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wedding invitations
invitation
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CLIENT RESOURCES
POST APPROVAL
ONCE BOOKED
Your proof is ready when you say it is! Once all of the "I'm happy with it" boxes are checked, that lets us know you have approved your pieces and are ready to move them into production. We will send a confirmation email before we send to print with our expected timeline to ship, and this is when the invoice balance payment is due.
APPROVAL
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Four proofs are included in all packages, and any additional proofs are billed at $25/proof (although it's rare we go over). These proofs will contain digital mockups of each piece, to scale, for you to approve before getting sent to print as well as a timeline on the top for us to stay on schedule. With invitations, we have each piece individually mocked up for approval, as well as a full suite mockup at the end to give you a visual of the suite together. If you'd like to see an example of a proof, let us know and we can send one over!
PROOFING
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The design board only applies to the custom invitation design process, so if that's not you, skip to the next step! The goal of the design board is to narrow down our colors and fonts before we begin proofing. With custom calligraphy, we like to give you four styles to choose from as it can be hard to visualize what the chosen styles will look like until they are in your own names. You'll be able to easily make any adjustments to the verbiage, colors, and fonts to avoid going into extra proofs.
DESIGN BOARD
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Want help with your wording? Click here!
Your initial proposal will be based on everything we chatted about in our consultation. If you have a specific budget in mind, please let us know in the beginning of our call so we can keep that in mind when offering suggestions and for when we are putting together the proposal. The next steps are directly linked in your proposal, so once it's where you want it, you'll sign the contract and submit the 50% non-refundable retainer through the online invoice. Our last step before proofing: verbiage! We'll send over an easy Invitation Wording Form for you to be able to send over your wording for your suite. If we are working together on non-invitations, I'll send a custom form for you to submit. Of course, we are always available to answer any specific verbiage questions for you as well!
PROPOSAL + NEXT STEPS
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If ordering invitations, you can choose to receive a sample pack after our initial consultation. During our call, we'll take notes about what you are drawn to and may want to see in person before making final decisions. This allows for you to hold the papers in person, feel the printing textures and see some available color options in your palette. These sample packs are $15 and are highly suggested, as we want you to be confident in your decisions for your invitations before proofing.
SAMPLE PACK
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Schedule a Consultation
There are a million options with stationery and signage, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with making so many choices. We're here to make it as easy as possible for you and that includes a consultation for us to get acquainted, and for us to answer any questions for you. We are happy to walk you through the design process, educate you on your options, brainstorm some ideas for you and get enough information to be able to put together a proposal for you.
Initial Consultation
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Before you book
THE DESIGN PROCESS
Your invitations are the first impression of your event to your guests, so let's create a consistent experience for them from beginning to end with some beautiful day-of pieces! We can create anything to be cohesive with the design of the invitations, so sky is the limit. This is our chance to get creative and bring out the details that will make the event shine!
DAY-OF CONSISTENCY
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With invitations, we will securely pack and ship your pieces to you to look over, stuff and send to your guests. With most other services, we will send you the final product, or will call pickup is available for bay area locals. Items are shipped at a flat rate and fully insured, and are shipped with an estimated 2-7 business day delivery. Shipping will be included in your initial proposal at this default, but please let us know if you prefer to choose an expedited shipping option, or if you have any other questions about shipping!
SHIPPING + MAILING
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Once your pieces are approved, we'll get everything sent into production and/or printing. Standard turnaround time is 10-14 business days, but never guaranteed. If you need your items by a certain date, let us know and we can assess if any rush fees may apply. Once we receive your prints or materials, assembly can begin! We will do any assembly that's more detailed, such as wraps, hand-stamped wax seals, ribbon or thread assembly and more. Full invitation assembly + mailing are available at an additional cost.
PRODUCTION + ASSEMBLY
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HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Invoices are sent online and are processed through Square for the safest and securest transaction. We do not store credit card information on file. Other accepted forms of payment are: cash (if local), or mailed check/money order. If mailing a check, please confirm our address before sending.
HOW DO YOU ACCEPT PAYMENT?
