Custom or semi-custom invitations: Which one is the right for you?
Choosing your wedding invitations may look like a hard task in the whole planning, not only because of what they represent but also due to the endless options that are available out there thanks to the magic of the internet. This is why having a professional by your side that can guide you in the whole process is so important! But today I don’t want to talk about the value of a good stationery designer to your wedding planning but the general options you can find when you get the correct person to work with.
So when you’re choosing your invitations you’ll basically find two options: custom invitations and semi-custom invitations. And this post will guide you through each of them to give you a better idea of what they usually involve.
Custom invitations designed for Rosie and Connor
What to know about a fully custom invitation
As a designer, I very much enjoy when a client wants a completely custom design because that means that I will get to do one my favorite things: creating a real product from abstract ideas. For me, this whole process is still fascinating and when someone asks how I do it, I never know how to answer because it just happens. Creativity comes naturally and I just have to pay lots of attention to my clients needs and ideas to make sure my creation fulfills their vision. I love to translate their thoughts and also gain their trust to have fully creative freedom in order to make their dream invitations a reality.
Creating a fully custom design is a very personal experience, that not only takes more time and effort, but also provides a deeper attention to detail. Also, with custom designs nothings is created or ready to print, so everything is going to be new and unique because there’s no other couple like you.
These reasons, besides materials and production times as well as printing techniques and additional services included in the package, make custom invitations an absolute luxury service, and they’re priced accordingly.
So, if your idea is to have your wedding invitations custom designed, take into consideration that:
You will have more freedom in terms of design, materials, colors, techniques, details, etc.
You’ll have a design that is exclusively made for you and no one will ever use it in the future, so the level of personalization is the highest.
Invitations will be more expensive. Just talking about the design fee, rates may start from $1,000 depending on the designer (keep in mind this is just a referential number and it doesn’t represent a formal estimate). You need to add production rates to that price tag as well as any additional service provided by your stationer.
Production time for custom invitations is longer and will vary depending on what you choose to do.
Floral frame invitation from our semi-custom collection
Now let’s talk about semi-custom invitations
Semi-custom or invitations from a collection are basically designs that have been already developed and will be personalized with your information. Some designers (me included) provide opportunities for a more customized experience such as color matching and fonts modifications, but it’s not always the case. Some also may offer upgrades to their designs to make them with more premium materials and printing techniques as well.
In terms of time and budget, these invitations are ideal for couples that need a quick turnaround or want to save some money on their stationery. That being said, this doesn’t mean they will not be unique since many additional details can be included to make the design as personal as possible.
For semi-custom invitations there’s less consultation opportunities with your designer and many times some of the processes will be automated, but that’s great if you’re looking for convenience and a faster service. The processing time for these invitations depends more on the designer’s workflow and how fast approvals are made, so they’re usually delivered in a timely manner.
So, if you think your option is semi-custom, remember:
Your invitations will be delivered even 4X faster than a custom invitation.
This is a more budget friendly option and they usually are rated by the unit. Some designer charge a small personalization fee but that’s not always the case (for example, customization service is included in the rate when you hire me)
Getting to see a finished design before ordering makes the process easier.
You’ll have a catalog of designs to choose and, even when they can be partially customized, they’ll never be one-of-a-kind.
Usually, the material options are more limited, but nothing that can’t be discussed with your designer.
Anemone semi-custom invitation from our collection
But no matter the type of invitation you choose, there’s one last thing I encourage you to remember: planning your wedding is one of the most important thing you’ll ever do, and creating your invitations shouldn’t make the experience a nightmare. So choose a stationery designer that you feel connected to and with a style and artistry you can relate to as well. Your invitations will be the first thing from your wedding everyone will experience and they need to reflect who you are as a couple, your creative vision and your style.
If you want to talk about your dream invitations, let’s get in touch!
