I’m delighted to introduce you to a rather intriguing man this afternoon. Scott Murphy of Mailbox Design creates beautiful stationery over in Perth. Using foil prints, textured stock, fols, binding ties and much more, Scott creates stationery with a luxurious feel and a clear sense of design.

Tell me about yourself?

I am a passionate graphic designer who loves creating professional, innovative work for people who appreciate quality and style. I enjoy working with people and feel rewarded when I see and hear about the excitement they experience when seeing their final product for the first time.

What is your design background?

I have been working in the advertising and graphics industry for 13 years. I have worked with and learnt from some of the industry’s most talented people. I started in the printing industry first before moving into advertising and design. This was ideal for Mailbox to have both print and design knowledge.

Do you have a particular design style?

Simple, clean design that is considered and professional. Utilising space, typography, print finishings and materials are all important too. It’s a matter of combining the right elemets to create something special.

Your Mailbox Design website is understated and elegant. Is this the ‘feeling’ you are trying to convey across your stationery lines?

Absolutely. That’s exactly right. You can’t expect people to buy your product if your website isn’t of a high standard. I put a lot of work into getting it right. A website is just so important. It allows you to reach wide audiences far beyond your local area. My website is my shop and it also allows me to keep costs down by not having large overheads such as rent. I wanted my customers to be excited and feel they are purchasing quality products from a reliable professional service.

What are your aims for your business?

A large part of the reason I began Mailbox Design was that I saw that there was definitely a market for a premium product. My main focus was to offer clients a superior alternative. A product that is professionally produced by experienced graphic designers using only the finest materials and printing processes together with a passion for creativity and attention to detail. I am looking to strengthen this by continuing to add to our collection and offer services and options many other suppliers can’t.

What sets you apart from others?

Professional graphic design experience combined with our printing processes and materials are the main aspects that set us apart. We print on commercial offset printing presses which not only produce the highest quality result but also allows us to use some very special printing features including beautiful imported textured stocks, specialty inks such as metallics, embossing, foiling and a range of other options.

We are however about to introduce a digital range to complement our premium line so that couples with a smaller budget are also able to purchase Mailbox products. See “coming soon” on our website.

How do you keep on learning, and keeping your product fresh and different?

You can always learn from other people in your field. I am constantly in contact with some of the very best graphic designers for alternative ideas and a “second set of eyes”. I think one of my attributes is never thinking I know it all. There are always other people that can provide options and alternatives that you might not have thought of or considered yourself. I try to surround myself with good people, not only in the graphics industry but also the wedding industry.

I also study a lot of books and magazines for inspiration and spend countless hours on the web researching what people are producing around Australia and also overseas.

What inspires you? How do stay inspired?

A passion for design and being a part of producing something special for what’s usually the most important day in people’s lives. I also just enjoy meeting new people and working with them.

What inspires you about Australian brides?

Australian brides are usually quite relaxed but well organised. They often desire their special day to be about having fun with the people they love. Often traditional formalities are somewhat relaxed or modified to represent their particular personalities. It’s great dealing with excited people that just want to have a fantastic day to remember forever.

What is your number one tip for brides?

Be organised well ahead of time. Often things can arise that are unexpected and may cause delays. Always be one step ahead not only with stationery but all areas of planning a wedding. An event like a wedding takes a great deal of organisation and preparation. Be prepared, ask questions, do your research and know exactly what you’re getting. Avoid unnecessary stress.

What are your favourite wedding invitation ideas?
I really like simple clean designs with one print finish such as foiling, embossing, varnishes, wax seals etc. This can be really impressive especially on a beautiful heavy specialty stock.

What bridal stationery trends do you see in the future?

I predict couples will trend towards more premium products as people are becoming prepared to spend a little extra money to have quality products and services at their wedding. With the DIY and cheaper end markets well and truly covered I think the middle to premium markets will continue to grow.

What should brides start with when they are planning their stationery needs?

