How to match your wedding stationery to your wedding venue

There is naturally a reason why you have chosen a particular venue to hold your wedding. It could be because it holds special memories for you or is a place you always wanted to go to. Whether it’s a building whose architecture you’ve always admired, or a country where you were brought up, whatever the reason may be, the venue has special significance for you.

Incorporating and reflecting your wedding venue into your wedding stationery is an effective way to create an overall look of harmony to your wedding. Your save the date card will create an immediate impression of the style and venue of the wedding as your guests eagerly anticipate the unfolding of the big day!

Ananya is delighted to offer you some examples of how to reflect and incorporate your wedding venue in your stationery.

If you are planning a destination wedding, you could have a flower symbolic of the country designed on your save the date, for example a lotus for an Indian wedding. This will conjure up in the recipient’s mind the country and its allures.

If it’s a tropical destination, choose lush colours or motifs from the region. If it’s by the ocean, try soft watercolours and pastels to reflect the waves.

Image: Tell Your Story

Think lemon groves for Italy or the lavender fields of Provence. You could even scent your stationery with lemon or lavender to give your guests an aromatic and immersive experience on opening the invitation!

If your wedding venue has a particular feature that you adore, then incorporate that feature into the stationery. It could be different aspects of the feature, such as majestic arches, a stained glass window, period features or fine art, which you could incorporate in the various items of stationery.

If it’s a distinctive country mansion you may want to incorporate the colours or a motif from the wallpaper and interiors.

You can reflect the surroundings of the venue in the stationery. If it’s surrounded by nature, then bring nature in, for example, through seasonal flowers and colours or floral illustrations.

Give it a distinctly urban feel if it’s a city wedding in an industrial building with clean and simple lines – let the venue inspire your stationery design.

Envelope linings can be a great way to emphasise an aspect or feature of the venue, for example, a motif symbolic of the destination.

Envelope seals with a sprig of dried lavender or an olive leaf embedded into the seal would look stunning and complement the overall look of the venue or destination.

Above all, remember that your wedding stationery is a perfect opportunity to represent you, your personality, culture(s) and heritage as a couple. 

I hope we have given you food for thought as you plan your wedding. If you would like more ideas and suggestions for incorporating your wedding venue into your wedding invitations and stationery, please reach out to us. Or if you need help with your invitation wordings, we would be delighted to guide you.

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

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.

5 NOT-OBVIOUS THINGS YOU NEED TO ASK YOUR WEDDING VENUE BEFORE BOOKING: PART TWO

Here we continue our tips and advice from Part 1 of Kelly Chandler Consulting’s guest blog.

This is Part 2 of the key areas and questions couples NEED to ask their venue or potential wedding venue before booking.

4. Minimum Spend and Minimum Numbers   

Do ask about minimum guest  numbers you are required to pay for if  you decide on this venue or what  minimum spend  exists (minimum spend is sometimes used by restaurant type venues who  don’t  mind  how  many  guests or  your  choices but need you to  hit an overall amount  of revenue that  they  would  expect  to  earn  from  hiring  their  venue  exclusively  to  you  for  that  certain  date  and  time). Some  venues  charge  venue  hire  and  that  is  that  but  others  charge  a  venue  hire  based  on  a  minimum  number  of  guests  paying  X  for  catering,  so  be  sure  you  are  clear  on  what the  financial  investment  will  be  (including  VAT)  from  the  outset. It’s  all  very  normal  to  have  some  kind  of  minimum  as  at  the  end  of  the  day,  the  venue  knows  how  much  revenue  they  need  to  earn  to  maintain  their  building,  keep  it  running  and  in  great  condition,  provide  the  staff for  your  wedding  pre-planning  and  on  the  day  and  plenty  more.

