Wednesday 21 September 2011

Keeping Up With the Paper Doll - An Inspiring Invite Insight...

Hot on the (Giuseppe Zannoti wedding) heels of Kim Kardashian is Sarah Cluney of the Paper Doll, local lovely and wedding stationer extraodinaire.


Always  keeping up with the ever changing trends to whet her bride's amorous appetites, Sarah's most recent design is the Oh-So-Cool-Old-Hollywood-Glamour-Old-School, a replica of Kim Kardashian's beau-ti-ful wedding invitation, and of course, at a kimth of the price!

Bespoken Dreams caught up with Sarah and her sparkly world of crafty creations to find out more...



"I accidentally ‘fell’ into the wedding business!  I have always be crafty and loved to create various bits and bobs which led me to having part time jobs in both Craft Central and The Paper Mill.  I was at these shops while completing my degree in Psychology.  I took on the role of wedding co-ordinator at The Paper Mill and it all started from there.  I began to develop my passion for wedding stationery running appointments and teaching brides how to create their own wedding stationery, giving tips and advice on materials and tools required.  It was at this point that I decided to put one of my table plans on Ebay - the classic bow design that has now become my biggest seller. I remember selling one three days after the item had been listed and I was so excited to create the item, then the next day I sold another, and another and it all took off from there!  In June 2010 I completed my degree and when I started to develop an order book for wedding stationery I realised there was no looking back. 


I've not long celebrated The Paper Doll’s official birthday and I would never in a million years have thought that something like this would have been possible.  One of the most exciting things to happen was when one of my brides went on Four Weddings.  I didn’t actually know when her episode would be shown; it was just lucky that one night while I was watching the camera suddenly zoomed into the stationery and I screamed the house down when I realised it was mine, then to top it off... she won!


Every day I get excited about designing and creating items. I don’t really think of this as a job, its more like a life style as I really do eat, breath, sleep weddings and wedding stationery.


SO!  Firstly I just want to say that I am a huge Kardashian fan. While I’m designing and creating I am usually watching (with my ears) E! and the Kardshians tend to dominate this channel.

So when I found out that Kim Kardashian was getting married I had to know every little detail including the most important of all - the stationery!

I managed to find out the company designing K&K's stationery was Invitationers to the Stars  Lehr and Black. Their celebrity client list is endless, including invitations for Gweneth Paltrow & Chris Martin, Seal & Heidi Klum and now Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries. Sadly many of these celebrity couples are no longer married but I guess thats Hollywood for you! My favourite design in fact is Britney Spears and Kevin Fedderline’s, I love that its vintage, girly and romantic all in one, so I would definitely like to create something inspired by this in the future.


Although we haven’t really seen most of the wedding footage, from short clips that I have seen the logo/embelum is followed right the way through the theme, its even on the carpet as Kim swished down the aisle! It's a really classic, elegant and effective way of tying all items of stationery together. And it doesn’t just have to be done with identical initials, any two letters can fit together to create a unique personalised image.
I also LOVE how this style of invitation comes in its own box. This is such a simple way to really make an impression for your wedding - its like a little present for each guest to open.

I’m certainly looking forward to seeing all the extras to match this theme! x

Us too Sarah!  Thank you for the inspiring invite insight,

Much love and Happy Planning x

Friday 16 September 2011

Liverpool's Gothic Wedding House Relaunch Party

Where the Heart Is
Home Sweet Home for the North West’s Bridal Best



Liverpool’s iconic gothic building the Wedding House  relaunched last week over a two day event in true celebratory style.  And keeping in with the essence of any fabulous wedding knees up, guests were indulged with fun, fizz and festivities.  Special guest Lord Mayor Cllr Frank Prendergast officially opened the event by cutting an aptly coloured pink ribbon before stepping inside the beautiful grade II listed building to sample an array of the thirty elite suppliers now housed there.  Wow!


From its original detailed Victorian tiled floor to the inviting rich red staircase, it’s clear to see how the Gothic Revival inspired a genre of romantic poetry in the literary world.  And within the wedding world, it seems the Wedding House has stirred many a romantic too.  Brides and their entourages came in droves to sample the four floors of top design inspiration and personal style advice to help plan their special occasion. 

Hot band on the circuit, Kikosi set the party atmosphere as guests were wowed by a first dance routine choreographed by Danielle Norman from Butterfly Wedding Choreography.  Also wowing the guests were the easy-on-the-eye semi naked hunks courtesy of My Sexy Butler.



The Wedding House is the brainchild of husband and wife proprietors Neil and Jennifer Shaw of Knutsford.  Neil purchased the building eight years ago to house his Liverpool Groom formal hire store.  He approached several other businesses at a Liverpool Echo wedding show and invited them to join, several of who are still there now. In 2011, Jennifer, a business improvement consultant working predominantly for global PLCs, took a sabbatical to help out in the family business.  

Jennifer says “I started by approaching some of the best wedding and special occasion related businesses within the North West; my vision to bring in some younger, funkier and more bang on trend businesses who would widen the appeal to any stylish customer looking for something a little bit different for their special occasion.”  




Like any blushing bride-to-be, the Wedding House is now at her most beautiful.  Nestled in the heart of the city centre and open seven days a week, the cream of the wedding crop exclusively provide an all year round wedding show experience to guide brides through the exciting planning process.  A wedding treat retreat! 

“We are still very much aimed at the wedding market, however, I equally see it as a destination of choice for a fashionista visiting for that special outfit to make them stand out from the crowd at the races or something to give their party the WOW factor, whatever the occasion.”

For a detailed guide of all suppliers at the House please visit www.theweddinghouse.co.uk

Much Love & Happy Planning....xxx

Sunday 4 September 2011

Precious Stones and Pretty Pictures - Inspiring Wedding Gifts


Following on from my last post about the wonderful Wedding House, it gives me great pleasure to introduce husband and wife team, Mike and Jan Greatbanks of Calidad Canvas and Calidad Creations, new residents on the top floor of this fabulous one stop shop.
Mike and Jan have spent the last 15 years running their own training consultancy in Liverpool.   Wanting a change of direction which would allow them to use their creative skills of painting and jewellery-making, they recently entered the specialist wedding market, and have had very positive feedback from commissions so far.
Jan says, ““We’re really excited about our new direction and are looking forward to working with couples planning their special day together".
Jan of Calidad Creations produces handmade jewellery using semi-precious stones interspersed with Swarovski crystals and glass. While creating pieces that cater for current trends, she’s more than happy to create a distinctive one-off piece for you too. Perhaps you're looking for presents for bridesmaids/flowergirls? Why not give them jewellery which reflects their birthstone? 






If you’re looking for something really special to remember your wedding, then why not have Mike of Calidad Canvas paint your special place for you?  Whether it’s where you had your marriage ceremony, your wedding reception venue or your honeymoon location, Mike can capture your cherished memories in an original painting in watercolour, oil or acrylic.   In addition, why not have prints as a special, “Thank you,” gift for parents and your Maid of Honour and Best Man? 


Just precious...
Much Love x