Start Me Up! - Part 16

Invitations! Invites and Save the Dates are likely your couple’s first opportunity to formally communicate with their guests. If you are working with clients at this stage in the game, you will probably be an integral part of helping them source, compare, select and order their stationery.

Keep in mind that while save the dates can be similar to the wedding invitation in theme, style and formality; many people choose a design a little different and sometimes less formal – a selection which can also give a peek into the couple’s personalities. You also want to consider the fact that given the type of wedding, location, etc. there be an opportunity for the stationer to play an even bigger role by providing a full wedding stationery suite. More on that to come! For now, a few questions to ask your stationer:

1. How long have you been in business?

2. What is your design background if any?

3. What types of printing processes do you offer and which do you specialize in? (Thermography, letterpress, etc.) Which do you typically recommend for various budgets and styles?

4. Is your printing done in-house or do you outsource the printing? Printing is usually less expensive if it’s outsourced. However a benefit of in-house printing is a quicker turnaround time, which could come in especially handy if any reprinting (due to an error, etc.) is required.

5. Do you offer custom invitations as well as templated styles? Is there a fee if we want to order a sample of either an existing invitation style or a custom design? If so, how much?

6. Can clients also order table numbers, place cards, escort cards, ceremony programs, menus, etc. from you? (stationary suite)

7. Do you offer a package or a discounted price if we order all of the invitation components at the same time?

8. If we want to include a picture or graphic on the save-the-date card or invitation, can you accommodate that?

9. Do you keep up with current invitation trends should the clients have additional questions that I may not be able to answer? New styles, trends and color combinations, the most popular?

10. Can the invitations be printed on recycled paper and/or with soy-based ink?

11. Once we place the order, how long will it take to have the completed invitations delivered? Do you have rush-order available and what are the extra fees?

12. If the invitation involves multiple pieces, can you assemble them? If so, is there an additional fee? How will the assembly affect delivery date?

13. Do you offer an invitation addressing or calligraphy service? If so, what is the charge for this?

14. When is payment due?

15. Will my client or I have an opportunity to sign off on my invitation proof before you send the order to print?

16. Once we’ve signed off on the proof, I expect the printed invitations to match the approved sample. If they don’t (ex. an error was made after we signed off on the proof) will my invitations be corrected and reprinted at no additional cost?

17. What is your refund policy if for some reason we need to cancel the order?

xx,
Belle

Comments

[Evie Roberts]

I get excited when i receive wedding invitations. sometimes i also make customized wedding invitations.;;~

[Maria Rogers]

i do most wedding invitations on photoshop and also on MS Word'';

[Winding Machine]

we like to make customized wedding invitations at home,~`

[Tub Chair ·]

i think that the best wedding invitations are those that are custom built for the occassion, bright colors are advisable to use ~-"