Obviously a date is an important first step and that is usually secured through booking a venue. Once we know this we have a time schedule and can work from there. I would recommend researching a number of companies to see what’s available and to get an idea of costs. From here you should be able to determine what’s an appropriate budget for your stationery. Once you have decided on a company contact them to organise a quote or confirm your booking. Allow plenty of time to produce the artwork. The earlier the better. I would allow three months prior to your wedding date to get started.

Do you offer customised ideas for designs and colours to brides, if requested? How do you do this?

Absolutely. We have an existing gallery of premium stationery which brides can select from and are welcome to choose what ever colours they wish. Alternatively brides may have something specific in mind which becomes a custom job. We charge an hourly design rate for this service and each job is quoted individually. Costs will vary depending on complexity of the work involved.

What are the ‘must have’ (basic) items in a stationery suite? What else can be added to this?

Really the only “must have” items are the invitation and name cards but most brides choose to have a number of items or an entire set. The beauty of selecting a number of items is they are designed to match perfectly so that your guest’s first impression from receiving your invitation (with possibly RSVP and registry cards) is continued on the day of the wedding.

The chosen design and theme continued through to all parts of the day gives an impressive professional look and feel to your event. Picture your invitation design continued through to the order of service or ceremony booklet, then at the reception the room is filled with pieces such as the menu, name cards, table numbers and bonboniere tags all continuing the theme. Even after the day is over your theme is still represented when your guests receive a thank you card in the same style and design that they’ve come to relate to you and your special day.

Essentially you’re branding your wedding. All items should reflect your theme and convey the same message.

Cleverest ideas you’ve seen?

Probably some work I’ve seen from New York. One company produces some amazing invitations that are really works of art. They use interesting materials such as bamboo and new techniques like laser paper etching. I’ve seen an old Spanish theme set which was stunning. Some VERY big budgets would be required for some of these products. Great inspiration though. I’m hoping to travel there in the near future to see more of what’s happening in the US.

Could you give us 5 tips and tricks for the bride?

Be organised. Allow plenty of time for decision making, production, addressing, mailing and time for your guests to get themselves organised.

Be aware of what you’re getting for your money. Understand printing processes – digital vs offset, specialty stocks, etc. Educate yourself as much as you can. Many companies have helpful information and FAQ’s on their sites. Ask questions if you need more information.

Order extra copies of each item. It can be a very expensive process to reprint a small number of items.

Don’t hand write guest names and addresses. Have address labels made or for a really professional result have a calligrapher write them.

Your wedding invitations set the precedent for things to come. Make sure your stationary reflects the theme for your special day and sets the tone for an amazing event.

Thank you for joining us and sharing your inspiration and thoughts today Scott! You can find more of Scott’s work on his website Mailbox Design.

Today we’re joined by one of Australia’s oldest and most renowned gift registry founders. Karaline Loiterton founded Wedding List Company in 2003. Now they have a fantastic user freindly website and four retail outlets (Perth, Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane) allowing couples the ease and simplicity when creating a wedding registry.

Tell me about yourself?
I studied Business Degree in Marketing and Finance, but I started my professional life as a Fashion Office Assistant at Vogue Australia. I then realised that my call was in the marketing arena.  After two years as Product Manager with Yardley Australia, I moved to London with the L’Oreal Luxury Group where held marketing positions on Helena Rubinstein, Giorgio Armani, and Lancôme. When I left London, I was the Marketing Director of Clinique for the Estée Lauder Group.

How did you come up with the idea of starting a wedding registry business?
The idea for Wedding List Co came when I was living in London and planning my wedding in Italy. Already a logistically challenging wedding to arrange, with guests arriving from all over the world, I suffered further agony having to contend with the only available, outdated gift registry in Australia at the time. So following my less than inspiring experience with a department store registry I identified a clear gap in the market for a service driven alternative. From conversations with friends, many commented that it was the least fun thing about their wedding. It should be one of the best! You should feel like a child again and all your Christmases have come at once. So I wrote Wedding List Co’s business plan while still in London and continued to research the market and brands on return to Australia. And I haven’t looked back since!