Once the invitations are counted and the necessary assembly has been done, we ship them to you to stuff, seal, and mail out, with instructions on how to do so. Mailing services are available at an additional rate and require an extra mailing agreement form.
DO YOU TAKE THE INVITATIONS TO THE POST OFFICE FOR ME?
If your suite has a belly band, vellum wrap, silk ribbon tie, thread tie, envelope liner, calligraphy addressing, or wax seal stamping, we will do the assembly for those items. The assembly cost will be a line-item in your proposal. With most embellishments, we will wrap the invitation card and leave the rest of the cards for you to stuff with instructions on how to do so. Full assembly is available at an additional rate.
WHAT ASSEMBLY ON THE INVITATIONS DO YOU DO?
Printing Methods
We print using three main methods: digital, letterpress and foil. Digital printing can be done on 2ply paper or thinner, excluding handmade paper. We can print digitally in multiple colors so if you want any watercolor design, this is the one for you! Letterpress and foil can be done one color at a time and on any thickness of paper. Letterpress has an impression in the paper to add some texture and is right in the middle cost-wise. Foil is the most expensive printing method, but it's the only one that will leave a metallic shine on paper. For more information on the printing methods, please click below:
WHAT PRINTING METHODS DO YOU USE?
Minted or other large-scale invitation retailers may be a better option for those who are looking for a more cost-effective option, or those who don't find invitations or paper to be a big priority in the wedding day. If you are someone who loves paper, stationery and pretty writing, then an invitation designer will be right up your alley!
Booking an invitation designer will allow you to have a suite that is custom to you and your personality as a couple, your venue and your wedding style. In our studio, we help you bring your vision to life and to create a dream wedding invitation suite that is a forever keepsake and wonderful first impression to your guests. These details and attention to quality, consistency and meaning cannot be found through online invitation shops and are the reason our services hold more value.
WHY ARE YOU MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ONLINE INVITATION STORES SUCH AS MINTED?
Absolutely not! Any design-only projects such as logo design or digital party invitation can be done and delivered online. Invitations, day-of goods and more are available to ship most places in the world!
DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN CALIFORNIA TO WORK WITH YOU?
Since everything is so custom to what you're looking for and your individual preferences, we can only provide a proposal once we get some information about what you're looking for. Custom invitations are broken down by a design fee, and then the printing, material, and production costs are added from there. Custom invitations typically range from $2100-$5600. Semi-custom invitations don't have the design fee, so the pricing is all about your printing options and upgrades. Most semi-custom suites range from $450-$3200.
HOW MUCH DOES EVERYTHING COST?
For more detail on our design process, please click here!
We try to make it as easy as possible for you by providing simple online forms for you to check box your approval or write in your changes. Each piece of the suite is broken down to be approved individually, and a mockup of the full suite is included at the end to get a visual of everything together.
HOW DOES YOUR PROOFING PROCESS WORK?
Covid-19 Procedures
We understand how stressful it is planning a wedding in the midst of a pandemic, but we are here to adapt with you and adjust accordingly. To read our Covid-19 procedures, click the link below or simply reach out with any specific questions you may have.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY WEDDING GETS AFFECTED BY COVID-19?
We recommend counting your guest list (per household) to get the most accurate count for your invitation quantity. It is suggested to add 5-10 extras, as re-prints can be costly if they are necessary. The extras are helpful for last-minute add-ons and invitations that may get lost in the mail. A photographer's copy and keepsake copy are included with your invitation package and are not necessary to add into your count.
HOW MANY INVITATIONS
SHOULD I ORDER?
Once your verbiage is submitted, you can expect your design board or first proof within 3-5 business days. From there, design turnaround time will be based on when we receive your feedback. It takes about 1-3 business days to send the next proof after your comments are submitted. Production is about a 10-14 business day turnaround time.
WHAT IS THE TURNAROUND TIME FOR INVITATIONS?
Preferably, at least two months before you'd like to have your invitations in hand.
If your wedding date is further out, but you'd like to get a head start on the design, you are welcome to pay your retainer, start the design process and hit "pause" until we're ready to fine-tune the details once we get closer to your date. Some like to do this as it helps to visualize the invitations, which can help with designing other parts of the wedding in the meantime.
