Wedding Dress Codes Explained: Expert Tips from a Stationer

Planning a wedding involves lots of very exciting decisions, and one of the key elements that sets the tone for your celebration will be the dress code that you choose. Communicating this attire preference to your guests can be both an art and a science! It’s important to be open and clear, but also a lot of couples worry about being considerate and creative in their dress code decisions too. As a stationer specialising in crafting bespoke wedding invitations, I have witnessed the importance of easily-digestible and thoughtful dress code descriptions. I love supporting my couples in choosing the best attire, wording, and communication style for this too.

Here are some tips on how to effectively convey your wedding dress code to ensure that your guests feel comfortable and stylish on your big day.

1. Understand the Basics

Before diving into the specifics of your dress code, familiarise yourself with the basics. Different dress codes imply varying levels of formality and style. From casual and cocktail to formal and black- tie, each designation sets different expectations for your guests. Understanding these conventions will help you articulate your desired atmosphere and assist your guests in selecting appropriate attire.

2. Reflect Your Theme

Consider your theme and wedding venue when choosing a dress code. If you’re having a destination beach wedding in Dubai, ‘Casual Beach Chic’ or ‘Resort Attire’ might be suitable. For an elegant affair in a ballroom, ‘Black-Tie’ or ‘Formal Attire’ could be more fitting. Aligning your dress code with your overall wedding vision creates a cohesive experience for both you and your guests.

3. Include Clear Language

Use clear and concise language when describing your dress code. Ambiguity can lead to confusion, so be specific in your wording. Instead of ‘Dressy Casual,’ consider ‘Smart Casual’ or ‘Polished Casual.’ These subtle differences can make a significant impact on how your guests interpret the dress code.

For a handy resource, check out The Knot’s Wedding Guest Attire Cheat Sheet which offers a quick reference guide to help guests dress appropriately for any occasion.

4. Provide Examples

If your dress code is unique or open to interpretation, consider providing examples to guide your guests. Include images or a brief description in your wedding invitations or on your wedding website to illustrate the desired look. For instance, if you opt for ‘Bohemian Chic,’ share images of flowy dresses and floral accessories to inspire your guests.

In 2025, colour trends for luxury weddings are all about bold, dramatic jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep amethyst - especially popular for Dubai weddings. These rich hues can set the tone for your celebration, so consider a dress code like ‘Jewel Tones’ or ‘Opulent Elegance’ to guide your guests’ attire while adding a luxurious touch.

5. Think About Comfort

While you want your guests to look polished and stylish, it’s also very important to ensure that your dress code allows for comfort. If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding in the summertime, a relaxed dress code like ‘Garden Party Attire’ communicates both style and practicality. Balancing elegance with comfort ensures your guests can enjoy the festivities without feeling restricted.

6. Consider Cultural Sensitivity

If your wedding celebrates diverse cultural backgrounds, be mindful of dress code terminology that may be unfamiliar to some guests. Include a brief explanation or direct them to additional resources where they can learn more about the suggested attire, especially helpful at a multicultural wedding. This promotes inclusivity and helps everyone feel welcomed and respected.

Bottom Line

Choosing a dress code that is right for you, your style, and your venue, is one of the ways that you can infuse your personality into the celebrations – and guests love having guidance on what to wear! We recommend starting from the most basic and traditional dress code levels, and then adding some creative flair by further describing or illustrating the dress code. And if you’re having multiple days of events, feel free to encourage guests to explore different levels of formality for your welcome dinner, mehendi and sangeet, wedding day, and farewell BBQ, for example!

Interactive elements are becoming part of the dress code experience in 2025, especially at destination weddings. Some couples are including QR codes on their invitations that lead guests to a digital lookbook with tailored outfit inspirations. This ‘digital dress code guide’ or ‘wedding wardrobe’ feature helps clarify expectations and offers guests ideas that match the wedding's theme and colours. It’s an innovative way to guide guests on style, adding a touch of modern sophistication to the traditional dress code instructions.

Here at Ananya Cards we specialise in transforming weddings with bespoke stationery, fusing cultures and reflecting each couple’s unique style. My passion drives a commitment to excellence, ensuring every detail is crafted with care. Our international service allows us to work with couples worldwide, offering everything from elegant designs to sustainable initiatives. At Ananya Cards, we add a touch of sophistication to make your special day truly unforgettable.

I would love to work with you and provide you support and guidance in creating stationery that elevates your day and your guest experience!

Until next time,

Vaishali

5 Top Destination Wedding Stationery Ideas for 2025

Hosting a destination wedding can be a wonderful way of celebrating your union and sharing moments with your loved ones, especially if travel plays a big part of your lives. According to a study by The Knot, the popularity of destination weddings has surged, with over 25% of couples opting for a destination wedding in 2023, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. In fact, destination weddings now account for nearly half of all weddings planned by couples under 35. While events abroad do require more planning, it’s absolutely worthwhile! As we approach 2025, these trends are only expected to grow, influencing how couples approach their wedding stationery.

When it comes to choosing destination wedding stationery, you’ll have so many creative options to choose from. The best way to make your invitations personal is to draw inspiration from the destination you have chosen. Whether or not your guests are seasoned travellers, the ideas below are sure to get your friends and family really excited for the journey!

Maps & Illustrated Touches in Destination Wedding Stationery

As we step into 2025, bespoke illustrations remain a key element in destination wedding stationery. One of the most charming ways to embrace your wedding location is through creative maps and artwork. These thoughtful illustrations, whether they feature iconic landmarks, regional motifs, or special places, offer your guests a glimpse of the experience that awaits them.

We love crafting personalised map inserts to complement invitation suites, designing illustrated envelope liners, and providing digital artwork for couples to showcase on their wedding websites. Whether minimalist or highly detailed, these maps not only guide guests but also become beautiful keepsakes.

For instance, your invitations could feature an elegant line drawing of your wedding venue, a delicately embossed city map, or a scenic illustration of rolling hills or mountains near your event. Each piece tells a story, connecting your guests to the essence of the destination and setting the tone for the unforgettable celebration to come.

Photography by Martina H

Words & Languages in Destination Wedding Invitations

Incorporating local language into your wedding stationery is a creative way to reflect the spirit of your destination. Simple phrases from the local culture can make your invitations more engaging and memorable. For a Greek island wedding, a cheerful “Yamas!” (cheers) could feature on your welcome cards written in calligraphy, while a “Bienvenidos!” (welcome) could greet guests attending a celebration in Spain.

Travel-themed phrases also bring extra flair. Think of lines like “Love without borders” for a wedding that spans continents, or “Meet us where the sun meets the sea” for a coastal celebration. These expressions give your guests a preview of the magic to come.

When it comes to playing with wording, another fun idea can be to come up with creative dress code descriptions that reflect the culture. For an Amalfi Coast wedding you could suggest “Lemon Grove Elegance” for the dress code. If you do decide to think outside the box with dress codes, make sure to also provide your guests with a description of what it means – on your wedding website if you have one – or even a Pinterest board of outfit inspiration to make it easier to pack appropriately, especially handy for a multicultural wedding.

Photography by Stuart Wood Weddings

Colours & Patterns

As 2025 approaches, we're seeing a resurgence of maximalist patterns and vibrant colours in wedding stationery, especially for destination weddings. If you want to infuse the personality and culture of the location, but keep the nod a little more subtle, choosing colours, motifs, or patterns that evoke the destination is a beautiful way to achieve this. For instance, lavender tones and soft blues echo the fields of Provence, while warm ochres and dusty pinks reflect the magic of Santorini’s sunsets. A tropical celebration might call for lush greens with bursts of mango yellow, while cool mint and gold evoke the elegance of Italian lake weddings.

Prints and patterns can also be a fantastic and sophisticated way of conveying a travel aesthetic, without overwhelming the design. Whether it's through subtle colours or more intricate motifs, these design elements bring the destination to life on paper. Patterns inspired by the destination add depth and character without overwhelming your design. Picture delicate fan patterns for a wedding in Seville, symbolic wave motifs for a coastal celebration in Portugal, or intricate lattice patterns reminiscent of the souks for a celebration in Marrakech. For a wedding in Kyoto, cherry blossom motifs or subtle ink-wash patterns can reflect the cultural richness of the setting. In an Indian wedding, consider incorporating symbolic elephants, reflecting cultural richness and traditions. Drawing from local patterns or architecture can beautifully connect the stationery to the wedding location in a timeless way.

