You’ve decided you would like to work with us, glad to have you on board! Here is exactly what you can expect next.
Ordering printed wedding invitations online may appear complicated, especially when papers, printing methods, customizations, proofs, and production are all involved, but it does not have to be. We have worked with couples since 2011 and have refined the process to keep every step clear, organized, and personal. You will always know what we need from you, what we are working on, and what comes next.
By this point, we will usually have discussed what you are looking for and whether your project will begin with one of our Curated designs, involve a fully Custom design, or use artwork you have already created and would like us to print.
Whether we work together by phone, virtually, or in person at our Fraser studio, we will remain in close communication from your first quote through proofing, production, and delivery.
1. Consultation and Project Direction
We begin by determining the direction of your invitations and the level of customization involved. If you submit an inquiry form without speaking with us first, we may recommend a phone, virtual, or in-studio consultation before preparing your quote. This allows us to understand what you want to begin with, what you would like to change, and what you ultimately want to create.
Customization can be as simple as changing the color of a laser-cut wrap from gold to ivory or as involved as commissioning custom watercolor artwork, foil printing, specialty papers, and a completely personalized suite. These choices help us define the scope of your project and will influence its overall price and timeline.
2. Your Wedding Invitation Quote
Once we understand the general direction, we will prepare a quote and, when appropriate, offer ideas for bringing the design together. For a straightforward Curated design, this may be one clear quote based on your selected pieces and customizations. For a more involved project, we may provide two or three options so you can compare different papers, printing methods, formats, or embellishments.
If you are still deciding between several possibilities, your quote may be itemized so you can see how each choice affects the final investment.
We will also discuss the anticipated timeline and whether you should reserve a specific place in our production schedule.
3. Proposal and Retainer
After we review the quote together and you are comfortable with the scope and pricing, we will prepare a formal proposal.
A 50% non-refundable retainer and a signed agreement are required to begin the project. Your proposal will identify the pieces and services included so that we are working from the same expectations before design begins.
4. Wording and Invitation Design
Once your project is officially reserved, we will send you a guided wording questionnaire.
The questionnaire collects the information we need for your invitation, response card, details card, envelopes, and any additional pieces included in your suite. You do not need to know exactly how everything should be written—we will guide you through the wording and help organize the information appropriately.
If your project requires additional design discussion, custom artwork, or more extensive creative direction, we can schedule another conversation before beginning your first proof.
Once we have your wording and design direction, we will prepare your first digital proof.
5. Digital Proofs and Final Approval
We aim to provide each proof or revised proof within three business days. Some changes may be completed sooner, while extensive custom artwork or more complicated revisions may require additional time.
We do not limit you to a specific number of proofs. You may request the changes you need to feel completely comfortable with your design. However, each round of revisions adds time to the process, so your proofing schedule must remain compatible with your mailing date and reserved production window.
Once you are entirely happy with the design, you may approve it in one of two ways: you can choose to approve the digital proof and authorize us to produce the order without reviewing a physical sample, or you may request a printed proof when one is available for your particular design and printing method.
Physical proofs are not available for every product or specialty process. Letterpress and foil, cutting, paper, and finishing combinations cannot always be reproduced as a single hard-copy proof. We will explain the available options for your specific order.
Your final approval confirms that you have reviewed the wording, spelling, dates, addresses, layout, colors, and overall design. The remaining balance is due before production begins.
6. Wedding Invitation Production and Delivery
If you have reserved a future production date, your approved project will remain ready until that scheduled date arrives.
If you have not reserved a date, your order will be placed into the next available production opening after final approval and payment. The week immediately following approval is not automatically guaranteed. If that period is already fully booked, your order will move to the next available opening shown on our production calendar.
Rush production may occasionally be available, but it must be requested and cannot be guaranteed.
Most digital printing and assembly are completed in-house. Specialty processes, including letterpress, foil printing, laser cutting, die cutting, and certain custom finishes, are completed by our trusted production partners. Because those portions are produced outside our studio, their turnaround times may be less flexible.
Once your order is complete, it may be picked up from our Fraser studio or shipped through FedEx. For qualifying projects, our White Glove Mailing Service may also be available as a paid additional service.
Reserving Your Production Window
Because we can accommodate only a limited number of invitation orders at one time, clients may reserve a place in our production schedule. Most invitation suites require approximately four production weeks.
We recommend scheduling production to begin at least three weeks after submitting your wording. This allows time to prepare your proofs, review the design, and make revisions.
If your invitation is approved early, we may begin production sooner if space becomes available, although an earlier start is not guaranteed.
To keep your reserved production window, your proofs must be approved and your remaining balance paid before production is scheduled to begin. If your project is not ready, it will move to the next available opening, which may not be immediately afterward.
If you do not reserve a production window, your order will enter the schedule at the first available opening after final approval and payment. Rush production may occasionally be available but cannot be guaranteed.
Our white glove mailing service
For select local clients, we may be able to prepare and mail your completed invitation suites directly to your guests.
Before mailing, we will send you a PDF containing every guest name and address for final approval. We will also remain in communication and provide photographs of the completed suites before they are released for mailing.
You may provide the postage to our studio, or we can purchase it on your behalf. White Glove service fees vary by order and are charged separately from the cost of postage.
Because the invitations are mailed without being physically reviewed by the client first, a signed mailing agreement and final written authorization are required. This agreement confirms your approval of the completed order and guest addressing and explains the responsibilities of both parties once the invitations are released into the mail.