HOW SOON SHOULD I BOOK YOU?
Typically, invitations are sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This timeframe gives guests about 3 weeks to respond and 3-4 weeks for you to get your final guest count with enough time. If you're having a destination wedding, 8-10 weeks is more appropriate so guests can book their travel plans. You can always send them earlier if it's a busy time of year (November/December). Save the dates should go out as soon as you know your date and venue but not sooner than 6 months before the wedding (unless it’s destination).
WHEN SHOULD I SEND OUT MY INVITATIONS?
Send us an email
Production + Beyond
About Our Process
Before You Book
INVITATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOSTING:
Bride's Parents (Married) Hosting
"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter..."
Bride's Parents (Divorced) Hosting
"Ms. Anne Rogers and Mr. John Smith request..."
Bride's Parents (Remarried) Hosting
"Ms. Anne Rogers and Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request..."
*if it's the groom's parents hosting, it would say "request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son ___ to ___" instead
Bride's Parents (Widowed) Hosting
"Mrs. Anne Smith and the late Mr. John Smith request..."
Bride's Parents Hosting with Mention of Groom's Parents
"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Melanie Smith to George Rodgers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Rodgers"
Both Side's Parents Hosting
"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Mr. and Mrs. David Jones request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children..."
or
"Together with their parents, Melanie and John invite you..."
*can also include parents' names in this one
Bride and Groom Hosting
"Together with their families, Melanie and John invite you..."
or
"Melanie and John request the pleasure of your company at their wedding..."
INVITATION:
Formal (usually in a place of worship)
"...request the honor of your company"
Formal 2
"...request the pleasure of your company"
Casual 1
"...invite your to share in the celebration of their wedding.."
Casual 2
"...joyfully invite you share in their happiness as they exchange vows.."
NAMES:
You can write your names however you prefer! The options are:
Full Name: Anne Marie Rogers to John Mark Smith
First and Middle: Anne Marie to John Mark
First and Last: Anne Rogers to John Smith
First: Anne to John
Or you can do any combination of these! Sometimes the bride wants first and middle with the groom's full name (Anne Marie to John Mark Smith)
DATE + TIME:
Note:
Between 8am-11:55am: "..in the morning"
Between 12pm-4:55pm: "...in the afternoon"
After 5pm: "...in the evening"
Any :15, :30 or :45: "a quarter/half/three quarters past _ in the _"
Written Out
"Saturday, the fifth of May, two thousand nineteen at five o'clock in the evening"
Partial
"Saturday, the 5th of May, two thousand nineteen at 4:30pm"
Numbered
"Saturday, May 5, 2019 at 3:00pm"
LOCATION:
Just the Venue
"The Resort at Pelican Hill"
(you would usually put the full address on the details card)
Venue + Address
"The Resort at Pelican Hill
1234 Newport Drive, Newport Beach, California 92112"
RECEPTION:
"Dinner and dancing to follow"
"Reception to immediately follow"
"Party starts after"
"Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow"
A note such as "dinner and dancing to follow" can be put at the bottom to imply a reception will be following the wedding ceremony.
RECEPTION INFORMATION
Wedding information will include the date, time, and venue. Full address is not necessary on invitation card and can instead be shown on the details card.
WEDDING INFORMATION
Not necessary, but this is a respectful way to mention the names of the parents who aren't hosting the event.
OTHER SPOUSE'S PARENTAL MENTION
The names on the invitation are who the event is for. Typically, these stand out more than anything else on the invitation and are the "star" of the card.
NAMES
The purpose of the card, to invite the guest to the event by requesting their attendance.
INVITATION
This section describes who is hosting the event. Another popular choice is "together with their families".
HOSTING
TITLE
"RSVP"
"Kindly Reply"
"Please Respond"
"Response"
"Kindly RSVP"
"You in or what?"
DATE
Under the title, you'll want a date written for them to reply by such as "by Saturday, the fifth of May". These can be fully written out, partially numbered or fully numbered just like the options for the main invitation.