Postcards

One way that our couples have chosen to reveal the destination of their international celebrations has been through a postcard-inspired save the date. Stationery like this can feel a little bit playful, vintage, and retro, and convey a sense of wanderlust and adventure too! You can choose to have a real photograph on the front or an illustration, and at the back you can have the typical postcard structure with a handwritten font outlining the date, location, and your wedding website address, for example. Personal notes to each guest can be a thoughtful detail here too!

Passports & Boarding Passes

Another chic idea for the travel enthusiasts out there is to create a stationery suite in the style of a passport, boarding pass, or airline ticket – which can be particularly exciting for your guests to receive if they have a long way to travel to reach your celebrations! These can be made very realistic, with barcodes, logos, or a perforated edge, and can be mailed alongside a matching envelope, a luggage tag, or a passport cover, to complete the travel-inspired look. For multicultural weddings, incorporating diverse traditions and personal touches can make a travel-inspired stationery suite even more meaningful.

We hope these suggestions spark inspiration for crafting a stationery suite that reflects the charm and individuality of your celebrations! If you’re looking for guidance in designing a suite that captures the essence of travel, adventure, and luxury, we’d be delighted to assist you.

Until next time,

Vaishali

Elevate your style: 6 Tips for Selecting Luxury Bridal Shoes

When it comes to planning a luxury wedding, every detail matters. From bespoke invitations for that extra personal touch, to selecting your dream venue and of course, the dress, each aspect of the celebration should exude elegance and sophistication. This is especially true for the bride's ensemble. While the focus is often on the dress, it's important not to forget about the shoes! Designer bridal shoes can elevate your style and make you feel truly special on your big day. Here are some tips to help you with your search for the perfect pair of wedding shoes to complete your wedding ensemble.

1. Consider Your Cultural Traditions

If you are incorporating cultural or traditional elements into your wedding ceremony, it is important to consider how your bridal shoes will fit into those customs. Some cultures have specific traditions that are an integral part of the wedding ritual. Additionally, in many cultures, the colour of the bridal shoes holds significance, so make sure to consider any colour symbolism when selecting your footwear.

2. Focus on Comfort

While style and aesthetics are important factors when choosing your bridal shoes, comfort should never be overlooked. On your wedding day, you will be on your feet for long periods of time, and the last thing you want is to be in pain or discomfort! It’s important to look for shoes with cushioned insoles and supportive heels to ensure that you can enjoy every moment of your special day comfortably. Once you’ve found your dream pair, try to break them in during the run up to your special day too to ensure they’re a perfect fit as you make your way down the aisle.

3. Match Your Theme and Dress

Your bridal shoes should seamlessly complement the overall theme and style of your wedding, as well as the design of your dress. Whether you opt for classic white courts, statement stilettos, or a sparkling sandal, make sure that the shoes reflect your personality and the aesthetic of your celebration. You may also want to consider the fabric and embellishments of your dress and choose shoes that coordinate with these elements to create a cohesive and elegant look. Shoes embellished with pearls, crystals, bows, delicate lace and floral patterns can really help to bring your theme to life.

4. Consider Your Venue

It’s also important to think about the location and setting of your wedding when choosing your bridal shoes. If you're getting married outdoors, you'll want to consider a style that's suitable for walking on grass, gravel or uneven surfaces. A block heel or wedge may be a better option than a stiletto heel. Alternatively, if you're having a formal indoor wedding, you might opt for a more delicate and sophisticated style. For destination weddings, you may want to consider a reliable yet stylish sandal to help you to look and feel comfortable and confident all day long.

5. Quality Matters

When it comes to luxury bridal shoes, quality is of the utmost importance. Look for well-crafted, high-quality materials that are guaranteed to stand the test of time. Whether you choose leather, silk, or satin, ensure that the shoes are made with attention to detail and careful craftsmanship. Designer bridal shoes should be able to be worn and cherished for many years to come.

6. Consider Personalising Your Shoes

Finally, adding a personal touch to your bridal shoes can be a wonderful and fun way to make them even more special. Why not consider adding custom embossing, monogramming, or embellishments to make your shoes uniquely yours. You could also incorporate meaningful details, such as a family heirloom or a special charm, to add sentimentality to your footwear. Some designer brands also offer a shoe dyeing service which can be an excellent way to incorporate any colour symbolism into your bridal look. Unique touches will create a wonderful keepsake to cherish beyond the big day.

We hope that these tips will help you in your search for finding the perfect bridal shoes for your special day. Remember, comfort is absolutely essential but with so many options available, you are sure to find a pair which exudes beauty and uniqueness!

Until next time,

Vaishali

Creative Stationery Ideas for Your Multi-Day Wedding Celebration

Planning a wedding is – of course – all about THE big day. But more and more couples are now choosing to extend the celebration over several days, whether that’s to make the most of a chosen destination, to host multiple cultural rituals, or simply to have more time with their loved ones.

If your wedding will be a multi-day party, then why not set the tone for this magnificent and happy celebration with your stationery! We’re so happy to share some creative stationery ideas below, to help you add a special touch to each day of your celebration.

Photo: Xander Casey Photography

The Suite of Grand Invitations

Of course, the first step is to create a magnificent invitation package to kick off the multi-day event with style. In addition to setting the mood, the suite also offers your guests a preview of the thrilling celebrations that lie ahead. Think about adding aspects of your cultural traditions, such as striking hues, patterns, or symbols that stand for your ancestry. In 2025, jewel tones such as emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep amethyst will be particularly popular, especially for cultural and multicultural weddings. These rich colours can set an opulent tone for your invitation suite. Custom wedding stationery is Ananya Cards' speciality, so you can be sure that your invitation suite captures both your distinct style and the rich details of your multi-day festivities, from pre-wedding parties such as Sangeet and Mehendi to your wedding day and reception.

Plans for Daily Events

When hosting events over several days, it's crucial to give your guests a daily agenda. Make exquisitely created daily event programmes that list the events, locations, and, if appropriate, the dress code for each day of your wedding celebration. To keep your visitors informed and involved, be sure to offer a quick synopsis of the significance of each day's events. Consider incorporating interactive elements, such as QR codes on your programmes that link to detailed event pages or digital itineraries, ensuring guests have all the information they need at their fingertips. Ananya Cards' personalised event programmes may be made to fit the theme and aesthetic of each day's festivities, keeping your guests informed and anticipating what's to come.

Special Menu Cards

There will be a new menu for each day of the celebration, so make sure that your stationery reflects this! Your guests will be grateful to know what culinary treats are in store, and will love the added level of detail that this gives your tablescapes for each gathering. Create original menu cards that provide a brief explanation of the dishes' significance to your family or culture in addition to a list of the items themselves. You can include details on wine pairings, dessert stations, and, of course, all the delicious ingredients you’ve chosen for your menus. This gives the dining experience a more intimate touch, keeps your invitees happy and informed, and also can be a wonderful keepsake for your loved ones wishing to hold on to these and remember the delicacies served.

Gratitude Notes

It's always customary to thank your guests, and this is even more significant after spending several days celebrating with them. If you have time and would like to, we highly recommend writing customised thank-you letters for each of your family and friends in attendance. You could include these letters in the guests’ welcome boxes in their hotel rooms, as part of the escort card display or table plan, or, if you prefer, could be handed out on the last day as parting gifts on each guest's table setting.

Photo: Inverve

An exquisite and distinctive method to respect your cultural customs and make priceless memories with your loved ones is to have a multi-day wedding celebration. Everyday activities may be elevated and made even more significant with exciting, unique, and completely personalised stationery.

When planning a multi-day wedding, it’s essential to consider every detail to create a memorable experience for your guests. For a comprehensive guide on how to plan a successful multi-day wedding, including tips on scheduling and guest management, check out this helpful resource from Wedinspire.