The Perth Wedding List Company store

What is the ‘mission statement’ for your business?
We aim to “under promise and over deliver”. We are totally focused on providing a registry experience for the couple and their guests over and above the department stores.

How do you choose the products that you feature? What inspires you?
The buying team visits the Gift & Homeware fairs and pore through all the latest interiors press locally and overseas. Often new product or brand suggestions come from our customers. They might have returned from overseas and seen a great new brand or item and ask us to see if we can get it.
We aim to offer unique and niche gifts that you cannot find anywhere else, but also all the popular brands found in the department stores. With most couples already living together before marriage these days, they often tell us they have all the basics, so we are always looking for gifts that will excite the guests as well as the couple.

How do you differentiate yourself from other wedding registries?
The best service, the biggest range, plus four stores around Australia for couples to choose their gifts and guests to purchase from. We were the first specialist registry in Australia and continue to lead the way with the most comprehensive website and greatest choice of gifts. We not only offer great homewares but a huge choice of unique options such as artwork, Coco Republic furniture, and a Contribution Registry™ where guests can contribute to a honeymoon, mortgage or other lifestyle options.
Most other wedding registries are online only. This is very limiting for older guests who prefer to come in to a store to choose the gift in person. Couples who set up their list in store with us do so with the help of a Gift Consultant who gives advice from which plates fit in the dishwasher, to what cookware works on induction. These are questions you would be hard pressed to find an available sales assistant in a department store to answer.
We are dedicated to making the registry process the fun and stress free experience it should be. The complimentary drink while choosing gifts in store certainly helps with this!

In sourcing new products to add to your business, is it an instinct that tells you whether the product will sell?
Instinct but also 3000 registries with 80,000 gifts delivered in 6 years…so experience plays a big part now in what couples want, but just as importantly, what guests like to buy.

How should couples go about setting up a wedding registry with you?
For regional or overseas couples they can set up and choose gifts entirely on line. For those living near one of our stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or now Brisbane, we encourage them to come in for a consultation with one of our Gift Gurus who will give them help with choosing gifts and set everything up for them. All they need do is sip champagne and point!

What are the basic homewares couples should buy when setting up their first home together?
Most couples will already have the basics – an everyday white dinner set, some mixed glasses, cookware they bought while at University. Their bridal registry allows them to choose more qualitative items that they will use for entertaining and enjoy using everyday. We enquire as to their entertaining style and get them to think about what suits their lifestyles. Are they more likely to have friends over for a BBQ than a formal sit down dinner party? At the same time they need to think about entertaining in the future – will they host Christmas lunch or Friday night Shabbat? Guests prefer to buy gifts they know the couple will use for a long time. Many electricals and appliances only have life spans of up to 2 years these days. We encourage couples to keep their more traditional guests in mind when choosing gifts so there is something to suit every guest’s taste and budget.

Tea Set by Legle de Limoges

Do you ship your products overseas?
Many of our couples live overseas and we can organize the gifts to be shipped to them.

What do you see for your business in 3 years time?
To be the most recognized and respected bridal registry in Australia so that when a guest opens a wedding invitation and sees our name they are delighted as they know they will have a choice of beautiful gifts at great prices. And that every couple who comes to us will do so because not just 1 but several of their friends recommended our outstanding service.

What are your favorite wedding ideas?

We had a couple recently who said all they wanted was a beautiful dinner set. They decided upon the divine Legle de Limoge dinnerware from France in a rainbow of colours. As each piece is not inexpensive they said to their guests they wanted them to just buy one piece – a plate, or cup or bowl etc. They monogrammed the initials on the bottom of the guest who purchased it after they received it. They then invited them all to dinner (possibly at different times!) so they could appreciate their contribution. I thought it was so touching and will be a truly memorable symbol of their marriage.

What are the biggest mistakes you see couples making when setting up a wedding registry?
More recently there has been a trend in couples saying they would like to ask for cash in lieu of a gift. We undertook a survey* asking over 1000 guests their thoughts on this. An overwhelming 89% responded they felt it was distasteful and were uncomfortable. Many of those said they would just take a gift of their choice instead. The 11% who didn’t mind were of cultural backgrounds where giving cash is the tradition – such as Chinese, Greek and Lebanese weddings.

