The Art of wedding Stationary with Ananya

Is custom stationery still relevant? If the success of Dubai-based entrepreneur Vaishali Shah’s bespoke wedding and event stationery brand, Ananya, is anything to go by, then it most certainly is. After all, a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and custom is always the way to go. Today, we have the privilege of learning about Ananya — her story, her brand, and why these delicate creations made with love will forever hold a special place in the hearts of brides-to-be.

To begin, tell us a little about yourself, your business, and the story behind its creation.

It all began with a love for colour, paper and meaningful design. What started as a creative passion has grown into Ananya Cards, creating thoughtful stationery for weddings, milestone celebrations and unforgettable events.

As the name Ananya means ‘without equal’ in the ancient language of Sanskrit, our philosophy has always been to design stationery that is distinctive, sophisticated and deeply personal. Every detail, from a hand-painted motif to the texture of the paper, is chosen with intention not just for how it looks but for how it makes people feel.

As an international stationery house, we work with couples and brands who want stationery that tells their story beautifully. It’s never just paper to us. It’s the beginning of a memory, a message that lasts and a celebration of culture and connection.

Running Ananya Cards has also allowed me to combine creativity with purpose. Through our ‘Plant Grow Sustain’ initiative, we plant trees for every stationery order, helping protect the planet while celebrating life’s special moments.

Walk us through your creative process and share the range of services you offer

Since 2006, we’ve refined a creative process that feels collaborative, enjoyable and completely bespoke to each client. It begins with a personal consultation, in person or online, where we get to know your story, your celebration and the details that matter most. From your colour palette and venue style to family heritage and meaningful symbols, this is where ideas take shape.
We then develop a design proposal, followed by carefully crafted concepts and proofs. Every stage invites your feedback so the final stationery suite feels unmistakably you. Once approved, the designs are brought to life using the finest papers, printing techniques and finishing touches from foil detailing to wax seals and calligraphy.
Our services range from full wedding stationery suites including invitations, menus, place cards and thank-you notes to bespoke event and corporate stationery. We also create meaningful stationery for milestone birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations of life. Every piece we design carries a sense of timeless craftsmanship, cultural richness and heartfelt storytelling because stationery should never just announce an event, it should capture its spirit.
At Ananya Cards, we offer a full range of fine stationery and gifting services. This includes wedding stationery, on-the-day stationery, corporate stationery and stationery for other celebrations such as private parties, milestone birthdays and anniversaries. We also provide bespoke gifting, personalised branding and the finishing touches and details that make each piece truly memorable.
| Explore Ananya

In an increasingly digital world, what sets the magic of Ananya Cards apart?

While many couples now include digital elements such as save the dates or wedding websites filled with details, there will always be a place for beautiful, tangible stationery. Most couples still want that moment of excitement when guests receive something luxurious in the post. It marks the start of the wedding’s visual story and becomes a cherished keepsake for family and friends.

We also create beautiful digital stationery too. Some of our clients prefer to send their loved ones electronic save the dates and invitations, and we love supporting them by creating stunning designs to wow their family and friends. It may be that digital stationery is better aligned with your timescales, your budget or your lifestyles, for example, if all your guests are spread around the world. Either way, we enjoy working with couples this way and showcasing that online artwork can be just as welcoming and impactful. It also means these digital designs can be the starting point for the printed on-the-day elements, which is often where our clients prefer to focus their stationery investment, including menus, place cards and signage.

Even if you’re opting for a digital invitation, make it special, meaningful and thoughtfully designed. Attention to detail is what so many of our couples say sets us apart. And when it comes to printed stationery, it’s all about the stunning textures, papers and finishing touches that make every piece unforgettable.

What has been one of the most memorable projects you’ve had the pleasure of working on?

One of my most memorable projects was designing a beautiful invitation suite for a bride’s Indian wedding, which carried the design across all elements. The bride had a favourite flower, the rose, that we incorporated throughout the entire stationery suite, from the invitations and monogram to the menus, dance floor and bar design.
We chose a soft pastel palette that felt romantic yet refined, complemented by a contemporary gold brushstroke that added just the right amount of oomph and wow factor. The result was a cohesive, meaningful and elegant collection that felt personal to the bride.
What made this project stand out for me was the joy of seeing how stationery can set the tone for an entire celebration. When every element connects beautifully, it not only enhances the visual experience but also creates a sense of continuity and emotion that guests remember long after the event.

"Bespoke stationary exudes the kind of refinement that is reminiscent of old-world aristocracy. Traditions we carry on into the future. "

- MOD

Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to brides-to-be about customized stationery, what would it be and why?

My advice to couples is simple: make your stationery personal. Think about what matters most to you as a couple. Whether that’s combining your cultures and heritages, sharing your love story or reflecting your shared interests, your stationery should feel like you.
At Ananya Cards, we guide you through a bespoke design process tailored to your personality, celebration and story. Whether your inspiration comes from your venue’s architecture, your outfit’s embroidery, a favourite colour palette or the season of your wedding, we help you turn those ideas into a cohesive stationery suite that feels unmistakably yours. So, my advice is to share these details with your stationer.
And one final piece of advice: book your stationer early. The right design takes time and sets the tone for everything to follow. Think beyond the invitation, as on-the-day stationery like menus, place cards and welcome signs tie everything together beautifully.

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