#marcandemma2015 - a wedding amongst the vines

As the days get longer and Spring approaches, I look back with warm memories of my sister's wedding in September. The GG studio became wedding HQ over the Summer months and we were tasked with making it a very special weekend for all to remember. The weekend was based around St Tropez; Friday night, sunset cocktails overlooking the bay, Saturday, a Pampelonne beach party, and Sunday, the wedding, amongst the vines.

Choosing colours - Oyster & Olive

For the invitations, I thought an oyster card and olive green ink would fit perfectly. The envelopes were on a thick oyster paper with a stunning olive green lining and had our calligrapher's signature romantic writing on the front. It was tricky to work out whether to use olive green or black ink for the calligraphy but after several test runs, we found that black names and addresses were a good contrast to the olive text, and most definitely easier for the postman to read.

Black ink calligraphy with olive text

The invitation itself was a thick folded card with engraved text. We employ special techniques to ensure that the spine doesn't crack on such a thick card and that there's a strong indentation on the reverse of the card, and finish it off with a standard plate mark (the indented border). To hold the inserts, we created a little pocket with blind embossed initials of the engaged couple, and then a staggered effect for the information card, map and beach party invite. The reply cards were tucked into the back of the pocket. A lovely personal touch was the illustrated map. These are proving very popular with our clients at the moment.

Blind embossed initials on little pocket

We screen printed the map onto canvas bags and filled them with a number of goodies to welcome the guests to their hotels: sunglasses and wristbands branded with the couple's logo, welcome booklets and a number of French snacks. The finishing touch to the bags were the personalized tags.  

Goody bag

Sunglasses and wristbands branded with the couple's logo

We had a couple of Instagram props made up for the beach party. Emblazoned on it was the hashtag #marcandemma2015 - guests could use the hashtag so that they could check out each other's photos.

The beautiful couple and their instagram props

Another cute idea was placing the escort envelopes (the little cards which tell you which table you are sitting at) into corks. Inside the envelopes were little cards referring to the table numbers. For the table numbers themselves, the calligrapher drew out large numbers in our olive green ink. For menus, we usually like to double them up as place cards. On a thick card, with a platemark and coloured edging, we detailed out the menu, and had the guest name written on the top.

Escort cards

It really was a special weekend and such fun to try out different ideas.

The London Symphony Orchestra

The LSO is one of the world's leading orchestras and earlier this month they celebrated the 70th birthday of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas at the Barbican Centre, London. Along with this celebration was a dinner at St. James's Palace.

We had the pleasure of printing and designing the stationery for this honoured occasion which included the invitations, place settings and programmes. One of our illustrators produced beautiful illustrations of Buckingham Palace and St.James's Palace, all printed on a watercolour stock. Grey calligraphy added the finishing touch. 

Two programmes designed for a concert at Buckingham Palace, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, and a dinner in The State Rooms at St James's Palace

At GG Print we really pride ourselves on attention to detail and we were really happy with the end result.

Michael Tilson Thomas and The London Symphony Orchestra at The Barbican Centre

A visit to the Palace...

GG Print was proud to support last month the inaugural Place2Be Wellbeing in Schools Awards at Kensington Palace, in the presence of the Duchess of Cambridge. Place2Be is the leading UK provider of school-based mental health services. Understanding the importance of the link between a child’s home and school life, councillors engage with parents and family to provide much needed emotional support. Awards for parents, teachers, counsellors, and students, the evening was just a snippet of the amazing work that is currently undertaken across 230 schools in the UK.  

I was lucky enough to see this first hand at a school visit to Upton Cross Primary School last week, and the incredible results the charity has achieved at this school. Both parents and students talked of the fantastic life changing support they had received. To read more about the charity, click here to visit their website. 

Summer 2014 top picks

The summer season is well underway in London and here are a few events that I'm particularly looking forward to...

Photos - YaNas Media, Source - Visit London

AEGON CHAMPIONSHIPS,  9 - 15 June

The Queen's Club annual tournament is a particular highlight for me. A great warm up for Wimbledon, Murray will be hoping to retain last year's victory, alongside new coach Mauresmo.