Vera Wang natural 4 piece place setting

Couples need to remember that the registry is as much about their guests as it is about them. Just because you ask it doesn’t mean you will receive! Guests will buy a gift or other as they choose and don’t feel pressured to use your registry or respond to your request for cash. The best way to encourage guests to use your registry is by choosing gifts with a large cross section of prices, ensuring there is plenty to choose from right up to the week before, and giving them the option of buying online or in store. These are things that Wedding List Co. offers.
*For full results see the attached press release “Guests prefer gifts”.

Cleverest ideas you’ve seen?
To be honest – some of the new functionality on our website! Couples are able to:
• Add a personalized message and photo to the top of their registry
• Mark a gift as a favourite to helps their guests in their choice
• Split expensive gifts into shares so guests can just buy a portion

5 things a bride should consider?
For her registry:
1. Will my guests have the option to buy online or instore?
2. Will I be able to easily add more gifts across different prices as they are bought or will I have to go back into the store (as with the department stores).
3. Will there be flexibility to swap some items in case of double ups or incomplete sets being bought?
4. Are there enough unique gifts for my friends who will want to buy something more personal?
5. Will I have to stay home on a weekday (as with the department stores) or can my gifts be delivered on a weekend (as with WLC!)

Thanks for joining us today Karaline! You can find more from Karaline and visit her instore via the Wedding List Company.

Today’s expert is Sydney wedding planner Angela Wilson. Angela owns eventing planning company Elite Events and recently opened the Angela Wilson Boutique which stocks international brands such as Amsale and Ceci NY. Today Angela’s going to share her secrets and inspiration!

Tell me about yourself? What is your background?

My background is in event management, business, fashion and interior design. I completed studies at Whitehouse School of Design and Macleay College which gave me to tools I needed start Elite Events. I am really driven to provide something unique in everything that I do.

Have you always been passionate about weddings? Or do you love the organizational aspect of pulling lots of different things together and making something beautiful for the bride and groom?

Yes I have, I attended my first bridal fair at age 16. I love the logistical side of weddings and I am motivated by the challenges involved in creating a wedding, my goal is always to deliver an event that exceeds the expectations of the client and reflects their personal taste.

What was the catalyst for setting up your Elite Events and Angela Wilson businesses?

Elite Events was a natural progression from my studies, I was inspired to start a business when I identified a large gap in the bridal market for tailored wedding planning and styling specific to each bride and groom.

Angela Wilson was also created due to a gap in the middle market in bridal for gowns and bridesmaid dresses that reflected international trends and offered something different. The Amsale Maids range is now exclusively stocked in our boutique and was a direct result of the frustration of clients to find something unique for their bridal party.

What services do you offer the Australian bride?

The business is a multi-layered business. Elite Events offers planning and styling and the Angela Wilson boutique in Paddington showcases items from New York and abroad.

Our service is based on a detailed orientated approach whether the brides focus be jewellery, table décor, invitations or bridal wear. We handle everything from start to finish and in between.

Does a bride have to have a large budget in order to engage your services? Are there different ‘levels’ of service you can offer?

Out tailored approach extends to our services which we cater to different budget levels. Particularly with Elite Events where we offer either a comprehensive service or simply consultation on styling and advice, I can create a wedding to your taste and budget.

How do you keep on learning? How do you keep up with the latest trends?

Continually sourcing new materials, predominately from larger markets like the UK and US. But I tend not to be a huge trend follower, I like creating an event design that is unique in order to keep my role challenging and interesting.

What inspires you about Australian women/brides?

I love their approach to creating their wedding, they are so enthusiastic and willing to try new ideas. I find Australian brides are happy to work with you. I admire their approach to thinking outside the normal realm of wedding design.

Do you have a ‘special look’ that sets you apart from other wedding stylists or do you tailor the look to each couple’s style?

