ordering guide for pre-designed suites
I've set up this guide to help you understand the process, timeline, and other tips for ordering your semi-custom, pre-designed invitation suite! I highly recommend reading through this guide so you know what to expect. If you have questions, please feel free to email me!
1. select your pieces
While the most basic pre-designed suite includes an invitation, RSVP card, Details card, and printed envelopes, each suite in my collection has been fully designed with the following:
Save the Date, invitation, RSVP card (with or without meal choices),thank you card, belly band, envelope liner, place card, escort card, table number, menu, and ceremony program.
You are welcome to pick and choose which pieces to add to your suite! Also don't forget about the embellishments. Adding things like wax seals, vellum wraps, or silk ribbon are great ways to further customize your suite.
2. place your order
After you've added each piece to your cart, you can purchase everything together. If you need to come back later and purchase day-of items that coordinate with your suite, feel free!
After you've checked out and I have received your order, I'll be in touch within 24 business hours to send you a customization form, as well as a link and password to your secure online portal. Your portal is where all of your wedding information will be kept and where we will handle all the proofing. Please aim to have your customization form completed within 2-4 days of receiving it so we can get started as soon as possible!
3. Proofing
Once I've received your completed customization form, I'll start customizing your suite! I require all of your wedding information, including guest addresses (if applicable) in order to start the design process. You will receive your first proof within 3-5 days. You get up to four complimentary proofs for your semi-custom suite. After the allotted proofs, a fee of $35 per additional proof will apply.
4. production
After you've signed a print approval form for your finalized suite, we can go to print! Production time will vary based on how many pieces you have in your suite and the embellishments you've chosen.
I work with a trusted, high-quality printing company in order to provide you with the best finished product. Your items will be flat printed on 120# (or 240# if you've upgraded your paper) eggshell white paper. This paper has a slight texture to it, making it more luxurious than a standard cardstock. The Dear Kathryn logo will be printed on the back of each invitation card and Save the Date card.
If you've asked me to assemble and mail your suite for you, I'll start that process once I've received your suite from the printer. Assembly can take anywhere from a few days to a week to complete, depending on quantity, number of pieces, and difficulty of assembly (i.e. ribbon, vellum wraps, etc.). Please keep this in mind when thinking of your timeline. If I'm not assembling and mailing your suite for you, once I've received your suite and have double checked that everything is correct, I'll send it on its way to you! Please be sure to read the section below on shipping.
paper thickness
I offer two different paper weights, or thicknesses: 120 lb (sinle-thick) and 240 lb (double-thick). When ordering your semi-custom suite, you have the opportunity to upgrade your invitation card, Save the Date, or Rehearsal Dinner Invitation to 240 lb paper. These photos give a good idea of the difference.
customizations
ink color
You can change the color of the printing on your cards. Please note that colors may appear differently on a computer screen than they do on paper. Lighter colors other than what is currently on your design may not appear legible once printed. If you have a question about this, please ask when you fill out your customization form!
wording & design elements
Only the wording can be changed on your design. Borders, design elements, and total layout changes cannot be added to semi-custom suites and current design elements cannot be changed. If you'd rather order a custom suite from me, please fill out the inquiry form so I can put together an estimate for you!
embellishments
Embellishments are items you can add to your suite to make it even more custom! Embellishments include, but aren't limited to, the following:
belly bands
envelope liners
wax seals
vellum wraps or overlays
Ribbon, string, or twine
clips or brads
vintage postage
good things to know
timeline
I suggest ordering at least three months ahead of your preferred delivery and mailing date to allow time for proofing, printing, production, assembly, and/or shipping. If you need to place a rush order, please contact me.
printing production
Digital printing usually takes 5-7 business days after I've sent your design to print. That timeline is always subject to change based on quantity, number of pieces in your suite, and the printer's schedule.
shipping
If I'm not assembling and mailing your suites for you, I typically use USPS for shipping. However, if you'd rather me send your items via FedEx or UPS, I'll happily do that at the cost of shipping. No matter which shipping method I use, I'll provide a tracking number for you and will send it to you via your online portal.
When I use the USPS for shipping, I always ship Priority Flat Rate. Sometimes your package arrives within two days, sometimes it takes a week! As much as I wish I could, I cannot control what mood the United States Post Office is in, or how they handle your package. If you have a question about your tracking, please reach out to the postal service, as they will have more information than Dear Kathryn does. Please also allow for additional shipping time if you're ordering around the holidays.
Speaking of handling, when shipping your package to you, I make sure that your suite is wrapped with the best care possible. I use packing paper and plastic wraps to keep your invitations secure. However, sometimes when it leaves my hands, packages go through the wringer. While I wish I could hand deliver everything myself, I can't be held responsible for damage caused by the USPS or any other shipping service.
assembly & mailing
Assembly can take anywhere from one day to a full week depending on the difficulty and the number of pieces and embellishments. If Dear Kathryn is also mailing your assembled pieces out for you, please add another business day onto your timeline, as I may miss the mail deadline for that particular day. If I'm mailing out your suites, I ensure that every piece is taken to the post office at the same time. You will receive confirmation once I've handed them to the USPS. I am not responsible for USPS losing invitations, returning invitations, or for invitations taking longer than expected to arrive at their destination.
return & cancellation policy
Because of the customization of my semi-custom invitation suites and the pieces that are ordered with the suite, I do not offer returns, cancellations, or exchanges on any products.
refunds due to error
If there is an error on the invitation due to client fault, there is nothing I can do. My print approval form is a binding agreement, and once it's signed, you give approval that everything is spelled correctly and all information is correct. I cannot be held responsible for errors made on your part.
If there is an error to your suite that has been made by Dear Kathryn, I will of course offer complimentary reprints!
recommendations
when placing your order,
i recommend ordering extra sets.
You may add to your guest list, and you'll definitely want to send one or two to your photographer to capture. Think about keeping one for yourself that hasn't gone through the mail as a keepsake, and give one or two to your family so they can have a keepsake as well. It's always better to have more than you need because it's more costly to print another small batch down the road. If we have to print more, the minimum reprint is 25 and another setup fee will apply.
If I'm addressing your invitations for you, either by printing them or with calligraphy, please be sure to enter your addresses into the spreadsheet exactly as you would like them to appear.
If you type SC instead of South Carolina, that's how it will appear on your envelope. If you type "&" instead of "and", that's what I'll use. Even if you have mixed and matched, I'll use whatever you have entered on the spreadsheet, so be sure to double and triple check your addresses!
If you're mailing your suite out yourself, take your invitation suite to two post offices to check for correct postage.
As much as we love the post office and what they do for us, different locations (and even different people at the same location) will tell you different things. That can cause frustration (and returned invitations)!. Taking a fully assembled suite to two different locations can confirm how much postage you need to apply to the main envelope. Trust me, you'll be glad you did! No one wants to have to pay extra to send the same envelope twice.
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