LINE FOR NAME
After the date, you'll have a line for the guest to write their name in. This is so you know who's RSVP card it is. There's usually an "M" in front of this line, so they can write in their prefix such as "Mrs. Anne Smith".
A little tip: if you're worried someone might not write their name in the line, you can number the backs of your RSVP cards and then you can tell who's is missing!
RESPONSE
There's a ton of ways for you to have them mark "yes" or "no" to if they're coming or not. Here are some initial ideas for you!
Yes/No
Accepts/Regrets
Can’t Wait/Can’t Make it
Wouldn’t Miss it for the World/We’ll be there in Spirit
Joyfully Accepts/Regretfully Declines
Will be there/Will be toasting from afar
Accepts with Pleasure/Declines with Regret
Number Attending/Unable to Attend
OTHER INFORMATION
There's a lot of other information that you may need from your guests or some stuff that's just fun! Here are some of the most popular options for additional RSVP card wording:
Seats Reserved
“We have reserved ___ seats in your honor” or “The number of seats reserved for this invitation: ___"
This is so they know how many people are invited with this invitation. The only "con" to this line is that if you invite "Joe and Sue" but Sue can't come, Joe might think he can bring someone else.
Attending Guests
"Number Attending ___ Unable to Attend ___” or “Number of guests attending ___”
People put this on there so they can have a clear idea of how many in each party is actually going to come.
Food Choice
If you're having a plated meal, you'll need to have a food choice on your reply card. The most popular ways to word this would be to have one of these lines:
“Please place each guest’s initials next to their food choice” or “Please indicate each guest’s entrée selection”
with the meals underneath it (___chicken ___beef ___vegetarian)
If you're not doing a plated meal, you won't need this, but it might be a good idea to have a line for vegetarians or a line for allergies. You can put this on the bottom like so: "Vegetarian(s) __" and/or "Allergies: ________"
Song Request
Something that might be fun is to have a song request line! I did this for my invitations and it was fun to see all of the songs people would want played. We made a playlist of all of those songs and whenever I hear them, it makes me think of the person who requested it (: it also lets you "approve" what requested songs to play so you can give to your DJ beforehand so they don't play any day-of requested songs.
Adults Only
The most common question we receive about wording is: "how do I tell my guests no kids?". Below are some examples of how to navigate this. You can put any of these on the bottom of the RSVP card so they see it when they're replying, or you can put this information on your details card as well as on your wedding website if you have one.
"we kindly ask that all guests be ___ years of age or older"
"Adults only"
"An adult only affair"
"Due to safety regulations, our venue does not allow children."
"As much as we love your kiddos, we are having an adult only ceremony and reception. We hope you see this as an opportunity to let your hair down and enjoy the party with us."
"We want to offer all guests an evening of leisure and libations. Please leave your sweet babies at home for this adult only occasion."
The reply envelopes will have the name and address of who will receive the replies. If you are choosing an online RSVP, you will not have a reply envelope. These envelopes do require a $0.55 or forever stamp to be put on before you stuff and seal them.
The bottom area is most versatile. Common prints are song requests, email addresses (to be able to contact easily in case plans change), and "adults only" line or a line for allergies. Options are endless!
When there is a plated meal, guests will pre-select their dinner choice here. When there is no food option on the reply card, guests can assume there will be a buffet, food stations or a duet plate, which then you can have a line for them to fill in food allergies instead.
There will be an area for guests to check whether or not they will attend.
The "M" is the prompt for the title of the guest names (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Mx., etc.). for the guest to fill in before their names. This allows them to let you know how they would like to be addressed to prevent typos on the day-of details such as escort cards or place cards. Another option is to simply put "Name(s):".
Below that, the guests need to write in their names on this line so the couple knows who the reply is coming from.
The reply card starts with a title and a date, asking guests to reply by a certain deadline.
DETAILS CARD EXAMPLES
ILLUSTRATED TIMELINES
These are complimentary in any invitation package! A fun little detail with custom icons available for a sweet detail on that details card. Here are some of the most popular icons below:
TITLE
"Details"
"Information"
"Accommodations"
INFORMATION
The options are really endless with what you might want to put on a details card! Here are some of the most popular things to include in a details card and some examples with them!