We definitely tailor the style of each wedding to the couple, although key to my style is layering elements and textures to create a subtle, elegant look.

One element that is consistent across my design is carrying through small design cues from conception to event, I am all about the details.

What ideas should brides start with when they come to see you? Should they have a theme established firmly in their minds or do you prefer to guide them?

I am quite flexible, if they have a theme, whether it be related to style, colour, tastes, location or atmosphere then I love working with an inspiration cue. That said, if a bride is not sure of their look I find that once I get to know their personality and we take into account the venue and other elements it is just as easy to guide them towards a style that would be fitting to the look they are trying to achieve.

What is your number one tip for brides?

Always stick to your gut instincts, don’t try and mix too many ideas together –simplicity is best.

What bridal trends do you see in the future?

From a coordinating point of view destination weddings are starting to emerge as a strong trend.

Internationally I have noticed that sex is out and refined is in, think ‘Gone with the Wind’. Bold jewellery is becoming more of a stand out feature to complement the bridal gown.

Could you give us five tips and tricks for the bride and groom?

1. No red wine when you are in your wedding dress
2. Brides: The key to a good spray tan is planning it 2 days prior to the wedding. Grooms: Do not try and sun bake to get a summer glow in the lead up to your wedding.
3. Have all rings and jewellery cleaned 2 days prior.
4. Grooms and groomsmen: Steer clear of hair cuts in the week leading up to the wedding.
5. Consider purchasing a good quality eye drop that promotes clear eyes and reduces redness for great pictures.

Thankyou for joining us today Angela! You can find Angela at Elite Events and the Angela Wilson Boutique .

Today’s expert is fairly new to the wedding industry, but he’s certainly not new to his craft of cinematography! Having worked for the BBC and in Australia various television networks,  Allen Mechen of Highlight Films on Queensland’s Gold Coast is passionate about his craft and he joins us here on Polka Dot Bride to share the secrets behind his success with film.

What is your ‘mission statement’ for Highlight Films i.e. the filming of weddings?

We believe a wedding/marriage is a cinematic experience. What does that mean? Well, just that the quality and feel of the wedding feels more like a film that you would experience at the cinema – emotional breathtaking and artistic with high production values. We feel as excited about your wedding as you, its a one of a kind, a one off
production that deserves the absolute best.

Your portfolio includes a wide variety of assignments. What interests you about wedding videography?

Marriage and your wedding day are uniquely special. It’s a huge event in one’s life and every wedding is a love story just waiting to be told. For me it’s the chance to share in the day but also to create something truly emotional on lots of different levels. To take the viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, to capture the essence of
the man and woman. Creatively, we get to make one-off special films.

What should brides look for in a videographer?

Well, that’s simple. Strip back all of the equipment, awards and packages. Just look at the work of the filmmaker -their portfolio. Look at the creativity and style, and the way it has been filmed and edited. If their films grasp you and inspire you, then it’s for you.

What inspires you about Australian brides? Is there a special ‘Australian’ quality about brides from this country?

Australian brides are so diverse, with many different tastes. I love the fact that we could be shooting a ultra modern city wedding or a traditional country farmhouse wedding. The brides have this really great attitude to life which I think is really an Australian thing. I think Australian brides know what they want, but are also willing and open to ideas.

Do you take ‘traditional’ videos of brides or do you strive to be different? What sets you apart from others?

I think the days of traditional wedding videos are numbered. Brides are using the internet and seeing what is available and what is possible and are wanting more. For a long time I believe there has been a lot of laziness in the industry, the internet has opened up a whole new breed of filmmakers to brides. I really believe it is about educating brides and grooms about what can be achieved with video. Creative talent is also a key factor when choosing.

We do strive to be different in terms of our approach and techniques. We like to get involved in the process from the beginning and talk to the couples, get to know them, find out their personalities, what they like etc and create a film and a story around them.

Song for the Lovers |M&D from allen mechen on Vimeo.

Where do you find inspiration to keep your filming of the couple cutting edge, and your interest in it fresh?

