Simple things make us happy

Look what landed on my desk this morning! Nothing makes me happier than a big fat bundle of new swatches....well, OK, somethings do make me much happier - a lie in, followed by breakfast in bed with a really really good coffee being somewhere top of the list, but as that's not about to happen, let's look at swatches!

Mmmm, gorgeous colours. So right now I'm thinking riviera Blue and Lime Tonic - what a fabulous popping combination of our new ColourBlock range!

Shall we take a closer look?!

The other swatch that really jumped out at me was a new embossing style - I'm so loving this wood grain effect (above). I'm imagining it as a pocket with the insert having a really simple graphic of a tree and a flowing, organic script typeface....

Let's end this post with an explosion of colour - I'm really treating you today! But that's because those nice people at the paper merchants have really treated me....

Think I might need to go for a little lie down now! 

XOXO Dragonfly

...How Your Paper Goods Bring Your Mood Board to Life!...

Over the years, I have been asked to work many weird and wonderful details into wedding invitations, from handcuffs to cats, dragons to golf, James Bond to Willy Wonka....every couple has a dream and the wedding stationery suite you choose is a fantastic way to bring it all together.

When clients visit the studio to talk about their invitations I like to find out as much as I can about them - how they met, what’s important to them, who they are. I also want to get to know their wedding plans - at this point, the vision is coming together and the wedding stationery plays a crucial part in combining all these elements...

Top - Ruthie getting ready, hair and make up by Andrew and Liz Collinge; centre - give us a twirl! Gorgeous 1950s style dress from Look Darling; bottom - the devil is the detail! Iain's shoes were clearly purchased from shoe heaven (even my hubby wants a pair of these!), Ruthie's shoes were dyed by Elegant Steps.

One of my favourite weddings of 2012 was been Ruthie and Iain’s wedding in the Lake District. Ruth and I have been close friends for many many years and this was a wonderful opportunity for me to really get involved and make something gorgeous for a dear, dear friend. 

Clockwise from top left - The invitation with a plume of coloured ribbons and a tangerine orange envelope; the happy couple - yes the deed has been done, don't they look happy?; slates collected in Snowdon by Ruthie and Iain and used as signage on the day

At our first meeting to go through their requirements, we managed to nail the brief. It came as no surprise to me that the summary it boiled down to was… ‘Doris Day goes Hiking’! Ruthie loves her ‘50s styling (although always with a contemporary twist) and we needed to reflect Iain’s passion for hiking and the great outdoors. So, we needed a  ‘50s feel with a rustic twist, plenty of colour and something different and quirky. Hmmm, was this a big ask?! We chose a heavy kraft board which gave a rough, stamped feel when printed. Vintage design elements and carefully chosen typefaces gave the invitations a quirky  ‘50s feel, with a textured, 100% recycled paper for the inserts giving a light touch and even more feel good factor!  On the day, many, many jam jars were filled with gorgeous bright dahlias and gerberas, as well as vases filled with. To bring these rich, bright colours in we decided to finish the invitation with a plume of multicoloured ribbon, topaz, rust, poppy and plum. Yum yum!

(Nearly) all photography by Sam Clayton www.claytonphotography.co.uk

As you can see on these gorgeous pictures* we continued the theme throughout the on-the-day stationery. The wedding took place at a gorgeous hotel in the Lake District (The Swan at Newby Bridge) and the use of colour within the venue complement Ruthie carefully though out styling perfectly. For the stationery, use of kraft board, manila, heavy black print and the same colourful palette brought everything together, and worked excellently with the newsprint confetti (sourced online) and jewel coloured paper pom-poms which sat on the tables alongside the wild flowers. There were some really lovely touches such as the manila seed packets and the slates, collected by Ruthie and Iain when out hiking around Snowdon together, which were used as notice boards, place settings and little signs around and about. The pictures of the couple climbing their favourite mountains (and in some cases, looking frankly exhausted!) made perfect comedy table name signs!

From the Bride’s custom made birdcage veil to the groom’s red shoes, the styling on this wedding was all about quirky details, and the feeling on the day was all about heart. The bride’s parents had preserved their original royal icing cake topper which was used on the cake (made by mum!) and displayed next to a photograph of the original. Such a lovely thoughtful touch. Ruthie made the gent’s buttonholes using buttons and felt, which added yet another fun, brightly coloured detail. The three little bridesmaids in their pretty red dresses ran around until they fell asleep and for me it was such a pleasure to design wedding stationery which truly complemented such a well thought out, fun and fabulous day.

Couldn't resisit including this picture as the little bridesmaids in the pretty red dresses are Ruthie's gorgeous niece Jasmine and my two little tykes, Daisy and Alice. I was a very proud Mummy that day!