5. Corkage and Drinks Service Charge   

Sometimes  the  purchasing  of  wines  and  bar  drinks  through  the  venue  is  an  essential  part  of  your  wedding  booking  and  corkage  (so  that  you  can bring  in  your  own  choices)  can  be  seen  as  a  prohibitively expensive  option. On other  occasions  venues  are  happy  that  you  bring in  your  own  drinks  directly  or  via  your  caterer,  sometimes  charging  a  service  fee  for  things  like  refrigeration,  glassware,  removing  empties  etc – it  really  depends  on  how  that  venue  is  structured  in  terms  of  a  business;  there  is  no  right  or  wrong  but  just  ensure  that  if  you’re  wanting  to  manage  the  choice  of  drinks  entirely  (I  wouldn’t  recommend  it,  there’s  a  lot  to  sort  to  stock  a  full  bar)  that  you  have  a  venue  who  can  offer  it  or  that  the  corkage  fee  is  within  your  budget. So I hope your head  doesn’t  hurt  now  but  that  you  feel  empowered  to  ask  the  right  questions  to  ensure  the  venue  you’re  choosing  is  absolutely  spot-on for  you. The right venue should spell  out  a  lot  of  the  above  but  if  you’re  not  clear,  they  should  be  helpful  and  friendly  in  explaining  their  policies  to  you  and  why  (and  these things  should  be  in  their  proposal  or  T&Cs),  so  don’t  be  afraid  to  ask. And happy  planning,  with  the  perfect  venue  booked  and  secured,  you  can  enjoy  the  creative  process  and  all  the  gorgeous  wedding  details,  ideas  and  professionals  to  help  you  bring  your  glorious  day to life. 

Thank you once again Kelly for enlightening us on the not-to-be-forgotten and not-so-obvious points we need to raise with a wedding venue before booking. We are sure that our Ananya readers will find these tips very helpful.

If you’re  an  established  or  start  up  wedding  venue  and  would  like to  know  more  about  working  with  Kelly  Chandler  Consulting  to  elevate your  offering  and  achieve  greater  success,  do  take  a  look  at  www.kellychandlerconsulting.co.uk or  call 01483  282858  for  details  of  their  consulting  and  training  programmes.  

If you are looking for stationery ideas, please have a look at our wedding collections.

Photo Credits:

Venue: Warmwell House, Dorset: https://www.warmwell-house.com

Photography: Imogen Xiana https://www.imogenxiana.com

Florals: https://www.marthaandthemeadow.com

Cakes: https://www.fanciebuns.co.uk

Bridal Accessories, Hair and Make up: http://www.victoriafergusson.co.uk

Model (bride): http://www.tanyalouisecumberland.com

Bridal gowns: http://www.naomineoh.com

Silk ribbons and silk runner: http://www.pompomblossom.com

Cross back chairs & wooden bar unit for cake/champagne station: http://dpmarquees.co.uk

5 not-obvious things you NEED to ask your wedding venue before booking: Part one

Finding  that  utterly  perfect  and  spot-on  location  to  host  your  wedding  celebration can  be  a  tough  job.  The  choice  is  limitless  and  if  you’re  not  tied  into  a  specific  geographical  area,  then  the  world  is  quite  literally  your  oyster  and  your  hunting ground! It should  be  a  fun  part  of  the  planning  and  once  you  have  found  and  secured  that  ideal  venue,  many  other  parts  of  planning  your  vision  do  click  into place. It is  the  biggest  part  of  the  planning  and  so  important  to  get  right,  so  Ananya is delighted to be  hearing  from  wedding  venue  consultant  (and  former  luxury  wedding  planner),  Kelly  Chandler of Kelly Chandler Consulting who  shares  her  tips  with  you  in an in-depth, two part blog, on  some  of  the  things  to  check  before  you  secure  your  venue  to  be  absolutely  sure  it’s  for  you;  there  is  no  right  or  wrong  to  some  of  these  suggestions  and  restrictions, and  some  will  be  fine  for  you,  others  not  -  the  aim  with  this  feature  is  purely  to  give  you  the  knowledge  to  ask  the  questions  of  the  things  that  are  hot  on  YOUR  priority  list.

Kelly Chandler

Part One

1. Exclusivity  and  Venue  Use

A  great  many  wedding  venues  now  offer  exclusivity  or  some form  of  exclusive-use  such  that  you  are  the  only  wedding  on  that  day  in  that  venue.  This  can  however  mean  different  things  within  different  venues  so  don’t  be  afraid  to  ask  and  get  specific  on  things.  For  some  locations  exclusivity  can  mean  you  have  exclusive  use  of  a  certain  dedicated  banqueting  area  but  say  not  bedrooms,  for  other locations, it  can  be  full  exclusive  use  of  an  entire  home,  gardens  and  grounds,  for  others  it  can  be exclusive  use  between  certain  hours  and  not  others. Do  find out  when  your  exclusive  use  starts  and  ends  as  every  venue  should  have a  policy  on  this  and  sometimes  it’ll  be  for  the  day  from  early  start  and  sometimes  it’ll  include  an  overnight. Find  out  what  their  policy  is  on  other  events  and  other  clients  and  if  they  run  exclusive  use  events  back  to  back  (or  not);  don't  be  afraid  to  ask  about  supplier  access  too  -  in  some  cases  venues  will  allow  suppliers  to  gain  access  early  to  set  up  the  design,  in  others  it’s  a  strict  access  time  for  anything  to  do  with  your  wedding.

