Covid-secure wedding stationery: what couples should consider now

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

Bespoke multicultural wedding stationery suite by Ananya | Hayley Gell Photography

WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOUR WEDDING STATIONER

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

Elephant Royale bespoke wedding invitations by Ananya | Hayley Gell Photography

Personalised touches FOR YOUR WEDDING STATIONERY 

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

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

PRINTED KEEPSAKE WEDDING STATIONERY

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

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

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

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

digital, ELECTRONIC WEDDING INVITATIONS

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

Digital cherry blossom invitation for a Sikh wedding by Ananya

MAKE YOUR WEDDING GUESTS FEEL INCLUDED

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

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

Monogrammed multicultural wedding invitation by Ananya | Hayley Gell Photography

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

Until next time,

Vaishali x

The Art of Letter Writing Revived

Have you noticed recently that there’s a letter writing revival going on? Yes people, pen and ink and beautiful paper are enjoying a renaissance. At Ananya it’s definitely a revival that we are absolutely crushing on. Who doesn’t love receiving a beautifully written note on gorgeous paper? We’ll take that over a text message any day.

Writing the Perfect Letter

"Now that handwriting is a choice, not a chore, and there is a premium on the unique rather than the infinitely reproducible, people are beginning to discover, or rediscover, the thrill of pen and ink.’" -  Daisy Goodwin, Sunday Times November 2014

When we say we love receiving a letter we do, of course, assume that the letter will be written on paper worthy of the effort involved in hand writing those precious words.

For timeless elegance, think of heavyweight (at least 100 gsm) cream, ivory or white paper. Create something special with personalised monogrammed writing paper and envelopes. You just can’t go wrong. But, if you want colour, try envelopes lined with your favourite colour, or bold writing paper in contemporary colours. We love cobalt blue, hot cerise or deep emerald green; bright without running the risk of your recipient developing an instant migraine. If, like the team here at Ananya HQ, you’re a visual person, you might include a hand drawn artisan card as a lovely memento.

Word Perfect

Finding the right words for a handwritten letter may seem like a gargantuan effort at first. And you’re right, it does take effort compared to a quickly fired off text or e-mail. When you write a handwritten letter what you’re actually saying is that you value the love and the friendship of the person that you’re writing to. You’ve taken the time to consider your words and you’ve taken pleasure in writing the letter. 

Put Pen to Paper  

If you have barely picked up a pen since schooldays, using a ballpoint pen to write may come easier. At Ananya HQ we are big fans of fountain pens. Why? To write with a fountain pen is to experience a slower, more considered pace of life that has a frisson of romance associated with it. You can’t backspace or delete, so each and every word is considered and beautifully written.

And when it comes to receiving a handwritten notecard, what a joy it is to see something so special in the mailbox or on the mat by the front door. It’s akin to receiving a small exquisite gift, complete with the delicious anticipation of who it may be from. For our MD Vaishali, reading a handwritten letter or notecard from a friend or loved one is worthy of putting aside special time to read it. This isn’t the moment to read in a hurry, it’s time instead to find your favourite spot, sit back, relax and read.

Whether you are a writer or a recipient, at Ananya we hope that you enjoy the art of letter writing. Please do let us know in the comments below.

The Art of Good Manners and the Essential Guide to using Etiquette Stationery

Manners and etiquette it seems are making a comeback.  Whilst they never disappeared in ‘polite society’, there is a quiet rebellion taking place. In this age of mindfulness, we are at last remembering to say ‘thank you’.

So, manners and etiquette are at the forefront of conversation in the office here at Ananya. The wedding season is starting up, and the great British ‘season’ is just around the corner. Not a day passes without someone receiving an invite to a big seasonal event. So, statement hats and striped blazers aside, it’s essential to respond to an invite in style. And, once you’re at your event, know what to expect. Be the perfect guest, from meeting and greeting, through to dining and dancing!

Photograph by Scott-Wood Photography

Making a distinction between manners and etiquette:

“…Manners as the principles, which are eternal and universal, etiquette as the particular rules which are arbitrary and different in different times, different situations, different cultures.”

  Judith Martin

Accepting the invite

It goes without saying that one should always RSVP to an invite of any kind. And, whilst it is tempting to reply by text or e-mail, don't do it! 

