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

Engagement Announcement Ideas: Luxury Weddings in the UK and UAE

UPDATED FOR 2024/2025

Here at Ananya Cards we absolutely love to hear our couple’s engagement stories, especially those planning luxury weddings in Dubai and the UK, and to listen to the wedding and stationery ideas being brainstormed while at home with loved ones over the holidays!

If you’ve recently become engaged yourselves – congratulations! Enjoy it, as it’s an unforgettable chapter of your stories together. Savour it and be present in this moment: the world can wait an hour, a day, or even a week – don’t feel like you need to tell everyone right away, unless you want to!

Once you’ve decided you’re ready to announce your engagement to your friends and family, we’re here to give you advice on how to spread the love.

Floral Palm engagement cards by Ananya Cards

1. ENGAGEMENT ANOUNCEMENT ETIQUETTE

The big news will have a happy and possibly huge impact on your nearest and dearest, so we recommend taking some time to think about considerate and meaningful ways to share. The traditional order would be tell the couple’s own children and parents first – then close family, like sisters, brothers, grandparents – and then the rest of your circle of family, friends, and work colleagues. Many couples choose to tell their closest loved ones in person, and then send their engagement announcement out to everyone.

While your engagement announcement will hopefully be joyously received by all, do be mindful that you may have some recently separated or single family members and friends – so it’s kind to be tactful and not excessively soppy in the content of the announcement. Don’t feel pressured to say too much about the proposal or your wedding plans – as you’ll feel much more comfortable discussing this in person, and decide what to share on a case to case basis with your friends and family. To learn more about crafting wedding stationery that resonates with your love story, read our article on personalising your wedding invites.

Peacock notecards by Ananya Cards

2. WHAT TO WRITE IN YOUR ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS

Once the proposal excitement settles, and you’ve spoken to your closest loved ones, sending out a formal engagement announcement card to all your friends and family can be really fun! It can also have some practical uses too, such as getting the news out quickly and easily if you have very large groups of friends or co-workers, and also can double as an invitation to your engagement party, if you’re hosting one. Another benefit is that you can start building a relationship with a stationery designer, who can then craft stunning save the dates, wedding invitations, and on-the-day paper goods for your wedding too.

The wording can be as formal or as personal as you wish! Some couples choose to have these formally sent out by their parents, while others send out much more informal and playful  “we said yes!” or “we’re engaged!” cards directly from them. Generally engagement announcement cards include your names, a joyous message indicating you’ll be tying the knot, and – if you know you’ll be inviting all the same people as the ones you’re sending the announcements to – you can also include something along the lines of “Save the dates to follow”. Only include this if you are certain you’ll be inviting those friends and family members though!

Engagement notes by Ananya Cards | Elizabeth Mitova Photography

3. THE DESIGN OF YOUR ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS

Many couples opt to have an engagement or couple portrait photography session, which can be a wonderful way to spend time together and become more familiar with posing in front of the camera. If you click with the photographer and love their gallery, it can also be great way to connect with someone who will be able to shoot your wedding too! If you like the idea of using a photo of you in your engagement announcement cards (and perhaps on your save the dates too!), it’s a great idea to have some images taken and edited professionally. This will ensure the quality and composition looks the best it can! Chat to the photographer about your idea of using one or two images on announcement cards, so that they know to edit a few previews for you as soon as possible – and to shoot in either landscape or portrait orientation depending on the card style you are sending.

When it comes to the aesthetic and style of the engagement announcement cards, don’t worry too much about tying these to your wedding stationery. Most likely, a fair amount of time will pass between your announcements and your save the dates! If you want to make sure everything feels seamless and in harmony, my advice would be to work with the same stationery designer throughout your whole stationery journey – and to keep your announcements fairly minimal and simple in style, so that you can steer into a stronger theme or palette further down the line.

Once you’ve sent the announcements out, do make sure you thoughtfully and graciously thank everybody who’s congratulated you! Remember that these are your nearest and dearest family and friends, and many of them will be the same people who will be bringing their joy and good energy to your beautiful wedding soon!

We hope these tips and thoughts have been helpful, and that you’re excited about sharing your happy news! If you’re looking for bespoke stationery that reflects your love story through every detail - whether for your engagement, wedding invitations, or on-the-day stationery - we’d love to hear from you. At Ananya Cards, we specialise in luxury wedding stationery for couples planning unforgettable celebrations in Dubai, London, and beyond. Let's create something truly magical for your special moments.

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

Wedding Invitations - 10 Things NOT To Do!

Your invitations are the shop window for your wedding day. When that beautifully crafted envelope drops through the letterbox of your guests, it speaks volumes about the sort of wedding you've planned, the style, the mood, and even the venue. So, it’s essential to ensure your wedding invitations are absolutely right.

It’s not just about perfecting the design; timing, wording, and etiquette all matter, too. For those planning a luxury wedding in cities like London or Dubai, for example, attention to detail is key.

So here's our list of 10 things you shouldn't do when it comes to your wedding invitations.

Photo credit: Valery Studio

1) Not sending a Save the date card

Gone are the days of simply sending invitations a couple of months in advance. With people living abroad, travelling frequently, or juggling busy jobs, Save the date cards have become more important. For destination weddings, especially in luxury hotspots like Italy or Dubai, it’s essential to give guests enough notice.

While it's ideal to send a physical card (matching your wedding stationery style), digital options like e-save the dates are fine. But whatever you do, do give people notice of your wedding date well in advance if you want to be sure that they're going to be free to come.

