Custom Wedding Invitations: The Process Explained

Lingo. Jargin. Vocabulary. Language. Sometimes I forget not everyone understands the language I may use to describe what I do and who I serve. If you’re not in the wedding industry biz then you may not know what I mean when I say, “custom”, “semi-custom” or “suite”.

I offer two types of wedding invitation services: Custom and Semi-Custom. In this blog post, I’m diving into what a Custom Wedding Invitation entails, the process and what you can expect as a client or prospective client. 

The primary reasons for choosing a custom wedding invitation is well, the complete customization throughout the entire process, and the knowledge, expertise and care you will receive from working with a trusted vendor (that’s me!). The downside is that it is a longer process than choosing a Semi-Custom or ordering from fast-key turnaround big box sites. With this in mind, booking your stationer early is always a brilliant move on your part.

Of course I know that you know what “custom” means. But, to break it down even further, it means I’m about to make all your paper dreams come true! This is your opportunity to dream big and do you. Whether that translates into having thick, luxurious paper or thinking outside the box with details or gold foil everything or commissioning a wedding crest or logo or utilizing funky shapes in your invitations; the (paper) world is your oyster. 

Custom is just that, custom. The entire suite, or all of the paper goods in your wedding invitations, is designed with purpose and poise. No one is going to have the same invitations as you do. Let that sink in for a moment. It’s the most beautiful image possible! Everything created is solely done for you to reflect your story and personalities.

I’ve had clients with a really clear vision that can describe or give examples of what they want and I’ve also had clients that base the initial concept on a simple color palette. The good news is no matter where you land in that scenario, it is my job to conceptualize, execute and deliver the invitation of your dreams through a thoughtful and personalized approach.

I love talking shop, and I love hearing about your adventure together even more-so. When you share your love story with me and talk passionately and giddily about marrying the love of your life, I’m all mush. The journey to ‘I Do” starts with save the dates and/or invitations. Give your guests the gift of a well-planned, perfectly polished invitation. They will indeed take notice of the elevated paper choice, printing method, design, layout, details, add-ons, and appreciate the etiquette used, especially now more than ever navigating a wedding during these murky Covid-19 waters. 

So, what are the stages of a custom invitation suite? From start to finish, I am your go-to friendor (vendor friend). Firstly, you share, I listen, then I present you with a vision board that shows the direction, materials and colors we’ll be working with, including initial invitation concepts. From there I’ll design the invitation to perfection, followed by the remaining inserts. Each piece being cohesive, but will stand out beautifully on their own as well. Depending on the printing method you choose, this outsourced process can take 1-3 weeks alone. I semi-assemble your invitations, but offer full assembly if that’s the route you wish to take. Lastly, we’ll go over postage options, ensuring each invitation is the correct amount of postage while looking its best.

I am often asked how long this process will take and the answer varies quite a bit. Factors that may affect this are the printing methods chosen, response time from clients, or possibly the amount of clients I have at the time. Ideally, your invitations will take roughly 6-8 weeks to complete, however, as long as 12 weeks or longer in some circumstances. The rule of thumb for actually sending the invitations out is anywhere from 8-12 weeks from your wedding date. If you’re in a time crunch, I also offer expedited services for a fee.

Photography by Kellie Rae Studio

Photography by Kellie Rae Studio

To recap, the steps involved with creating a custom wedding invitation suite and the timeline are as follows (please note all timelines are approximate):

  1. Discussion of Needs, Wants, and Overall Design - 1-2 weeks

  2. Curated Vision Board/Mood Board - 1-2 weeks

  3. Invitation Design - 2 weeks

  4. Remaining Suite Inserts and Elements Design - 1 week

  5. Editing - 1 week

  6. Printing - 1-3 weeks

  7. Postage -

  8. Assembly - 1 week

Photography by Kjerstin Thea Photography

Photography by Kjerstin Thea Photography

Your dream wedding invitations may not always align with your budget. It’s important to have an open conversation with your stationer regarding what items are must haves and which ones you could forge if necessary. I enjoy this process when working with each couple, because it gives me an opportunity to get creative and suggest materials and printing methods that will align with the allocated funds. Creating beautiful things doesn’t always equate to big money.

In the future, I will also be breaking down what it means to order a Semi-Custom wedding invitation, and the difference between the two. Stay tuned! In the meantime, if you have questions or would like to contact me for a complimentary consultation, please click the button below. 

