Wedding planning means working with several vendors, starting as soon as you get engaged. Once you’ve booked the perfect venue for your wedding day, plus a planner, photographer, and floral designer, it’s time to think about hiring a wedding stationer (like Turnage + Watts!).
If you value customized, heirloom-quality wedding paper products, this is a vendor you won’t want to skimp on. The right stationer will design a custom suite that reflects your wedding style and unique love story, creating a singular piece of artwork that websites like Minted can’t compete with. But how do you find the stationer who will be your perfect fit? Read on to discover every question you should ask before hiring this wedding vendor.
What to Ask Before Hiring a Wedding Stationer
About the Stationer
Begin by asking the stationer about themself. You want to know their qualifications before trusting them to design your invitation suite. Moreover, you want to know what makes them and their work stand out. Is it their exemplary customer service? Their signature style? Finally, you want to ascertain what printing processes they offer (i.e., can they create a suite that looks like your vision?) and what to expect from their artistic process. Some questions you might want to ask include:
- How long have you been in business? What is your design background?
- What makes you different from other stationery designers?
- What is your signature style?
- What printing processes do you offer, and which do you specialize in? Which do you recommend for my budget and style?
- Please describe your process from start to finish.
About the Process
After the stationer gives you a breakdown of their process, dive deeper into the specifics with the questions listed below. Many couples discover late in the game that they need help ordering the correct amount of invitations or addressing their envelopes using proper etiquette. It’s best to know in advance if this is an area where your stationer can help!
You should also find out if the stationer offers wedding day stationery items such as programs and menu cards or if they solely design invitation suites. This knowledge will help you avoid a last-minute scramble for cohesive paper goods if your stationer is highly specialized.
- How long does the entire process take, from consultation to the finished product?
- Can you determine the number of invitations I need?
- Is your printing done in-house, or do you outsource it?
- Do you offer custom invitations as well as templated styles?
- If I choose a semi-custom or custom wedding invitation, what are my options for each in terms of color, paper type, ink, and fonts?
- How many rounds of revisions do I get?
- Can you address my envelopes for me?
- Can I also order my wedding day stationery items from you? For example, table numbers, place cards, escort cards, ceremony programs, menus, and signage. We have a guide for you!
- Based on the paper type and the number of pieces involved, what will it cost to mail my wedding invitation? Can you determine the amount of postage I need?
Your Vision
Finally, ask the stationer a few questions regarding your specific vision. Doing this will help you determine whether or not they’re a good fit for your wedding style! Don’t expect a stationer whose style is wildly different from yours to produce something that doesn’t fit the rest of their portfolio. Instead, look for a stationer whose past work aligns with your vision for your invitation suite.
- I have many different ideas on my Pinterest board. Will you help me narrow them down into a suite I love?
- I’d like to incorporate ________ into my wedding invitations. Can you help me? Think family crest(s) or a custom monogram.
- I want my suite to fit a specific style (e.g., classic, modern, romantic). Do you have examples of that style in your portfolio?
A Few Bonus Tips
As a seasoned wedding stationer, I’m familiar with every step of the process and couple’s FAQs. These tips will help mitigate confusion so you can navigate the entire process headache-free, from the design phase to mailing!
- Remember that color resolution can vary between screens and printed pieces, especially if you’re viewing your design proofs online.
- Order ten to 20 extra invitations (with envelopes), so you’re covered if you have to send more than expected. In addition, set aside two suites: one for your photographer for flatlay photos and one for your keepsake album!
- Mail your save-the-date cards six to nine months before your wedding and your invitations six to eight weeks before. Consider sending them a few weeks earlier if you’re having a destination wedding or a wedding near a major holiday. See our recommended timeline for more info!
- Consider working with one stationer for all your printed materials. They’ll guide you in ensuring every component conveys a consistent design concept.
- Organize your RSVP cards by assigning a number to each guest and writing them on the back of each card (use invisible ink!). If a guest mails their card back without writing their name, this tip will save you from having to hunt them down.
Hiring a wedding stationer can be daunting, but these questions simplify the process by helping you narrow the field quickly to find your perfect fit. While Maryland is our home base, Turnage + Watts serves classically romantic couples nationwide. If you’re interested in our services, reach out. We can’t wait to hear your vision for your custom suite!
