There is no getting away from the big fat Indian wedding — the food, festivities and bridal trousseau. But the drama usually begins with the invite. Nowadays, cards are accompanied by themed packages, specially designed to showcase the experience or the sensibility of the hosts. Wedding booklets, menus and souvenirs are just a few of the things you can expect in them. Four design studios tell us how they are pushing the envelope — think laser-cut lamps with Arabic jaalis and electric candles by Iktaara and an interactive animated experiences by Inksedge.
Iktaara, Bengaluru
At Iktaara, the eight-year old venture by designer Kanika Gupta, the focus is on sustainable products. “I want to make reusable products rather than send them to the dustbin after an event,” says Gupta, who often uses wood and canvas. Like her GIWA award-winning gift box that converts into a portable bedside table. She also likes to explore invites with puzzles and interactive experiences, like a “butterfly that unwinds and flies out when you open a card”. An avid illustrator, she recently experimented with caricatures (featuring wedding stereotypes like ‘Gossip Aunty’). These were posted on social media, where guests could tag the stereotypes, and the cut-outs were also placed at the venue, for selfies. Prices start at ₹400 for cards. Details: iktaara.wixsite.com/kjgupta
Turmeric Ink, Delhi
Sonal Agarwal Jolly, a qualified HR specialist, started Turmeric Ink five years ago, in a quest to be different. “We do a variety of styles using detailed foiling, embossing and intricate laser cutting,” says Jolly, who believes that understanding a client’s likes and dislikes is central to evolving a theme. “We also play with different screen treatments, such as UV, thermography and metal transfers.” Recently, for a London-based couple who wanted an architectural invite, she visualised laser-cut Art Deco motifs. Turmeric Ink also prides itself on its wedding books. For a recent Jewish Indian wedding, the booklet described the two ceremonies, and used Hindu and Jewish symbols to reflect the cultures coming together. Prices start from ₹400 per card set. Details: turmericink.com
Inksedge, Bengaluru
When Rohini Chakravarty wanted to order invites for her son’s thread ceremony, she found a lack of customised services. So the IIT Madras graduate incubated Inksedge (she was a partner at the venture capital firm, NEA). Established in 2014, with co-founder Anuja Ranjane and offices in California and India, its designs give customers the freedom to personalise every aspect, and all paper invites have corresponding e-designs, too. A popular feature: e-cards that mirror the experience of delivering a wedding card in person. Clicking on the envelope opens a personal invitation that guests can respond to, leave comments on for the host, and locate the event on a map. The first 50 eCards are free. Thereafter, a set of 200 costs upwards of ₹599. Details: inksedge.com
The Wedding Studio, Delhi
“We are constantly looking for offbeat ideas,” says Shreya Banerjee, co-founder of graphic design studio, Oh!SoBoho, who opened The Wedding Studio in 2012 with her partner Ratna Desai. The duo enjoys creating elaborate sets and, besides paper, they also incorporate cloth, acrylic and wood. They recently did a contemporary take on jharokas (inspired by Mughal miniatures) for a Jaipur family. Some of their other experiments include exploding boxes and a wine bottle invitation. They also add value with electronic invitations — from e-mail invites to WhatsApp reminders, guides to Indian weddings and e-itineraries. Boxed invites start at ₹450 each. Details: theweddingstudioindia.com