2) Leaving your invitations until the last minute

While off-the-shelf stationery may seem convenient, bespoke luxury wedding invitations are more impressive and personal. Give your stationery supplier as much time as you can to create your custom invitation design. Allow yourself time to address envelopes, track down where the invitees are living and get the whole lot posted so they arrive about 2-3 months before the wedding celebrations. For more tips on timing, check out our blog Wedding Stationery Timings: A Useful Guide.

Photo credit: Martina H.

3) Not including RSVP details

Always ensure you include clear RSVP instructions. Whether it’s via post with a reply paid card, email, or a wedding website, your guests need to know how to respond and who to contact. For destination weddings, it's especially important to provide this information upfront, as guests may need to make travel arrangements and accommodations well in advance.

4) Forgetting to stamp your envelopes

It does happen! Your invitation may get to its destination if you're lucky but your invited guests will have to pay postage which isn't a good start. Same goes for underpaid postage - check how much it's going to cost for your invitation to reach its destination, bearing in mind its weight, size and how quickly you want it to arrive.

Always check with the post office how much your invitations will cost to mail. Having your guests pay for underpaid postage at their end does not set the greatest first impression of your big day!

Photo credit: Martina H.

5) Not putting guests' names on invitations

People need to know who is invited - can they bring their partner or not? Otherwise they might just turn up with a plus one. In addition, it's correct etiquette to send children over 18 their own wedding invitations - don't just put 'and family' - they are adults now and deserve to be treated as such.

6) Not proofing the invitations properly

Check, check and double check your spelling, capital letters and grammar. Typos or missing information can be disastrous for luxury wedding stationery. Ask somebody else to proofread the invitations if this isn't your forte. Oh and make sure you've included the date, time and venue details. Seriously, people have forgotten this crucial information.

7) Ordering one invitation per guest

It's standard practice to send one invitation per household, not per individual (although see note 5 above re young adults). So you don't need as many invitations as there are guests, although we always recommend at Ananya Cards to make sure you have 10% extra invitations on hand in case of last-minute changes or additional guests.

8) Not mentioning a dress code

Whether you’re having a black-tie affair in a 5 star London hotel or a more relaxed celebration at a Dubai beach resort, always specify the dress code. If you're having a multicultural wedding, different traditions may call for specific attire, like morning coats or traditional Indian dress. It's important to clarify the dress code so your guests don’t feel out of place and won't enjoy your wedding as much as you want them to. If you'd like tips on planning for multicultural weddings, check out our blog on the subject.

9) Addressing the children question

Tricky one this. You may not mind having children at your wedding or you may want it to be a child-free zone. For multicultural weddings for example, different traditions may have varying expectations for children attending. You can politely mention this on your invitations and reach out to guests who might have concerns, inviting their children or explaining that it’s an adults-only event. Consistency is key - don’t allow some guests to bring their children while asking others not to.

10) Thinking you can DIY all your wedding invitations

It's a lovely idea but a real time commitment, especially for larger Indian weddings. Maybe if you're having a small wedding of around 30 guests. But do you really want to be handcrafting 300 invitations yourself. Seriously?

For luxury weddings with 100+ guests, DIY invites can quickly become overwhelming. Instead, entrust a professional wedding stationer to handle the design and print, ensuring the process is smooth and stress-free.

If you’d like to explore your wedding stationery options, whether you're in London, Dubai, or beyond, please feel free to contact us. We specialise in bespoke luxury wedding invitations that will set the tone for your special day, right from the moment your guests receive them.

Until next time,

Vaishali x

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

How to Plan a Multicultural Wedding in Five Steps

Creating a wedding that is seamless, beautiful, and personal can feel daunting for couples starting their wedding planning journey – and even more so for those whom are bringing together families of different nationalities or of different religious and cultural backgrounds. There are some unique challenges involved in planning a multicultural wedding, but there is also great reward and joy to be found in starting your married lives together on such strong foundations of respect and unity.

So how can couples cover the most important elements, keep both sides happy, and still stay true to themselves and their values? Here are some expert tips from Ananya to help it go smoothly, from our years of experience supporting couples in crafting unique, sophisticated, and joyous multicultural weddings all over the world.

Hire a Wedding Planner

As our couple’s stationery partner, we often have the pleasure of working alongside their wedding planners – and we always notice that those clients that have the support of an expert throughout the planning journey are able to navigate the decision-making with much more ease. Having the peace of mind of being able to discuss the logistical, aesthetic, and emotional elements of your wedding with a planner is always important – but even more so when embarking on the task of bringing together different cultures.

Your wedding planner will guide you in seeing the wedding from both perspectives, suggest feasible and creative ways of paying homage to both your cultures, and help you manage any potential confusion or issues on the day itself too. They will be your planning partner as well as your confidant, and a steadfast ally at your side in case of needing backup during interactions with families too. They will also recommend venues and vendors that are not only able to accommodate your needs, but are also excited about, and familiar with, supporting couples with such rich, diverse backgrounds.

Manage Family Expectations

One of the key steps to planning a multicultural wedding is managing expectations of your family members – and may also involve sitting down with them individually to educate them about customs and traditions they may not know or understand. It’s important to be clear and considerate, and also not make assumptions or have expectations about who will be comfortable with what; start with an open mind in order to avoid disappointment or heartache further down the line. Be honest in why the choices you have made are right for you, and how you will be blending traditions in your own way.

