Your wedding is a perfect moment to start family traditions and mark special moments. One of those almost magical moments can be recreated over and over again with the help of an Anniversary Box! A small object like this can keep inside the joy and pride of your most glamorous day.

That’s why I wanted to ask Susan Hogg, founder of Happily ever AfterWords,  a couple of questions. Here you have her insight on what makes a wedding special and why every bride should have an Anniversary Box!

1. When did you decide to start a business in the bridal field and why did you find this domain interesting?

My mother in-law gave my husband and I the original anniversary box over thirty years ago and unknowingly began a lasting tradition in our early years of marriage. Each year, we would open a letter and smile, remembering our wedding day. It was always a nice way to reconnect with those who had been with us on that day, but on our 11th anniversary, I really felt the power of this gift. Our 11th letter was from my grandmother, who had passed away years before. It was such a moving experience to read her words from so long ago and I wanted to share that incredible gift with others.

After that, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. With each anniversary, I thought about how this would be a great product to market to brides. When I was finally able to share my idea with Michelle Davis, my design partner at circle S studio, my dream turned into a reality.

2. Talk us through the first years of your work. Maybe you could tell us what changed in time?

 
We began work in 2002. We come from a branding and graphic design background and we approached the Anniversary Box like we would any other project. It began with an initial strategy. Then, an understanding of the marketplace.

By piecing the two together, we formed our marketing plan. We did our homework – focus group testing, market assessments, and proformas to understand profitability – all in an effort to comprehend the marketplace. We took careful consideration in regards to marketing, product design and branding so that our product would be well received by the bridal market. We also had to find the right manufacturing partner in order to ensure a quality product.
Since we began in 2002, we have yet to see another product like ours and we are pleased to be the first to offer the Anniversary Box or anything like it to brides.

3. Why should a bride-to-be/guest choose your product?

The joy and love of the wedding should last more than a day, it should last a lifetime. The Anniversary Box makes that possible.

It is like capturing all of the memorable toasts and special moments from the wedding in a box so that the bride and groom are able to relive the happiness of the day over and over again. With this box, the couple is able to reconnect with friends and remember loved ones who have passed away. That feeling is irreplaceable.

4. Do tell us a bit more about the boxes.

We wanted to stay true to the original idea and create a box that would be durable, timeless, and elegant. In the end, we accomplished our goal and succeeded in taking a homemade product and turning it into an elegant piece.

5. What does your project bring special to a wedding?

Not only is the Anniversary Box a special gift for the couple receiving it, but it also provides a memorable experience for the guests attending the wedding or wedding event. I’ve been told numerous times that guests really enjoy writing their letters; they take them seriously, sometimes they’ll even take them home to really think over what they want to say.

I think that guests appreciate the thought of being included in a couple’s life for years to come.
Recently, I participated in the note writing at a rehearsal dinner for two friends. They brought out the Anniversary Box and suddenly everyone was telling stories, sharing ideas, talking about their weddings and their hopes, remembering stories about the bride and groom and generally having a wonderful time. It brought the group together, and the fun continued throughout the wedding weekend. Even the groomsmen loved the Anniversary Box idea and took great care to write meaningful notes to the couple. The process sparked an energy and camaraderie amongst the family and friends who had come to celebrate this special moment and it really enlivened the entire event.
It’s been great hearing of similar experiences from other couples. Our customers have found some very fun and creative ways to incorporate the Anniversary Box into their wedding!

6. From your point of view, how should a perfect bride/wedding be like?

The perfect bride does what is authentic, she takes her wedding and makes it her own – an expression of herself. We would be honored to be a part of any bride’s wedding tradition.