Having spent 13 years in the wedding industry, I’ve seen trends come and go and heard countless stories. These experiences have allowed me to learn from mistakes, grow, and continuously improve processes, to provide my couples with an enjoyable and seamless journey from start to finish. Wedding planning is an exciting yet overwhelming experience. After all, it’s the biggest celebration you’ll ever plan, and you only have one chance to get it right. Among the many details to consider, your wedding stationery plays a crucial role in setting the tone for your big day. Here are six things your stationer wants you to know before designing your custom save the dates and wedding invitations.
1. START EARLY
Trust me when I say waiting until the last minute to begin the process is stressful for everyone involved. You’ll not only feel pressured to make quick decisions, but also rush through proofing because you know you’re on a time crunch. Your stationery designer, on the other hand, will be more likely to nag you to provide feedback and continuously remind you of your deadlines.
Regardless of when we begin working together, one of our jobs as a stationery designer is to keep you on track. Booking your invitations late will result in a much shorter timeline for you to enjoy the wedding paper experience. Ideally, you should book your wedding stationery designer for custom invitations a minimum of five months before your preferred RSVP by date. Additionally, secure your date earlier if you know for sure you want to work with Lace and Belle for your wedding paper. There’s nothing worse than settling or not being able to work with your favorite designer because they’re already booked.
2. COUNT HOUSEHOLDS
Your save the date and invitation number is different than your total guest count. Not every guest needs their own invitation. Therefore, send one invitation per couple and/or one invitation per family. Add on 10-15 extra to have on hand just in case. Don’t make the same mistake I did and order 200 invitations for 150 guests. For more insights, read the 5 common wedding invitation mistakes I’ve seen made over the years and tips on how you can avoid making the same ones here!
3. HAVE FUN
Don’t be afraid to ditch traditions and the “rules” that don’t serve you. Wedding paper has come such a far way in the last decade. While you need to follow some standard guidelines for formatting, you can put your own spin on how details are worded. Your stationery designer wants you to have fun and allow your personalities to shine. Don’t let anyone talk you out of doing things your way! Remember, this is your wedding.
4. THE FIRST IMPRESSION
Many say your invitations are the first impression of your wedding, but in fact, it’s your save the date. Although less formal, save the dates communicate key details, including the wedding date and ceremony. Style, typefaces, paper, and print method are just as important as your invitations to make an impact.
5. REVIEW AND REPEAT
Print out your digital proof and review them multiple times. Having a physical proof will allow you to mark it up, and having a visual perspective makes it much easier to spot errors that might not be as obvious on screen. Have a family member or friend proofread, too. A fresh set of eyes can catch errors that you’ve been re-reading over and over again.
6. ORDER EXTRAS
USPS loses about 3%-5% of mail. Plan accordingly by ordering 10-20 additional save the dates and invitations to have on hand just in case. It’s much more cost effective and you won’t have to worry about meeting minimums or paying for rush fees at a later date.
These six things your stationer wants you to know will help you avoid common pitfalls and fully enjoy the wedding paper process. Are you engaged and ready to design your dream wedding invitations? INQUIRE HERE. I can’t wait to help bring your vision to life!