 Ananya Cards is your reliable collaborator in realising your stationery vision, guaranteeing that your multi-day wedding will be an absolutely remarkable occasion for both of you. With our help, take your wedding preparations to the next level and create unforgettable memories that enhance each moment of your life. Please get in touch for a non-obligation consultation.

Until next time,

Vaishali

Who should you buy gifts for at your wedding?

Weddings don’t just come together overnight, they’re celebrations that take a lot of time and effort to plan. This is especially true if you opt for a large event, as is often the case with Indian and multicultural weddings or multi-day celebrations.

Throughout it all, you’ll hopefully be supported by your family and friends, who will band together to help you create decorations, table plans, choose your outfits, plan your hen/stag/mehendi party and generally listen to you as you prepare for this big stage of your life.

It can therefore be a delightful gesture to get certain people a gift to say thank you for the role that they’ve played in bringing your dream celebration together. But who should you give gifts to, and who gets a thank you note? Let’s take a look.

Stationery by Ananya Cards at The Hilton Dubai Palm

Bridesmaids and groomsmen

Members of your wedding party are likely to play a big role in bringing the day together and helping you keep calm throughout the planning process. They’ll probably have been some of the first people you told about your engagement, and so you’re likely to have already discussed with them different colour palettes, wedding stationery themes, and which traditions and cultural elements to include.

On the day, they’ll get you where you need to be and make sure you look fantastic, as well as taking care of smaller details like checking your parents are happy and that everyone feels welcome and catered for.

Since they’re probably your closest friends, it should be relatively easy to buy something meaningful for them. If you’re stuck for ideas, a bracelet or cufflinks marked with the date of your wedding, or a beautifully calligraphed poem or favourite quote can be a beautiful, long-lasting memento.

Image: Fiona Kelly Photography | Gifting and stationery by Ananya Cards

Children with special roles in the ceremony

If you, your siblings or close friends have children, it can be a lovely idea to have them participate in the ceremony in some way. Not only will they look super cute, but many children like to feel included, especially if their parents are featuring in the wedding party. They can act as flower girls and boys, hand out order of service sheets, be ring bearers or even act as ‘unofficial photographers’ if they’re old enough.

Gifts for children often depend on their age. For little ones, cuddly toys are a popular choice, whereas older children may appreciate a similar gift to the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen, such as a bracelet or a watch. You needn’t spend too much money on children’s gifts – the important thing is for them to feel special and included.

Monogram design: Ananya Cards

Each other

It can be easy to think about everyone else when you’re planning your wedding – what your guests want, what music they like, and what food they would like to eat. But your wedding day is all about the love you share for each other as a couple.

Take time before the day to buy a special present for your other half, and keep it as a surprise until the morning of the wedding. Use this as an opportunity to show each other how much you’re looking forward to spending your lives together.

No matter who you decide to buy for, it’s good to remember that a gift doesn’t need to be extravagant – it’s more important that it’s thoughtful and culturally significant. They’ll be sure to appreciate the fact that you recognise the support they’ve given, and that’s the key thing.

Get in touch if you would like to discuss how to elevate your wedding stationery and gifting.

 Until next time,

 Vaishali

YOU'RE ENGAGED: YOUR ESSENTIAL WEDDING STATIONERY GUIDE

UPDATED FOR 2024 WEDDINGS

Photography: Ami Louisa Photography

Wedding stationery tips

Congratulations on your engagement! This wonderful new chapter has started, and it might feel like there’s something to learn about wedding planning everywhere you look! The most important ‘to do’ on your list as a newly engaged couple is to enjoy it, and to take your time making decisions as and when you’re ready to, for your dream 2022/23 wedding. Here is our Ananya essential wedding stationery guide, for those of you looking to turn your attention to stationery:

• Start researching any stationers whose style you love! Have a look at our Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram platforms for inspiration as well as looking at communities such as #dailydoseofpaper on Instagram. Also walk around craft markets or wedding fairs near you to discover some local indie suppliers and artisans you might never have come across otherwise.

• Consider whether you might like to send out an engagement announcement, perhaps a bespoke card showing one of your favourite photos from the proposal day – or an engagement shoot you’ve done. Here at Ananya we love creating personalised engagement cards and invites to engagement parties, which are definitely becoming more popular.

• We appreciate that in these current unprecedented times, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding dates. Once you do know the date of the wedding, you can start sending out save the date cards – best to give more notice if you're getting married in the summer or at Christmas, or if you’re planning a destination wedding. Remember that at this stage you can give as much or as little information as you like: the key is to share date and location, and of course if you already know it will be a certain type of celebration (for example, multiple-day if a cultural or multicultural wedding) that’s something you can let guests know now.

• When you’re ready, you can send pretty Will You Be My Bridesmaid cards to ask your best friends if they'll share in the celebrations with you. They'll need to put the date in their diaries! These cards can make beautiful keepsakes, and paired with a heartfelt, personalised gift.

• Don’t set anything in stone about the design of the stationery suite until you know more about the decor, the style, and the colour palette of the wedding. Your stationer will be able to echo these features in order to give your guests a first taste of the event, and tie everything together into a unified aesthetic narrative.

• Do start thinking about how you would like the invites to feel – do you resonate more with wax seals and ribbons, or something minimalist and sleek? Both options can be deeply personal and luxurious, and your stationer can help you design everything in between. Consider also whether you’d like the wording to be formal or more colloquial, and whether you’d like your parents’ and grandparents’ names to appear there too, for example.

• Think about the timing of your invitations. Most of our couples send invites out somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks before the wedding date, depending where and when the wedding is, what their guest list is like, and whether they want to have time to send out additional invites after having received back some of the RSVPs.

This is a stationery-centric perspective, and of course you’ll have the joy of bringing together the rest of your wedding supplier team in this time too! You can always ask your suppliers for ideas and recommendations. We are proud to create award-winning wedding stationery here at Ananya and we love giving our couples stationery guidance and advice during their wedding planning journey. We can assist you with your invitation wording, especially if there are cultural traditions such as in a multicultural or Hindu wedding.

For any questions about your exclusive wedding stationery, whether you are having a UK wedding or are looking for destination wedding stationery, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Until next time,
Vaishali

Historic Royal Palaces partners with Ananya

Historic Royal Palaces choose Ananya as sole stationery partner as they launch Multicultural Events and Weddings.

Hindu Wedding | Photography by Sanjay D Gohil Photography | Historic Royal Palaces

Ananya is honoured and delighted to have been handpicked by Historic Royal Palaces to be their sole recommended wedding stationery partner! We are both proud and humbled by this recognition. To welcome more Asian and Jewish weddings and celebrations, Historic Royal Palaces recently announced an expansion of their dedicated partners list to include Ananya.

Hindu Wedding | Photography by Sanjay D Gohil Photography | Historic Royal Palaces

The new approved supplier list includes specialist Asian caterers, Jewish caterers, Asian theming and décor, and entertainment.

Being a trusted stationery partner with Historic Royal Palaces is a perfect match for Ananya. Their luxurious venues steeped in history, the grandeur, majesty and opulence of the Palaces are in perfect synergy with the exquisite stationery we design at Ananya. We love weaving old traditions into our wedding stationery – whether it’s a nod or going all out and giving them a beautiful contemporary and innovative twist. The Palaces are the quintessential venues to create allure and romance, and for Ananya to weave our own special magic into our sumptuous Indian wedding stationery to celebrate our couple’s most memorable day!

Hindu Wedding | Photography by Sanjay D Gohil Photography | Historic Royal Palaces

Cultural and multicultural weddings have always been important to us at Ananya since we launched the business over 15 years ago. Over those 15 years we have built a strong reputation and gained valuable experience designing stationery for multicultural weddings. Our expertise lies in our design process and the way we harmoniously blend meaningful aspects of different cultures to showcase them in the most beautiful way.

Muslim Wedding | Eye Jogia Photography

The six prestigious palaces of Tower of London, Hampton Court, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Northern Ireland have between them been witness to 1,000 years of history.  