Elegant stationery goes a long way towards creating the right impression. And that's before you even arrive at your event. If you are lucky you will receive an RSVP card with your invite, with which to reply. If not, reply with a simple handwritten note on good quality notepaper.  In these days of e-mail and text, your writing skills may not be as good as you would like, but don't worry. At Ananya we love to receive handwritten cards and letters!

Saying thank you

Saying thank you for being entertained should be something that you do personally.  After all, your host has taken the time and effort to organise and invite you to special event. Taking ten minutes to write a thank you note yourself isn't a lot to ask. And it might just put you at the top of the invite list for the next event.

You don't have to write a small novel when you're saying thank you. Just express your gratitude, and how much you enjoyed meeting everyone. Perhaps mention what was most memorable for you about the event. A note card is perfect for saying thank you. And, a monogrammed set made just for you is incredibly chic. It will certainly make you stand out from the crowd.

Planning your own event

It may be that you’re lucky enough to be planning your own summer soirée or event. Perhaps you’re hosting guests at the opera with pre-opera champagne and canapés. Or, maybe you’re entertaining guests aboard a classic yacht at Cowes Week. Whatever the occasion, make your stationery something that guests will love to receive. 

Photograph by Holly Clark Photography

Bespoke stationery reflecting the nature of your event is perfect. Stuck for ideas? At Ananya we love to design something that’s truly unique to you. For example, if it is a Cowes week event, excitement, glamour and colour come to mind. For colour it could be hues of blue against a white background. The design could be something that brings to mind the elegance of sailing. Your guests will be clamouring to accept your invite. And of course, they’ll reply to you on one of your beautiful RSVP cards! Carry everything through with complementary place settings and menus for such a special event.

Photograph by Amanda Karen Photography

And finally, a few interesting points on perfecting good manners. They may make you smile, but do try them. We checked our knowledge with the masters of etiquette, Debrett’s. Meet, greet and eat with confidence!  

-                    When someone enters the room for the first time, do stand. It’s considered polite to do so. Traditionally, men stood when their ladies entered the room. At Ananya HQ, one of our team remembers almost swooning the first time someone stood for her. We think it helped that he was in army dress uniform, and very handsome. Ultimately though, it’s considerate to stand, regardless of age and gender.

-                    And if you are the host, you should always stand to greet your guests. It's considered impolite to offer your hand to someone whilst you are sitting down. 

-                    Don’t know how to eat certain foods? Here are our favourite ‘rules’:

o    Asparagus season is almost here. So, remember to eat asparagus with your fingers, darling! Dip the asparagus tip into the sauce accompaniment and enjoy. Leave the woody part of the stem neatly to one side of your plate when finished.

o    Eat soup by pushing the soup spoon away from you to collect it on the spoon. Use the side of spoon to funnel the soup into your mouth. No slurping, and use the right spoon! One of our team remembers a friend of hers getting quite vexed at being given a soup spoon in the wrong setting. Her calming skills resolved the issue before any ‘soup spoon rage’ incidents occurred.

o    Scones are not cut with a knife. Use your hands to break them. Use a spoon to put cream and jam onto the plate first before putting onto the scone. Taking afternoon tea in Devon? Apply the jam before the cream. But if you’re taking tea at the Tate in Cornwall, apply the cream first. Either way, enjoy this most delicious of summer treats!

So there you have it, our mini guide to modern manners and etiquette. For more information on personalised and bespoke stationery do contact the team at Ananya to discuss your ideas. We’d love to be part of your manners revolution. Contact us on +44 (0)20 7242 1877 or e-mail us on info@ananyacards.com  

5 Things You Need To Know About Wedding Etiquette

Good manners are what make life more pleasant.

And when you look at etiquette rules, a lot are really just based on good manners. Making people feel comfortable, accepted and welcomed.

When you're planning your wedding, you're going to be faced with a lot of etiquette. Ok, so you could just ditch the rules and do what you feel like but really, it's worth bearing in mind some of the tried and tested wedding 'manners' that have been around for a long while and will continue to be.

Here's our take on what's important for wedding etiquette today.

