Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
creative, thoughtful, adaptive, modern, perfectionist
What about your business are you most proud of?
Taking the time to learn calligraphy and the discipline of the pointed pen, everyday is an opportunity for creativity. I love my recently created 'Seraphine' Wedding Suite using a beautiful gold ink on handmade paper and creating a bespoke monogram.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Start early - especially when it comes to stationery or considering calligraphy. Save the date cards need to be sent out at least 7 months in advance and if you are planning on having a complete suite designed these cards will need to be incorporated into the wedding stationary suite. If you are choosing to have calligraphy on your envelopes / place cards / tables / menus that need to be hand written make sure you allow around 15% extra for any possible mistakes. The pointed pen is a wonderful tool but certain inks and textures can cause problems which might need testing before commencing work. I always recommend that you send a sample to me before ordering a large amount.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
From the first point of contact I will discuss your ideas, vision and timescales. We will also discuss what particular parts of my services you require. If you have images they are always useful but you can refer to my portfolio and I am very happy to take elements from different examples to create a new design altogether.
Once agreed, I send a provisional quote for my service with estimates on timeframes. If I am making work that will need to be digitised and sent to a stationer / printing house I will liaise with them to make sure that the files I provide are exactly to their requirement. Having worked in the digital field for over 15 years I am aware of printing processes and what formats the files will need to be in and what resolution.
If there are any elements that need to be tested i.e envelopes / place cards I will request a sample and test for ink bleed and smudging. Once this has been completed I will arrange with you to send the materials to me where I will work within an agreed timeframe to complete the items to send back to you via courier / special delivery.
I normally request a 30% deposit once the project has been agreed and this will also secure you a slot in my diary for calligraphy time. Depending on volume of work it can take up to 1-2 weeks to compete your calligraphy requirements. Especially in the case of envelopes.
Once the project is complete I will request the final payment either via PayPal or BACS - you can also order items from my website.
What is the most important piece of stationery for a wedding and why?
I don't think there is necessarily a most important piece, you could say the invitation because it is the first impression people have of your style, and type of wedding they will be attending especially if it arrives in a beautifully calligraphed envelope with a wax seal.
My favourite piece of stationery for a wedding is almost the most simple one - the place name card, it is small and simple but can also be very creative. I offer a variety of ways of calligraphy for place cards i.e. agate stones, leaves, vellum paper etc. I think people love to see their name written in a lovely and special way. It is often that souvenir they take away with them from the event.
What is your best seller?
My place card calligraphy service, either created by me or with cards that have been sent to me.
How do you add romance to any wedding stationery you do?
Every letter I write is carefully created from shapes and strokes of the pointed pen with special inks and paints. Whatever name, address, message, information I am writing at the time is absorbed into my hands and arms and with each stroke of the pen I am adding a special thought or wish to the recipient. I take great pride in my work and love to add a little flourish here and there with an extra swirl or perhaps a pretty motif. I want people to look at the pieces I've created and say 'wow, that's really lovely'. We live in a very digital age and it's so nice to see something written by hand, there is beauty in a line that is created by hand rather than a computer. Perfection in imperfection.