Hindu Wedding | Photography by Sanjay D Gohil Photography | Historic Royal Palaces

We are truly excited that Historic Royal Palaces is embracing and focusing on multicultural weddings and events, from Sikh weddings to Muslim weddings, expanding their event supplier list, and are thrilled to be their sole preferred stationery partner.

Muslim Wedding | Eye Jogia Photography

Partnering with Historic Royal Palaces together with the finest industry suppliers on their recent photoshoots at Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace has been an absolute delight. The images shared here in this blog are from the shoots.

Muslim Wedding | Eye Jogia Photography

Interested in commissioning a bespoke stationery design? Do get in touch – let’s see what magic we can create for you!

Until next time,

Vaishali

Covid-secure wedding stationery: what couples should consider now

With some light and direction for a road map for the future of weddings post-Covid, couples can start to plan Covid-secure weddings which, with a few adjustments, still match their dream day. 

Bespoke multicultural wedding stationery suite by Ananya | Hayley Gell Photography

WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOUR WEDDING STATIONER

Initially, identifying your wedding stationer is the best place to start as you decide which designs (your favourite flower or animal, for example), themes, print techniques and any personal touches (including lined envelopes, wax seals or calligraphy) you may want to include in the stationery suite. Having these discussions early on allows time to plan for different outcomes depending upon current restrictions when it comes to your wedding day. For example, if the venue or date of the wedding changes, your stationer can create a card based upon the design of previous invites to send either digitally or via post to your guests. 

Elephant Royale bespoke wedding invitations by Ananya | Hayley Gell Photography

Personalised touches FOR YOUR WEDDING STATIONERY 

Currently, digital invitations are becoming more popular in adhering to government guidelines and allowing for information to be sent quickly to all, whether they be close family and friends or international. Having a digital invite does not mean to say that they cannot look beautiful and in fact, over the last six months, we have designed several e-invites that incorporated the same colours, patterns and theme of the weddings just as the paper stationery would have been. With an e-invite, you can also include personal elements. This may be addressing each guest personally, adding music or even a Google map/calendar link to ensure the day cannot be missed.

Seizing each opportunity to express your personality and style as a couple is important as this is a day you will always treasure and so we want to make it as memorable as possible under the circumstances.

PRINTED KEEPSAKE WEDDING STATIONERY

You can also print a few invitations for your close family as a treasured keepsake, cherished for many years to come, whilst having digital invitations for the rest of your guests.

If you opt for digital invitations, you can still have elegant printed on the day stationery from placecards and menus to welcome signs and seating plans. This could include personalised favours, bespoke illustrations, or hand-finished touches.

‘Advice for the newlywed’ cards by Ananya | Fiona Kelly Photography

With no print costs to consider with digital, there is room to be creative and put an individual stamp to your digital invitations. Some ideas have been to produce multiple e-cards, which include quirky ones such as ‘advice for the newlyweds’ or a ‘DJ request card’, allowing guests to request for music to be played ready to dance the night away. 

digital, ELECTRONIC WEDDING INVITATIONS

Going digital with a wedding website is also useful as with regular changes to restrictions, this can be a good place to update guests on any changes to the day. Creating a WhatsApp group for weddings with a smaller guestlist can also be a good way to provide any last-minute changes, as well as get guests connecting before the wedding day. 

Digital cherry blossom invitation for a Sikh wedding by Ananya

MAKE YOUR WEDDING GUESTS FEEL INCLUDED

It would also be advisable to include any Covid-specific information to inform guests of the precautions being taken on the day by yourselves and the venue to ensure their safety. It may also be important to highlight to guests that due to the uncertainty of regulations, last-minute changes are likely and so flexibility would be appreciated.

Even with a Zoom wedding, it is important to make your guests feel included and able to share this special day with you. As you are not restricted to numbers, you can invite more people than you may have originally intended and those who may have been unable to travel, whether that is because they are abroad or too elderly to, can now be there to celebrate this special moment with you. Providing your guests with an invite allows for a keepsake – and may become a talking point in the future, of a time when the world went virtual!

Monogrammed multicultural wedding invitation by Ananya | Hayley Gell Photography

How is your wedding planning coming along? For any advice on your wedding stationery, or you would like to work with us here at Ananya, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Until next time,

Vaishali x

The importance of wedding videography

We are delighted to share this interview with wedding videographers Adam and Rachel Galwas of The Wedding Filmmakers. We have admired their work for a while now; their exceptional coverage of weddings and cultural weddings in particular, and the way they capture the most meaningful moments. Having recently worked with them at Ananya, we thought this Q & A would be of interest to our readers and wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

When did you first know you wanted to be a wedding videographer? Did you have a eureka moment or was it a gradual realisation?

Adam - It was definitely more of a gradual realisation as I didn't realise that wedding videography could be a proper career initially. My interest in filmmaking started from the age of 14 where I would film extreme sports with my friends as well as documenting my travels abroad. For many years I only saw it as a hobby and decided to pursue a “sensible” career in law, whilst continuing to produce videos as a sideline. After filming a handful of weddings for friends and work colleagues the business quickly spiralled to the point where I needed to quit my job to cope with the workload. At that point I started to take it more seriously and my passion for wedding videography was ignited.

My wife Rachel started assisting me with weddings whilst studying for her textile design degree. She is a natural creative and had an excellent eye for lighting and composition from the very start. After Rachel graduated we decided to set up a business together that was focused purely on weddings/events. We decided to name our company “The Wedding Filmmakers” because we wanted to create emotive wedding films as opposed to the 2 hour long wedding videos that were common at the time.

You have worked on many cultural and multicultural weddings, like we have at Ananya. How did you get interested in different cultures? Has your understanding of diverse cultures influenced your videography? Does it help you in how you capture memorable moments in multicultural weddings or weddings of other cultures?

Great question! One of the aspects of the wedding industry that we love the most is that it has given us the opportunity to meet people from different cultural backgrounds and experience different types of religious ceremonies and celebrations. In fact one of our first bookings was to film a Hindu wedding. Having never attended an Indian wedding before we had no idea what to expect, but it was a feast for the senses with no shortage of incredible moments to capture.  So in a sense you could say that our videography style has been influenced by multicultural weddings from the very beginning.

We have always enjoyed the variety that comes with filming a diverse range of ceremonies and take a lot of inspiration from the way that couples incorporate elements of their heritage into their wedding day(s). This wide range of experience has definitely challenged us and made us better at our craft.

You are quoted as saying “We take pride in producing truly memorable wedding videos which tell the story of your wedding and the story of you as a couple in an artistic and beautiful way.” Can you give us an example, perhaps taking one wedding, of how you did that?

Rather than creating a generic product for each couple we prefer to focus on the moments and elements of the day that really reflect the couple's personality, style and story. Everything from the shot selection, music choices and editing style is considered carefully with each couple in mind.

To give you an example; at a recent wedding we knew that music was very important to the couple and it had played a big part in bringing them together. Their wedding featured some amazing live performances from their family and friends which we incorporated into the film, alongside sections from the speeches, which helped tell their story in a unique and meaningful way.

With large weddings there is a temptation to just focus on capturing the spectacle of the event and the “wow” moments, but it is often during the quiet in-between times where people reveal their true emotions. By documenting the less obvious moments you are able to really capture the personality of the couple and their family members which in years to come may prove to be more valuable than the cliché shots.

Do you do any research on the couple and their background before the big day, especially if they are from a different culture, to help you know the significant moments to capture?

When we have direct contact with the couple we suggest a consultation to get to know them on a personal level and discuss the timeline and any traditions they will be honouring. Weddings are becoming increasingly personal so regardless of the culture we've found that the best approach is to find out what is important to the couple and their vision for the day.

Increasingly our work is coming via wedding planners which often means that we do not have much, or any, contact with the couple. Our natural documentary style is well suited to busy couples that want their wedding to be captured beautifully but with minimal fuss and intrusion. Most of the creative decisions are made either in the moment, or during the editing stage so as long as we have a detailed timeline from the event planner then we will be able to produce an exceptional film for the couple. Wedding videography is much more about capturing the feeling than simply just documenting what is happening, so with time you develop an intuition about how best to capture what is unfolding in front of you.

