Rather than having something created completely from scratch, semi custom wedding invitations start with an existing design. You can choose to modify things like colors, wording, fonts, and more. 

Why Choose a Semi Custom Design?

They’re less expensive

I feel confident in saying that no matter which stationer you choose to work with, opting for a semi custom wedding invitation will be less expensive than going totally custom. The time involved for the designer is much less and pricing will reflect that.

With my semi custom designs, I charge no design fee – couples can change things like wording, fonts, colors, and printing method and it’s all included! My custom designs start at $150 and go up from there, so semi custom does save a bit if you’re looking to hold onto a few dolla dolla bills for honeymoon spending!

They’re quicker

Another bonus of semi custom invitations is that the turnaround is much quicker. For the same reasons above, a custom design can take much longer to produce. It’s absolutely worth the wait, but if you’re in a crunch semi custom wedding invitations make a great option!

Are Semi Custom Wedding Invitations Right for You?

In the words of Ariana, “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it”. A lot of couples shopping for wedding invitations find a design they like and don’t see any reason to make major changes. I totally get that – and semi custom invitations are perfect in this case!

If you’ve found something you like, why complicate a good thing? 

How to Customize an Existing Design

Invitation Wording

All wording on invitations, RSVP cards, inserts, (all of the pieces) is 100% customizable. Maybe you like a design with traditional wording but want to go a little more informal or vice versa! You can learn more about wedding invitation wording right here.

Fonts

One way to customize the entire look of an existing design is to change fonts. Depending on the vibe you’re going for, I’m happy to recommend a font that would change the look and feel to fit. If we work together, I’ll send you a fun list of all my font choices.

Colors

Other than the floral artwork in some designs, all colors are customizable. This includes envelope colors as well – all orders include your choice of colored envelopes! Whether you’re using digital printing, thermography, foil stamping, or letterpress – ink and foil colors are customizable as well. Wondering which printing method is right for you? Take the quiz here!

Printing Method

Speaking of printing method, that’s customizable too. See a letterpress design but want it in gold foil? We can do that. Want to add a pop of texture and have your names printed in thermography? Totally doable and all included with semi custom designs.

Mix and Match Designs

In the past, there have been couples who liked elements from two different designs. Pulling from both to create their dream invitation is actually one of my favorite ways to customize and existing design! As long as there are no major layout changes, this falls under the semi custom design. 

Interested in using one of my semi custom designs for your wedding invitations? Fill out my questionnaire here and let’s chat!

I’m super excited to announce that I’m now offering white ink printing in house! This means I can bring it to you at a lower cost and with a quicker turnaround (double YAY!) 

I predicted white ink printing to be one of the major trends for 2020 wedding invitations. Other than calligraphy, having envelopes actually printed with white hasn’t been super accessible or affordable. The workaround for using white is now widely known and many designers are offering it as an option, which is why it’s currently #trending!

White ink addressing allows you to use a dark colored envelope for mailing your invitations – something I couldn’t offer previously! So bring on the moody wedding vibes, please!

You’ll have the option to do your invitation, insert cards, and/or envelope addressing in white ink. It looks great on black, navy, grey, burgundy, forest green, dusty rose, and dusty blue – just to name a few!

Interested in white ink printing for your wedding invitations? Complete this questionnaire here to get a customized quote!

You’ve probably never ordered wedding invitations before. You might have some preconceived notions or ideas and not knowing what to expect is ok. I’m just breaking down some of the bad stereotypes associated with your wedding stationery.

Have you heard these wedding invitation myths?

They’re Just a Piece of Paper

I cringed when a potential client at a consultation mentioned not really caring much about wedding invitations because “they’re just a piece of paper” and “everyone just throws them away”. Yikes! Like a dagger straight into my paper lovin’ heart.

Yes, they’re paper. Yes, a lot of people will throw them away. But I’m here to let you know – it’s so much more than that. 

Invitations are the first impression of your entire wedding! I know you’ve picked out your venue, dress, flowers, cake, and music with care – your paper is the preview of all the other details to come. Your wedding invitation sets the tone — and can even subconsciously tell guests what to wear. 

Your guests will be excited open your invitation – just imagine they look on their faces as they realize what they’ve gotten in the mail. Sure, many will toss it out once the big day has come and gone. And that’s ok! But for you, your parents, and the other special people in your lives, your invitation is one of the only things you keep after the wedding is over. It’s an heirloom, and much more than just a piece of paper.

They’re Boring

Long gone are the days of traditional wedding invitations – for most. Of course, if going traditional fits your personality and style, then by all means go for it! 

Even just fifteen years ago, the choices for wedding invitation designs were pretty limited. With creative ideas and design flourishing, along with people finding their unique styles, we now have endless options to choose from!

It’s almost 2020 and wedding invitations are a fun way to incorporate your personality and style into the big day. Rules are made to be broken and invitations can be as extra as you want, without judgement.

A few of my favorite ways to incorporate personality into your invitations: fun fonts, color, artwork, hints of your favorite things, envelope liners, sassy wording, and more! Check out this post for finding the perfect design for your own wedding invitations.