The Luxury Wedding Show London October 2011

THE LUXURY WEDDING SHOW LONDON 2011

Dragonfly Couture Stationery is delighted to announce that we will be exhibiting at the prestigious Luxury Wedding Show London - so we thought we should tell you all about it!

This autumn, London introduces the ultimate in luxury wedding shows, aptly named The Luxury Wedding Show London. The doors open from the 22^nd October 2011 at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery on the King’s Road for a weekend of lavish shopping.  This very exciting and über luxurious show boasts the finest hand-picked selection of wedding experts, where planning the big day is a luxury in itself.

The Luxury Wedding Show London brings the UK’s most influential names in the wedding industry together for an exclusive two-day event, catering for those bridal parties who are looking for the finest suppliers. Offering everything from accessories and bridal wear to the most stunning venues and honeymoon destinations, visitors can plan the most perfect wedding with minimal work. Ashley Roberts, The Luxury Wedding Show London Event Director comments, “Our first Luxury Wedding Show promises to be an extraordinary event. Bringing together the cream of wedding experts from across the UK, the show will be London’s premier bridal showcase with a host of specialists on hand to help create your perfect luxury wedding.”

Brides are invited to take a seat at the premiere catwalk show whilst sipping on a glass of POMMERY champagne and enjoy the latest collections from top bespoke bridal designers including Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Peter Langner, Marchesa, Delpnie Manivet and Carolina Herrera, from Browns Brides and David Fielden.  

The most influential names in the industry will be on hand to give their expert advice and top tips.  Private consultations are available with premier wedding planner Mark Niemierko who opens his ‘studio’ for inspirational advice and top hairstylist Errol Douglas who will be able to help with any hair quandaries and answer any burning questions.  Other exhibitors on hand to give guidance include private concierge company Quintessentially, stationer Dragonfly Couture Stationery, bridal photographer Julia Boggio, floral designers McQueens and Phillippa Craddock and occasionwear designer Claire Thorogood.

Mark Niemierko comments,  “Demand for premium expertise and advice at the highest end of the bridal market is extremely high. The Luxury Wedding Show London has a compelling proposition for discerning customers and high end service providers alike – It’s fundamentally the difference between business class and economy.

For further details including exhibitors, tickets and all those essential details including catwalk and food and drink please visit http://www.theluxuryweddingshowlondon.co.uk

See you there! XOXO Dragonfly

Wow factor invitations

...they don't come with much more wow factor than this! Our chequebooks with etched metal covers have been around for a while, and I was hoping for the opportunity to do more with etched metal, it's such a versatile medium to design in.

When Tammy and Peter arrived for their consultation they knew exactly what they wanted - tall elegant pockets with delicate chiffon trim, some sparkle and - crucially - the invitation etched onto a metal insert. The metal gives the invitation strength, but takes on a certain delicacy itself with the delicately etched damask design. The information sheet has a feint image of the venue printed as a watermark, and the pocket also contains matching RSVP slips. We think this might well be the most beautiful invitation we've created so far....

Seating plans with a difference

We've waited a long time to write about this seating plan - easily the most challenging, and the most satisfying, of the past year.

Our clients were having a bird themed wedding and had secured the rights to use a series of lovely oil paintings of various birds from a gallery they knew. Our brief was to combine these beautiful images with a feather design, on mirrored glass to create a keepsake table plan presented in a vintage style frame.

We've created numerous table plans on mirrors, but this was the first time we had the opportunity to actually create a design to be permanently etched onto the glass. The end result was stunning, and measured 60 X 90cm - an amazing focal point for the post ceremony, pre-wedding breakfast drinks!

The difficulty with these beautiful seating plans is of course that it is so difficult to photograph them! We hope this picture gives you a good idea.

XOXO Dragonfly

Love is all you need

Welcome to the Dragonfly Couture Stationery blog. As Christmas fast approaches, we are so busy designing beautiful stationery for next years weddings, and developing our exciting new webshop, we haven't even had time to put any decorations up...perhaps we should wield our stationer's scissors and cut some snowflakes?

 We've decided to blog to keep y'all up to date on all the latest fabulousness being produced at The Turret. It's been a busy year and although we always try and keep the website up to date this summer we lapsed dreadfully...so let's start with some of this summer's lovely weddings.

August brought a last minute order for a marquee wedding at our local manor house. We produced these quirky signs which were used in lieu of a table plan, and a smaller sign asking guests to help themselves to the scrummy little pots of homemade jam provided as a gift.

The Orders of Service had letterpressed covers and looked super classy. Martin & Natasha provided their own logos and they totally summed it up - Love is all you need!

XOXO Dragonfly