2. Recommended/Preferred and Approved  Supplier  List   

Get  super  clear  on  a  venue’s  policy  with  working  with  suppliers  and  outside  wedding  professionals  and  see  that  it  works  for  you.  There  is  a  difference  between  a  recommended  or  preferred  supplier  list  where  the  venue  is  usually  giving  you  the  benefit  of  their  tried and  trusted  list  that  you  can,  but  are  not  obliged  to,  use  and  an  Approved  Supplier  List  which  is  usually  where  you  MUST  pick  from  that  list.  It’s  quite  customary  for  a  venue  to  have  an  Approved  list  you  must  use  in  the  areas  of  catering,  lighting  and  production  and  entertainment  and  marquee  build,  when  you  consider  these  are  the  areas  which  require  a  lot  of  equipment  and  run  the  greatest  degree  of  risk,  it’s  vital  that  venues  have  control  over  the  quality  and  professionalism  of  who  works  with  them  in  order  to  protect  their places  and  spaces  for  all  clients. Many  venues  will  be  more  than  happy  for  you  to  use  your  own  chosen  suppliers  in  many  areas  - do  ask  if  and  how  they  will  be  able  to  obtain  access  to  view  the  venue  in  advance  of  the  wedding  as  this  can  be  needed  in  the  case  of  for  example a  florist  who needs  to  see  a  new  space  before  coming  up  with  full  designs  for  you.  

3. Rules and Restrictions   

It’s  quite  usual  for  venues  to  have  some  rules  and  restrictions  around  the  following,  so  do  ask  away  to  see  what  your  venue  policy  is  and  if  this  works  for  you. Do  bear  in  mind  that  most  rules  are  there  to  protect  the  fabric  of  the  building  in  the  case  of  heritage  properties, to  ensure  guest safety  and  to  ensure  that  the  venue  can  continue  to  operate  in  the  case  of  noise  restrictions  - venue  operators  can  have  their  license  removed  if  noise  pollution  becomes  an  issue  so  understandably  they  need  to  enforce  some  restrictions  to  protect  against  this: Confetti  throwing - is  it  allowed? Sometimes  biodegradable/real  petal  variety  is  in  some  parts  of  the  venue,  but  often  not  on  gravel  or  on  floors that  may  stain. Naked  flames - many  venues  ban  candles  entirely  or  limit  the  use  of  free  standing  candelabra  and  naked  flames  not  in  safe  containers. Dark  drinks - in  some  heritage  buildings  red  wine  &  berry  based  drinks  are  forbidden  except  at  seated  dinners  because  of  the  spillage  and  staining  risk. Dancing - often  this  will  need  to  take  place  in  certain  parts  of  the  venue only  and  between  certain  hours - do  check  and  also  if  you  need  to  install  and  pay  for  a  dance floor. 

Fireworks - often  these  are  not  allowed  due  to  disruption  to  livestock  and  damage  to  grounds  but  some  venues  have  preferred  suppliers  who  can  work  on  their  property  if  you  have  your  heart  set  on  this  - do  ask. Sound  limiters - noise  pollution  is  one  of  the  biggest  risks  to  a  wedding  venue  not  being  able  to  continue  to  operate  so  owners  and  managers  take  this  seriously. Sometimes  they  are  required  to  install  an  actual  sound  limiter  within  the  property,  other  times  it’s  monitored  more subjectively  but  do  ask  what  sound  limits  exist  within  your  preferred  venue  and  what  entertainment  most  couples  choose. If  you  have  your  heart  set on a 10 piece  big  band  and  your  venue  has  a  fierce  sound  meter, this  is  unlikely  to  be  a  match;  most  venues  with  sound  limiters  tend  to  lean  towards  DJs  rather  than  live  bands, that said live bands can and do perform  within  the  limits of sound, it will be important to work with a professional band who takes  this seriously and prepares in advance in terms of their instruments and kit - it usually makes sense to work with the venue's preferred list in this case as the band/DJ will  have worked there before. 