Cohesiveness: Highlighting the Maggie Suite

I love a well thought out plan. Designing for your wedding invitations is no different. I listen to your vision, your wants and needs and suggest a design that is a perfect fit for your special day along with ideas to make a really unique and extraordinary invitation suite. With, of course, plenty of additional enhancements to take things to the next level, if you so choose.

Meet the Maggie Suite.

I had the pleasure of working with Lauren, the talented photographer behind Lauren Baker Photography, for this flat lay shoot at Cornerstone Studios in trendy NorthEast Minneapolis. Together we styled the Maggie Suite to show how a cohesive look, including envelopes and stamps, can make all the difference in the world. 

I created a border of varying hairline and heavier lines for the Invitation, then carried that element over to the Detail and RSVP inserts, but substituted the full border for alternating corners. My goal is to intrigue your guests throughout the paper portion of your wedding. 

The font flow is an important element too. I love using two contrasting fonts that pair well together and interlope those two into each insert. And proceeded to do the same with the return and guest address envelope printing as well. The eye picks up on the scripted font which also helps break up the wording a bit. 

Envelope liners! Hands down the best extra enhancement you can invest in, in my humble opinion. The liner gives so much life to the whole package, and the options are endless. Try to imagine the Maggie Suite without the green and gold swirled cotton insert, still very pretty with the grey envelopes, but the addition of the liner ties all the colors in brilliantly. It’s a simple way to add in a luxurious factor. 

Because the envelope liner has that hard to miss vibrant gold swirl, I chose to bind the entire suite together with a simple gold twine. Adding the couple’s initials to a loose hanging tag on the front is another fun way to engage your guests as they reveal the invitation suite.

Last, but certainly not least, is the addition of your postage stamp(s). I have a strong affection for these little gems and you’ll hear me ask (more than once!) the direction you think you’ll take your envelopes if we have the opportunity to work together. Whether you opt for vintage beauties, current USPS collections or a mix of both, please make it a thoughtful decision! Depending on the weight of your package, or wedding invitation suite, you may need additional postage. Always check with your designer first.

You may find the Maggie Suite in my Semi-Custom wedding gallery. Hope this gives a little food for thought as you embark on this creative journey!

All images courtesy of Lauren Baker Photography

Arizona Inspired Stationery Set

I’ve only just discovered the Southwest region of the United States as an adult. Arizona is a newly added state to my repertoire; having visited twice in the past three years. As a child, we traditionally vacationed close to home so the Grand Canyon still remains on my bucket list! The Southwest region is still a wonder to me and a place that I feel needs more exploration than the few visits I have under my belt. 

Photography courtesy of @clettis

As a tried and true Midwesterner, I am partial to the lush forests bursting with pine and birch trees, where the likelihood of chancing upon a freshwater lake is extremely high. When summer’s high humidity leaves the body drained and drenched and winter temperatures dip well below freezing with snow covering the landscape as far as the eye can see. The desert is the exact opposite. Its flora and fauna are scrub brush, cacti, yucca and scorpions, snakes and lizards. With little precipitation, the landscape can be a more hostile environment. Much different from what I’m used to and fascinating all in the same. Of course, I am aware that in high elevations it does snow in sunny AZ too!

I’m intrigued by the dry heat that occurs most months out of the year and the culture that the Southwest is so famous for; Native American heritage and influences in the artwork of the region, museums, and tribal lands, along with the area’s Spanish-American history and the Latino population, including the cuisine, Latino arts and music, cultural sites, and not to forget the region’s history of the Old West with cowboys and gold mining.

I designed a cactus inspired stationery line with the varied landscape and culture of Arizona in mind. In this collection is a thank you note card set, five distinct designs, and three desktop notepads, again each with a varied design. Arizona may have been my muse, but the concept of this collection looks good anywhere. If you’ve read the previous blog post on SoCal inspiring the Sarah Collection wedding invitation suite you’ll notice that I also took aspects from these funky Arizona plants too.

A nod to the Southwest is seen throughout the collection. It’s in the colors, in the succulent and cactus plants I created, in the varied colorful and terra cotta pots they’re sitting in and in the ‘tile’ design featured on the two of the notepads. I get all joyful and giddy every time I use one of the paper goods from this collection. I’m reminded of this warm, beautiful place that is so much different from my home. I hope you feel the same.