THE RA SUMMER EXHIBITION, 9 June - 17 August
The Summer Exhibition is most certainly something not to be missed; anyone can enter and I'm intrigued to see what this year's talent has produced.

FIFA WORLD CUP, BRAZIL,  12 June - 13 July

Having spent Christmas in Rio, I'm most certainly getting hyped for the World Cup. Find the match schedule here.

ROYAL ASCOT, 17 - 21 June

Take a look at the ultimate Royal Ascot guide for tips not just on betting but also what to wear.

TASTE OF LONDON, 18 - 22 June
It's not all about music festivals this summer, Taste of London returns to Regent's Park to create a 'foodie wonderland'. Enjoy tastings, classes with top chefs and masterclasses.

WIMBLEDON, 23 June - 6 July

Wimbledon is soon to kick off which really means strawberries and cream. Double win.

MASTERPIECE, 26 June - 2 July
From antiquity to contemporary, Masterpiece shows a brilliant display of art across the eras. Make sure to enjoy Urban Caprice's pop up restaurants, including The Ivy and Scott's.

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL, 24 -25 August

Notting Carnival takes place on the August bank holiday weekend. Check out the details of this lively weekend at Time Out.

LONDON FASHION WEEK, 12 - 16 September

Put your glad rags on as London Fashion Week commences at the end of summer. Visit the website to keep updated with news.

Ladies Lunch launches

Congratulations to Rebecca Masri, Fiorina Benveniste-Schuler and their committee, for launching 'Ladies Lunch' at the Four Seasons Hotel last week. 150 talented ladies met and networked over delicious food and wine in aid of The Eve Appeal, set up to lead research into gynaecology cancer. The lunch successfully raised almost £10,000, enough to fund a nurse at UCH to lead new research.  

From left to right (Fiorina Benveniste-Schuler, Serena Guen, 

fundraiser from The Eve Appeal & peach and feta quinoa salad)

Guest speaker was Serena Guen, who at the young age of 24, has achieved great success with her travel and fashion magazine Suitcase. If you're headed to Brazil for the World Cup, be sure to pick up this month's edition. Serena and her team will guide you through your travels in true style with advice on what to pack, where to eat and stay, and how to find those places off the beaten track...Watch out for this darling who has been described as the 'Mark Zuckerberg of Publishing'.   

Emella Events: launching in style

Very excited to have been at one of our client's launch last night. Emella Events took over The 20th Century Theatre in Notting Hill and invited a glamorous crowd for a rather special quiz night in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Henrietta Rodgers, Emma Robertson and Louisa Byng founded the events consultancy, and after last night's seamless event, one that I can highly recommend. 'Green Wing' and 'Episodes' star Stephen Mangan turned into an impressive quiz master, and Jennifer Saunders lent a helping hand at the raffle. 

Peardrop treated us all to delicious food presented so beautifully on black boards and small jars; my favourites had to be the duck liver pate topped with orange, pesto and buffalo mozzarella, the truffled mac n'cheese balls and the salted caramel desserts. 

Goody bags included homemade honeycomb and marshmallows which was already eaten by the time I got home. Before I sign off, a little something from the quiz: 'shrink a policeman' is the annogram for which tv celebrity?

Bluebird Wedding Showcase

Last night I attended the annual Bluebird wedding showcase, always a great event with leading wedding specialists. I loved meeting the Classic Car Club, the private members club which gives you access to an amazing collection of cars, my favourite being the 1950s classics; a great option for your wedding car. Petit Bisous showcased their gorgeous bridal lingerie, and explained their bespoke couture options. It was also great to meet Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn, an impressive make up artist, who enjoys working on bridal and special occasion make up. The highlight for me has to be seeing Paul Antonio at work, one of my favourite London based calligraphers. He has the most elegant and distinctive style. Be sure to keep check out his work. 

  

Left to right: Classic Car Club, Petit Bisous, Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn, Paul Antonio calligraphy

Under the Sea

GG Print is proud to support the launch of Oceana's Junior Ocean Council, protecting and restoring the world's oceans. Last night this was celebrated in true glamour and style at the prestigious auction house Phillips. Co-hosts Stephanie Bilet and Ben Goldsmith, together with their team, put on a great event. 