If bringing both cultures together in one single event is something that your families aren’t comfortable with, consider extending the celebrations to two separate ceremonies and receptions. You could hold these two gatherings in different countries, and in different styles, and in so doing making sure that both sides feel equally important. As much as this may feel like more effort, try to remember that these events are two halves of a whole, and will strengthen your foundations and your support network as you start this new chapter of your life.

Incorporate Both Cultures

It can be very fun – but also somewhat overwhelming – to find ways of incorporating both cultural backgrounds in your wedding day, and to do so in ways that are both practical and respectful. When merging styles, not every tradition will be logistically feasible – even if your parents are adamant about it!

We work closely with our couples to design stationery with multiple cultures in mind, so that the fonts, colours, wording, motifs, and content, all embody the merging of two different cultures in marriage.

Some other ways that we’ve seen our couples pay homage to the heritage is by weaving in characteristic cuisine, choosing modern interpretations of traditional outfits, adding decorative elements that evoke the culture, or traditional music throughout the night and getting your guests to the dance floor.

Help Guests Feel Involved

Guests may be unfamiliar with the wedding traditions and customs you’ll be incorporating in the day, so it can be helpful to add a section on your website or on your wedding program with details on ceremony etiquette, cultural traditions, or stories about your background. You could also include a brief description or provide links to thorough explanations of each tradition and its importance, as certain guests will enjoy learning about a different culture. The guests will have much more fun if they are able to follow what is going on, and be actively engaged and involved in the event!

If there is a language barrier between some guests, it is considerate to provide a program and website in both languages. You could also consider having a translator present at the ceremony and reception, so all guests can follow and listen along.

Image of our couple S&G: Eye Jogia Photography

Do Your Homework & Stay True to Yourselves

When planning a multicultural wedding, it’s paramount to research and educate yourselves on both cultures’ traditions beforehand. Traditions can vary so widely across different regions and cultures, and sometimes elements that feel simple or common may actually trespass into areas that are frowned upon elsewhere. Being prepared will help you avoid any possible confusion during the ceremony and reception, as well as allowing you to choose with more intention which traditions are right for you. Be sure to talk kindly and honestly with one another, and with one another’s families. Open communication is key to any long-lasting relationship and showing a genuine interest in learning about each other’s histories, backgrounds, and legacies is an excellent place to start.

The most important advice we can give is to determine what ceremony and celebration traditions are important to you and your partner, and stay true to that.

We hope that this blog post has given you some food for thought, some reassurance, and also some ideas on how to navigate planning your beautiful multicultural wedding.

We adore working with couples paying homage to diverse backgrounds, and put a great amount of love and care into designs that reflect our couples’ stories. If you’re looking for any support with your wedding stationery, please do get in touch.

Until next time,

Vaishali

Ultimate Guide to Wedding Save The Dates

If the magic of the holidays has come to life in the form of a twinkling engagement ring – congratulations! At Ananya Cards, we absolutely adore when couples begin the new year planning a celebration of their love. One of the questions we get asked most often is to guide couples with their save the dates: this is the first piece of stationery you will order, and it’s this that will let your guests know to mark your wedding date and location firmly in their calendar.

We’ve put together some of our top tips for save the dates, which we hope will be helpful and exciting for you now that you’re engaged!

Marigold save the dates by Ananya Cards

WHEN TO SEND SAVE THE DATES

While researching venue ideas, even before setting your date, it’s a great idea to start browsing stationers’ portfolios on Instagram and online – as they will be the next vendor you’ll want to speak to. It’s a wonderful feeling to connect with a designer you love and to know that, as soon as you have your wedding venue and date, you’re ready to start working together to create save the dates and invitations that will wow your guests. It’s never too early to reach out to stationers and designers to let them know you’d like to work with them, so they can start slotting you in. They can also give you some provisional estimates of costs, design process, and timescales, which can be really helpful in these early stages of planning your wedding.

Once you have chosen your date and venue, the save the dates can be ordered! You can start spreading the word amongst family and friends of course, and then WOW them with save the dates that really tell your story and begin the aesthetic narrative that will thread through all of your wedding styling. Some couples send these as early as 12 months before the wedding, particularly if they are having a destination wedding or if they know their guests need a long notice period to schedule travel or work absences. This is particularly considerate if you are having your wedding in Summer, on a peak date, as it gives guests plenty of time to plan their holidays. On average, most couples send their save the dates 6-12 months before their wedding.

Floral Palm save the date cards by Ananya Cards

WAIT BUT - DO I REALLY NEED SAVE THE DATES?

Although save the dates aren’t essential, they can be a really impactful way of conveying information to your guests clearly and easily, while also giving them a peek at your wedding style you’ll be hosting.

If your wedding is still a long way away and you don’t want to commit to a style or colour palette just yet – that’s absolutely fine! You may also be feeling that you don’t have a sense of budget yet, and so don’t want to over-commit on the stationery spend before having a larger picture of the investments you’ll need to make. There are a few solutions to this: firstly, you can keep your save the dates very simple and minimal, with no patterns or overarching colours, just crisp monochromatic or metallic details, and classic fonts. Another option is to opt for semi-custom, which is where a designer adapts one of their existing house collections for you; this requires a lower investment, and a offers a quicker turn-around too, so may be a good solution for you if you’re wanting a quick, easy, and more cost-effective route. Finally, another solution can be to work with your designer for a bespoke wedding stationery suite but ask for the save the dates to be digital only: this means that they will create something beautiful, elegant, and unique for you that you can send your guests a digital save the date, and which will then serve as the aesthetic foundation on which all the rest of your stationery suite will be built.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN MY SAVE THE DATES

Keep in mind that you can give as much or as little information as you like in your save the date: it can be very minimal, if you’re sending it many months in advance, or it can be quite detailed, if you’re already in more advanced stages of planning. Date and location are key of course, but don’t worry about including ceremony time for example – particularly if you haven’t set this yet or if you have, but it’s possible it may still change. If you already know it will be a certain type of celebration (for example, multiple-day) that’s something you can let guests know now, as it helps them with forward planning – but don’t feel pressured to give too much information at this stage! Do however be sure to include the names of each person invited, as otherwise you may have guests wondering if they should plan to bring their children or a date! Be upfront and clear from the start.