My goal is to design and create more stationery sets, mainly note card sets, for my Etsy site as well as wholesale accounts. Look for more designs later this year. If I say it out loud then I have to follow through, ya hear me!?! [self plug time] If interested in purchasing any of these awesome paper goods click here.

Finding Inspiration, Part One: SoCal →

Where do you find inspiration for what you do? I find it in the smallest of places and largest of landscapes. Read on…

Read more

Finding Your Team: Building a Wedding Vendor Taskforce One Mimosa at a Time

You just got engaged, Congratulations! You’ve officially moved your wedding Pinterest board from secret to public and the frenzy of purchasing bridal magazines is ON. So now what? Where do you even start?

You probably know who your bridesmaids and maid of honor are, but what about ALL of the vendors that will help you throw the best party of your life? This is where your TEAM comes into play. I’m talking about cherry picking a group of individuals and businesses for your dream day. The best of the best. The Professionals. 

Budget is going to play a role in this dream team, but certainly does not dominate it. You can find the right people for all types of budgets. But, knowing your budget is key. Weddings are expensive, I get it, and a lot of couples underestimate what they will be spending on all aspects of the wedding. Perhaps your parents are helping you pay or maybe you’re paying for the entire wedding yourselves, either way you’ll have a number to work off of. I could go on and on about horror stories of couple’s wanting to save money and hiring all the wrong people. Don’t hire your Aunt Bev to be your wedding photographer if she’s not a professional photographer. Don’t create your own wedding invitations if you’re not skilled in graphic design. You get my point.

One of the first bookings you make should be your venue. Both ceremony and reception as they may or may not be in the same location. Venues can book up a year plus in advance so make sure to snag your dream location(s) early. If the venue is a popular site, they’ll typically already have a Preferred Vendor list. This is a list of other vendors that they enjoy working with, do an amazing job and have a great rapport with. Do your homework, but this list could help kick-start your search for the Best!

What are your thoughts on hiring a wedding planner? I think, in my humble opinion, that this is a fantastic idea! Most of the stress and OCD overload occur during the planning process as well as the day of the wedding. Seriously, hand over the baton and let someone else do the fretting. Whether that means hiring a wedding planner throughout the entire process or just the day of, you’ll thank yourself a million times over. A minor detail gone awry can set a bride into bridezilla-mode real quick. Having a trusted planner by your side will allow for a smooth day where you are relaxed, sipping mimosas and able to soak in all of the amazing details of the day.

There are so many people you’ll need to meet with, hire and coordinate with during this process. Your wedding planner will have an amazing list of suggestions for you and will help you keep that stress-less vibe flowing. From a stationer to florals to hair and makeup to photographer to videographer to baker to car service to musicians to DJ’s to…the list goes on…are you getting stressed? Please don’t! 

If you’re going off of a recommendation, stay true to what you like, what you want and what your budget allows. Here’s the thing, just because your college roommate used this person to custom design wedding jewelry doesn’t mean you’ll love that style and should too or because your fiancé’s sister hired a jazz band for their reception doesn’t mean you should too if jazz isn’t your thing. Maybe your cousin is an amazing makeup artist, then by all means hire her! Take the suggestions that work for you and politely say thank you and move on to those you know will not be a good fit. This is YOUR day and you get to decide how that looks.

Besides a preferred vendor list from various resources, do some homework of your own. Get inspired on Pinterest and Instagram. Follow hashtags that align with your wedding dreams, style and interests. You may find a gem in a sea of creatives on your own. Just make sure they’re legit and have a portfolio that is as well polished at their Instagram account. For instance, as a stationer, I may have clients from all over the state, country or world, because technically I don’t have to meet face to face with all of my clients. If I’m working with a bride that is not local to me, we have plenty of video calls, phone calls and email chats in order to build a great relationship. I’ll also send her samples of my work and direct her to my bridal testimonials. You certainly want to hire trustworthy people. How do you know you can trust them if you don’t actually get to meet them in person? Check out reviews on their website or schedule a live video chat to see if they will be a good fit for you. With a few exceptions, most everyone else you hire will be local and you’ll get a feel for their personality via email communication or in person meetings. 

Through your searches, interviews and decision making I strongly suggest gravitating towards hiring those you are inspired by, jive with and whom you won’t be supremely annoyed with while working together for the next year or so! There are a lot of talented people out there and the world is full of crafters and creators which is why it is so important to find the ones that you enjoy most! 

Curate the most amazing day, wear that dress like no one’s business and have the time of your life.