My inspiration comes from movies, music and music videos, and books. This may sound odd but a good story can give me heaps of inspiration. Photographs and art can give me ideas of composition, styling and look. I also will spend time on the internet looking at other filmmakers in all fields.

What feelings are you trying to capture when filming the bride and groom?

Have you ever had that nervous little tingle in your stomach, or cried at the end of a really great movie or book, or laughed out loud at comedy? That’s what we aim to capture. I am greedy – I want the viewer to feel it all.

What techniques do you use to capture the ‘uniqueness’ of each couple?

Good research, talk to the couple find out about them, ask questions and discuss ideas. Locations can also make a big difference. We always use a minimum of 2 cameras on each shoot for great coverage, more if needed. We also storyboard and go to rehearsals.

What is your number one tip for brides when being filmed by you?
Brush your teeth! No seriously. Just relax, all the planning has been done. Try not to rush through the day. Just enjoy each other.

How can the couple look natural in front of the camera?

Most of the time because of the enormity of the day, couples can get very nervous, which is not a bad thing. It’s such a big deal with all the planning that has gone into the day and with every important person in your life in attendance. My advice is to just savour every moment of each other, stop and check yourself and take it all in. The cameras will pick up all the energy nerves and emotions, which is what it is all about.

It’s important that the couple know exactly what we will be doing and where we will be on the day and they are comfortable with that, and that comes with talking and rehearsals.

Where do you see videography fitting into the wedding day? As an adjunct to stills photography, or taking the place of it?

I think we are in the middle of a very exciting time in wedding video. The market is really changing with the advent of new equipment being made available to filmmakers which is changing how we photograph and film all sorts of productions. I do not think video will take the place of photography, however, we will start to see a lot more couples making more educated decisions and being very specific about what they want, and it’s really about education. In the past, lets face it, wedding videos to some degree have had a bad rap and that is partly to do with videographer and partly the equipment – bad shaky shots, long zooms, bad lighting, and editing have not helped. As well as inexperienced operators,
who have tended to be portrayed as a friend of a friend who does a bit of video work on the side. Now we have a whole new breed of “filmmakers” coming through from industry backgrounds who know how to use the new equipment and are shooting exceptional work.

When brides start seeing what is available and what can be achieved, then I think we will see more brides opting for both video and photography as standard and not one or the other.

What do you love about the wedding industry?

For me it’s the diversity of the work, and the people. It’s all about relationships.

What are the biggest mistakes you see couples making?

I have been involved in a number of bridal expos and the one thing I ask couples is, “have you thought about a wedding film?” The reply I normally get is “not really”. A wedding film is the last thing on a brides list and the first thing to be dropped, which is understandable on past form. I would encourage couples to spend as much time looking for a filmmaker as a photographer – there are some really great companies making some great stuff out there, it pays to research especially with the internet at your fingertips. A wedding film is probably viewed as much as your photographs – if not more when it is good!

If money were no object, where and how would you photograph a wedding?

Ahh, the big budget question. I am an old romantic at heart. I would love to film in Rome – The Vatican city. Followed by the Tuscan countryside in the evening at the magic hour when the sun is that beautiful golden yellow amber. I would keep it really simple and use music from Ennio Morricone with huge wide angle sweeping shots in true cinemascope, 2:35:1. Ohh, I had better stop, way to much geeky info!

What other services do you offer your brides?

We offer a range of services, from trash the dress and love story (la tua storia d’amore) shoots, engagement shoots, parent and friend tributes and online wedding invitations (where we film the couple and send it out to family and friends). We look at ourselves as boutique and are always open to ideas and customising packages to suit.
We also offer a streaming service which is hosted on our server, which means its a very quick delivery in terms of viewing. We host a 5 minute highlight clip of the wedding which the couple can then send to family and friends whilst on their honeymoon. They can then download that in flash or quicktime or ipod, iphone and facebook.

Thank you for joining us today on Polka Dot Bride Allen! You can find out more about Allen’s work at his website Highlight Films and stay tuned for a fantastic Highlight Films competition shortly!