Hotel Information
"A block of rooms has been reserved at Hotel San Diego under the group name 'Smiths123'. Be sure to mention the code upon booking and to book your room before April 2nd"
Parking Information
"we strongly encourage you to Uber or Lyft to the venue due to limited parking and challenging street parking" or "free valet will be available upon arrival"
Registry Information
"the couple is registered at Williams Sonoma and Anthropologie" or "in lieu of a traditional registry, monetary contributions towards our honeymoon and future life together would be greatly appreciated"
Wedding Website URL
"for registry information, links to hotels and other fun details, please visit our wedding website at www.thesmiths.com"
Welcome Reception or Rehearsal Information
This can be on the main details card if everyone is invited, otherwise a separate card in a lower quantity would be appropriate to put in those select invitations.
Map
The map can be as detailed or simple as you want, outlined or watercolor.
Adults Only Tidbit
"as much as we love your kiddos, we are having an adult only ceremony and reception. We hope you will see this as an opportunity to let your hair down and enjoy the party with us!"
"Unplugged" Ceremony Tidbit
"we ask that you be fully present for the ceremony by putting all of your devices away during this time. We have an incredible photographer capturing every moment and we would love for you to be in the moment with us!"
Attire
"cocktail attire" or "black tie optional", etc.
Weather
"the ceremony will be outdoors on the beach, so I would suggest bringing a jacket in case it gets a little cold"
An insert card is appropriate for any additional information such as a weekend itinerary card, a welcome reception, or rehearsal dinner invitation. If it's an invitation to a smaller event, often times only a handful are printed and put in select invitations.
Most couples choose a details card, which contains all of the important, noteworthy, and mentionable information regarding the wedding. These can be more logistical such as directions to the venue, parking information, or addresses, or they can be more artistic such as a timeline of the day or an illustrated map.
KEEPSAKE COPY
Included in your invitation package is a keepsake copy for you to keep, frame, shadowbox...anything! In your Invitation Wording Form, you are able to address this with whichever names and address you'd like on the front.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S COPY
There is also a photographer's copy of your suite included in your package and you can also choose in your Invitation Wording Form which name + address you'd like printed on this copy. We always suggest using an old or fake (slightly changed) address, as this is the copy to be photographed and shared on social media. Since this is the copy that is going to be photographed for your wedding gallery, this is also a chance to add a meaningful detail such as using a late grandparent's name, or the address of the first apartment you shared together.
Tip: to protect your privacy further, ask your photographer to not show the full address on the front of the reply envelope, as well as the return address on the back flap of the main or outer envelope.
INNER ENVELOPES
When there are embellishments to protect, such as an envelope liner, or ones that create texture like a wax seal or ribbon knot, an inner and outer envelope set are recommended. This provides extra protection to the suite when being handled by USPS, but is not required. There is a price increase, and a potential postage increase as well when choosing this option, but is the best way to ensure the invitations will be delivered with the least amount of damage and that your envelope liners will not get torn through.
When it comes to addressing these, they are typically more casually addressed, by first name or even personal nickname. For example, you can do "Grandma Jean" on the inner envelope and "Mrs. Jean Sherman" on the outer envelope.
OUTER ENVELOPES
The outer envelopes are the main envelopes, with the guest names + addresses printed or written on the front, with the return address listed on the back flap. The return address listed is where any undeliverable envelopes will get returned to. Addressing for these is typically more formal, with titles included.
WHAT IS A FLATLAY?
A flatlay is what most photographers will create using your personal details and invitation suite provided before or on the wedding day. We are such huge fans of styling flatlays that we wrote a book called the Invitation Styling Guide on it! If you are interested in learning more about styling flatlays yourself, check out the book!
Some tips to get the best flatlay images on the wedding day:
-Don't open the photographer's copy or mail it to them in the envelope from the suite.
-Consider sending or giving it to them ahead of time, as sometimes it can get rushed on the wedding day.
