THE Stationers’ Retreat
JOIN US:
9–12th November 2026
MID WALES
For an inspiring three night creative retreat. Tailored especially for wedding stationers at all stages of their business The Stationers’ Retreat is aimed at fostering connections, igniting ideas, business growth, and rejuvenating passion for your wedding stationery business… with a few glasses of fizz along the way!
Running a wedding stationery business can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. Most of us work from home studios, spare bedrooms or kitchen tables, surrounded by people who don't understand print deadlines, paper stocks, wedding seasons or the pressure of running a creative business.
That's exactly why we created The Stationers' Retreat.
It's a place where wedding stationers, calligraphers and stationery designers come together to learn, share ideas, build friendships and support one another. Whether you're looking for help growing your stationery business, attracting more clients, improving your confidence or simply finding your people, you'll discover a community that genuinely understands what you do.
During the retreat you will:
Find a vibrant community of stationers, all supporting and uplifting each other at every turn.
Reflect on your goals after a bustling summer and enter 2027 with fresh ideas and renewed purpose.
Connect with likeminded wedding stationers, share stories, learn, laugh, and grow together.
If this sounds like your idea of creative heaven (maybe also a little daunting) scroll down to find out more… we have so much to share and look forward to welcoming you!
SO MUCH MORE THAN A RETREAT…
The Stationers' Retreat is a UK-based creative business retreat for wedding stationers, calligraphers, illustrators and stationery designers looking to grow their business, build lasting industry friendships and find support from a community that truly understands the challenges of running a creative business. Hosted by Suite Press founders Freya Deabill and Grania O'Brien, the retreat combines practical business education, creative inspiration, networking and wellbeing - plus lot of laughter - helping you gain confidence, clarity and connection both professionally and personally.
IN OUR FOURTH YEAR!
The Stationers’ Retreat now in its fourth year, has become the premier gathering for wedding stationers both in the UK and wider afield, attracting talented women from around the world to connect, learn, and rejuvenate.
Run by Suite Press Co-Founders Freya and Grania and supported by incredible partners such as industry leaders G.F.Smith and FoilCo, we understand the value of stepping away from the studio to engage with like-minded creatives.
This retreat is designed to help you rediscover your passion for paper and stationery after a hectic wedding season, while enjoying some well-deserved fun!
Over two full days and three nights, you’ll find the ideal balance between relaxation and business focus. Enjoy pampering sessions, exquisite catering, and a programme crafted to leave you refreshed, inspired, and prepared for the year ahead.
Depart with a network of wonderful new friends, a mind brimming with ideas and inspiration, and the delight of attending our beautifully styled dinner: an experience we often miss as stationers. Plus, take home one of our legendary goodie bags, filled with samples from top industry suppliers.
We look forward to meeting you and sharing this unforgettable experience.
"one of the best investments I made in my business this year"
RELAX
CONNECT
LEARN
CREATE
GROW
"a game-changer for my business"
BOOK YOUR SPOT TODAY!
Secure your place now to be part of this unique and transformative experience.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
pay in full
The Stationers’ Retreat is a carefully curated three-night inspirational retreat designed for creatively spirited female stationers who want to forge relationships and learn from like-minded businesswomen.
Join us for a relaxing & inspiring two-day retreat in the Welsh countryside. Work on your mindset, up your branding game, find out more about how to uplevel your stationery business, or simply chill out in the hot tub and focus on you - after all, you deserve it!
9th-12th November 2026
North Wales
Your ticket includes full board for three nights, plus treatment of your choice (facial, massage or mani/pedicure - let us know your choice when booking!)
The Stationers’ Retreat is a carefully curated three-night inspirational retreat designed for creatively spirited female stationers who want to forge relationships and learn from like-minded businesswomen.
Join us for a relaxing & inspiring three-night retreat in the Welsh countryside. Work on your mindset, up your branding game, find out more about how to uplevel your stationery business, or simply chill out in the hot tub and focus on you - after all, you deserve it!
9th-12th November 2026
North Wales
Your ticket includes full board for three nights, plus treatment of your choice (facial, massage or mani/pedicure - let us know your choice when booking!)
Meet your hosts
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Freya Deabill - Deabill & Quince
For the past 12 years Freya has grown a go-to wedding stationery business recommended by multiple planners and venues. She has helped stationers upgrade their skills, and navigated work/life balance. She is a digital design guru and will be on hand to talk tech, life and the importance of good branding in your business - she is also responsible for many of the “evening games” which descend into laughter and chaos!
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Grania O'Brien - Ink & Paper
Queen of luxury letterpress and networking genius Grania has many years of wedding industry mentoring under her belt. She is a true business strategist - if she doesn’t know it, it’s probably not worth knowing. Grania will be hosting an in-depth reflection and journalling workshop during the retreat to get us seriously prepared for the year ahead… she makes a pretty mean cocktail too!