Custom Wedding Invitations are Expensive

First things first, “expensive” is a subjective term. What’s expensive to one person could be a total steal for another. It’s possible custom wedding invitations will run the budget a bit more than your standard but there’s a reason for it – and you can always adjust to get pricing exactly where you’re comfortable.

Before you skip out on custom wedding invitations and go straight for the online discount stores with all the coupon codes (you know what I’m talking about), take the time to reach out and get a quote! You might be surprised that an upgraded experience doesn’t break the bank.

When you’re having something made especially for you, there will absolutely be additional costs associated. It takes time, expertise, and creativity to design but because these are such an important detail of your big day – don’t skip out!

There are so many ways to work with a designer and bring the cost down – choosing a semi custom design (rather than a custom, from scratch design), opting for a more budget-friendly printing method, DIY-ing your envelope addressing, and more. Take the time to get a quote before you dismiss the idea of boutique invitations (that come with an invitation fairy godmother).

I’ve always had a slight obsession with snail mail. My favorite part? Writing the addresses on the envelopes. I hate licking that sticky part on the back, but luckily they make a product to take care of that. It took me awhile to figure out why I loved preparing the mail and it finally hit me: my third grade teacher. Mrs. Harrell started a post office within our school where we could mail letters to each other. Naturally, I was picked as a student helper to start this post office. It all makes sense now…

How many emails do you get a day? I get emails every day, all day. They are rarely special. Mainly there are reminders that I need to pay a bill or the bombardment of sales for each and every store in the mall. Of course, I am lucky enough to receive the pleasant emails that I have sold an Etsy order or that someone has posted a comment to my blog. With our present fast-moving society, having the immediate ability to send email is obviously necessary.

How much snail mail do you get a day? My snail mail counts seem to be much lower than that of my email and although some of those pesky bills and unnecessary coupons show up, I am always excited to see an envelope with my name hand written across the front. Sometimes you are expecting an invitation, mainly because so-and-so just asked you for your address three days ago. Sometimes you are completely caught off guard with what lies inside this envelope. Do you open it immediately, standing at the mailbox? Or do you stuff it into the pile with the other mail and take it inside to open? Wherever you may choose to open your envelope, you know that there is a very good chance something positive will be in the contents. (Because we all know the bill companies aren’t handwriting envelopes!) You have just received an invitation, announcement, thank you note, celebratory card, or personalized hello! Someone has taken the time to invite you or thank you by sending you a piece of snail mail.

Often, what you have just opened represents a special moment or milestone in someone’s life. Because they chose to send a tangible memory, rather than an electronic message, you are able to hang it on the universal home bulletin board, the refrigerator. If you are like me, that piece of paper might stay on the fridge for months and will be seen by visitors. Formal events should begin by sending a formal invitation. Special moments should be broadcasted with a special announcement. And don’t ever underestimate the power of sending a hand-written thank you note for a gift or interview. 

We have the ability to send information at the swipe of a finger, but I believe the joy of receiving something in the mail cannot be replaced.

“I love the rebelliousness of snail mail, and I love anything that can arrive with a postage stamp. There’s something about that person’s breath and hands on the letter.”  –Diane Lane

To say I have unrealistically high expectations would be wrong. Well, it is half wrong. I do have high expectations. However, they are not unrealistic. 

Yes, I am a small business. No, that does not mean you are getting any less of a product than if you were to order from one of the large websites. Even though I am just a one-girl-do-all operation, I can only assume that my customers expect perfection from me. If I am not 100% happy with what comes out of the printer, I go back to the drawing board until I am fully satisfied. Sometimes this can turn into a stressful and/or frustrating process (for both myself and my printer)!

One of the driving forces to start oh my! designs was my unsuccessful attempt to print DIY invitations I ordered from Etsy. There was no way the perfectionist in me would send out less than perfect invites to a friend’s baby shower. After the time spent trying to fix them, I ditched them, and ordered from the big guys. That was over a year ago. I have since learned a lot about printing, as well as design, so that I can provide people a stress and frustration free option. I like to think people pay me to be crazy about their papers, so that they don’t have to. And why shouldn’t they? Throwing a party or announcing a special moment should be a solely positive experience!

“Don’t just meet expectations, exceed them.”

When I think about how far the business has come in just 8 short months and all the potential growth there is, it makes me so excited I just want to do cartwheels.

It still blows my mind that a small idea in my head has become a small, real life, growing business! Who woulda thought?! To complement the invitations and designs themselves, I wanted to create a blog for my friends and fans to keep up with the ever evolving oh my! designs. Words and writing have always been something I enjoy. You can even check out the blog I kept from my final semester of college, in which I studied abroad in Ecuador, here: http://stephgoesabroad.wordpress.com (throwback!).

I do not claim to be an expert of writing, teaching, learning, designing, creating, color, fashion, patterns, accessorizing, nor marketing. However, I have dabbled in each and have found that the aforementioned are all things I am passionate about. My hope is to continue learning about each one to see where I am led. I’ve got BIG plans for the future, but am going to allow life to take me in the direction that seems right. Continue to check back for new products, design inspiration, and just daily realizations of attempting to launch a small business!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt