WHAT TO EXPECT

I’m so excited to begin collaborating with you! Now that the design proposal has been accepted and deposit paid, here are the next steps:

MOCKUPS

We will begin the design process the week listed on your design proposal. To start, please fill out the invitation questionnaire at the bottom of the page. Next, let’s get a design consultation via zoom on the books. We’ll review your inspiration and discuss design details for each piece that we are creating. Based on our design meeting, I’ll create quick marker sketches of ideas for each piece in your suite. Marker sketches are loose and meant to give you an impression of the designs and color palette for each piece. They allow for easy exploration of different designs and color palettes. We almost always end up mixing and matching different elements from each mockup.

The first round of mockups will be ready about a week after our design consultation. I anticipate that we will go through several rounds of mockup revisions to settle in on the perfect design. I’m happy to do as many rounds of revisions as your heart desires and the timeline allows! You can either respond with an email or walk me through the changes over a phone chat or zoom. Please note that every round of mockup changes takes 3 - 4 business days to be made.

WORDING & ADDRESSES

During the mockup process, I’ll have been using generic wording to mockup different ideas. Once the mockup sketches are approved, I’ll need your wording to create the layouts with the watercolor artwork and/or type. I highly recommend that once you sign your design proposal, that you mark the dates on your calendar that wording and addresses are needed (for both the save-the-dates and invitations) so that we can stay on our timeline.

Please send an e-mail with the wording for each item in the suite. If we are using type, you can fine-tune the wording during the proof stage, so it doesn’t have to be 100% finalized. I just need something to get started with for the first round of proofs. However, all wording to be done in hand-lettering must be finalized at this time. Below is a checklist:

Wording for save-the-date
Return Address for save-the-date envelope
Wording for ceremony invitation
Wording for reception invitation
Return Address for main envelope
Map - please send a Google Map with points of interest noted and general area you’d like to include
Rely by date and wording for reply card
Address for reply envelope
Wording for other info card
Wording for Itinerary card or accordion (please list out what you’d like for each panel of the accordion)
Wording for website card, after-party card, etc.

At this point in time, please be finalizing your guest addresses. Collecting addresses from guests can be a little like herding cats, plus then you have to format them all!

PROOFS

Now that the design has been finalized, I will paint the watercolor versions of all your custom illustrations and send you a digital proof of each piece in the suite. The initial proofs will be ready 1-2 weeks after the mockups are approved and wording is provided. The balance of the design invoice is due at this time.

Once you receive your digital proofs, please review all items carefully. Two rounds of proof revisions are included and any additional design revisions will result in a fee of $150/hr. Any minor copy edit changes can be made to the type until we go to print. I will generate another set of proofs with any changes. Since your job is about to pass to the printer’s hands in the next stage, it is critical that we have a perfect set of proofs. Proofreading is paramount! A few general tips are read pieces backwards, read them out-loud, and have at least TWO other people proofread as well. Here is a checklist you can use:

DOUBLE CHECK:

all spellings—including your names!
ceremony & reception
street addresses
city & state
web addresses
dates & times
singular vs. plural
proper spacing between lines/words
proper line breaks
wording consistencies i.e. honour/honor and favour/favor
Is your text easily read?

PRINTING & ASSEMBLY

Once the digital proofs are approved, we will provide exact pricing based on your final specifications and guest count. We will also mail a set of press proofs to you to review in person. When you are certain that every last detail is perfect, you will sign a proof approval that will move your invitations into production. Once we receive your approval, we will give you an estimated mail date. Digital printing takes 10-14 business days. Letterpress printing, duplexing, scoring, edgepainting, die-cutting and other finishing processes take 3-4 weeks. We will also be finalizing your postage selections and any add-ons like ribbon or wax seals. Once printing is complete, we will stuff, seal, stamp and mail your invitations! This takes about 3-5 business days.

Invitation Questionnaire

Name

First Name

Last Name

Fiance's Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Wedding Date

MM

DD

YYYY

Wedding Venue(s)

Number of Invitations

Wedding Vision

Please describe your wedding vision and any special features to your big day.

What represents you?.

What are the things unique to you that you'd like to incorporate into your invitations, like your favorite things- animals, sports, foods, places, hobbies, etc.

Color Palette

Are there any specific colors that would you like to include, or not include?

Florals

Are there any specific flowers, plants, or greenery that you would like to include?

Design Ideas

Do you have any general ideas for the design?

Specific Ideas for:

Specific Ideas for

Please don’t forget to send us your inspiration images to discuss during our design consultation. If you are interested in any of the below, please make sure that you send us:

Pet Portrait- a few photos of your pet (paws and tail included please)

Venue Painting- a photo of the venue from an angle that you like

Map- a google map with the locations and general area you’d like to include as well as photos of any venues

Would you like to include a monogram or initials ?

You can do a two-letter monogram with your first initials, a married monogram with brides initial, future last name initial (larger) and groom's first name initial, just your future last name initial, or both partner's full initials.

Schedule your design consultation

We book all design consultations in the morning, however if your schedule only allows for nights and weekends, please reach out via email and we will get something on the books!