Knots and Kisses Stationery - exclusive discount for all Boho Readers

Today I’d like to introduce one of my Shiny Happy Sponsors to you, a very talented lady that I have featured on the blog before! Nikki from Knots and Kisses. Nikki creates gorgeous bespoke and off the peg boutique style and vintage inspired wedding stationery which is just stunning!

Nikki launched her new range of stationery called Rose Cottage. last week, and to celebrate the fact she is offering all Boho Readers a 5% discount off their wedding stationery if they book with her before the 31st December 2011 and quote ‘BOHO BLOG OFFER’

I asked Nikki a few questions so you could get to know a bit more about the lady behind the designs, and a bit more about the company itself.

Name and company name:
Nikki Ward, Knots & Kisses Wedding Stationery.

Intro/Bio:
I aim to provide fun and vintage inspired wedding stationery for brides and grooms who want something that stands out from the crowd on their wedding day, whether that be one of my off the peg ranges or a fully bespoke invitation.

When did you set up your company?
In June 2009

What made you get into it?
I’d been wanting to set up my own business for years and use my creativity from my Art background and my degree in fashion illustration, but hadn’t had the guts to do it to be honest! I’d done the wedding stationery for my sister’s wedding and a couple of work colleagues .. but the real spur was working on my friends wedding a couple of years ago … it just seemed the right time and I took the plunge and set up Knots & Kisses!

What were you doing before?
I worked for years as a Visual Merchandising manager in fashion retail … doing display work and shop openings. I also had a brief stint as a travel consultant after spending a year traveling .. so I have been lucky enough to travel to some fantastic places and have inspirations from all over the world!

How would you describe your style?
Eclectic, Embellished & Vintage inspired

Where are you based?
I’m based in Essex

What sort of geographical area do you cover?
I cover nationwide (and internationally if required). I have customers all over the country so location is not a limit … I’m quite used to regular phone and email contact and posting stationery wherever its needed!

What sort of Couple do you think you attract?
I generally find my couples are looking for stationery that’s a little bit different and says something about them as a couple. They want their stationery to really reflect the feel of their day and give their guests an idea as to what to expect during the day.

What is the best bit about your job?
By far the best bit is being involved in a couples day …its such a privilege to be even just a small part of it! The absolute best bit is receiving thank you cards or emails after the wedding .. it makes all the hard work worth it

What is your biggest achievement so far?
Honestly I think growing my business through persistence and hard work over the last 2 years … my partner and I have done it entirely on our own without any financial help from the banks. Its been a slow process but with the fantastic support I’ve had on twitter and other social media the company is going form strength to strength!

What are your plans for the next 2 years?
I’ve got some fantastic plans for later this year .. as I want to launch a new range of completely separate reception stationery which I’m currently designing. I often find I get phone calls from brides just looking last minute for table plans, menus, place cards etc who don’t want to book a whole package of stationery and this will be for them, and for other customers who want to mix and match their wedding stationery a little!
I’m also looking forward to a possible move in the future so I can have a proper studio for the business and stop it from taking over my entire flat!

What advice would you give couples when choosing their wedding stationery?
I’d always advice to let me know as soon as possible in the design process if you are working to a strict budget. I can often help in reworking existing designs to bring them within your budget or design an entirely new bespoke design to suit you.
Also make sure you order a few extra blank invitations just incase you have some people say no and you want to invite people on your ‘reserve’ list (Everyone has one so don’t worry!)

What is your favorite design out of your collection?
Its always the last design I’ve done! My current favourite is my new Rose Cottage Range which was launched at the beginning of August. It was inspired by autumnal floral fabrics and vintage postcards, with lots of lovely stamp details and all tied up in brown paper and string!

If you were going to design stationery for anyone famous who would it be?
Oh god I’d have loved to have done Kate Moss’s Wedding! With that beautiful vintage dress and woodland nymph bridesmaid dresses it was right up my street!
Tell us something about yourself that we may not know, non work related
I’m a sports nut! My Dad had two girls so one of us had to watch sport on tv with him! I’ll watch virtually anything .. football, rugby, F1 .. even darts and snooker!

What do you really love?
I love individuality, eclecticism … the sense of style in the UK that allows you to be a bit different, and our heritage which means we can still get away with a tweed suit and a glass of Pimms!

And what do you really hate?
I hate those people who tell couples they can’t have something because its “not appropriate for a wedding” …. I firmly believe anything goes on your wedding day! You should be able to have day you want, not what people think is traditional or appropriate!

What is your ideal way to spend a day off?
A sunny day would be spent a big old National Trust property followed by seeing an open air production of a Midsummer Nights Dream with a picnic…obviously with my fantastic other half and lots of friends. If its raining … a big Sunday lunch in an old country pub or browsing the National Gallery in London. If I had a whole weekend off .. it would definately be spent at a festival!

What can you never leave the house without?
Mascara!

Who would be your 5 dream dinner guests dead or alive?
Audrey Hepburn, Dave Grohl, David Tennant, Stephen Fry and Debbie Harry.

If you weren’t running the design business, what would you be doing?
My other dream was to run a bookshop / coffeeshop with my other half somewhere … I would bake cakes and serve tea and people could sit for a few hours reading and drinking coffee and watching the world go by!