Thank you Kelly for the insightful and informative first three points on booking a venue. We at Ananya love working with venues and are delighted to be a preferred wedding stationery supplier for some.

Part Two will follow shortly, so stay tuned.

Photo credits: 

Headshot photo of Kelly Chandler: http://www.annelimarinovich.com

Venue: Warmwell House, Dorset: https://www.warmwell-house.com

Photography: Imogen Xiana https://www.imogenxiana.com

Florals: https://www.marthaandthemeadow.com

Cakes: https://www.fanciebuns.co.uk

Bridal Accessories, Hair and Make up: http://www.victoriafergusson.co.uk

Model (bride): http://www.tanyalouisecumberland.com

Bridal gowns: http://www.naomineoh.com

Silk ribbons and silk runner: http://www.pompomblossom.com

Furniture - white chairs for ceremony: http://www.thewhitechaircompany.co.uk

Cross back chairs & wooden bar unit for cake/champagne station: http://dpmarquees.co.uk

Write here…

Is it ever OK to send digital invites and why is paper so important?

As event guest lists become more global, as the digital age extends to more and more aspects of our lives, and as the need to look after our planet becomes increasingly more urgent, so also paperless stationery has seen a rise in popularity. Here at Ananya we are, of course, lovers of paper and printing craftmanship, but more importantly, we are lovers of celebrations, stories, and the wonderful ways in which people connect. For those of you unsure of which route to take, we thought we’d discuss some of the key points to consider – and we’d love to hear your ideas, too!

A number of digital frameworks (such as Paperless Post, whom we can work alongside) now exist which integrate digital save-the-dates and invitations with other useful elements like online maps, easy online RSVPs, info apps, and much more, which can streamline the process. This can be particularly useful if many of your guests live too far for reliable and quick postage, and if you like the idea of easy connectivity with your attendees. The other side of this is that these kinds of template-based systems will limit your design to what is available, so a compromise may have to be made on design style and uniqueness. Moreover, there may be older generations in your guest list that can’t easily be reached via email or social media, so reach can sometimes be affected.

Digital stationery is more eco friendly, and removing the paper trail reduces the impact on the planet’s forests. If this is important to you, but you’re not sure you can bring yourself to eliminate the stationery element completely, it is also possible to be sustainability-conscious while still opting for paper. For example, you can reduce the inserts in your invitations by directing people to your wedding or event website for any extra details. You can also speak to your stationer about using recycled materials, vegetable-based inks, plantable paper products embedded with seeds, cotton items, or even bamboo options.

From a customisation and sophistication point of view, of course paper stationery is the obvious choice – with limitless possibilities on illustrations, texture, colours, foil, embossing, wax seals, and so much more. However, if digital invitations and save the dates make more practical sense in order to get your guests TO your event, why not wow them with some extra detailed on-the-day event stationery. Perhaps the stationery suite could include personalised favours, bespoke illustrations, or hand-finished touches. This increased customisation, of course, comes at a cost, with digital stationery adding a smaller financial outlay to the overall event budget spend.

Last but definitely not least, there is the experience – emails are now an inescapable part of our routine, both personal and professional, and certainly an inbox notification does not compare to the feeling of seeing your name in calligraphy, and gently revealing the contents of a letter or invitation. For your close family, this may even become a treasured keepsake, cherished for many years to come, and a trigger for the happiest of memories. If you like this idea, but still want to opt for a fully digital suite, why not choose some meaningful paper thank you cards to send out to your guests after the event – surprising them with a little something that reminds them of what a wonderful celebration it all was.

Ultimately, it all comes down to your priorities, preference, and style, and both options have some great advantages to consider. If you’d like to brainstorm together, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

How to add details to your Stationery

Ananya translates to ‘without equal’ in the ancient language of Sanskrit, and it is this sentiment that forms the foundation on which the business is built, and with which every single collection is lovingly crafted and curated.