-If beautifully styled invitation images are a priority to you, express that to your photographer and even send them inspiration of flaylays that you are drawn to so they can understand your style best!
-Send a photo of your invitation proof mockup to your planner and photographer once it's approved. This will help them prepare for the styling as it shows them what they'll have to style with.
-Provide any other small, sentimental details that may help bring meaning into your flatlays. Items such as heirloom jewelry, handwritten notes, music sheets, etc. all make great styling props!
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view the gallery for inspiration
INNER + OUTER ENVELOPES
DETAILS + INSERT CARDS
REPLY CARDS + ENVELOPES
INVITATION CARDS
Let's start by saying: there is no wrong way to word your wedding invitations because they are YOURS! We are here to give you advice, answer questions and educate you on the traditional and most common ways to word your invitations, but we're happy to design with your unique verbiage. It's just another chance to be creative! Click a category to learn more about wording for those pieces.
HOW TO WORD YOUR WEDDING INVITATIONS
"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith"
Married Couple, Formal
Use this as a guide if you're unsure about how to address guests, and of course, reach out with any questions!
COMMON ADDRESSING SITUATIONS
"John and Anne Smith"
Married Couple, INFormal
"Mr. John Smith and Mr. James Rogers" or "Mrs. Rose Smith and Mrs. Kelly Rogers"
or
"Ms. Rose Smith and Ms. Kelly Rogers"
or
"Mr. and Mr. John and James Smith" or "Mrs. and Mrs. Rose and Kelly Smith"
Same Sex Partners, Married or Unmarried
"Ms. Anne Smith and Mr. John Rogers"
Unmarried Couple, Living Together
"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Miss Sally Smith"
Married Couple with Children Under 18, Living at Home, Formal
"John and Anne Smith, Sally and Suzie"
Married Couple with Children Under 18, Living at Home, INFormal
"Mr. John Smith and Ms. Anne Rogers"
Married Couple, Wife Kept Maiden Name
"Dr. John Smith and Dr. Anne Rogers"
or
"Doctor John Smith and Doctor Anne Rogers"
*Note: works for any title-holding profession (judge, military, etc.)
Married Couple, Both Hold Titles with Different Last Names
"Title (Doctor, The Honorable, etc.) Anne Smith and Mr. John Smith"
Married Couple, Wife Holds Title
"Title (Doctor, The Honorable, etc.) John Smith and Mrs. Anne Smith"
Married Couple, Husband Holds Title
"Ms. Anne Smith" or "Ms. Anne Smith and Guest"
or
"Ms. Smith" or "Ms. Smith and Guest"
Single Woman, With or Without Guest
"Mr. John Smith" or "Mr. John Smith and Guest"
or
"Mr. Smith" or "Mr. Smith and Guest"
Single Man, with or Without Guest
*Note: the gender-neutral "Mx." is used as a title for those who do not identify as being of a particular gender, or for people who simply don't want to be identified by gender. 'Mx. ' is a gender-neutral honorific for those who don't wish to be identified by gender.
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"Ms. Anne Smith" or "Ms. Smith"
Divorced Woman, Gone Back To Maiden Name
"Mrs. Anne Smith" or "Ms. Anne Smith" or "Mrs. Smith" or "Ms. Smith"
Widowed Woman
ADDRESS TEMPLATE
A few notes to read before filling out:
When filling out this form, the first column “name line 1” would be the main name like “Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Smith”. The second column “name line 2” would typically be something like “and family” or children’s names.
“Address line 1” would be for the main address and “address line 2” would mean something like '“Apt #4”. You don’t need to put the apartment on a second line - it’s just personal preference. If you want everything on one line, please leave “address line 2” blank.
If you want the zip code on its own line, please only put it in the column that says zip code. If you want everything on the same line, put the zip code in the “city, state, zip” column and leave the zip code only column blank. You do not need the country for USA addresses sent from the USA.
If you have inner envelopes, please see the columns on the far right. Those will be first names of your guests. If they have children, you’ll put them on the line 2. If you do not have inner envelopes, leave blank.
Please reach out with any questions!
