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Brides Up North loves Margaret from XOXO Stationery – she is one fab chick from North of the Border. I know that you will love her stationery with a combination of colour and cool or more traditional beautifully drawn designs to satisfy every style conscious bride. Today, I get to know the individual behind the invitations.
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Are you married? Did you make the invitations for your own wedding? If not, what stationery would you choose for your big day?
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We tied the knot a good few years back. And no, I didn’t make the invitations or on the day stationery myself – XOXO Stationery was as much a twinkle in my eye as our two rascals Oscar and Ollie!
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With a busy job and some stressful wedding planning moments there was no way I had the time, expertise or need for more stress by trying to make our stationery (which would have undoubtedly resulted in a homemade glue fest…definitely not what I envisaged, nor wanted, for our wedding!). We opted for a simple and classic personalised foil blocked design on thick cream board – which reflected our day perfectly.
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If it were now though – I would opt out of the large, formal affair and my ideal would be a country venue for the weekend! Three days of much fun, much laughter, much love, much memory-making with the special and dear people in our lives. As for my stationery choices now – lordy where to start! That would be an essay in itself but think an eclectic mix of print finishes, colours and style!
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What designs are available to order?
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At XOXO we always have around 40 designs on our website. But that’s really just the start. Because we pride ourselves on offering a personal service and make stationery to order, we’re always happy to adapt and tweak our designs to suit whatever colour or theme is central to a customer’s wedding.
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We offer designs that go from simple to elaborate, and from traditional to funky and on-trend. With XOXO if you don’t see something you like, tell us and you soon will!
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Do you have any new designs for 2011?
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We don’t do seasonal launches at XOXO – when the inspirational juices start flowing, that’s it! And once finalised, up on our website it goes. So checking www.xoxo-wedding.co.uk regularly for new arrivals is a good idea.
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We have recently added an exciting new product to our Save-the-Pennies portfolio – Pocket Invitations.
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Can you do bespoke designs?
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It’s not a matter of can we do them, we LOVE to do them! Making the perfect wedding invitation for a bride and groom is simply what we’re about.
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What is your favourite design and why?
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At the moment I’m seriously lusting one of our Hand-Finished designs called Morina. I adore the simplicity and elegance of the foil blocking, and the font we’ve carefully chosen is beautiful too.
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What is your most popular design and why?
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We know that many people need to budget carefully right now. So we’ve successfully produced a Save-the-Pennies printed stationery range that doesn’t compromise on style but is purse-friendly. Our Bunting design is proving extremely popular for summer weddings.
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In our Hand Finished range, our Vela Pocket Fold is the one of the moment -our clients have great taste! The combination of top quality Envelopments Pocket Fold and foil blocking is divine.
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Where do you get your inspiration from?
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We’re so lucky to have the XOXO studio based in Kirkcudbright, a gorgeous wee town on the Solway coast, in Dumfries and Galloway.
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Whether I’m walking my two hairy hounds through the gorgeous countryside the region is famous for, or along by the harbour, inspiration is just a step outside. The area has an historic reputation as an Artist’s colony, and that mellow yet creative atmosphere is still here today.
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Of course I’d be telling lies if I said it was always blue sky and sunshine – this is the west coast of Scotland after all! So I also get ideas simply by browsing magazines or fabulous wedding blogs like Brides up North, curled up on the sofa in glass of wine in hand.
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What products are available in each design? – i.e. save the date, evening invitation etc
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Absolutely everything is available in all our designs, from save-the-date card, on the day stationery through to gift thank-you correspondence.
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And don’t forget our ranges can be mixed and matched (a popular option this year is our Hand- Finished range for invitations and Save-the-Pennies for on the day stationery).
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Who would be your dream client, and what sort of design would you envisage for them?
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Right now we’re thinking Fearne Cotton, who’s recently announced her engagement to long-term boyfriend Jesse Jenkins, would be a stunner. Fearne’s quirky, fun and fashionable, we’d love to work with her.
Undoubtedly she’d have her own great ideas for a wedding theme. Given her love of animals and her name, we’d suggest something that draws on nature yet has a funky twist. After all, she has a fern motif as a tattoo!
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What design would you have suggested for the Royal Wedding?
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Well we think that one’s been sorted by Her Maj already. But there’s another Windsor Wedding this year – spunky Zara Phillips is getting hitched. She’s got a relaxed Royal style, and we have the perfect design for her – Britannia.
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It’s one from our Save-the-Pennies range, but if Zara has a bit more cash in her budget, we’d recommend letterpress print. A great combination of traditional print method and fun design for Zara.
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What would be your top tips for Brides Up North when choosing their wedding stationery?
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Don’t rush to choose stationery and definitely don’t leave it to the last minute. Remember, your wedding is a unique occasion. Guests will have their invitations for many weeks before your day and will look at them often, so they are a real statement piece. Think about what your stationery will say about you as a couple and don’t be afraid to think outside the box…something as simple as a more unique or unusual colour palette can have a huge impact.
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Ask your stationery designer if adaptations of designs are possible. Just a little tweak here and there will personalise your invitations. And do order samples – that way you get to see and feel the quality of the products and experience the standard of service the company offers before you commit yourself.
How far in advance should save the dates and then wedding invitations be sent out?
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You can send save the dates a year in advance – even longer if you have relatives and friends living in far off places and they have a big journey to make. ..or if your wedding is taking place abroad.
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Custom used to dictate sending guests’ invitations about six week in advance. Nowadays anything goes and we’d recommend sending them three to four months beforehand. Remember, guests need time to plan for your wedding too, including booking time off work and finding for the perfect outfit!
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Does all the stationery have to match?
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Not necessarily, and there is a trend not to match, but do think about how you will coordinate the items, either with a theme or a set palette of colours.
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Many brides don’t want to reveal their colour scheme until the wedding day itself. In which case go for a neutral invitation that doesn’t give away your surprise. However, we recommend that if you are having a very traditional, formal wedding, matching stationery is the best choice.
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Where are you based and where can you supply?
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From Kirkcudbright to infinity – and beyond! We’ve sent XOXO stationery all over the world and are happy to oblige – just remember to build in extra time for delivery if you are ordering from outside the UK.
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What are your prices, are you doing any special offers?
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All our prices are on our website, and start at £1.55. Become a fan of our Facebook page for notification of special offers.
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How long do you take to turn around an order?
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For our Hand-Finished range – we advise allowing a minimum of six weeks, our Save- the-Pennies range, three weeks. We also offer an expedited service for those in a hurry.
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How can I get in touch to discuss my requirements or place an order?
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Website: www.xoxo-wedding.co.uk
Email: enquiries@xoxo-wedding.co.uk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/XOXOstationery
Phone: 01557 331695
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Finally, why do you read the Brides Up North wedding blog and why do you like it?
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It’s bursting with great ideas, fabulous recommendations and heaps of information. And updated twice a day! Why spend money on a magazine when this free treasure trove wedding blog is just a mouse click away?
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Have you entered the XOXO Stationery Right Royal Giveaway? The competition is open until 20 May 2011 – click here to enter!
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XOXO Stationery is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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