NICKY Barrett's successful hand-made wedding stationery venture certainly means the talented mother-of-two won't become a business bridesmaid.

What originally started out as a hobby has transformed itself into a thriving enterprise with more and more brides-to-be registering their interest in the Greenmount woman's company.

She has launched Kiss Me Kards, offering a complete, personalised wedding cards stationery service embracing everything from invitations to table planners.

Nicky (33), who combines her role of businesswoman with a separate part-time job, explained: "I set up Kiss Me Kards six months ago and I make a whole range of hand-made wedding stationery. Couples can choose the designs and themes they want and I will do everything for them, including the printing.

"The stationery includes invitations, thank you cards, order of service through to guest books, favours boxes and photo albums."

She added: "I've always hand-made cards for myself and people liked what I did. Then, somebody asked me for hand-made wedding stationery cards and things took off from there.

"To be honest, I just started this as a hobby. But my friends said I should take it further and that's why I have set up my own business. At the moment, I'm relying on recommendations through word of mouth."

Couples can browse through sample books to select their design or even come up with one of their own.

"Each design is personal to themselves," stressed Nicky, of Brandlesholme Road. "I will make free samples up for them and work with them as far as their colour scheme ideas are concerned. I can fulfil any quantity.

The businesswoman, who also works in accounts part-time, has boosted her promotional and marketing for Kiss Me Kards by setting up her own web site.