Wedding invitation, Ananya

1. Invitations. We're all leading increasingly busy lives these days and so in our view, sending out a save the date card ahead of your wedding invitations is key - particularly if you're planning on getting married abroad or on a weekday when people may have to take time off work. If you're planning on a destination wedding - whether it's Italy or the Caribbean, people are going to have to budget to get there and may want to make a bit of a holiday of it. So send out save the dates to help your guests plan their schedules.

2. Your wedding gift list. Gone are the days when you asked for toasters, towels, kettles and other household paraphernalia. These days most couples have lived together before marrying and may have a fully equipped home. However a wedding gift list is still a good idea for you to add items that you're missing. Maybe a top of the range coffee maker; new bed linen. Don't make every item on your list expensive - you need to have a range of prices from £25 up to even over £1000. Everybody needs to feel that they can get something from your list, no matter what their budget. And if people bring a gift they've chosen for themselves then it should be received gratefully - after all it's the thought that counts. If you've decided to ditch the gift list and ask for contributions towards your honeymoon or a deposit on a house, then be prepared for some people to still give you gifts. They may feel uncomfortable giving money, even if that's what you need. You also need to write your thank you letters promptly - within three months of the wedding at the latest - and thank everybody for their gifts, small or large.

3. Your bridesmaids. Even if you've always planned to dress the bridesmaids at your wedding in hot pink ruffles, be prepared to think again. Not everybody suits the same dress or the same colour and it's much more considerate to your friends if you offer them styles of dresses that really suit them. Mismatched bridesmaids dresses are right on trend and you can hang the theme together by using different shades of a similar colour for an ombré effect. Remember, one style does not suit all - let your maids wear dresses that flatter and you'll be rewarded with wonderful photographs and life long friendship.

4. Food at your wedding. Some people are vegetarians, some are gluten intolerant. It's never a good idea to serve shellfish at your wedding (many people are allergic) so within reason allow for dietary choice. Perhaps most importantly, make sure that you don't skimp on food. If you're marrying at midday and then carrying on festivities until midnight, that means you are going to have to feed your guests twice - so allow for that in your budget. There's nothing worse than being expected to survive on crisps and nibbles all afternoon until an evening meal at 7pm. Far better to get married later in the day and just have a fabulous evening dinner rather than leave people feeling hungry.

5. A chill-out zone. If you're having dancing at your wedding you may need to move some guest tables aside to allow for the dance floor. Every guests needs to have a place to sit and not everybody will want to sit next to a noisy dance floor - they may prefer to chat quietly and catch up with wedding guests they haven't seen for a while. In this instance, it's polite and thoughtful to have a chill-out room - which could be an area outside the reception room with comfortable chairs, serving tea, coffee and wedding cake.

wedding invitation, wedding stationery

What do you think about wedding etiquette - are there any aspects you'd like to share with us? At Ananya we have wedding stationery, including thank you cards, which make writing to acknowledge gifts a pleasure.

10 Top Tips For Writing The Perfect Thank You Letter

The British ‘Season’ is in full swing with Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta, Royal Ascot, weddings and all types of invitations to parties being issued. Of course, when you accept an invitation then it’s considered polite to say thank you afterwards, especially if you want to be invited again. If you’re the sort of person who keeps putting off writing a thank you letter then read our top 10 tips for writing thank you letters below.

1. Write your thank you note immediately after the event and get it out of the way. Who you talked to, what you enjoyed and all the details will be fresher in your mind so the words will flow more easily.

2. Plan out what you’re going to say on a scrap piece of paper first – just jot down your thoughts and then put them into sentences.

3. Try not to start off with the words ‘Thank you for …” Instead think about a highlight, eg “How clever of you to organise such beautiful sunshine for our day at Henley …”

4. A thank you letter should contain three elements – saying thank you, complimenting your host on the event and the hope that you will talk/meet again soon.

5. Writing in fountain pen is considered smartest and if you’re saying thank you for corporate entertainment then a written note will impress and make you stand out from the crowd.

6. If you have a lot of thank you notes to write at once (for example if you’ve received many new baby gifts) and you’re really short on time, then it is acceptable to have pre-printed cards made with a generic message. For example “Jenny and James Ingram thank you for the lovely gift sent to their new baby son Tom and hope to introduce you soon.” Then just sign the card yourself by hand. Ananya can also create a personal monogram for the couple to decorate the card.

