Tips For Your Invitation Planning

He proposed, you said yes and now the planning begins! I have heard from many married women how much time they have spent planning their wedding. With so much to consider including finding your dream wedding dress, selecting a date, locating a venue, organizing your guest list and of course finding the perfect invitation, the only way to plan with ease is to plan each of these elements effectively. If you are ready to begin your search for your invitations, here are a few tips that will assist your invitation planning.

I. When to Order and How Much to Order.
Once you have reserved your venue and finalized your guest list you should begin your search for your invitations. If you decide to go custom, contact a Stationer of your choice and schedule an appointment at least 6 months before your wedding date. This will allow enough time to select, produce and ship your wedding invitation suite. When submitting your invitation order, it is ideal to order an additional set of invitations usually 20 to 25 extra for last minute guest that you may want to invite to your wedding. Ordering additional invitations closer to your wedding date will cost more to produce taking into account the smaller quantity and expedited production.

II. Meeting the Stationer: Be Prepared!
This is the ideal time to express all of your ideas to your Stationer, so be prepared to discuss details about your event theme, guest list, budget and any information that would help in choosing the perfect stationery for your wedding. Communication is key, so make sure you ask your Stationer questions, view their portfolio and request samples of your order before it goes into full production.

F.Y.I: For my client’s, a complimentary consultation is a must followed by samples of their order. This ensures that the client and I are on the same page and they are satisfied with their final order. It is also a great time to include if you are in need of additional wedding stationery such as save the dates, ceremony programs, place cards, table numbers and thank you cards.

III. How Much Should I Spend On My Wedding Invitation Suite?

The average amount spent on invitations is 3%-5% of your wedding budget. For instance, if your total wedding budget is equal to $20,000 your wedding stationery may range from $600-$1,000. If you are seeking a High End Invitation Suite that is usually pricier, you should expect to spend 7%-10% of your wedding budget.

I am frequently asked "Why are custom invitations so expensive?”

Custom invitations are pricier because they are not generic. There is a lot of time (labor and research) invested in designing stationery based on the client’s individual preference and as the saying goes “time is money”. Not to worry, because there are invitation suites that are reasonably priced without the compromising of quality and your vision. For example, instead of considering the Opulent Letterpress or Raised Print Invitation Suite that are usually pricier, you may want to consider a Classy Double Layered Invitation Suite which is usually less expensive because of the printing and assembly method.

I hope this information was helpful for you as it was a great pleasure for me providing it. If you are getting married and would like to consult with me in selecting the perfect invitation suite for your special day, feel free to send an email to info@royalamethystllc.com.

Stay tuned for more invitation tips, information and inspiration. Happy Planning!