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE STATIONERS’ RETREAT?
FOCUSED WORKSHOPS & TALKS
Each year, we invite an array of inspiring guest experts to share their insights. Past speakers have included Claire from We Are Three Six Nine, Elizabeth Hall from 1312 Consulting, and planners Louise from Big Green Space and Rachel from Salt and Scent Events. Alongside these, we’ve hosted creative workshops and welcomed representatives from GF Smith, who deliver inspiring and immersive presentations on paper.
Scroll down to see who is joining us for 2026.
MINI HEADSHOT PHOTOSHOOT
Update your professional image with a mini headshot session. Previous photographers, such as Stories by Chloe and Nat Aubry, have perfectly captured the essence of the retreat. It’s an ideal opportunity to refresh your website or social media profiles.
CREATIVE SESSION
Rediscover your creative spark with our hands-on workshops. In 2024, we welcomed candle artist Bianca from Bable London for a wonderful afternoon of candle painting.
For 2026, we’re excited to host an immersive cake decorating workshop with Kate from Dolce Lusso Cakes. You’ll decorate your own mini-cake under her expert guidance, exploring beautiful designs and sugar flower artistry.
GOODIE BAGS & WELCOME GIFTS
Take home a thoughtfully curated bag bursting with stationery and wellness treasures, including exclusive samples and discounts from our sponsors.
The 2026 sponsor list is growing, and it’s guaranteed to be as impressive as ever
DELICIOUS GOURMET FOOD
Served by our amazing private chefs, including a stunning styled evening dinner which we like to dress up for and really push the boat out.
All dietaries catered for.
COUNTRY WALKS
Explore the breathtaking Welsh countryside on invigorating and beautiful group walks.
It’s a perfect way to unwind, connect with fellow stationers, and enjoy the serenity of nature.
PAMPER SESSION
Relax and rejuvenate with treatments from Ceri at Beauty Tonic. Choose from massages, facials, manicures, or pedicures, included in your retreat package (valued up to £65). It’s the perfect way to add a touch of luxury to your time away.
OPEN Q&A
Engage in an open and honest discussion with your hosts and fellow stationers. No topic is off-limits—whether it’s business advice, creative challenges, or life as a stationer.
FREE TIME
Balance structured activities with downtime tailored to your needs.
Whether you fancy a soak in the hot tub, a glass of fizz, catching up on emails, or simply having a quiet moment, the choice is yours.
BOOK YOUR SPOT TODAY!
Secure your place now to be part of this unique and transformative experience.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
pay in full
The Stationers’ Retreat is a carefully curated three-night inspirational retreat designed for creatively spirited female stationers who want to forge relationships and learn from like-minded businesswomen.
Join us for a relaxing & inspiring two-day retreat in the Welsh countryside. Work on your mindset, up your branding game, find out more about how to uplevel your stationery business, or simply chill out in the hot tub and focus on you - after all, you deserve it!
9th-12th November 2026
North Wales
Your ticket includes full board for three nights, plus treatment of your choice (facial, massage or mani/pedicure - let us know your choice when booking!)
The Stationers’ Retreat is a carefully curated three-night inspirational retreat designed for creatively spirited female stationers who want to forge relationships and learn from like-minded businesswomen.
Join us for a relaxing & inspiring three-night retreat in the Welsh countryside. Work on your mindset, up your branding game, find out more about how to uplevel your stationery business, or simply chill out in the hot tub and focus on you - after all, you deserve it!
9th-12th November 2026
North Wales
Your ticket includes full board for three nights, plus treatment of your choice (facial, massage or mani/pedicure - let us know your choice when booking!)
OUR VENUE:
Plas Uchaf, Llangedwyn, North Wales
Following the success of our previous retreats, we’re thrilled to be hosting the 2026 retreat at our stunning new venue, Plas Uchaf (The Big House on the Hill) in North Wales. This is a significant upgrade from our already gorgeous Bath location, offering even more comfort and luxury to enhance your experience.
At Plas Uchaf, every guest will enjoy their own en-suite bathroom, ensuring total privacy and comfort. For those in shared bedrooms, no more than two people will share a room, making it feel just as special as staying in your own space. The house itself is thoughtfully designed for relaxation and inspiration, with beautifully appointed private rooms, welcoming communal areas, and breathtaking views of the surrounding Welsh countryside.
Whether you’re unwinding in one of the cosy lounges, sharing a quiet conversation over a cup of tea, or soaking in the fresh air as you explore the stunning grounds, Plas Uchaf provides the perfect backdrop for creativity, connection, and rest.
We cannot wait to welcome you to this exceptional venue and create unforgettable memories together.
