Questions to consider...
1. What is your personal taste and style?
When you think about your wedding party and the guests sitting in the pews, are they in cocktail dresses and black tie, church dresses and suits, sundresses and khakis or something in-between? Is the event during the day or night? Is it in your hometown or a destination? Are you getting married in a church, a venue or the beach? Think about these questions along with different adjectives that describe your perfect wedding so that I can help to create your wedding suite.
2. Define your color palette.
What color(s) are your bridesmaids’ dresses? What colors are in your flowers and linens? What season is your wedding? Also think about what colors look better in print. Dark and bright colors make statements, light colors tend to blend and fade.
3. Do you want your wedding to have a theme or symbol?
Do you and your spouse love wine? Do you love the beach or to sail? Are you a fan of the rustic or industrial look? Are you having a destination wedding and want to use a palm tree or seashell? Do you want me to create a logo or monogram that you can use throughout your invitations, day of paper, favors and accessories?
4. How many invitations with you need?
The number of guests that you invite does not equal the number of invitations. For example, if you are inviting 200 people and everyone on the list is a couple or a guest plus one, your number of invitations is closer to 100 instead of 200. Guest lists tend to increase the closer you to get your wedding though, so it’s always good to order 10 to 15% more invitations than needed...and you want one as a keepsake for yourself too! Keep in mind that the cost of your wedding suite is primarily based on the custom design, layout and initial set up of the printing, not the quantity of the invitations, so having to order another small quantity of extra invitations is far more costly than ordering extras to begin with.
5. What different pieces do you need for your invitation suite?
Along with the wedding invitation (generally 5x7 or 5x5) and an RSVP card or post card, you may want to think about information card for out-of-town guests, a rehearsal dinner invitation or a separate reception card. Also think about your day of wedding paper needs and whether or not you’d like me to create those as well -- your menu cards, favors, programs, etc. Although it is not necessary, you can sure that by using me for day-of stationery needs, all fonts match and the general theme will be cohesive.
6. What is your budget?
This probably should have been #1 on the list but I started with the fun stuff first. There are several different types of printing for invitations and they range from cost effective to very costly. Do you want me to create a custom design specifically for you/your fiancé or is there an already created suite that you’d like me to alter and change colors?
If you are more of a DIY bride, I can also charge a design fee to create a suite for you and then provide you with PDF files that you can take to a local printer or print at home.
7. Decide on the wording of the invitation.
Do you want formal writing or more casual? In the traditional past, the bride’s parents have issued the wedding invitation. More and more couples are now including the couples of both the parents or just the couple themselves. I can help you with wording or there are different sources online that you can reference for help in getting started.
8. How do you want your envelopes addressed?
Do you want your envelopes to be formal or fun? Do you want to have a party and have your bridal party help you address them? Do you want a calligrapher to hand address them or to do you want them computer addressed? There are also lots of fun labels or borders around your invitations to jazz up the front of the invitation. Just remember that there is almost always an additional cost for me to computer address them or have a calligrapher hand address them.
9. What extras would you like to include?
In the past, I’ve added some bells and whistles to help jazz things up a bit including: custom postage stamps, envelope liners, pocketfold invitations, belly bands, and my favorite, wax seal stamps. Would you be interested in incorporating any of these add-ons as part of your suite?
10. How did you find out about IMPRIMO?
Were we recommended by a family member or friend? Did you find us on the web via Instagram, the Knot, or Facebook? Let me know how you found me so that I can search more brides like you!
Now that you have read all these points, try not to be overwhelmed. Take a deep breath and break them down one by one. I am glad to work with you to help educate you and help you to make an informed decision and I’m here for any question you might have!