We at Ananya love your work. What are the important factors a couple should consider when choosing a wedding videographer, and who would be your dream couple to film?

There are so many different videography styles to choose from we would recommend watching lots of different films to get a feel for what you like. Always ask to see examples of the longer films so you have a clear idea of what you would receive as the finished product to ensure that it matches up with the quality of the short website/social media trailers. Once you have narrowed down your choice then arrange a meeting or phone call to find out about the process and see if you are a good fit personality wise.

Word of mouth recommendations from people that have had personal experience of a service is usually the best way to go. Your wedding video and photos will be one of the few lasting memories from the day so choose wisely and pick someone that you can trust with such an important task.

Our dream couple to film would be anyone who is not afraid to be different and express their true feelings and emotions.

Do you have a favourite film where you were most pleased with the results or that you most loved filming?

It's really difficult to pick a favourite as they are all special for different reasons. We really enjoy the creative process and are constantly developing and improving on our craft so if we had to choose then the answer would have to be whichever film that we are currently working on!

Has wedding videography changed much over the years in terms of techniques, equipment or approach?

The industry has changed significantly in the 5-10 years. You are now able to produce incredible, film quality imagery with very small cameras. Thankfully the days of the huge over the shoulder broadcast cameras are long gone, making it much easier to blend in and capture natural moments in a cinematic way.

The public perception of wedding videos has also improved dramatically with many couples prioritising videography very early in the planning process. We are often contacted before the couple have booked a photographer and sometimes even a venue, which was rarely the case a few years ago. 

Adam and Rachel Galwas

Have you thought about having a video at your wedding? We would love to know in the comments below. Thank you very much Adam and Rachel for sharing your story with us today.

If you are looking for beautiful wedding stationery that reflects your personality and style while honouring your cultural heritage, we would love to show you what we can create for you. Please get in touch by sending an email or filling out our contact form.

Wedding Stationery: Useful Hints and Tips

UPDATED: DECEMBER 2023

Wedding wording tips

If you think back to all the wedding invites you’ve ever received, you may have noticed that they’re all uniquely worded in some way – though generally will follow a pattern of invitation traditions.

The good news is that the etiquette rules are actually much simpler than you might expect and are only there to serve as guidelines. The most important rule of all is that you work with your stationer to create a meaningful and beautiful wedding invitation that represents you and your love story.

If you’re wondering where to start, and how to adapt the rules in a way that feels personal and respectful, here are some tips from the Ananya Team.

The host

Traditionally, wedding invitations included the bride’s parents’ names, implying that the celebrations were being hosted by the mother and father of the bride. These days, many couples graciously opt to include both sets of parents (regardless of who is contributing more to the budget), or neither, if that feels right. A friendly, collaborative option would be, for example “Together with their parents, Sonia and Tom request the pleasure of your company...” – and your stationer can help you brainstorm the best combination, especially if any of the parents are divorced (include them on separate lines, for example) or no longer with you (in which case you may want to say, “daughter of...” rather than implying the wedding is hosted by them).

The invitation to join

There are many ways to ask your guests to join you in the celebrations, with different levels of formality: for example, "would love for you to join them" is a little less traditional than "request the pleasure of your presence". This is where you’d also include the names of the bride and groom, especially if they haven’t appeared in the host section of the invite.  Traditionally, the name of the bride preceded the groom's name, including middle names and titles if applicable, though couples now often choose to list them alphabetically or in whichever order ‘sounds’ better, and to omit surnames and titles.

The time and place

For formal weddings, everything would be written out in full (no numerals), but this can be written in whichever way feels most natural to you. You would then also include the name of the location, city and full street address. You might choose to have ceremony and reception information on separate cards if you wish, particularly if held in separate locations. If the location is the same, you can add “reception immediately following” or “followed by dinner and dancing” to let your guests know. Generally, you wouldn’t need to include the time that the reception starts unless you don’t want guests moving from one place immediately on to the next.

 The dress code

Wedding invitation etiquette typically suggests that a dress code should be included on the lower right-hand corner of the invitation. Many couples now omit this information or choose more creative wording, especially for destination weddings (“it’s all about the hat”, “cocktail chic”, or “summertime soiree”, for example). If you don't include a note on attire, expect your guests to take a cue from the style of your invitation.

The RSVP

Many couples choose to include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return in the post. If it feels right for you, don’t be afraid to have fun with the wording, so for example, a positive response might be “I’ll be there with bells on”, “Wouldn’t miss it for the world!”, and so on. Some couples also opt to offer the convenience of digital RSVPs, allowing guests to respond electronically through a dedicated wedding website, in which case you can include the website address.

The gift list

Traditionally, it was deemed bad etiquette to include a gift request in wedding invitations, but these days it is widely done by most couples. This saves your guests the time and effort of contacting the wedding party to find out which gifts are needed or suitable, and also removes some of the pressure from them! You can include a message to say how much you appreciate their company, and that you don’t want them to feel obliged to give you a gift - but that if they wish to, there is a gift registry they can use. Asking for financial contributions to a honeymoon or future project is also very common, and widely acceptable now. In Indian weddings often couples will ask for ‘no boxed gifts’ which means that they would prefer money.

Plus ones

Unless your wedding venue and budget can stretch to allowing plus ones to all your guests, try to come up with a rule when sketching your guest list (for example, couples that have been together for a certain amount of time). Then, make it very clear in your invite whether a plus one is included or not by addressing it appropriately – you can even express that your event is private, intimate or small, so guests get the hint!

Children

If the venue or style of wedding is such that children aren’t invited, do make sure this is very clear, as this will affect families that need to make alternative arrangements. Address your invitations to exactly who is invited, or some guests with children might assume their whole family is invited – and you can add a small note on your invite or wedding website explaining tactfully what the situation is. This can be a sensitive issue for many parents, so do invest time on thinking about what you’d like to express. Also, if you’re allowing children of close family but not others, do warn your guests of this with something like “Unfortunately, as much as we’d love to invite all of our friends’ children, we can only accommodate a few close family children. We hope that you will understand this decision and we very much hope you will still be able to join us on our special day”.

In summary, we would recommend giving your guests as much information as you can in an honest and open way, while not being afraid to make it your own.

For any advice on your wedding stationery, or if you would like to work with us here at Ananya, please get in touch to book your complimentary consultation.

Colour Infusion by Ananya; our latest wedding stationery collection

Ananya is delighted to unveil its newest collection called ‘Colour Infusion’ to showcase the beauty of the marigold flower and its symbolic significance at weddings. This collection with its unique combination of bright marigolds on one side and brush stroke pattern in gold on the reverse, is distinctive and beautiful; ideal for the 2019 Spring/Summer wedding season. The collection was officially launched at Kensington Palace.

The entire marigold design, including the leaves and lines, was hand drawn. The printing too, was hand printed using a screen printing process. Various elements were added and moulded to create the perfect balance between foreground and background. It is this hand drawn element that gives the design its intricacy and delicate richness, and which allowed us to control the spacing of the leaves.

The golden blooms of the marigold and the leaves on twining branches are set against a background choice of four different jewel tones; exuberant pink, auspicious orange, joyful yellow and sophisticated teal. These jewel tones set off beautifully the sumptuous gold of the marigold design for an overall look that is simply stunning! The reverse side is bordered in matching bright colours with generous brush strokes of gold, giving the stationery a luxurious look with an Ananya twist; combining tradition and modern.

The marigold flower with its lively colours echoing the beauty, warmth, and the life-giving power of the rising sun has a long history of symbolism in several cultures, both in the East and West. Sometimes known as the flower of the soul in India, the saffron coloured marigold is considered sacred and pure and is used on many occasions. As love charms, representing passion and auspiciousness, it is incorporated in weddings. This marigold design is a beautiful nod to our Indian heritage.

