So you're getting married! There is so much to learn, from centerpieces to guest lists, to etiquette and place settings, to hotel blocks and photography packages. It can be really fun if if you have the time to dream and plan, but it can also feel overwhelming if you have a lot on your plate already. (If you're in the latter camp, book an introductory session with our friends at Estera Events, they'll walk you through so it feels fun, not stressful)
Once you get into the paper world, there's a new collection of things to learn, from paper content (recycled, cotton, wool, or bamboo) and thickness, print styles, and edging. Then there's beveling, blind embossing, and foil printing. And what's an inner envelope anyways? or engraving? Whose name goes first on the envelope, the man or the woman?
This all before you even get into the design, and then you have another decision- what's right for me, custom or something pre designed?
There are three easy touch points to know whether you are a fit for fully custom wedding invitations:
1. There is at least 9 months before your wedding
Working with a designer to uncover what represents you and your spouse to be involves a getting to know you period so that we can uncover exactly what it is that will tell your guests your unique story. Then there's the time to create and source all the amazing things that are going to make sure your invite doesn't look like your cousins: with custom drawn emblems and monograms, hand painted patterns to line your envelopes, custom calligraphy that sets the mood, super beautiful and colorful hand made papers, or a silk ribbon dyed to match your dress perfectly.
2. You have an idea of what you want
It doesn't have to be big, in fact, even a vague idea is great starting point for a really meaningful collaboration between you and your designer. It can even be an tiniest inking, but there has to be something. If you've been scouring pinterest or saving instagram posts to your collection, you have ideas. One of our clients brought to her consultation a photo of shimmering water, and we used that as a jumping off point to create her entire suite, from a hand drawn water pattern, to her shimmering champagne tissue liners, to a book cover program, to her custom china.
3. You have a budget of at least $5000
($10,000 if you'll be including day of paper like programs, menus and place cards) Our custom process is very involved and detailed, and we like to give you a lot of attention, and this takes time, from managing your expectations, giving you advice, creating your timeline, drawing and redrawing your invitation proofs until they are perfect, and sourcing the special paper, ribbons, and other details that make these super unique and representative of your style.
So, what if you don't have the budget, or you don't have the time to get so specific?
There are semi custom options! Our curated line of semi-custom invitations feel special and use some of the same details that make our custom feel super high end: 100% cotton paper, hand painted liners, and colored edging. They also include a direct line to me to help answer those questions that are bound to come up during the process. That's the benefit of working with a small business, we really are connected to each and every person and order, no matter the size.
The best part is you get to change colors, fonts, liners, paper, and printing all LIVE ONLINE. So you get to customize these to suit your tastes and color palette. WIN.
These are a fraction of the price of our fully custom invitations: Save the dates and invitations start at $225 for 50.
For example, a five piece flat printed invitation suite with envelope liner (exactly what is shown above in Arianna), is $1175 for 100. WIN WIN.
We have matching menus, programs, place cards, thank you notes, and escort cards, with digital calligraphy in matching font to keep you covered on the day of, too. WIN, WI- well you get it.
Still not sure? Book a complimentary introduction call with me and I'll talk you through it.
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