Here at Ananya we adore infusing our stationery with intricate and meaningful detail, whether it’s in the design, the textures, or the wording. A save the date or invitation for a wedding, party or milestone birthday is the very first impression that an event makes on its guests, and sets the scene for its style, feeling, and narrative. This can then be the undercurrent for the menu, place cards, seating plan, and so on – which can be done by matching, complementing, or even contrasting the elements within the suite. This might mean a recurring motif, a signature font, a custom monogram, or an overarching colour palette. Detailing like this can unify different room, sections, or goals of your event, as well as speaking a thousand words about your professionalism and aesthetic vision.

Photography by Fiona Kelly Photography

We also love finding ways to hand finish each design, to really wow your guests with that experience of artisanal craftmanship. Some ideas could be hand embellishing cards with crystals and lace, tying hand-dyed silk ribbons, wax sealing and lining envelopes, hand tearing paper to add texture, illustrating with watercolours, colour dipping feathers or even exploring calligraphy on new mediums. In fact, we’ve seen a trend for looking beyond paper, and complementing stationery suites with beautiful objects that can be personalised and treasured as keepsakes even after the event has taken place. Last year alone we worked with paper, vellum, acrylic, feathers, stone, slate, wood, and wax, and we love experimenting with new ideas. We’ve also seen beautiful designs using agate, shells, leaves, tiles, glass, and many more. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box – if you can dream it, a stationer can probably create it!

No detail is too small to be worthy of attention and beautiful design, and all together these details combine to create a brand that tells a cohesive story across all the touch points, guiding your guests as the event unfolds around them. How will you be adding details to your stationery? We would love to know.

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

Which Type of Wedding Stationery Will You Choose? An Essential Guide

So, it’s time to choose wedding stationery and all things gorgeous for your day! But, do you know your laser cut from your letterpress? No? Don’t worry, you aren’t expected to unless stationery and printing is your business! But, when it comes to your wedding, you want to be able to make the right choice. Read on for Ananya’s essential guide to wedding stationery types.

Letterpress

Letterpress party invitation

Let’s start with Letterpress. It's the ‘Grand Dame’ of printing in that it’s one of the oldest stationery printing techniques in use. Essentially, letterpress is a ‘relief printing’ technique, in which the design is ‘raised’ on a metal plate. Using a printing press, an impression is made into the paper by pressing into it from one side. It’s usually done with ink but can also be without ink. If you run your hand across the finished print you can usually feel the indentations in the paper.

Letterpress printing is high in quality but is slower than other printing methods. For example, the printer has to place each letter of type into a special holder that they also have to place ‘mirror image’ to what the finished print will be.  In other words the type for the press has to be set left to right and upside down. Wow, that’s a lot of work!

Taking letterpress from assembly to proof and then to print is time consuming without a doubt. But, on the upside, it is lovely for a vintage style or traditional wedding. 

Screen printing

Ananya''s 'Trio of Life' bespoke screen printed wedding stationery: parrot

Photography by Fiona Kelly Photography

Ananya's 'Trio of Life' screen printed bespoke wedding stationery: elephant

Photography by Fiona Kelly Photography

Screen printing is one of our favourite mediums of printing at Ananya. We love it! Many of our favourite designs, especially using metallics such as gold or silver, use the screen printing technique, including Mandala Love and Trio of Life.

In screen printing, ink is pressed through a mesh screen using a rubber blade or ‘squeegee’ to move across it and fill the open ‘windows’ with ink. When the blade is reversed back across, the screen touches the paper (or media) that’s being printed on to create your design.

Ananya's 'Mandala Love' screen printed wedding stationery

For Mandala Love, the screen printing for the delicate hand printed mandala motif required an exceptional level of technical skill. Ananya’s craftsmen had to print each piece four times no less; a single colour printed each time. Deep blue and gold are the feature colours of this design, with the deep blue printed first, followed by the gold elements of the mandala. Yellow was applied after that and finally cyan. Accurate positioning without overlap or gaps was critical to ensuring that each element of this intricate design printed perfectly. The design really pops with its vibrant colours and juxtaposition of matt and metallic elements. Only hand printed silk screen in our opinion at least gives that level of covetable artisanal quality.   