In Indian culture, wedding invitations to close family members and friends are traditionally sent with an item of food, e.g. dry fruits and nuts, such as almonds, cashews and dates; but at Ananya, our aim has always been to give traditions a contemporary twist and a 21st Century appeal. And so was born the idea of this specially commissioned chocolate bar. We worked with an artisan chocolatier to create this high-quality handmade chocolate bar. Its iridescent pops of colour make this sweet treat a distinctive accompaniment to the bright and cheery marigold flowers of the Colour Infusion collection, and a delight for the taste buds!

At Ananya, we love coming up with imaginative ways to combine our designs with other items which could make perfect wedding favours, or to accompany invites, such as our artisanal chocolates.

Please do get in touch to discuss how we can create bespoke stationery for you.

Ananya cards exhibits at Bridelux Atelier

We’re really excited to announce that we’ll be exhibiting at Bridelux Atelier this year! The opportunity to exhibit came our way on Monday, and though it’s been a bit last minute, we can’t wait to showcase our stationery alongside some of the most prestigious names of the wedding industry.

Photo by Roberta Facchini Photography

We have the great pleasure of partnering with the lovely Charlotte Munro, who will be styling our stand, Maison de Fleurs, who will be creating a floral display for us, and The Stars Inside, who will be capturing some of the action behind the scenes. Keep an eye on our social media profiles for previews, updates, competitions, and much more!

This year, Bridelux Atelier will be held at the iconic Rosewood London on Friday March 9th between 5pm and 9pm, and Saturday March 10th between 10am and 5pm. With a curated collection of luxury brands – have a look at the full list of exhibitors here - the show promises to be of very high calibre, and a fantastic opportunity for couples and wedding industry suppliers alike.

Photo by Kate Nielen Photography

Photo by Kate Nielen Photography

If you're planning on attending, do come and say hello at our stand in the Ballroom (in front of the champagne bar!) - and if not, then why not use our 25% discount code ANANYA25 to book your tickets here today!

Thanks again to our wonderful team for pulling this together in such a short time, to the lovely Bridelux team for inviting us, and the amazing team at Rosewood London for hosting this one-of-a-kind event!

For any queries on the above, or to get in touch, please email info@ananyacards.com

Top 10 Questions to ask a Wedding Vendor

OK, so you’re planning the biggest day of your life so far. You just have to be sure that you have the perfect suppliers. Simple! Well, unless you have a wedding planner, you’ve just taken on a huge role! Welcome to the world of project planning. To quote Stanley Tucci in The Devil Wears Prada, ‘alright everyone gird your loins!’. In other words, get ready people, this is important!

But, what if you have 10 simple questions to ask every prospective wedding vendor? LOVE IT we hear you say! At the least it leaves a bit more time for sampling cake. And at best, can save you from potentially making costly mistakes.

It doesn’t matter if you're planning an intimate elopement or something to rival a royal wedding. The team at Ananya HQ are here to help. We've got together with our friends in the wedding world to give you the top 10 questions to ask a wedding vendor.

1. From cake maker to florist, stationer to stellar photographer, you should ask to see genuine examples of their work. Take a look at their portfolio (and social media) to see examples of real weddings. If they are just starting out, then they may have aspirational images from an editorial or styled shoot. So, ask your wedding vendor to show you great real examples of their work. 

Ananya's range of floral invitations

2. So you’ve seen their work and you like it. All good so far. Now you need to ask about their credentials so that you can invite them to your big day. We don’t expect you to become best friends (although that sometimes happens). But, even though you like them it pays to see what other people say. A wedding vendor should be able to show you testimonials and/or references from recent work. And, if they say they are a member of a professional body, check out their membership. For example, Ananya is a partner member of UKAWP, the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners. 

3. Ask about insurance. A reputable wedding vendor will have public liability and professional indemnity insurance in place. Public liability insurance covers the wedding vendor for accidental damage or harm. For example, someone may trip over a piece of equipment provided by the vendor. As a result they might seek compensation from the vendor for injury or harm. Professional Indemnity is about the services etc. that a wedding vendor provides. For example, a client may allege that the vendor has provided inadequate service or a poor design.  The insurance provides cover for legal costs and expenses to defend such a claim.  It also allows for compensation to be potentially paid to you the client, to rectify the mistake. 

4. What’s the back-up plan? Of course the majority of time things go smoothly! But sometimes (see note on insurance!) things can go wrong. So, if the venue burns down, there's a major flood, or the vendor goes out of business, what happens? Is there a plan in place to make sure that your wedding goes ahead as planned? Or, if your wedding vendor falls ill what happens? Is there a plan in place to make sure that you get the service or goods that you paid for? 

5. Now this next one is a thorny one. Most people will ask a wedding vendor about how many weddings have they done. True, that is important. But it isn’t just about quantity. It’s also about the type of weddings they do, and their experience. A luxury supplier may only work with ten wedding clients per year, for example. But, when those events are 3 days in duration and on a large scale, their experience may well eclipse someone who does thirty low budget events.  Ultimately, ask a combination of questions. For example, how many weddings have they done? What type of weddings and if applicable, where have they worked?

6. By now you will have a good idea of how professional your vendor is. But if necessary, ask if they work as a full time professional in their field of expertise.

7. Be sure to ask about payment! So, when do you need to pay the supplier? What are the fees and cancellation charges and schedule? Are there any extras that need to be considered that aren’t included as part of the options available?

8. When will you receive what you order? Timing is everything! You don't want to be fretting over flowers during bridal prep! Or, waiting for your photos a year later!

9. T&C’s and contracts. If a wedding vendor doesn’t provide services with a contract or T&C’s, the decision is simple. Walk away!

10. At the end of your vendor assessment does everything feel ‘right’? If you have any concerns, ask questions now rather than after you sign on the dotted line!

Photo by SanShine Photography from a styled shoot Ananya created stationery for

We hope that you have a wonderful, perfectly planned wedding day. And if you would love to talk to us about stationery design, stop by and say hello at info@ananyacards.com. We’d love to be part of your day.

Choosing a Stationery Theme for your Event

Whether your event is a summer cocktail party, an anniversary or a grand wedding, choosing a stationery theme is meant to be fun and exciting. But as with most things, good planning is essential to getting the look and feel of your event right.

So, here are Ananya’s top tips for choosing the right theme for your event.

What’s the occasion?

Seems obvious but the type of event that you’re having and how you structure or design that event will have a big influence on choosing a stationery theme. The key is to know how formal the occasion will be. It will guide you with the structure of the design, typography, font and words.

 At Ananya we design stationery for all sorts of occasions, so here are a few of our ideas for different events:

Formal black tie event

We love to see stationery for formal events designed on crisp heavyweight paper, using classic colours and typography. It gives ‘gravitas’ and immediately let’s people know that this is a ‘grand event’. A great example is from Julie and Zak's wedding in Jersey.

Garden party

A garden party immediately conjures up summer days, green lawns and English flowers. At Ananya we have a range of floral stationery designs that embrace tea roses, cornflowers and everything in between!

Teenager birthday celebration/coming of age

In many cultures, this is a serious event. For example, a 1st birthday in Asian cultures or a bar mitzvah/bat mitzvah in Jewish cultures. But it’s definitely a time for celebration and lots of fun. Invitations that are light hearted and embrace the jubilant nature of the party are a great idea. Think bold designs that embrace fun.

Intimate elopement (and ‘after party’)

I guess you might be asking yourself why an elopement needs stationery. Good question! Well, there is still the matter of witnesses and maybe you want to invite them to run away too? And when you come home to face the music you might just want to appease everyone by throwing a grand party to celebrate. Wouldn’t you agree?

Pearl anniversary

A pearl anniversary is perhaps less well known than silver, ruby or golden. But, at Ananya we love anything to do with pearls! We think it’s the perfect opportunity to embrace the precious pearl in your designs.

Who’s invited?

How many people you invite will influence cost and thus your theme, to a certain extent. The age range of your guests can also influence your choice of theme. An invite to a party to celebrate a child’s 1st birthday will be quite different to an invite to an elopement ‘after party’. Or at least you would like to hope so!