Guests will inevitably reach out to you with comments and questions once your save the dates have arrived, so it can be helpful to include the URL of your wedding website. This gives guests somewhere to go to find out more, and they can also bookmark it and keep coming back to check on updates as the date gets closer. Wedding websites are also a great way to keep costs down for your invitations later down the line, as you can use your website as a place to add travel information, accommodation information, timings, dress codes, and so on – rather than needing multiple inserts within one envelope.

Bespoke save the date design for a destination wedding by Ananya Cards

OK I’M READY TO SEND MY SAVE THE DATES! WHAT’S NEXT?

Once you’ve decided you’ll be sending save the dates, and have chosen a semi-custom or bespoke design, then it’s time to send them out!

Keep in mind that save the dates should only be sent to guests you are sure you will be inviting to the wedding. It’s possible to add more people to the guest list at a later stage, but quite mortifying to need to remove them from the guest list once you’ve sent a save the date!

If you’re ordering physical save the dates, make sure to plan to order +10% so you have some extras in case they are needed. You can write the addresses on envelopes yourself, have them lettered by a calligrapher, or printed directly on the envelope.

Once that’s done, they’re ready to go and spread the love!

We hope this has been a helpful and insightful article for you. For further advice on stationery timescales for your invitations and on-the-day elements, or for other useful hints and tips for your wedding stationery please take a look at the helpful blogs we’ve written.

If you’d like to discuss creating sophisticated, unique, culturally-inclusive stationery that reflects YOUR personality – we’d love to hear from you!

 Until next time,

 Vaishali

Viva Magenta – Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2023 revealed

As lovers of colour and design, every year our team here at Ananya looks eagerly forward to discovering the Pantone colour of the year – and 2023 promises to be a fabulous one!

WHAT IS THE PANTONE COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2023?

For those of you who may not have heard of this before, there is a really exciting annual process whereby the experts at the Pantone Colour Institute thoroughly research and uncover new colour trends within fashion, travel, art, new technologies, entertainment, film, social media, and much more – and select one that they feel is most representative and influential in the current times. The colour chosen is then announced, which often leads to the tone showing up even more within wedding and design trends, and becoming even more popular!

Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2023 is Viva Magenta 18-1750, a fearlessly joyous colour which combines pink, red, and purple tones. It is a shade of red with its roots in nature, and is an empowering colour that represents exuberance, strength, bravery, and positivity. It has the power to influence, make a statement and be a mode of self expression. This electrifying colour is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest in the world.

At Ananya we love this colour – and in fact, it’s the colour of our own logo!

Viva Magenta wedding invitation for a destination wedding by Ananya

VIVA MAGENTA FOR WEDDING STATIONERY

Here at Ananya we believe in the power of colour – and how impactful it can be when used in a meaningful, intentional way. Magenta is a stunning tone to use as an accent colour with gold or silver, or as a primary colour, and delivers a bold and luxe feel which is perfect for cultural and multicultural weddings. We particularly love it as a hero colour for your reception stationery paired with hues of blue, as the deeper tones set an inviting, rich, captivating mood.

You could incorporate this colour into your stationery as the primary backdrop of the paper itself, as the colour of the patterns or text, or as an accent through finishing touches like magenta calligraphy, wax seals, or ribbons. Agate also comes in a gorgeous magenta tone, which makes it a unique choice for elevating your table settings.

Viva Magenta agate place cards hand scribed in calligraphy by Ananya

Wedding stationery where Viva Magenta is present will lift the spirit and make a statement of the bridal couple’s personality and the strength of their bond - a commitment to go boldly on their new adventure!

VIVA MAGENTA FOR WEDDINGS

Magenta is a stunning accent colour for wedding colour palettes, and works surprisingly well both as a base and as an accent.

You can steer firmly into rich berry and jewel tones for all the elements of the wedding, and combine magenta with other bright red, purple, and pink tones. Alternatively, you could use magenta as a single pop of colour to liven up an otherwise muted palette of blush pinks, dusty blues, or gentle lilacs and grey tones. It also looks stunning when paired with shades of green, which means it will stand out beautifully against any foliage your florist will be using! For example, some flowers which bloom beautifully in this tone are dahlias, hyacinths, calla lilies, orchids, carnations, roses, anthuriums, anemones, camellias, daisies, cosmos, sweet peas, bougainvillea, ranunculi, and peonies – just to name a few! It’s a colour very well suited to tropical, lush, punchy florals that make a statement wherever they are used.

Wedding cake By Yevnig with fresh florals by White Lilac

This colour adapts itself beautifully to fabric as well, which means it is a showstopper option for outfits – whether that be one of the bride’s dresses, the groom’s menswear, or for fabulous guest attire. It can be a gorgeous base for your bridesmaids dresses too!