Offset printing

Offset/Litho printed wedding invitation

In comparison to letterpress printing, offset printing is a more indirect print technique. It’s popular for big volume production, and is also known as ‘flat printing’ or ‘litho printing’. Offset, by the way, is just another way of saying ‘transferred’. So, essentially, images on metal plates are ‘offset’ to rollers (or rubber blankets). Once that’s done, the image is printed onto the paper or print media that you've chosen. The metal plates and paper (or other media) don’t come directly into contact with each other during the process.

Digital printing

Digital printed floral wedding stationery

Modern, fast and accurate, digital printing is almost the polar opposite of letterpress! Digital printing uses tiny dots (a lot of them of course!) to create text and images. Digital printing is good for smaller quantities and is cost effective. What are the disadvantages? It’s likely that there'll be limits to the type of paper that you can use. This technique tends to suit thinner paper styles and quality can be variable dependant on the printer. Digital printing is also not suitable for accurately printing metallics – for example, you will not get a shiny bright gold or silver but instead a duller brown gold or grey silver.

Laser cut

Laser cut wedding stationery

When it comes to Laser cutting it’s a whole different world of precision and design. Creating and cutting out paper into different shapes isn’t new of course. In China they create ‘Jianzhi’, intricate symmetrical designs created with knives and scissors. And who hasn’t created their very own ‘origami garland’ as a child? Laser cutting definitely moves those hand created designs on a few millennia! Fast and accurate, laser cutting enables the production of intricate designs on an industrial scale.

How is laser cutting done? It’s a non-contact process utilising a laser to cut the material i.e. paper. Directing the laser beam through a nozzle to the media or material, a combination of heat and pressure creates the cutting action. Laser cutting is popular for the modern and vintage bride. It's good for delicate lace designs and works well with 3D designs such as cityscapes or representations of your wedding venue.  

Embossing and Debossing

Embossed notecard envelope

Embossing produces a raised textured image or text. But, unlike letterpress, it uses two engraved metal moulds to create your chosen design. The moulds used are often copper or brass, designed to fit into each other. During printing, the raised mould forces the paper into the recessed mould and creates the embossed impression of your design, as you can see on our envelopes for our notecards and personal stationery.

Debossing creates an indent in the paper rather than a raised design. Both of these techniques work well with a personal monogram design. Another of Ananya’s favourites! 

Engraving

Engraved monogram wedding invitation

Engraved personal stationery

And finally, we must mention engraving. It’s perhaps the most formal and classic of the printing styles for wedding stationery. It’s also one of the most expensive! During engraving an etched metal plate is used to create the design. When pressed into the back of the paper it creates raised lettering on the front which you can feel and leaves a slight indent on the back. The printer will apply ink to the raised lettering afterwards. Impressive to receive, we love luxurious engraved stationery at Ananya.

Which type do you think you are? Whatever you choose, Ananya would love to help you design your perfect wedding stationery. Say hello at info@ananyacards.com  and let’s talk!  

Vaishali x

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.

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

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.

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways

Heart greetings card

Just a few days to go before Valentine’s Day! What does it mean to you this year? Are you hoping to be proposed to? Have you just fallen in love? How will this Valentine’s Day be different? No matter how you choose to celebrate, communicating your love for each other is vital. We all love to know how special we are and how much we are loved. The written word has tremendous impact and it endures – it can be read again and again. Giving your loved one a romantic card is a wonderful way to express exactly what they mean to you. Ananya has created a variety of lovely cards just for that purpose. If you are planning to propose on Valentine’s Day, we have specialProposal cards. We have unusual ways to propose and ask that all important question.

Pink proposal greeting card will you marry me?, for engagements and Valentine's Day

Pink heart Proposal will you marry me card for Valentine's Day

If you’re looking for a card that perfectly conveys your feelings, we have a great selection for you to choose from. Whatever else you give your beloved on Valentine’s Day, always accompany it with a card!

We have also designed 12 Little Letters of Love note cards, perfect as a Valentine's gift which can then be used throughout the year. These are 12 love messages to slip into her handbag, his briefcase, under her pillow, his wallet - just use your imagination! Love by Surprise!

cute, romantic love notecards

romantic love notecards

There are lots of ways to be creative on Valentine's Day - from baking cute cupcakes and cookies to decorating the home with flowers and hearts. Check out our Pinterest board for some great ideas.

valentine ideas with hearts, cookies, crafts and flowers

What new and exciting ways have you thought of to celebrate this day, dedicated to love?