Photgraph by Holly Clark Photography

Colour me impressed…

Is there a colour or cultural theme to the day? For example, is it a golden wedding anniversary or a multicultural wedding? With Indian, Asian or multicultural weddings there may be restrictions on certain colours due to cultural requirements. For more information on this aspect take a look at Ananya’s article on Multicultural Wedding Stationery. http://secretweddingblog.com/multicultural-wedding-stationery-by-ananya-cards/

Most importantly, what’s your personal style? Are you flamboyant and colourful or more reserved but with a love of colour.  How will that influence your theme choice? Maybe you are more comfortable with a simple monochrome palette?

What do you need to include?

For a wedding you may need the whole range of stationery. This will likely include invites, RSVP cards, thank you cards, and an order of service, menu, place cards and seating plans; whereas for an informal garden party you may just want to limit things to an invite, RSVP, menu and place cards.

All this will influence your choice of stationery theme.

And finally:

Where will your design inspiration come from?

Is your event in an iconic space or building? Do you want design inspiration to come from your life and the key events that have brought you to where you are now? Or maybe you want it to reflect who you are, where you’re from and where you want to be. When Ananya celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2016 we celebrated with diamonds! After all a 10th anniversary is something to really celebrate and diamonds are still a girl’s best friend, we’ll have you know!

We hope that you have fun choosing your theme and have a great celebration!

Love what you see on Ananya? Drop the team a line at info@ananyacards.com  and let’s talk about the design vision that you have for your event!

Vaishali x

Trend Alert: The Monogram

The monogram it seems is the personal ‘logo’ of the moment. From handbags to shirt cuffs and shoes, and pretty much anything else, the monogram is ‘on trend’. Want to know more? Read on for our delightful details of how to embrace this discerning trend.

Monogram: The Art of a Personal Marque

Never had a monogram? Not sure what it is or what all the fuss is about? Or maybe like us, when you first think of a monogram you connect it with the ‘old world’? Or, in a contemporary setting as something that’s reserved for upmarket hotel towels. Where once a monogram would have adorned a ‘seal’ or signet ring in a contemporary world, a monogram is your personal marque. It’s your way of defining who you are and a way of standing out from the ‘digital crowd’.

Be big and bold or delicate and discreet, monograms are definitely having their moment. Not convinced? Well, take your cue from fashion trends.  How cool is Rae Feather’s monogrammed frayed Panama hat? Or maybe the stylish Monogram Stripe Fray Denim Slide is more your thing? It’s a personalised look from head to toe (but we would recommend that you don’t overdo it!).

When you choose to have a monogram, you’re making a bold personal statement. And, many of our clients at Ananya choose a monogram to mark a life event. Our monogrammed wedding stationery is a beautiful example of that. And, as with everything in this mad, wonderful world, we do get unusual requests from time to time. Intrigued? Well, just between you and us, it's a secret! After all, we do value our client’s confidentiality. 

Whatever the reason for a monogram, there's a plethora of design options to choose from. So, although initials or a family crest are popular, you can always choose a less formal design. It might be a favourite flower or discreet monogram of a favourite pet. How gorgeous would a tiny dog or a blousy rose look, embroidered onto a shirt cuff? Whatever design you choose, it can represent your entire lifestyle.

Here at Ananya HQ we’ve come up with a list of our favourite ways to apply a monogram:

Social stationery: every smart home should have a social stationery ‘wardrobe’. Naturally, it includes monogrammed writing paper and note cards. For social occasions, the fashion forward amongst us might swap their business card for a monogrammed calling card.  

Bath linen and robes: head for the beach with a stripy monogrammed beach towel. Come home to relax in a monogrammed bath robe. How indulgent!

Monogrammed luggage: this is the ultimate luxury, redolent of a golden age. We can almost imagine ourselves boarding the Queen Mary, bound for New York. Heading for the First Class lounge at Heathrow will just have to do.

Win a Custom-Designed Monogram from Ananya

We’re nothing if not generous here at Ananya, and we’d love for you to have your own monogram. So, we’re delighted to offer you the opportunity to win a custom-designed monogram. Created by our talented design team, it's worth £200. And, your monogram comes complete with digital artwork! Fabulous, don’t you think?

All you have to do to enter is like this blog and share it across your own social media space, using the social share icons. We will choose a winner at random on 31 August. We will announce the winner on Facebook and Instagram.

Our founder Vaishali Shah says: “In a world where everything seems defined by passwords, having a monogram is something that’s reassuringly personal and unique to you". 

We hope that you enjoyed this little foray into the world of monograms. Good luck with entering the competition!

How to Incorporate Watercolours into a Spring/Summer Wedding

Thoughts of a spring or summer wedding immediately conjure up dreamy scenes...........

Pretty spring colours are illuminated against a blue sky, enhanced by a fluffy white cloud or two. People drink pink champagne or sip summer cocktails on a terrace with a fantastic view. It’s a sense of warmth and joy that envelopes you. Even if the reality sometimes doesn’t match the dream!

What better way to evoke the sense of summer than with a beautiful watercolour theme for your wedding day. ‘Watercolours’ are pigments suspended in a water based solution, an ancient form of art that has existed for centuries. By their nature they are translucent, beautiful and luminous.  

So what do you need to think about when considering watercolours for your wedding?

First of all embrace the colours of nature! Think palettes of bold yellow, blue and lilac. Or, pretty colourwashes of the palest green, blue or pink. Watercolours create a celebration that feels like an endless summer, whatever the weather.

And, of course, this palette of colours evokes the Pantone Colour of the Year 2017, Greenery. Here’s what Pantone say about Greenery:

'Greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew......Greenery is nature’s neutral.'

So, without further ado here are our tips on how to have the perfect watercolour wedding.

Which weddings works best with a watercolour theme?

Pretty country, coastal or riverside weddings spring to mind. They’re chic, but with a bohemian edge. But, if you want watercolours for your wedding then have them, they are utterly gorgeous!

Watercolour Wedding Stationery

At Ananya we have designed a range of beautiful watercolour stationery for weddings. It's big on pretty and your guests will covet it, right from the moment they receive their save the date card.  

We love the design of bright green cacti against a yellow background for Aryan and Shivani. It's definitely fun! But perhaps you want something more romantic for your day? How about the turquoise colourwash that we designed for Richard and Julie? Oh, and we can’t forget our personal favourite. Fall in love with pretty poppies and lilacs painted against a simple white background. 

Do take a look at our collection; we know that you’ll love it as much as we do!

Photo by Kate Nielen Photography

Watercolour Wedding Flowers

We see watercolour weddings as having delicate flower arrangements and simple bouquets.  You don't need big bold statement flowers! Think instead about the flowers that represent spring and summer. Freesias, blowsy roses, poppies and lilac are perfect. And maybe even use a few pretty daisies. Bring it all together with simple greenery such as rosemary or eucalyptus.

Photo by Kate Nielen Photography

Watercolour Wedding Table Settings

When it comes to table settings, a beautifully presented table is an absolute must. For a watercolour theme wedding it's about simple and pretty. We imagine a table that nestles in its surroundings, perhaps even 'al fresco'! (Not for the faint hearted in the UK!).

Simple white or cream pretty china is a perfect backdrop for watercolours. The only embellishment perhaps is from ‘lace’ or ‘ribbon’ edge decoration. 

Glassware is simple but colours such as blush pink work well, whilst cutlery is simple silver or a soft gold. All are beautiful elements that work with the colours of nature. And of course even more so when lit up in the evening by soft candlelight.

Photo by Kate Nielen Photography

Love the idea of a watercolour theme for your wedding? At Ananya we love to work with couples who want something special and personal. Do give us a call today on +44 (0)20 7242 1877 or e-mail us on info@ananyacards.com

Launching the latest addition to our wedding range: The Mandala Love Collection

Ananya's alluring Mandala Love range featuring an eye-catching combination of intricate detail and rich, vibrant colours creates spectacular stationery to wow your wedding guests.

The word mandala literally means circle in the ancient Indian scripture, Sanskrit. It is a symbol of the universe derived from ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture. Mandalas represent harmony, peace and union, which is why they are perfectly suited to weddings - a joyful occasion when the ultimate union is formed.

