The Invitation Buying Guide
How to build a dream team for your wedding stationery
How to build a dream team for your wedding stationery
You've picked your theme, learned the ropes and now it's time to pull the trigger - but how do you know you've found the right company to create them?
How can you be sure the product you see online is good enough for your big day?
This guide will give you the questions to ask and quick tips that'll help you hit that buy button with 100% confidence!
Ready to jump in?
If you're working with a professional stationer, it's essential to find the right fit! You'll be working with them for most of your planning season - so make sure you will enjoy working with each other!
If you're buying your invites online, not all retailers are created equal! Brush up on these quick tips to save yourself the frustration of choosing poorly - trust us, it's so worth it!
One of the hardest things to buy online are wax seals - why? Because so much of the product looks the same, yet the end result is SO different buying from brand-to-brand! If you're adding seals to your invites, don't miss this section!
The same rules apply when buying embellishments online - there are a few simple tips that will keep the entire process quick, easy and stress-free!
If you're investing in custom wedding invitations you'll be dropping $5,000 - $10,000 on your stationery - which is a big buy, so make sure it's the right fit! Not only is it a big investment, but it's also one of the first vendors you'll book - so making sure you like them and their work... it'll make the process so much more fun!
Unless your stationer is a total ace - experience and expertise often go hand-in-hand. Look for a stationer with processes and systems in place - it'll take stress and time off your shoulders!
Every stationer has something they love most and are known for. Finding a stationer with the same specialty as your dream method (like letterpress, calligraphy, watercolor, etc.) will mean your invitations are that much more stunning in the end!
If you're ordering custom pieces for your invitations, it can be hard to get a ballpark budget until you've actually started the consultation process, so asking what your potential stationer's starting investment is will be so helpful when trying to find the right one!
If you're paying a premium for the finest paper and print services, having a stationer who does all production in-house means more control over pricing, quality, service and timeline!
This is a great question - especially if you're on a tight timeline. Be upfront with your designer if you're working with less than 6-8 months before your wedding!
Most stationers offer a full suite of extras, embellishments and day-of stationery (or will create them for you), but if they don't, they might not be the best fit for your team!
Things to look for:
This might seem like a weird thing to ask – especially if you’re having a custom suite created for you, but your stationer will need some of your input and time during the process! Knowing exactly what you’ll need to do and how much time/effort it’ll take will instantly streamline your entire process!
Quick Tip: Some vendors have set terms for how quickly you need to respond to them for their guarantee/timeline/pricing/etc. to remain valid, so make sure you ask your stationer about this to prevent any surprises later on!
It can be so tough to tell product quality online - which is why ordering samples will save your life! Make sure to order samples before ordering your invites so you can get touchy feely with the paper quality in person!
Color
Make sure the brand you're buying from has colors that will work for your wedding! Most have specific colors for each suite - so keep that in mind as you're shopping and ask them if you're looking for something else!
Don't forget to browse day-of stationery before buying your invites! Keeping your pieces on-color and on-theme is key to a cohesive wedding and creating day-of pieces that match your invites is a great way to achieve that!
99% of online retailers will have a proofing process where you can sign off on your suite before they print. Ask your vendor how long the process takes so you can add this step into your timeline - it can easily add a few extra business days to your ETA!
Don't know where your invites are coming from? Check your shipping options and ETA before hitting that buy button to make sure they arrive in time!
Ever wondered what the secret is to beautiful wax seals? Finding the right brand to buy from is key - but how do you know what to look for?
Up next we're sharing what's most important to make sure your seals are picture perfect!
Before we talk about where to find wax seals for your stationery - it's important to know what you need to make them!
If you're making wax seals yourself, you'll need:
If you're buying premade wax seals, all you need are:
Premade Wax Seals!!
For the Ultimate Wax Seal Guide, click here.
The first thing to look for when buying sealing wax is the quality of product you are using!
This might seem tough when you're shopping online, but there are some things you can look for and ask the company you're buying from to make sure you're set up for success!
Quality wax and beautiful wax seals go hand-in-hand, no matter how good your technique is!
You might be thinking your seals need to be super strong to go through the mail - but think again! Flexible sealing wax IS KEY!
As you're shopping, look for proof that the sealing wax is flexible! Many brands say they are - but the proof is in the pudding.
In doubt? Order samples and play with your seals to make sure they will flex and bend without breaking!
Wax seals are traditionally breakable - which does NOT mail well! Modern wax seals need to be flexible so they can twist and bend with your stationery, so they don't fall off, crack or break!
Color and seals go hand-in-hand, so finding the perfect wax seal color for your wedding invitations is super important!
When shopping for wax seals, look for a brand with a wide range of colors - and make sure to read the reviews to make sure the colors are as great in person!
Color and design are the main two personalities of a wax seal - color often being the most impactful, so finding the right one is the best way to make a first impression!
There are tons of different types of wax seals out there and ways to make them - so make sure to look at the different options out there before buying!
Premade wax seals are the easiest, but vary the most from brand-to-brand.
Glue Gun Sealing Wax is the best option for making DIY seals at home while sealing wax beads are super fun and relaxing to make - but only recommended for small projects and crafting!
Having the right format of wax seals will affect:
Want to save yourself the stress of online shopping gone wrong? Make sure you can answer yes to every question on this checklist before buying your embellishments, and you'll be good to go!
Now that you've found your dream stationery team - there are only a few other things to do before hitting that buy button!
Ready for the next step?
Photography by Mason Neufeld Photography and Tara Lynn Butterworth | Stationery by Artisaire, Jenny Sanders and PaperOcelot Studios