  Hurricane season is roughly May-October.  We’ve been lucky in that we haven’t had any heavy storms this year, but it’s something we always keep in mind when planning events.  And, yes, bugs can be an issue.

WHAT ARE THE MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY?

That it’s all fried chicken and fat back.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR TARA GUERARD AND SOIREE? CAN YOU SHARE NEW PROJECTS, NEW BOOKS, NEW LINES OR PRODUCTS YOU ARE LAUNCHING?

We have big things ahead!  We have a new consulting business under the Tara Guérard umbrella that works with hotels, public venues and event spaces to design and grow their weddings business.  A third book is in the works and we are planning a line of wedding/entertaining products.  Stay tuned!