THE FOOD
For three blissful days, forget about meal planning and enjoy the luxury of being served delicious, healthy, and wholesome food at every mealtime. Expect relaxed family-style dinners on the first two nights, where sharing dishes and conversation bring everyone together around the table.
On the final evening, we’ll elevate the experience with a stunning three-course plated dinner. It’s the perfect chance to dress up, toast to new friendships, and savour every bite of a beautifully prepared gourmet meal.
No matter your dietary needs, we’ve got you covered. Simply let us know when you book, and we’ll ensure every dish is tailored to you. This is your time to relax, connect, and indulge in the joy of great food!
PAMPER TIME:
CERI, BEAUTY TONIC
One of our favourite parts of the retreat, a 40-minute session with Ceri of Beauty Tonic to feel totally relaxed and pampered. Previously set up in her own private room at The Grange, you can choose from a Massage, Pedicure, Manicure or a Facial to help you feel rejuvenated and relaxed.
Ceri’s pamper session is covered by your retreat ticket so just let us know when you sign up which treatment you would like, and we will schedule it in for you.
PHOTOGRAPHER FOR 2024 - NAT AUBRY
We were absolutely thrilled to work with the hugely talented Nat Aubry as our photographer for the 2024 Stationers’ Retreat!
Nat was onsite, documenting all the magic of the Retreat and capturing stunning headshots for all our attendees. With her incredible experience working with small creative businesses and retreats, Nat has an unmatched ability to capture the essence of the moment—and we knew her work will be nothing short of extraordinary.
Headshots from the 2024 Retreat by @_nataubry_photography
CREATIVE SESSION * DOLCE LUSSO CAKES *
CREATIVE SESSION * DOLCE LUSSO CAKES *
We are absolutely THRILLED to have Kate from Dolce Lusso Cakes joining us for a creative cake decorating workshop in 2026!
This session is all about stepping away from stationery to try something wonderfully creative and joyful. Kate, known for her incredible Italian-inspired flavours and exquisite sugar flowers, will guide us through decorating our own individual mini-cakes.
With her expert tips and guidance, this workshop promises to be a fun and inspiring experience—no baking skills required! We can’t wait to see the beautiful (and delicious) creations you’ll take home.
ANDRI BENSON
One of the UK’s most imaginative wedding planners, Andri Benson has literally written the book on styled shoots, and she’ll be joining us to share her insider knowledge on how to plan, collaborate and deliver shoots that truly move the needle for your business. Expect practical advice on creating content that’s worth your time, building meaningful connections, and getting your work featured on the blogs that are right for you.
Andri will also be styling our show-stopping dinner on Wednesday evening, and if you’ve seen her work before, you’ll know it’s going to be a visual feast.
More speakers to be announced shortly…
PAST SPEAKERS
Over the years we have had some incredible speakers join us at our Retreats to share their incredible wisdom on a wealth of speciallis topics including:
Stacy from SoEngaged! joined us for incredible sessions on understanding your SEO.
Claire from WeAreThreeSixNine joined us two years running talking about how to make Dubsado work for you and an accounting session.
Elizabeth Hall from 1312 Consulting talking us through engaging customer journeys.
Rachel from Salt & Scent Events joined us to talk about how to collaborate with your planner for styling stationery.
Our 2026 SPEAKERS
OUR SPONSORS
G.F.Smith with their ‘hip’ new rebrand are back on board as headline sponsors for 2026. They have supported our Retreat since the beginning and the value, experience & samples they provide alone make your retreat space worthwhile!
We have an exciting new GFSmith collaboration session in the pipeline for 2026, so watch this space!
The unrivalled Metallic Elephant have also been on board with the Stationers’ Retreat for the past two years. Established in 2007 with the mission of supporting customers with hot foil presses, parts, dies, and expert foiling advice, they have grown into one of the only UK companies to manufacture their own range of hot foil presses.
Their passion lies in introducing customers to foiling and helping them succeed, whether you’re just starting out or refining your craft. Put simply, they want to help you #makeitshiny!
ADDITIONAL RETREAT PARTNERS
We are beyond thrilled to be able to support so many incredible suppliers and businesses by providing direct access to our stationers. Between them they provide the most incredible products for our legendary goodie bags. Packed with an unparalleled selection of samples, freebies, discounts, and expert knowledge, these goodie bags are a highlight of the retreat and the stuff of every stationers dreams.
Simply put, the retreat wouldn’t be what it is without their involvement, and we are so grateful for the role they play in making this event extraordinary.
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PDA Card & Craft
Printers and online shop for many stationery businesses already PDA surprised us with discounts last year for our retreat goers!
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Antalis
Antalis is a leading distributor of premium paper, packaging, and visual communication materials, offering renowned ranges like Keaykolour and Olin, to name but two.
