In these uncertain times, it’s even more challenging than usual for engaged couples to decide which vendors they want to have for their special day. Considerations about every aspect come into play! Hiring a custom wedding invitations designer is worth the money, but it isn’t the right choice for everybody. I’ve always known this and would never try to convince a couple who may not be a good fit, but in today’s climate, I’m especially sensitive to this. With that in mind, I’m breaking down why having a custom wedding invitations designer is truly so valuable, as well as the reasons why it may not be the best fit for the two of you. Ultimately, I want you to be able to make an informed decision about what will be the smartest investment for your situation!

A real person on your vendor team

By hiring a custom wedding invitations designer, you’re bringing in a real person to your vendor team. This isn’t just a faceless, nameless 1-800 number to call for customer service. This is someone who answers the phone or frantic email you’ve sent, thoughtfully and with care. As a promise to all of my clients, I respond within 24 hours!

Additionally, a personal vendor can offer individual opinions about your aesthetic choices. You can’t talk through your options with a big box website ordering interface.

Likewise, an expert offers guidance about etiquette, wording, and troubleshooting various scenarios for your stationery. This year, I’ve worked with all of my couples on lots of things. Gracious ways to word cards stating loved ones are no longer invited, events have been postponed, things are still on but in a new way – you name it! Don’t try and panic-Google everything. Get the guidance of an expert, who will be there for you every step of the way.

Also, I hope it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. Real people do a happy dance when you invest in their small business!

When this may not be for you: If you have a good idea of the items you need and how to handle things in these uncertain times, you can opt for a more “standard” invitation! For my semi-custom collection clients, I still offer to answer any questions that come up. This way, you still get the advantage of having an expert in your corner, even if you don’t work with me for a fully custom design.

The sky’s the limit

If you hire a custom wedding invitations designer, there’s no binder of options to start with. The sky’s the limit, because we start from scratch together! You can choose any combination of colors, print methods, paper types, funky add-ins, embellishments, layouts… the list goes on and on, and there are no rules.

For lots of couples looking to elevate their wedding to the next level, custom stationery is a great place to start. You’re providing a true preview of what’s to come on your special day, so why start with something “off the rack” if you can do something more interesting?! Luxurious print methods, interesting combinations, and unexpected twists make for a one-of-a-kind end product, and it’s sure to make your loved ones say “wow,” right from their mailbox.

As your designer, I’ll chat with you to get a sense of what you’re looking for and how you want your day to feel. Then, I’ll whip up a vision for your paper goods to reflect that sentiment. It’s an iterative process, and we work together to bring the whole package to life. The end result will be even better than what you’re imagining at the beginning.

When this may not be for you: If you get overwhelmed by choices, having a custom wedding invitations designer may feel more stressful than fun. This is how I feel about clothes shopping, so I totally understand! If you’d rather have a few things to pick from, while still being able to put your own finishing touches on it, a semi-custom invitation is a better fit for you. And that’s ok, even if you’re still looking for luxury options. Just because you don’t want fully custom, doesn’t mean your stationery has to be cheap-o quality. As part of my semi-custom collection, I offer letterpress and foil stamping, as well as upgrades to paper thickness, envelope addressing in calligraphy, and other embellishments. But, it’s all with a set starting point to the design, and I walk you through the exact ordering process, so there’s zero overwhelm!

Make it personal

By working with a custom wedding invitations designer, your stationery can reflect what your day’s really about: your love story. I incorporate illustrations for my clients of their pets, venue, special and intimate aspects of their relationship, or personal quotes and sentimental items, as part of the design. If you want your stationery to be 100% for the two of you, a custom design is the way to go! This is the “special sauce” of what will make your guests feel your thoughtfulness and intentionality throughout your wedding.

When this may not be for you: If you’re looking for something that’s classic, traditional, and simply beautiful, you may not need this extra personalization. That’s totally ok! There are other ways to make your day feel personal.

Likewise, having custom artwork created for just the two of you comes with a hefty price tag. Original commissioned artwork to be included in your stationery takes a tremendous amount of time to produce, as well as technical skills to execute it well. If the overall budget is a concern for you, this steep investment may not be the best use of wedding funds. Instead, reduce the price tag a lot by opting for semi-custom. You don’t get the custom illustrations, but each of my collection clients still gets all of their text done by hand in calligraphy first – so it’s still a work of art, just for you two!

So there you have it. As a custom wedding invitations designer myself, I might be a *tad* biased, but this is a worthy investment! You’ll set the tone for your big day with something meaningful and thoughtful. If you do choose to go for custom, I’d be honored to work with you. I help engaged couples all over the country and would be delighted to bring your unique love story to life on paper!