While choosing your wedding invitation designer should by no means be as big of a deal as saying “yes” to the dress—or “I do” to your partner—the decision shouldn’t be made too lightly either.
Stationary, after all, plays an important role in commemorating and communicating your biggest wedding moments—from save the dates to formal invites, reception menus to thank-you notes.
To simplify the process of finding the perfect stationer, here are the most important questions to ask during your search.
What types of wedding printing techniques do you offer?
You’ll want your wedding invitation designer to be a pro at explaining traditional and popular printing processes and help you find the best fit based on your desired aesthetic and budget.
How can I customize my wedding invitations order?
There’s a range of design processes available to you—from straightforward templates where you simply plug in your information to full customization complete with specialized motifs, hand-lettering and unique paper and fonts. It’s a good idea to inquire about your wedding invitation designer’s background, past projects and custom abilities. Make sure your wedding invites are designed and printed by a pro.
Are there books or samples of wedding invitations I can browse?
After you’ve inquired about your stationer’s design background, ask to see the wedding invitation suites or past work so you can get a better idea if your vision and aesthetic style are a good match. Your invites are a big deal. Make sure you and your designer have gone over lots of wedding invitation designs and ideas.
How are wedding invitations priced?
Because stationary designers will often offer special discounts to clients who order wedding invitations in a suite or package, it’s a good idea to a) shop for a stationer early in the wedding planning process and b) enlist one designer for all of your wedding printing needs to take advantage of those discounts.
What are your calligraphy capabilities?
Even if a wedding invitation designer doesn’t offer calligraphy services, there’s a good change they’ve built up working relationships with calligraphers in your area. Always ask your stationer for recommendations for professional, cost-effective calligraphy before taking on the search by yourself.
What are your proofing policies?
Never settle for a stationer who doesn’t have the capability to send you digital proofs of your wedding invitations. You’ll want to check for errors and make revisions before everything goes to print so you avoid any awkward misspellings or mistakes on your big day. Be sure to ask whether proofing involves any extra fees as well as how many rounds of proofing are included in the service
How long will it take for delivery once my wedding invitations have been ordered?
Ask the wedding invitation designer to clearly outline the steps involved in the stationary process, from initial consultation to invitation delivery. This solid timeline will give you an idea of turnaround time to ensure you don’t miss deadlines and your guests have enough time for the RSVP process.
Are other personalized items available?
Comprehensive printers (like Firespring, hint, hint) offer a wide range of customizable items for your wedding that go above and beyond wedding invitations. If you’re interested in achieving a cohesive look (and special discounts) be sure to ask up front whether the stationer can also provide printing for favors like table decorations, escort tags, reception signage and more.
Do you offer assembly and addressing services for wedding invitations?
Even if you plan on taking care of these tasks yourself, it never hurts to ask what your stationer can offer. Many wedding invitation designers either provide these services themselves or can put you in touch with professionals who take care of the stamp-licking hassle for you.
When is payment due and what methods of payment do you accept?
Set clear expectations about when you need to pay for your wedding invitations as well as whether the designer accepts payments in installations or requires the total in full. This will help you stay on budget and avoid any last-minute scrambling before walking down the aisle.
Want access to our sweet deals on wedding invitation suites? Firespring will handle all of your wedding printing with the professionalism it deserves. Schedule your personal consultation!