**Your envelopes will be printed or written exactly how you have them in the format you send them in. This means titles, capitalizations, spaces, ampersands, state abbreviations and names on each line will be printed or written how you submit. Please review your guest list before sending the final version. We are not responsible for mistakes due to client error. Any corrections that need to be made will incur a $25 fee, plus cost of correction**
Download the Template
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We carefully count and review each item before shipping them to you.
However, even though our standard is very high, it's best to double check and make sure everything is at your standard as well.
REVIEW ALL PAPERS WITHIN 72 HOURS OF PICKUP/DELIVERY
We are so honored to be able to provide you with the invitations for your special day! Before your invites take their journey through the mail, read through these helpful tips to make sure they arrive just as beautifully as they were sent!
POSTAGE + MAILING SUGGESTIONS
Place your invitation in the back and the smallest piece on top.
Tuck your reply card under the flap of the reply envelope. Don’t
forget to stamp the reply envelope if you have one!
Consider
numbering the back of your reply cards according to your mailing list to make sure you can identify each card in case one is returned blank. A sneaky trick for this is to buy an invisible ink pen from Amazon so the guests can't see the numbers.
If you have a line that says “we have reserved __ seat(s) in your honor” or something along those lines, don’t forget to write in those numbers specific to each guest’s card. This is best done in pen.
STUFF YOUR INVITATIONS ACCORDING TO SIZE
If you have a large number of envelopes, licking each one is not
going to be fun, so in that case you might want to purchase some
envelope sealing glue. Otherwise, the best way to keep those
envelopes closed is with your tongue. A glue stick will also work,
but just don’t use water. If you have inner envelopes, those are meant to be unsealed.
SEAL YOUR ENVELOPES THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY
In order to get the proper postage rate, take one stuffed invitation to your local post office to be weighed. Try to re-visit the same post office (it helps if you ask for the same person again too!) when you mail the rest of the invitations, as the postage rate can get subjective.
TAKE ONE STUFFED INVITATION TO BE WEIGHED
Make sure that the post office you visit will hand-cancel each of
your invitations as opposed to sending them through the machines. This is especially helpful if your suite isn’t completely flat due to
a wax seal or ribbon knot. It’s the best way to preserve your
envelopes, addressing, and stamps, so that they look just as
beautiful as when they left your hands. This is not their favorite task, so you can usually expect some push back from them.
HAND-CANCEL ALL OF YOUR INVITATIONS
Time permitting, use a “tester” and mail it to yourself or a family member to make sure the postage rate is correct and the addressing stays in tact before mailing the rest. This is not necessary, but can be a good practice to see how they will get sent.
USE A TESTER!
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4"x6"
cardstock
5.25"x5.25"
foam core
5"x7", dual-toned painted acrylic with stand, handwritten
3"x6"
grey vinyl on marble
TABLE NUMBERS
11"x14" + 8"x10"
foam core
8"x10", dusty blue painted acrylic, white vinyl
8"x10"
cardstock
5"x7"
foam core
ANCILLARY SIGNS
24"x36", stained butcher block wood, handwritten
24"x36"
clear acrylic, handwritten
36"x24", white acrylic with pink and gold vinyl
provided mirror,
handwritten
WELCOME SIGNS
provided acrylic, 72"h,
handwritten
24"x36"
cardstock
48"x60"
painted wood + vinyl
36"x72"
foam core
SEATING CHARTS
provided mirror,
handwritten
5"x7"
grey painted acrylic, white vinyl
8"x10"
foam core
5"x7"
grey painted wood, white vinyl
RECEPTION SIGNS
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RECEPTION SIGNS
SEATING CHARTS
MENUS + PROGRAMS
CEREMONY SIGNS
WELCOME SIGNS
BAR MENUS
ANCILLARY SIGNS
TABLE NUMBERS
PHOTO EXAMPLES
CHALKBOARD
will be handwritten or done
in vinyl, cost depends on
size, and shape (whether it has a frame, is folded, etc.) and verbiage.
WOOD
will be handwritten or done
in vinyl, cost depends on
size, type of wood and
verbiage.Different stain and paint colors available.