The mandala pattern can be found in the natural world around us ­– in snowflakes, dandelions and sunflowers, spiders’ webs and the solar system itself; incorporating this iconic motif into your wedding day stationery, is a way of connecting with nature. The mandala motif is also found in Western architecture – most predominantly in stained glass windows.

The Mandala Love collection is at the forefront with the growing design trend for statement, geometric patterns. It bridges the gap between the old and the new, thereby appealing to both traditional and modern weddings. Whether you are a multicultural couple with a love for Asian design or you simply want a wedding invite that exudes charisma, the Mandala Love collection is the one for you.

The stunning design in blue is hand printed using a silk screen, which is a process of great technical precision. Ananya’s skilled craftsmen print each emblem four times, layering the colours as they go. The mandalas must be perfectly aligned to prevent any overlap or gaps and keep a clean, crisp edge. By using silk screen printing, the Ananya team can ensure the work they produce is of optimum vibrancy – creating incredible stationery with prints that pop from the paper. The bold colours not only provide the promise of summer, but also the promise of a fun-filled, lively wedding day.

Have you noticed any mandala patterns in nature? Which design from the collection is your favourite?

Ananya unveils the much-awaited sumptuous Trio of Life Collection

In celebration of our 10 year anniversary, Ananya have proudly launched our Trio of Life Collection of wedding stationery. A brand new addition to our already prolific and multicultural Ananya Global Traveller theme, the Trio of Life Collection is a unique tribute to much-loved members of the animal kingdom; a collection we have been working on for almost a year. 

With contemporary designs focusing on the parrot, the elephant and the fish, this lovingly handcrafted collection explores the role of these animals since ancient times, bringing their symbolism and enchantment into the 21st century. Each animal represents one of the three essential elements for all life forms: air, earth and water, and has a special significance in Indian and Buddhist scriptures, making them perfect for wedding invitation designs.

The Parrot: the air element

Our inspiration for this collection comes from India with its rich tapestry of life and with the special significance placed on various animals and birds as symbols of power, beauty, love and prosperity. References to them can be found in ancient scriptures and folk tales as well as being depicted in paintings and sculptures. They are often believed to be symbols associated with various deities. Animals and birds are considered as friends and partners with whom we share the planet.

The first written reference to parrots was found in Indian literature written more than 3,000 years ago. Parrots were considered birds of love in ancient India. In Hindu mythology, the parrot is associated with Kama, the God of love; he is often depicted riding on a parrot. It is thought that the red beak and green feathers connect it with fertility. The red beak symbolises the red earth before the rains, meaning unfulfilled desires, and the green feathers symbolise the green growth after the rains, meaning fulfilled desire and joy.

The Goddess Meenakshi is also depicted as holding a parrot in her hand. Parrots were often used as messengers of love between lovers, even Gods and Goddesses.

Parrots are also considered a sign of fertility. In some parts of India, married women draw paintings that often show parrots, hoping that the newly wed bride and groom would be blessed with many children.

Ananya specifically chose a parrot rather than a peacock because it is more unusual, whereas the peacock is very familiar.

The parrot motif would be ideal for a tropical destination wedding, or a summer wedding.

The Elephant: the earth element

Indians have worshipped elephants for many centuries. Ancient Indian and Buddhist scriptures are full of references to elephants. Sculptures in temples as well as in paintings and textiles feature elephant motifs. In Hinduism, the elephant is considered sacred and a representative of Ganesha the elephant headed God who removes obstacles and brings prosperity. According to Buddhist scriptures, a white elephant is associated with the birth of Buddha; his mother dreamt of a white elephant giving her a lotus flower as a symbol that she was going to give birth to a pure and enlightened being.

Kings and Queens have used elephants in their wedding processions. An elephant is a symbol of majesty, intelligence, power, wisdom, success and prosperity as well as grace. It makes a most suitable animal for a wedding invitation.

Every design in the collection is an original and has been hand drawn. Each illustration has taken traditional motifs and given them a contemporary interpretation to make them more personal and give them universal appeal. There are intricate patterns within the outline of each design with soft, muted colours for the background, in contrast to traditional Indian wedding stationery with its signature bright colours.

The Fish: the water element

According to ancient Indian mythology, the fish symbolises creation, fertility, happiness and good fortune. It is also considered an avatar of the God Vishnu, one of the three most prominent Gods in Hinduism. 

Vishnu transformed himself into a fish in order to rescue man from a great deluge and guided him to safety. The fish is also associated with the sacred rivers of India, the Ganga (Ganges) and Yamuna. In Buddhism, the fish is one of the eight sacred symbols of the Buddha.

The fish motif would be an ideal choice for beach weddings.

Ananya has drawn on ancient symbols, often considered sacred, and deeply historically imbued in Indian culture, with each one having specific relevance and suitability for weddings. These motifs have been transformed and adapted for the modern world, retaining their traditional richness and elegance, but with a contemporary and multicultural twist.

Please contact us for more information on this gorgeous collection.

Photos by Fiona Kelly Photography.

Ananya Celebrates a Decade of Stylish Stationery 2006 - 2016

Exactly ten years ago, when songs like Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars”, Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back” and Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” were pulsating on the airwaves, Vaishali Shah's mind, Founder and Managing Director of Ananya, was pulsating with more serious thoughts...a business decision she had just made – to launch a luxury stationery design company which she named Ananya. 

To celebrate this milestone, Ananya hosted a private and intimate lunch at the Michelin starred Benares Restaurant in Mayfair, London last month. On the guest list were media contacts as well as wedding and event planners who have actively supported the Ananya brand over the years as well as new friends who Ananya had identified as individuals who potentially would relish in the Ananya world of luxury stationery.  

Having the celebration at Benares was very meaningful for Vaishali. Chef Atul Kochhar, the first Indian Michelin star chef in the UK, was the second client of Ananya's sister design and marketing agency Creative ID. They have been working together since July 2000. Atul is also a client of Ananya. Guests were treated to a sumptuous five course menu created exclusively for our ten year celebration.

A ten year anniversary is called a diamond anniversary, so the graphics we used for the event stationery represent the facets of a diamond, lit up in a beautiful spectrum of fiery colours. Traditionally, a ten year anniversary is associated with tin, which is why we included a couple of tins amongst the items in the goody bag.

Keeping up with the latest trends, over the ten years we at Ananya have designed a wide range of elegant greeting cards as well as corporate, personal and children’s stationery and bespoke wedding and event stationery.

Ananya has gone from strength to strength innovating, researching authentic techniques and representing cultures where appropriate, in a way that is genuine and relevant to today’s world. Our cards are eco-friendly with paper from sustainably managed forests.

We are delighted to have received praise not just from the couples we have designed wedding stationery for, but also from wedding and event planners. We have been published in leading wedding media in the UK and further afield, including Brides, Wedding Ideas and Asian Bride, Khush Magazine, Perfect Wedding and Hello.

Having established Ananya’s credibility, we were asked to contribute in various publications, including two books; Planning the Perfect Asian Wedding (by Venture Publishing International), where we devoted an entire chapter to our designs and gave advice and answers to a range of questions related to weddings that couples may not readily find answers to. The book Celebration Graphics Sourcebook (published by RotoVision) features a selection of Ananya’s wedding stationery and greeting cards.

We at Ananya have a clear vision driving us forward; we love what we do, and that keeps us dedicated and inspired to produce the best on trend stationery designs we can.

Please contact us for any of your or your wedding clients' stationery needs.

Photos by Fiona Kelly Photography.

Top Motifs in Indian Wedding Stationery

Ananya is delighted to have been asked by Khush Wedding for our top motifs used in Indian wedding stationery. Khush Magazine is a luxury bridal magazine for British Asian couples across the UK, celebrating love, marriage and happiness.

Have you ever wondered why the same symbols and patterns often appear on Indian wedding stationery? That's because some represent the physical and spiritual union of the couple while others are auspicious and considered to bring good luck. 

Read about our Top 6 Motifs including Lotus and Paisley here: The Top Motifs in Indian Wedding Stationery, Decoded.

We are delighted to offer Khush Wedding readers the opportunity to save 10% on their bespoke stationery orders as we are celebrating a decade of stylish stationery in 2016.