SOUVENIRS

A GIFT TO LAST

WE ASKED MELANIE VELLA, OF M DESIGNS, WHAT INSPIRED HER COMPANY AND HOW TASTES IN BRIDAL PARTY GIFTS AND SOUVENIRS ARE CHANGING

The idea behind M Designs cropped up in my mind back in 2019 when my sister-in-law was getting married. I helped her create different items for her wedding day including robes, gift boxes, hangers and some other pieces. I always loved crafting, creating handmade pieces, and design in general, and I always toyed with the idea of having my own business. During the 2020 pandemic, I spent a lot of time at home (like most people!) and I thought what better time to start a business! I took the plunge – even though it was very risky,and a year later this dream is becoming more and more real. Today, apart from the fact that I create gifts myself, I also collaborate with different local artists to create a greater variety of gifts for my clientele as well as provide a platform for these local artists to thrive.

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO BRIDES GIVE TO GIFTS AND SOUVENIRS FOR THEIR BRIDAL PARTY AND GUESTS?

I would say that nowadays, weddings are being taken to a whole new level. Brides and grooms go through every little detail to make sure everything is perfect on this special day for them. Naturally they give a lot of importance to choosing gifts for their bridal team, and their guests. Couples would want to show their appreciation or maybe they would like to propose to their bridal team in a special way – a way which starts this most magical time in their life. So, they are looking for special gifts for their bridal team, who have been chosen to share this special day with them, right up front and centre.

This is where I come in – handmade personalised gifts make the receiver feel special and important, because it shows that a lot of thought has been put into it. Moreover,this also reflects the importance to detail the bride/groom are giving totheir wedding day and all the prior preparations. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OCCASIONS AND EVENTS LINKED WITH WEDDINGS FOR WHICH BRIDES MAY LIKE TO GIVE A SMALL GIFT AND WHAT GIFTS WOULD YOU SUGGEST FOR THEM?

Brides may wish to gift small tokens on different occasions during the planning. They might wish to propose to their bridal team, or maybe give a small token of appreciation after the wedding itself. In this case, I would suggest something practical for the receiver – such as a mug in our beautiful, personalized boxes, or something which can be used on the wedding day like a gift box containing a satin robe, a pair of our lush slippers and a champagne flute. In summer, personalized swimsuits are also a popular option, especially if a pool party is planned. Some brides also get gifted our gift boxes with beautiful,personalised gifts inside by their bridal party,during their bridal shower. The most popular gift sets in this case usually include personalised champagne flutes for the bride and groom, or a robe and slippers to be used by the bride while getting ready, on her wedding day;or something more practical like pyjamas, matching slippers and soap. The options are endless really!

WEDDING SOUVENIRS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN POPULAR BUT TASTES AND TRADITIONS CHANGE. WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR ITEMS MOST BRIDES LOOK FOR THESE DAYS?

Donations to a charity organization have become verypopular. However, wedding souvenirs are kind of expected by guests as a token of appreciation for their presence on the big day, so most couples still choose to give their guests a small token. Usually they choose their souvenirs based on the season in which they are getting married,or according to their wedding theme. For example, for winter weddings hot chocolate kits would be ideal. For a summer wedding, coloured fans are a popular choice. Scented candles, soap gifts or edible goods such as

perlini, in small gift boxes,make great souvenirs no matter the season. Other good ideas would be to give a personalised wine glass or champagne flute or a hand-painted keychain. All of these souvenirs would make sure that your guests remember the lovely time they had on your wedding day! HOW DOES M DESIGNS ENSURE THAT A BRIDE CAN REALLY PERSONALISE THE GIFTS, ACCESSORIES AND SOUVENIRS SHE CHOOSES?

Planning a wedding is the most precious, magical but also stressful time in acouple’s life. At M Designs we take the gifting part off their shoulders and take care of it all, so the couple can enjoy this special time together. Our gifts are not ready made and our brides don’t just choose a design or gift pack off the shelf. Instead,they get the custommade design and combination they like, according to their wedding theme and budget. If a couple cannot decide or are confused over their choices, I set up a consultation meeting to really get to know the theme of the wedding and the ideas they have in mind. Then, I will create the gifts or gift combinations according to what has been discussed. Because items are made especially for that specific wedding and are,of course handmade, the couple will have a tailor-made experience for such a special day in their lives.