MIRROR
will be handwritten or done
in vinyl, cost depends on
size and verbiage. Mirrors can be shipped to us, written
on site or dropped off
and picked up.
ACRYLIC
can be handwritten, etched or done with vinyl. Option to paint the back or leave blank, cost depends on size and color of acrylic, colored acrylic options available.
FOAM CORE
will be digitally printed, thicker than cardstock and can lean against items or be freestanding with a backer. Cost effective and no need to
purchase frames.
CARDSTOCK
will be digitally printed, usually needs to be framed
or hung, the most
cost-effective option and easiest to ship.
POPULAR MATERIALS
STATEMENT
36"x48"
48"x60"
48"x72"
72"x64"
LARGE
18"x24"
24"x24"
24"x36"
30"x36"
MEDIUM
11"x14"
11"x17"
12"x12"
14"x18"
SMALL
4"x6"
5.25"x5.25"
5"x7"
8"x10"
POPULAR SIGN SIZES
SIZING + MATERIAL GUIDE
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MENUS:
A menu will be at each place setting, typically set on top of the plate or tucked into the napkin. This requires a quantity to cover all guests. 5-10 extras are recommended in case water gets spilled when setting up the tables, wind damages one, anyone gets added, and for detail photos. You can also decide to do menus per table vs. at each seat, where only 1-2 per table would be necessary. Another option is to have one large sign with the menu, which works best to read in line for a buffet.
PROGRAMS:
Ideally, you want enough for each person. To avoid having a lot of extras, pass them out or place them on each seat. When placed in a basket or stack for guests to grab, they often time only grab one per family or don't see them at all.
ESCORT CARDS + PLACE CARDS:
Escort cards tell your guests which table to go to. These can be by couple/family, which would lessen the quantity count, or individual. Place cards tell each guest which specific seat to sit in once at their table, and therefore require the full guest count quantity. Don't forget ones for the bride and groom too!
BAR SIGNS/MENUS:
The quantity for these will depend on how many bar locations you have and how many lines each one will have. This typically is between 1-4 bar signs.
COCKTAIL NAPKINS:
These are the trickiest ones to estimate as we have experienced weddings with 200 people where they use all 450 napkins, and weddings with 115 people where they only used 75 - it's so hard to guess! Our recommendation is to think about all of the places that you want them: the bar(s), tray passed apps, dessert table, churro carts, etc. Also consider if you have "backup" napkins provided by your bartender/caterer. Both of these will help us determine how many napkins to order per guest.
DAY-OF
TIPS FOR NARROWING
DOWN YOUR GUEST LIST:
Choosing your guest list can sometimes be a very challenging part of the invitation process, and often times this and the seating assignments are the hardest parts! Here's our favorite tip to think about when choosing your guest list:
Think of having three buckets: past, present, and future. When considering a guest to invite, you want that person to be able to fit in at least two of those buckets.
If they are only in your past, but not present or future, it may mean they are not meant to be there. If they are in your past and present, or present and future, awesome! People who fall into the "present" category can include co-workers, short-term neighbors, and other people who may not be considered as part of the "future" category.
Hope this helps! If you have any specific questions about your guest list, don't hesitate to reach out to us!
We recommend counting your guest list (per household) to get the most accurate count for your invitation quantity.
Please Note:
It is suggested to add 5-10 extras, as reprints can be very costly if you have to add a few on later. The extras are helpful for last-minute additions and invitations that get lost in the mail.
A keepsake copy is included for you to keep. It includes all pieces of the invitation suite, addressed as you request in your wording form. This is great to shadowbox, scrapbook, or frame!
In addition to the keepsake copy, a photographer's copy is provided to you as well. This also includes all pieces of the invitation suite, addressed as you request in your wording form. We recommend putting a fake address on this copy as there is potential of the images getting shared across social media and we always want to protect your address.
INVITATIONS
How many should I order?
QUANTITY GUIDE
MONOGRAM EXAMPLES
Monograms are essentially like a logo for your wedding; an icon or design that is carried throughout the event for cohesiveness. Below are some previous monogram designs to get ideas and inspired!