There are lots of delicious fruits that pair well with this fuchsia-meets-red colour family - like raspberries, pomegranates, figs, and so on – which makes these perfect decorations for a fresh, fruity cake, or scrumptious raspberry macarons.

You can also use magenta as an accent for your tablescape, by adding gorgeous red and pink tones to your linen and/or napkins. We love the use of patterned linens with a pop of pink! Pairing magenta linens with more neutral accents, like rattan chargers or light ceramic for example, can help create a sense of balance. Also beautiful paper flowers can be added to your table settings as a timeless and sustainable keepsake.

Handmade paper roses by Ananya | Kate Nielen Photography

We hope this has inspired you to infuse this hot new colour in town into your wedding, your home decor, and your wardrobe next year – we sure will be!

Until next time,

Vaishali

Essential Etiquette for Wedding Thank You Cards: 10 Key Tips

As November begins, the UK wedding season wraps up, while Dubai’s is in full swing with stunning celebrations. At Ananya, we love supporting our clients in designing, ordering, and printing little paper parcels to spread the love and share their gratitude. Whether you're winding down from a summer wedding or just starting festivities in the UAE, we're here with design inspiration, etiquette tips, and support every step of the way!

Here are some of the key topics surrounding wedding thank you cards:

1. Are wedding thank you cards necessary?

One of the most common questions is: are wedding thank you cards really necessary, and why write a thank you card? The answer is that they are not strictly necessary, but they are a thoughtful, personal way of letting your friends and family know how much it meant to have them as part of your special day. I personally feel that, when it comes to stationery, aside from your invitations, there is nothing more important than thanking your guests for attending!

Today, many couples are opting for sustainable thank you cards made from recycled materials or those that contribute to environmental causes. This not only reflects their values but also resonates with guests who appreciate eco-conscious choices.

Physical cards are particularly well-received for destination weddings, where guests travel long distances or contribute to a donation fund or extensive gift list. Instead of needing to reach out to guests individually and adding time-consuming tasks to your post-wedding to-do list, preparing these cards in advance allows you to send thank you’s to friends and family whenever you are ready: this might be before the wedding, as and when you receive gifts, or immediately after the celebrations and honeymoon.

2. Do wedding thank you cards have to be personalised?

Should thank you notes be handwritten and personalised? This really depends on you, your lifestyle, and the size of your guest list. For more intimate weddings, couples will often choose to send personalised, handwritten cards to each of their guests – often with mention of the specific gift received from that person, or the unique way that that guest contributed to the wedding planning or atmosphere of the day. If this makes you happy and is something you would like to do, wonderful! But as lovely as this is, please don’t feel obliged - it may very well be that this is simply not feasible with the amount of downtime you have in your life, especially for celebrations with large groups of guests. In the latter case, it is also perfectly acceptable and equally thoughtful to send a printed card that expresses your gratitude and perhaps shares a little bit about how you feel about this new chapter of your lives together, and as a family. For more tips on personalisation, check out our article on personalising your wedding stationery.

Alternatively, digital thank you cards have gained popularity in 2024 (and will continue in 2025), offering a quick and affordable way to express gratitude while maintaining a personal touch. These can include fun elements like videos or links to wedding photos, making them a modern choice for tech-savvy couples.

3. Do wedding thank you cards have to match the invitations?

Wild Grove notecards by Ananya | Elizabeth Mitova Photography

If you’ve decided that you would like to send thank you cards, then working with the same designer or company that printed your invitations is a really effective way of carrying on that theme or aesthetic that you had lovingly chosen for your wedding. It will make them feel more seamless, sophisticated, and cohesive, and immediately remind your guests of the joy of being there with you. If you had a monogram, colour palette, or cultural motif in your save the dates and invitations, then this can be easily and very beautifully integrated in your thank you cards too. If you tied the knot abroad, why not include the words “thank you” in the language of the country you chose? Anything you can do to make the card feel more personal and unique will be noticed and joyfully appreciated by your friends and family.

4. Ideas for wedding thank you cards

As most couples choose to send wedding thank you cards after the wedding, there is usually the very fun opportunity to include an image from your day as part of the card design. If this is something you would like to do, it’s definitely worth mentioning it to your photographer ahead of time, so that he/she knows to send you an edited preview as soon as they can. Another really fabulous idea is to include a QR code which links guests to something that reminds them of your wedding: this could be a small gallery of images, your wedding video if you have this already, or even a playlist of the songs you played on the day!

5. How to write wedding thank you cards

Once you’ve chosen your design, the next step is deciding the wording for your wedding thank you cards. My advice is to keep it simple, short, and meaningful – there is no need to fill the page! A concise and heartfelt message will go a long way, particularly if it is personalised to the recipient. Mention the moments that made your wedding so special: share a few sentences about how joyous the memories of the day are, how you enjoyed any particular cultural traditions, how happy it made you to share the celebration with them, and express your appreciation for the gift they sent. You can also say a few words about your honeymoon adventures, or something exciting happening in your lives (like a new home, business, or baby!).

6. When to order and send wedding thank you cards?

My advice is to send thank you cards within three months after your wedding. This way, you’ll have had a chance to receive the gifts from your registry, you’ll most likely have returned home from honeymoon, and your photographer and videographer will have had a chance to edit some teasers you can share! I generally recommend that my clients order their thank you cards at the same time as their invitations, to ensure they can be sent in a timely manner following the day.

7. How many wedding thank you cards to order?

The number of thank you cards to order should be fairly similar to the number of invitation sets you ordered. My advice would be to review your guest list, count the number of households attending, then add enough cards to send to all your wedding vendors, and then add an additional 10% spare to send to guests who might not attend but will send you a thoughtful present or message.

