Ever wish you could get inside the head of a stationer? Probably not. Even so, stationery is a big part of any wedding celebration and, sooner or later, you’ll have to contact a designer to get your invitations done. These three handy tips will help you communicate with your invitation designer to be sure that you get exactly what you want for your big day.
1. Don’t get overwhelmed by the pretty.
Stationery costs can quickly add up, and knowing what you can and can’t afford will help the designer to tailor their work to fit your needs, desires and budget. Custom designs will cost significantly more, so keep that in mind as you’re shopping. Designers are often confronted with brides who want elaborate invitations but come down with a case of sticker shock when they get the grand total. Then they have to go through the unpleasantness of cutting back on the order after the design work has already been completed. Give your designer a set figure BEFORE you start doing all the fun and pretty stuff and you’ll be sure to end up with an invitation that you, and your wallet, will love !
2. Take your time, but don’t drag your feet.
The longer you take to decide on proofs, make decisions or changes and get back to your designer, the longer your project will take. This is especially true when it comes to custom work; because a design is being tailored to you, the designer can’t move forward with the project until you’ve signed off on everything. To make sure that your invitations are completed in a timely fashion, respond to your designer as soon as possible. Keep an open line of communication going so that your order gets to printed and delivered well in advance of your wedding date.
3. Trust your designer to do her job:
Most brides have some idea of what kind of stationery they want, but their ideas may not always work out in reality. A good designer will be able to help you figure out how to translate your concepts to an actual finished print. A good designer will also be able to tell you when a concept you like may not really work out the way you think it will. Give your designer guidelines, but don’t be afraid to trust her expertise. After all, that’s why you hired her.
With these handy tips, working with any stationer is sure to be a piece of (wedding) cake.