Hello there!

I cannot believe it has taken me this long to write a blogpost, but here we are. My goal is to add content here in my little corner of the internet to not only showcase work that I am proud of but also help my clients understand my offerings and what I can do.

So why not start with one of my favorite things? Wedding Invitation Design!

Where it all began…

Designing wedding invitations was not something I initially set out to do frequently many years ago as a fledgling freelance designer. One of my best friends was set to get married back in 2014 and asked if I would designer her invitations and help them with their engagement photos. Of course I jumped at the chance and am still pretty proud of what we made together - a full custom invitation suite with a pocket insert, wooden invitation card, and postcard RSVP featuring some of their favorite photos from our engagement shoot. This project was also the my first forray into Calligraphy. My friend also asked if I would help with the addressing and I had just discovered Laura Hooper on instagram and purchased her original beginner’s calligraphy kit and the rest is, as they say, history.

Looking back on this project makes me so happy and is also a big reminder of how far I have come as a stationer, designer, and calligrapher. I mean WOW. I owe it all to a best friend (thanks Jenn!) and the amazing Laura Hooper! (Also shoutout to the most trendy script font ever circa 2013 - “Bombshell” - RIP to your popularity hahaha).

So where has this led me, dear reader? Well what you see above was my first fully custom wedding invitation suite. But what does “fully custom” even mean? Because I am sure you have also seen the term “semi-custom” out in the world as well and it is something I often throw around when discussing my offerings. So let’s get into it!

So what is Custom vs. Semi-Custom?

When working with me you will find 2 main options when it comes to Wedding invitations.

Custom

Custom designed invitations are exactly that: 100% unique, designed especially for you, with one-of-a-kind designs, artwork, details, etc. We start from scratch and work together to create something that is the perfect introduction to your big day. These designs are only used one time because they were created specifically for you. One thing to note about fully custom work is that this process generally takes longer and is typically at a higher price point.

Semi-Custom

Semi-custom invitations are pre-designed suites, where we input your information and some small details (like colors, paper, number of pieces, etc) are the only things that are customized. These designs are just as beautiful and unique but the price point significantly lower and the time frame to complete your project is much shorter. This is perfect for someone who wants more than the run of the mill plug in and print designs out there but may not have the time or budget for something fully custom.

Deluxe Semi-Custom?

I also sometimes have a bit of a hybrid situation that I am not certain of what to call, but it is somewhere between a semi-custom and full custom suite. This is rare, but welcome, and typically it is when a client loves an existing design but we add all the bells and whistles (like adding wax seals, belly bands, vellum overlays, perhaps an illustration update etc.) and we may make more significant changes to paper, colors and printing technique for example. It can typically run just as much in terms of costs as fully custom, but starts as a semi-custom request.

What is right for you?

There is no wrong answer! And usually we have an idea pretty quickly when have our consultation (reach out for one here!). Some people know exactly what they want and others need a little nore help to figure out what fit is best. but ultimately, the decision comes down to three primary things: your budget, your timeline, and what is most important to you for your wedding. Regardless, my goal is always to make sure your vision comes to life exactly as you want it to so your guests are immediately excited for your big day when they open your invitation.

If you are someone who is all about the details and want our recipiants first impression of your event to be extra special (first of all, you’re in the right place!) and want to include those unique-to-you touches that tell your love story, then custom invitations are probably the way to go. We can incorporate artwork and finishing into your suite that includes things that are important to you as a couple. The possibilities are endless and you can get exactly what you’re looking for in your invitation suite. Custom designs can take several weeks or months to design and produce, so planning accordingly is paramount, but they’re definitely worth the time and investment!

Semi-custom designs are just as beautiful and special, but they will not include custom artwork. The primary benefits of semi-custom suites are their lower price point, they’re faster to produce, and there are several options ready to be customized. One thing to keep in mind is that there may be other people who have used the same design (Especially my venue based designs), but if that doesn’t bother you, then this is definitely the way to go.

There are pros and cons with both routes, but it’s really up to you to decide what works best for your vision and event! Regardless, when working with a boutique stationer you get something meaningful and have a hands-on, personable experience that you would ever get from any of the big box shops out there. While certain sites are appealing due to their suuuuper low price points, they do lack a personal touch you can only get from working with an established artisit or professional and by doing so you are also supporting a small business and someone else’s dreams.