Boho Loves: Extra Special Touch – Vintage Inspired Monogram Wedding Gifts & Bridal Accessories

Today I would like to introduce you to a wonderful company offering something very special for your wedding day. Heidi from Extra Special Touch specialises in vintage inspired monogram wedding gifts and bridal accessories. Anything from save the dates, to invitations, to monogrammed napkins to bunting to personal messages can be created with Extra Special Touch, the list is endless and it really does add that personal element to your wedding day. Heidi prides herself on her attention to detail and the beautiful selection of items on offer, so do make sure you check out her website to see what she could create for your wedding.

With my love for period fashions & machine embroidery, I set up my little business, Extra Special Touch in 2009, to make Victoriana -esque bridal & wedding accessories.
My collection of vintage inspired monogram wedding gifts and bridal accessories, are inspired by traditional ladies accessories, and are all made from natural fabrics, such as silk, linen & cotton.

We asked Extra Special Touch to tell us a little more about their products

I have always been a collector of old embroidery, antique lace, trimmings & buttons, so I was inspired to use my pretties and make bridal garters and bags, and my “Something old bridal bag” range was created. Custom wedding gifts and vintage inspired bridal accessories are available to buy through our website, Gift Wrapped & Gorgeous & Etsy shops, and you can keep up to date with us, by following us on Twitter and Facebook. Orders are made in my home sewing studio in Nottingham.
I studied Costume Making for TV & Theatre at Bournemouth Art College and made several hand embroidered items for Gwyneth Paltrow’s “Emma” while I was at College.
After leaving college my first jobs were in various clothing / fashion companies, from Design Room assistant for small 90’s club wear designer, to pattern cutter for Marks and Spencer, and production assistant for a Dorothy Perkins and Top Shop supplier.
I spent many of my working life as Regional Sales Manager for Janome Sewing Machines, selling top of the range domestic embroidery and sewing machines.

What made you start your business
For my own wedding in 2008, I made all my own stationery, monogrammed napkins, machine embroidered flower boutonniere for the men, my own machine embroidered flower and vintage crystal headpiece. I enjoyed making it all so much; I set up my business part time to making wedding accessories for friends and family in 2009. My role as Regional Sales Manager for Janome UK required spending lots of time away from home, which after the birth of my son in 2012, was no longer practical. So I took the plunge and decided to concentrate on Extra Special Touch and work around my little boy. In 2014 I had a baby girl, so now I have two little ones to work around.
After leaving Janome and concentrating on Extra Special Touch, business has boomed! So much so, last year, my wonderful friend Zoe came to work with me and helps making my orders. This has allowed me to spend more time marketing and promoting Extra Special Touch and take my business to the next level. I’m very confident for what the future holds for us.

Where are you based
I’m based in Nottingham, and I incorporate locally made traditional Nottingham lace into my garters and hankies. I try to source my materials from the UK as much as possible.

What Areas do you cover
I sell through my website, Etsy and Gift Wrapped and Gorgeous. I sell to all over the UK and Europe.

How would you describe your style
I have always loved vintage, from being 16 years old and wearing 1950’s dresses with DM boots! I like to design wedding and bridal accessories which can be used in modern weddings, with a nod to vintage style. Natural fibers (silk, cotton and linen), traditional monograms and beautiful embroidery. My garters are made from traditional cotton lace and silk ribbons. My hankies have cotton Nottingham lace edging… no nylon lace aloud!

What is your biggest achievement so far
I’m proud I have managed to create a successful business doing something I love, while looking after 2 little ones full time. I also love that I work with one of my closest friend’s Zoe, who is a wonderful seamstress, to help me make all my gorgeous orders. The last few years have involved a lot of late nights, and early mornings, but it has all been worth it

What makes you different to your competitors
The quality of my fabrics and embroidery is excellent. I only use natural fiber fabrics and trimmings. (Only cotton lace and silk ribbons allowed… no nylon in my work room!) The combination of my love of traditional embroidery, knowledge of modern embroidery machines and embroidery design software, means a high quality product every time. My costume history background, years spent rummaging through vintage clothes shops, and several years within the fashion industry, means I have a lot of experience of garment construction and sewing techniques, which all helps gives my products a professional finish.

What do you enjoy most about your job
Everything! I love speaking to brides and creating something personal and special for their weddings. I love the techy side of website design and SEO. I love designing new products and sourcing new trimmings. I’ve just ordered lots of new items today for exciting new products which will be ready in a few weeks. I adore working with my friend Zoe; we can have a good girly natter and create beautiful things at the same time!

What kind of couple do you think you attract

As much as I love the vintage feel of my products, I think they are suited to lots of different couples, with different wedding themes. A cotton hankie with a personal message embroidered is the perfect gift for every father of the Bride!

What would your ideal wedding to work on
Vintage inspired, lots of china crockery, monogram napkins and lots of lace and pretty things… afternoon tea party at its best.

Can you give our Boho readers some information on your pricing structure 
Our cotton hankies start from £8 for a single hankie. If you had place setting napkins for each wedding guest, it could cost £500+.

What is your ideal way to spend a day off
Working around two young children, I rarely get a day off! Probably a picnic and a day trip out to a country park with the kids.

What can you never leave the house without
My iPhone! I’m lost without my mobile! I’m constantly checking incoming emails… so I know my workload for when I get to my laptop. 

Do you have any new products you would like to tell our Boho readers about
I’m currently working on some exciting new products… Hankies for Save the Date and Wedding Invitations. They’ll also be perfect for favors for the ladies. I’ve just added Personalised engraved coat hangers to my Etsy Shop and personalized silk handbag mirrors.

Heidi range of vintage inspired wedding & bridal accessories, are ideal to add a special touch to your wedding decorations, such as embroidered bunting and napkins; but also great gifts for the happy couple and all of the wedding party.

From monogram wedding napkins for your tables, to personalised napkins to use as individual place settings. Personalised handkerchiefs are ideal gifts for Mothers and Fathers of the Bride and Groom, as well as Bridesmaids, Ushers and the Best Man. Brides to be love personalised garters with a discreet message embroidered inside, and adore personalised engraved wooden coat hangers for the all important “wedding dress on the morning of your wedding” photo.

For more information on Extra Special Touch

www.extraspecialtouch.co.uk
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www.giftwrappedandgorgeous.co.uk/extra-special-touch-products

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