What is your most memorable wedding?
We worked with a couple who wanted bespoke foilpress pocketfolds. We create a custom pocketfold, that had a venue sketch illustration foiled on the invite, as well as their names. A custom made monogram was then foiled on the inside pocket and on the matching belly bands for their evening guests. We also created a custom wax seal using their monogram to seal their pocketfolds closed. Their colours were Burgundy, Blush and Gold and we used the pocketfolds and envelopes for burgundy, gold foil and blush wax seals.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Contemporary, Sophisticated, Understated, Refined, Elegant
What about your business are you most proud of?
Ian and I have worked tirelessly to invest in all the industry equipment needed to run a professional business. We wanted Elle Bee to be reliable and obtainable for all, and wanted it to portray how committed we are to our couples, by learning how to produce the best quality stationery ourselves. Being entirely self-sufficient enables us to ensure quality control throughout the entire process from design to production, rather than just a part of it. We are not a stationery company that is run from the spare room of our house, and we are proud to offer the best materials at affordable prices due to our continued personal growth and dedication.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Don't fear wedding stationery! A lot of our couples always compliment us on how we make the process so easy for them, and that working with us has been the easiest experience during their planning. A good stationer is first and foremost there to help you, and we make sure that we are available for all our couples with any questions or concerns you have. Wedding stationery is a large portion of planning, but with us it is not complicated or hard. Picking suppliers who help you is key to easy and stress-free wedding planning.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
We designed stationery for a same-sex couple getting married in the UK. When we received the photos, the Groomsmaids absolutely blew us away. The wedding was monochrome, with the Grooms in Black but the Groomsmaids were all wearing these absolutely gorgeous white suits. The whole vibe of the wedding was stunning, and we loved the non-traditional choice for suits for the Groomsmaids.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
A key aspect of all our reviews is how easy our process is. Typically couples will find us and order a sample. Once they have the sample, they book a consultation to get to meet us and to go over the finer points of what they are looking for. Once happy, they place an order via our website using our easy-to-use drop-down system. When the order is paced, we are in contact right away to collect all their information, send them useful links on wording etiquette, templates and more, and once received back we being proofing right away. All our couples see their stationery before going to print and have the option to make changes if needed. As printing is done on our own professional graphic arts printers, production doesn't take too long once stationery is approved. We then either arrange delivery, or local couples can collect if required.
What is the most important piece of stationery for a wedding and why?
The Envelope. Save the Dates and Stationery are key focal points to any wedding, containing all the necessary information, along with conveying the vibe of the wedding from the use of colour, printing methods and wording. They are the first glimpse into your day, with the invitation usually being the focal point of your theme/vibe. However, the envelope is the very first thing that Guests see. You can build anticipation and excitement for your guests by presenting them with a coloured envelope, printed in white ink and sealed with a wax seal with your emblem on. It makes your guests feel that they are a special and important aspect of your day. If you print their name and address on the envelope too, this adds a small personal touch to the overall aesthetic.
What is your best seller?
When it comes to invitations, our most popular style are Pocketfolds. Couples love their clean look and their ability to neatly present information, and they work well with almost all styles of wedding. For other stationery personalised Menus with name tags have been hugely popular. Reminding guests of their menu choices, or presenting the menu to them with their name elegantly clipped to it adds a sense of sophistication to your wedding breakfast, helps people get seated quicker and removes clutter from the table. There is also a practical element too, as a lot of guest will have forgotten what they ordered, so having it in front of them will help with catering too.
What is the most innovative delivery method you have come across?
.
How do you add romance to any wedding stationery you do?
In the main romance is conveyed through materials and styling with elements guests won't usually see, from torn-edge cotton paper to handmade wax seals, or fully foiled / letterpressed invitations that have been created traditionally and individually, romance is communicated through uniqueness and quality.