8. Who to send wedding thank you cards to?

There are three main categories of recipients for wedding thank you cards: the guests that attended (whether or not they bought you gifts); the guests who were not able to attend, but whom still sent you a nice card or gift; and then your wedding vendors.

9. What size are wedding thank you cards?

Most couples choose A6 wedding thank you cards – which is the same size as a standard card you might buy in a stationery store.

 10. How much do thank you cards cost?

When ordering these off-the-shelf from a high quality online retailer, you might expect to pay around £3 per card; the investment will be higher when working with a designer to create something bespoke to you. Ananya thank you designs start at £5 per card.

I really hope this overview on advice and tips for your wedding thank you cards has helped, and encouraged you to spread the love in a way that is right for you. If you would like any support in brainstorming, designing, and printing some personalised cards, we would love to hear from you! If you want to explore the latest trends, check out this article on 2025 Wedding Trends.

Until next time,

Vaishali

What to expect at an Islamic wedding

Ananya has loved designing Islamic wedding stationery for over 15 years so we thought we would guide you through and explain the functions and events that are central to an Islamic wedding.

The Nikah ceremony at Kensington Palace. Photography by Eye Jogia

In this blog, we will focus on Islamic or Muslim weddings within a South Asian context (not all Islamic weddings are the same). Some of the events and ceremonies are the same or similar to other South Asian wedding events, while others are unique to the Muslim community.

Generally speaking, you can expect to attend at least one pre-wedding ceremony, one religious ceremony, and at least one reception or reception-like event. Pre-wedding events usually revolve around the ceremony called Mehndi (henna) and Haldi (turmeric). The Nikah ceremony is the religious wedding ceremony. Finally, the post-marriage events may include the reception and/or Walima (marriage banquet).

The two main pre-wedding ceremonies of Mehndi and Haldi may be combined or held separately, depending upon family preferences. Typically, the Mehndi ceremony is hosted by the bride’s side and might take place at home or a hall. It is usually for women who have mehndi applied on their hands in intricate patterns. The bride may have an elaborate and delicate design in which her husband-to-be’s initials are hidden somewhere within the pattern. Dress attire for this ceremony is generally semi-casual for guests (both Western and South Asian attire work). Since mehndi can get messy, it’s advisable to keep that in mind when choosing what to wear.

Intricate patterns of Mehndi from one of our multicultural weddings in London’s Mayfair captured by Eye Jogia

The Haldi ceremony (sometimes referred to as Manjha) is a fun event where family and friends take turns applying turmeric paste on the bride or groom. It is considered auspicious and a blessing to the couple. The ceremony is meant to be lighthearted and even messy and tends to be even more causal than the Mehndi event, so plan your attire accordingly. There is flexibility in terms of where the event can be held. It can be at the bride’s family home and only carried out by the bride, or both the bride and groom may participate in the same ceremony at the same venue/time. These variations are largely dependent upon family preferences and cultural differences.

Islamic wedding invitation by Ananya. Photography by Eye Jogia

The Nikah is the religious wedding ceremony. Where it is performed can vary. Some may choose to do it at a local Mosque/Masjid, while others may choose someone’s home or a venue. Typically, the Nikah is ordained by a religious figure or cleric (often referred to as a Maulvi or Maulana), and two Muslims who must act as witnesses to the marriage. At the beginning of the ceremony, the groom and his family will present a Mehr/Mahr (obligation) for the bride. Typically, this consists of a monetary gift, and is pre-agreed. The Maulvi will then recite a prayer from the Holy Quran before requesting consent to the marriage from the bride and groom. The Maulvi will first ask the bride if she agrees to the mehr and marriage. If she agrees and accepts, she will verbally express her acceptance of the marriage, three times in a row. For Bollywood fans, this is where the bride will say ‘Qubool Hai’ (I accept).

During this entire time, the bride and groom are expected to be in separate areas (although some families may choose to have both the bride and groom present in the same place). After receiving consent from the bride, the Maulvi will go to the groom and seek consent from him as well. Following the mutual acceptance from the bride and groom, the two will be brought together to sign the Nikahnama (the marriage contract), after which point the couple is considered religiously married. The Maulvi may choose to give a brief sermon following the officiating of the marriage. Generally, the Nikah process is short (around 30 minutes).

Muslim wedding invitations by Ananya. Photography by Hayley Gell Photography.

After the Nikah, the families will come together and host a Walima (marriage banquet). The Walima usually acts as the wedding reception, so this is the event where there will be dinner, opportunities to congratulate the couple, take pictures with them and present gifts. As certain practices like drinking alcohol are forbidden in Islam, guests should expect an alcohol-free event. Depending upon how religious the families are, there may or may not be entertainment, including dancing. At the end of the Walima, there will be a procession to see the bride and groom off to start their married life and their happy ever after.

The Haldi, Mehndi, Nikah and Walima illustrate the core aspects of a South Asian Muslim wedding. There may be some more intimate and detailed rituals that happen, but those are largely reserved for immediate family members.

Islamic wedding invitations by Ananya. Photography by Hayley Gell Photography.

We hope you have enjoyed this guide to Islamic weddings and that you have gained some valuable information on the ceremonies and proceedings. We take pride in creating meaningful and memorable stationery for cultural weddings.

