"Go with what YOU love, what is your style? Stick with that and don't get swayed by trends." Diane - Paper & Style Co
Take us back to the beginning of it all for you - How and when was PAPER & STYLE CO born? October 2011 I registered Paper and Style Co. The journey began creating a few invites but concentrating mostly on the Event Styling side of things. I was building both sides up until the day came where the styling was growing and I came to a crossroad. I either had to really invest and start buying larger furniture pieces that I was hiring out, plus a delivery van and staff. Having a young family and working long hours and every weekend, I realised it was time to let the styling go and take on the Invite designing full time. I worked part time jobs in between, but now I can proudly say designing wedding invites is my full time job. (amongst art and stationery too) And I absolutely love it.
What can PAPER & STYLE CO offer a couple for their Wedding day? As a illustrator, all of my designs are hand drawn or painted by me. I offer a large range of ready to go designs, plus take on custom design work too. My motto was, if I was going to be working in the wedding industry, serving brides, I wanted my process to be a quick, easy and stress free one for them. Knowing how much goes into organising your wedding, if I could help make one part of the planning enjoyable, then I am doing my job.
Did you always know that you wanted to design and illustrate stationery? No, but I have always had a major obsession with stationery and paper (who doesn't right!) When I returned to illustrating after quite a few years of not drawing at all, it seemed the perfect fit, art and paper!
What keeps you inspired along the way? So many things! Fashion, interior design, nature, beautiful papers and colours, and of course the feedback that I get from my brides when they receive their invites in the mail.
Do you have any stories that you would like to share from your experiences?
I find it a real privilege to be involved in a couples big day, but some are more personal and emotional than others. Some have come to me with guest lists only to ask for one or two to be removed as they had passed away. So heartbreaking, but it hits home just how important celebrations are...they bring family and friends together.
Advice: Go with what YOU love, what is your style? Stick with that and don't get swayed by trends. Also, invest in quality stationery and printing, it is something you only do once, it doesn't mean spending a fortune, but if you can get at the very least the printing done professionally it makes all the difference.
Do you have a personal favourite style? My favourite style is modern boho with botanicals. Colours I love the most are muted tones of blues and greens, with black and white and neutrals.
What is the best part about what you do: The best part by far is pleasing the couples and surprising them with a quick and easy service, hearing their squeals when they see their invites is the best!
What keeps you inspired along the way? So many things! Fashion, interior design, nature, beautiful papers and colours, and of course the feedback that I get from my brides when they receive their invites in the mail. 