The team photographed by Marcus Dawes

Cocktails were flowing and canapés delicious, provided by Drinksfusion, who I can highly recommend. Their salted caramel chocolates were irresistible. The walls of Phillips were filled with environmental art created for the event, including a dress made out of Sainsbury's bags and an extremely large whale painted that very afternoon. An inspiring speech was given by explorer Alexandra Cousteau explaining the need to preserve the oceans, which cover around 70% of the planet and something on which the human race most certainly relies on. Newton Faulkner, famous for the hit 'Dream Catch Me', took to the stage for an acoustic set which had the crowds singing along and jumping in their stilettos. 

Newton Faulkner

My guest for the evening was talented nail artist Jenny Pasha, who had designed a set of ocean-themed nails for the occasion. The ladies were very impressed. 

Nail art by Jenny Pasha

GG Print also had their go at creating a crab-themed stationery set. 

Raffle prize by GG Print

Congratulations to the Junior Ocean Council for a wonderful evening. 

Laura's picks from Confex, the events showcase

I've just got back from International Confex, the leading exhibition for the events industry, and have arrived at our studio truly inspired. Olympia was filled with fantastic ideas for both corporate and private events.

The Apprentice's Karen Brady gave a motivating speech on her career and path to success, which started at the young age of 18 at the advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi. Now the vice-chairman of West Ham, 'the first lady of football' told of her excitement of the club's move to the Olympic Park in 2016 and its growing profits. In the 2014 New Year Honours she was appointed a CBE for services to entrepreneurship and women in business; most certainly well deserved. 

Clockwise from top left: Karen Brady, Le Mare Chocolat, The Roving Artist and Megabooth

I've highlighted below some of my favourite ideas from the show. 

Two companies, Le Mare Chocolat and Chocart London, showcased their wonderful designs on chocolate - detailed images, logos and text were reproduced onto delicious chocolate - what a fun idea for branding, invitations or wedding favours. 

I was particularly impressed with Megabooth and Smiley Booth for their innovative take on the photo booth. Megabooth most certainly stands out from the rest with their photo booths inserted into London taxis, Austin Minis and 1960's VW Beetles. Smiley booths come with large seats, and screens with an extensive range of backgrounds, creating an even more personal and interactive experience. 

ideasboxuk tempted me with their themed tricycles, serving a variety of scrumptious items, including espresso, popcorn and Pimm's. Immediately after, I was stopped by The Roving Artist whose silhouette artists were creating cameo portraits in less than 90 seconds.

My final recommendation is Unique Venues of London, a marketing consortium of 81 unusual and special venues for events, from palaces to art galleries to sporting stadia. 

Visit us at Xmas fairs

It's coming up to one of our favourite and most busy holidays of the year... Christmas! This year we'll be exhibiting at a variety of fairs. We'll be stocked with stationery goodies so pop by and pay us a visit if you're about, we'd love to see you!

Boutique de Noel - Kensington Town Hall, W8 7NX

Friday 15th November (6pm-10pm)

Saturday 16th November (10am-5pm)

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Chelsea Christmas Gift Fair - Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, SW3 5EE

Saturday 7th December (11am-7pm)

Sunday 8th December (11am-6pm)

Catch up with photographer Emma Myrtle

I had a meeting today with the fantastic photographer Emma Myrtle. She has photographed a lot of our clients' weddings, in London and abroad, and always receives a glowing report. She works in a discreet and unobtrusive manner, with a genuine passion for what she does, truly capturing the moment, whether through formal or informal shots. Although catering for all types of events, she's most definitely the one you want for your special day or baby portrait. A few of our favourite children shots are below.

4th July Celebrations

On Thursday, I popped by a 4th July Barbeque at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, hosted by one of our clients. The gardens had been transformed into heavenly fun by the well-established catering company 'Rocket'. The bbq chic theme consisted of a candy floss bicycle, an American sweet store, delicious juices and hamburgers, superhero face-painting, an ice cream van...the list goes on! The glorious weather and beautiful setting was an ideal way for the couple to entertain their guests before the madness of their wedding began.

Our wonderful in-house illustrator, Pip, gave a little hint of the festivities in the invitation we produced . See below the different stages of how she got to the finished product.