At Ananya, we have been designing beautiful, personalised wedding stationery for Muslim weddings for over 15 years. Whether it’s for the Nikah, Haldi, Mehndi, Walima or other functions, we tell your love story by infusing your personality and style into your wedding stationery in the most elegant and memorable way! 

Allow us to show you how we can personalise your wedding stationery. Do get in touch and let’s arrange your stationery consultation.

Until next time,

Vaishali

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

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

How to pick a theme for your wedding

Finding the perfect theme for your wedding is an important aspect of wedding planning and one that all couples want to get right. Choosing a theme that you have a personal connection with is key; it means you’ll be able to fondly look back from the future and be thankful for the choices you made when you planned your big day.

We wanted to share some of our top tips for choosing the right theme for your wedding, so you can achieve your own dream vision.

Ami Louisa Photography

 Look for inspiration

There are lots of websites that you can peruse to find inspiration for your wedding theme – perhaps the most popular online platform for this is Pinterest, where you can find a wide collection of images for general topics like 'wedding themes' or more specific topics like 'multicultural weddings'. Sometimes, a single image can spark your imagination and creativity and guide you towards your own individual wedding theme. Your theme could be minimalistic and subtle, or it could be incorporated into each and every detail of your wedding, right down to your wedding stationery.

Your wedding theme should be a reflection of you

Ami Louisa Photography

One of the most important aspects a wedding theme should capture is the essence of you as a couple. You want it to be unique to your relationship and reflect your personalities and mutual interests. Distinct and individual touches add more sentimentality to your wedding and make it memorable for those who share your special day with you. For those couples who are planning a multicultural or cultural wedding, think of the traditions that are most meaningful to you and find imaginative and creative ways to incorporate those aspects into your wedding theme. This is a wonderful way to honour your heritage while highlighting your own identity within your culture.

Personal over popular

Tell Your Story Photography

You may want to avoid themes that are trending while you're planning your wedding – if you opt for the most popular trend of the year, it could become outdated quite quickly! After all, you don't want to look back on your wedding day and wish that your theme was more timeless. By ensuring a personal touch and connection to your wedding theme, it will always retain its romantic and sentimental quality. So look at your own style and vision and you can't go wrong.

A theme that brings it all together

Hayley Gell Photography

Finding your theme can be a great first step to bringing your wedding vision together, as themes have the power to inspire and complement all of the other aspects of a wedding – for example, the venue, the decorations, and even your wedding and engagement rings can all be connected to your theme if you so wish.

Shelby Ellis Photography

We hope that our advice has helped you in your quest to find the perfect wedding theme. If you have any queries, or wish to view our extensive collection of unique, personal, and high-quality wedding stationery, please contact us at Ananya.

4 top tips for an entertaining wedding

We know the importance of giving your guests true entertainment value when it comes to your wedding. We can also help you ensure their attention is held throughout the big day, with our tips on how to arrange an entertaining celebration you and your guests will enjoy and remember for years to come.

1 Reflect your personality

Your wedding should reflect you and your partner’s personalities, cultures and tastes. This will naturally make it more entertaining. Think about what you would enjoy at a wedding. Consider events you have attended in the past and make a list of what entertaining things you remember. This may produce some ideas for you to work from and personalise to suit your preferences and requirements.

Remember the guests at your wedding like you or share some of your values, so planning an event that you would enjoy should help to ensure that they have a great time too. However, it is important to remember this is your day.

2 Enjoy time with your guests

Choosing the right guests goes without saying and can be really helpful in creating an enjoyable atmosphere at your wedding. You want your friends and family to share your special day with you. They can really boost the fun factor of your event, with very little effort on your part.

Knowing your guests and considering the ways in which their personalities will work with your plans is also key to holding a successful event. You could consider a range of music to keep everyone happy, for example – making sure there are enough lively, upbeat tunes to keep people on their feet, such as Bollywood or Bhangra at an Indian wedding, as well as some slower and more classic options for guests to enjoy. We have found that a string quartet or harpist, for example, during a champagne reception works really well.

Image: Sanjay D Gohil Photography

3 Add a surprise

One of the best ways to boost the entertainment value of your wedding is to add a surprise or two to the proceedings. This could involve you and your partner practising a dance routine (or get your closest family and friends together to perform a dance together) and going all Strictly Come Dancing at the start of your evening reception, or booking a surprise act you know your guests will appreciate – a classical trio, jazz quartet or Bollywood dance performance.

Image: Sanjay D Gohil Photography

4 Choose what suits you

Don’t try to cram too much in or your efforts could get completely lost on an exhausted crowd. Weddings can be very long events and there’s only so much excitement that your guests can take. Some of the best and most entertaining weddings we have been to have been the most relaxed.

Entertainment can be found in many different places and doesn’t have to be forced or meticulously planned. Gathering people together to watch a stunning sunset at a beautiful spot can be incredibly entertaining, as can the simple joy of good conversation. There will always be a place for stunning firework extravaganzas, fantastic floral creations and show-stopping entertainment acts, but you don’t need every one of these to make your wedding a success.

You can also include any requests in your wedding invitations as a way of adding details and injecting your personality. Why not ask your guests for their top songs for the dance floor? We have designed cards that get included in the wedding invitations asking guests to send in their 3 top songs when they RSVP, as well as having ‘DJ request’ cards available at the wedding reception. They are fun!

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

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

Sustainable Wedding Tips - An Essential Guide

In today's blog post, we are delighted to have eco warrior Maya from Sustainer Container, an eco friendly gifting business, give us her top tips for having a sustainable wedding.