7. Unless it’s a very casual affair, e mailing and texting aren’t the right way to say thank you for gifts, parties, theatre trips, dinner, Wimbledon tickets etc.

8. Write, don’t type the outside envelope. A handwritten envelope with a proper stamp is a welcome arrival in a letterbox and makes a change from brown envelopes with windows. If the letter is being sent to somebody at work, mark it ‘Personal’ so that a secretary doesn’t open it.

9. The top line of an address should be written about two thirds of the way down and every line should be indented beneath.

10. Keep a drawer full of notecards and postcards handy and a book of stamps so that you’re always ready to write.

You might also enjoy reading How To Be Polite

How To Be Polite

We've been thinking a great deal about manners here at Ananya lately. It really started because we were talking about the time of year and how sociable it is. Wedding season is in full swing. There are invitations to parties. Corporate entertainment at events like Wimbledon, Ascot and Henley. Weekends away. It goes without saying that one should always say thank you for being entertained - preferably by a handwritten note in ink. A text or e mail just doesn't really cut it - it's a bit lazy and hurried and if somebody has taken the time to organise a party then taking ten minutes to write a thank you note yourself isn't a lot to ask. Here's a charming one sent by an American TV star to a young fan - which we are sure she kept! Elegant stationery goes a long way towards creating the right impression and remember you don't have to write a long epistle when you're saying thank you. Just express your gratitude, how much you enjoyed meeting people, who you talked to and what you will remember about the event. That's why a notecard is perfect - and if you have a monogrammed set made just for yourself then that's very chic indeed. Every country has its own take on what makes for good manners (although writing a thank you card is acceptable anywhere). We just came across this useful infographic from Zendesk which shows what you should do and what you should avoid in different countries around the world. For example, did you know that it's considered impolite in Brazil to eat with your bare hands (always use a knife and fork or a napkin).   Every week on Twitter we're going to be publishing a tip on etiquette and politeness. You can follow us at @ananyacards and see our etiquette tips with the hashtag #etiquette. If you've any to add, please let us know!

Image credit: Zendesk 

Why your stationery says more about you than e mail or texting ever could ...

You go to pick up your post and lying amongst the boring brown envelopes, junk mail and unwanted circulars you’re thrilled to spot a beautiful envelope, with your address handwritten in ink - set off by a colourful stamp.

What a pleasure to receive!

If you’re like me, you’ll open such an invitation immediately with great anticipation (and possibly start planning what you’re going to wear!)

Okay, so receiving an exciting e mail from overseas or the text you’ve been waiting for can be a thrill. That electronic ‘ting’ that tells you somebody who's been in your thoughts has been thinking about you too.

But actually putting pen to paper and writing a proper letter on elegant notepaper shows that an individual has really taken the time and effort to think things through – and not made a spur of the moment communication.

fountain pen

Now I’ve received invitations to significant birthdays by e mail and even wedding invitations by e mail but I always find them a bit of a let down. With a little planning, forethought and not a vast investment it’s not difficult to announce an occasion in the proper style. Don’t you think? It sets the scene and tells your guests what they can expect.

Wedding stationery by Ananya

A greeting card or invitation from Ananya is always beautiful to receive. Browse through the wedding stationery and you’ll be bowled over by the rich colours – turquoises, pinks, golds (although softer pastels also feature). If you’re looking for something bespoke, you’ll enjoy talking to our designers and creating something that is unique to you and your big day. And of course getting married is the perfect time to think about commissioning a monogram for you both as a couple.

You’ll also find inspirational and attractive stationery for other occasions – whether it’s Chinese New Year, Diwali, Eid, Passover, or a memorable thank you card.

In the next few blogs we’ll be covering the etiquette of using stationery, with tips on writing a thank you letter when you can’t think of anything to say; replying to a formal wedding invitation;  how to commission your own personal stationery.  We’ll also be chatting about other fun stuff – watch this space and enjoy!

If there’s anything you’d like us to write about or were wondering about then please let us know. We’d love to hear from you.