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Foilco
Foilco strive to inspire the use of the most varied and diverse range of stamping foils in the industry. It is their genuine aim to keep hot stamping foils as relevant and impactful as possible and will be supporting us with incredible samples.
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Deakin Creations
Deakin Creations have been supplying stationers with stamps, wax and impeccable customer service for many years. We are THRILLED they are on board to support us with samples and discounts for our goodie bags this year.
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Magna Papers
One of our go to paper and envelope suppliers, Magna Papers are a staple in our UK supplier network. We are thrilled they are on board with us this year supplying samples.
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NORTHERN PRINTING Co
Built from first hand experiences working with stationery suppliers Abbie at Northern Printing Co has an incredible range of the highest spec finishing materials around. Tried and tested she’s one of our fave suppliers!
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Keiyosa
Vipul & Shivani hand make some of the most stylish desk-wares in the UK. With sustainability at the core of everything they do from products to packaging we are thrilled they are treating us to a little gift in this years goodie bags!
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Century Studios
An innovative and creative digital and litho printing company located in the North. Century Studios will be supporting us with samples and knowledge about their incredible printing processes.
BOOK YOUR SPOT TODAY!
pay in full
The Stationers’ Retreat is a carefully curated three-night inspirational retreat designed for creatively spirited female stationers who want to forge relationships and learn from like-minded businesswomen.
Join us for a relaxing & inspiring two-day retreat in the Welsh countryside. Work on your mindset, up your branding game, find out more about how to uplevel your stationery business, or simply chill out in the hot tub and focus on you - after all, you deserve it!
9th-12th November 2026
North Wales
Your ticket includes full board for three nights, plus treatment of your choice (facial, massage or mani/pedicure - let us know your choice when booking!)
The Stationers’ Retreat is a carefully curated three-night inspirational retreat designed for creatively spirited female stationers who want to forge relationships and learn from like-minded businesswomen.
Join us for a relaxing & inspiring three-night retreat in the Welsh countryside. Work on your mindset, up your branding game, find out more about how to uplevel your stationery business, or simply chill out in the hot tub and focus on you - after all, you deserve it!
9th-12th November 2026
North Wales
Your ticket includes full board for three nights, plus treatment of your choice (facial, massage or mani/pedicure - let us know your choice when booking!)
THE STATIONERS’ RETREAT FAQs
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The Stationers’ Retreat 2026 will be held at the beautiful Plas Uchaf in North Wales
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Any female who works in the wedding stationery & calligraphy industry, and wants to spend time learning and being inspired by like-minded successful businesswomen.
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There will be space for nine women alongside the three hosts.
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For 2026 we’ll have three private en-suite rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis, along with three twin rooms, each with their own bathroom. If you’re travelling with a business bestie and are happy to share a (big!) bed, let us know when you book: we’ll pop you both in one of the private rooms so you can enjoy a little extra space (and a few more late-night chats).
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Our caterers can work with any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you secure your space.
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Yes, there is space for up to 10 cars, last year a few of us car shared for the journey to and from the Retreat.
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Erm… YES!
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Due to high demand and limited availability your booking will be non-refundable. If the retreat is cancelled by the venue or organisers, you will be reimbursed in full.
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A few weeks ahead of the retreat, we will send you a welcome pack, schedule and packing list. Everything required for the workshops will be provided.
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Absolutely, we have hosted stationers who haven’t even launched their websites yet, alongside those who have been in the industry for over ten years. The Stationers’ Retreat is for ALL stationers, at every stage of their business.
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We get it, we are so often isolated in this industry and the feeling of comparisonitis and meeting new people, especially peers can sometimes be overwhelming. But please be assured the Stationers’ Retreat is a hugely welcoming experience, we have hosted fellow stationers suffering with huge anxiety before and opened their eyes to a whole new feeling of belonging and community. Grania and I are onsite the whole time and there are break out spaces and down time where quiet conversations, or even a good book can ground you and reduce the overwhelm. If you want to chat through any specific anxieties before you book (or arrive) please let us know, we are always on the end of the line hello@suite.press.co.uk
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Absolutely! Learning and spending time with peers in your industry can be one of the most inspirational and rewarding ways to learn about running your own stationery business. This time together really forces us to look INSIDE our stationery businesses upgrading, learning and growing - taking all the isolated guesswork out of the business side of running a creative business.
Community Over Competition
The Stationers’ Retreat is designed for wedding stationers, calligraphers, illustrators, graphic designers and creative entrepreneurs at every stage of business. Whether you're wondering how to start a wedding stationery business, looking to attract more clients, improve your pricing, develop your Adobe skills or simply connect with others in the industry, The Stationers' Retreat offers education, encouragement and a genuine sense of belonging.