Here at Ananya, the sustainability and ecological impact of our work is very important to us - and, as a company working closely with paper, we do take our responsibility to the planet very seriously.

Maya sells eco friendly gift boxes that make the perfect treat for your loved ones and for the planet, find out more about Sustainer Container here.

The Average UK wedding uses 20kg of single use plastic!

With the statistic above indicating the shocking amount of waste that is produced by weddings in the UK, it is unsurprising that sustainable weddings were a big trend in 2020 and this is likely to grow in the coming years. But, with weddings steeped in traditions, it can be difficult to know how to make your wedding more sustainable without abandoning these traditions all together. This article will round up my tips for having a sustainable wedding, including:

1. Choosing a sustainable wedding venue

2. Eco friendly invites

3. Gifts, flowers and favours

1. Sustainable Wedding Tips - Wedding Venue

Ashridge House. Photo Credit: Ami Louisa Photography

So, you’re newly engaged - the first thing on your wedding planning checklist is probably securing a venue. Not only is the venue one of the biggest decisions you will make when planning your wedding, it can also have the biggest environmental impact. Research the venues in advance and prepare questions to ask about their environmental impact - for example, how much single use plastic will be used by the venue to host your wedding? Does the venue reuse decorations? If not, how will these be disposed of? Does the venue support local businesses or do they buy their decorations and produce from further afield?

Photo Credit: Ami Louisa Photography

Alongside conducting your research to find a venue which prioritises sustainability, it is worth considering the location of potential venues. Look for a venue that is close to the area where most guests will be travelling from if possible, to reduce the miles travelled to your wedding. You could also consider hiring a private coach to take guests to and from the wedding, to further reduce miles and vehicles travelling to your wedding and thus helping to reduce the carbon footprint of your ceremony.

With a beef burger using the same amount of water as 60 showers, the menu options offered by your venue can also have a huge impact on how sustainable your wedding is. My next tip for having a sustainable wedding would be to consider having a plant based wedding meal. Or, why not compromise and have a vegetarian starter but offer a meat option for the main course - even just opting for more vegetarian or vegan options will help reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding.

2. Sustainable Wedding Tips - Eco Friendly Invites

Ananya ‘Hues of Blues’ watercolour floral stationery suite. Photo Credit: Tell Your Story Photography

Ananya floral wedding stationery collection. Photo credit Ami Louisa Photography

So your sustainable venue is booked, next on the wedding planning checklist is inviting people to join your celebration. With deforestation becoming a major issue in the fight against climate change, my second sustainable wedding tip involves investigating the eco credentials of your wedding invitation supplier. For example, the invitations made by Vaishali of Ananya Cards are made using recycled paper or cardstock from sustainably managed forests. Plus, Vaishali also plants trees for every order received!! As part of a drive to be as sustainable as possible, Vaishali’s beautiful creations are designed to be more than just an invitation and are designed to be a keepsake that is treasured long after the wedding.

Ananya ‘Enchanted Garden’ stationery. Photo Credit: Xander Casey Photography

For many people, receiving a wedding invitation means one thing - time to go outfit shopping. Now, I love a new outfit as much as the next person, but many of these fancy frocks will be worn just once, with a new outfit being bought for every wedding and event. This cycle of fast fashion and over consumption is hugely problematic for the planet. My next tip might not be for everyone, but what about using your invitations to encourage your wedding guests to outfit repeat and wear an outfit they have worn before? Chances are - nobody will remember that the outfits have been worn before and this is an easy way of reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding.

3. Sustainable Wedding Tips - Gifts, Flowers and Favours

Having spent time carefully planning your perfect sustainable wedding, the big day arrives and you receive gifts that you won’t use and that are packaged in single use plastic. To avoid this consider asking for vouchers which you can put towards a larger purchase or a trip away. Alternatively, pick out some practical sustainable items for loved ones to purchase as a gift that will help you to continue your sustainability journey. For example, our Everything Eco Gift Boxes are filled with sustainable alternatives to your everyday products - why not ask for a gift box each and continue your sustainability journey into your married life.

My next sustainable wedding tip is around flowers - possibly not the first thing you think of when you are thinking about having a sustainable wedding.

“A sustainably sourced flower is a fresh cut flower that is not treated with pesticides and can be found, grown, and sold locally.” (Green Matters)

Try to find flowers that meet this criteria. Floral foam bricks also contain single use plastic, so try to choose flower arrangements which do not require the bricks.

Wedding flowers by Wilde Thyme. Photo Credit: Kate Nielen Photography

Finally, you may want to consider sustainable wedding favours. Since common wedding favours often include little packets of sweets individually wrapped in single use plastic or trinkets that may never be used, wedding favours are not always the most planet friendly. So the first thing to think about is whether you really need wedding favours and whether anybody will even notice if you decide against giving each guest a small gift? If you are determined to have a wedding favour (and I completely understand wanting to follow tradition), perhaps opt for a more sustainable option. One such idea would be seed paper or seed bombs which can be thrown onto any patch of ground by guests to grow bee friendly wildflowers - a lovely touch for a sustainable wedding.

Ananya handcrafted paper flower favours. Photo credit Kate Nielen Photography

From choosing a sustainable wedding venue and eco friendly invites to gifts, jewellery, flowers and favours, these have been my tips for having a sustainable wedding. If you would like to find out more about everything eco, please don’t hesitate to have a browse of the Sustainer Container website or send me a message on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

Thank you very much, Maya. So many top tips we can use for a sustainable wedding.

Until the 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.