Have a question about Weddings*n*Whimsy or it’s products? Check out our frequently asked questions below!
– Can your products be customized to my theme/colors?
Yes! I can customize any of my designs to suit your needs and if none of my designs suit you I can create something completely custom for you – just ask! (See my design options such as fonts and colors as a starting point!)
– What products do you offer?
Currently I offer Wedding and other Event Invitations & Cards as well as a whole bunch of other “Day of”/”Reception”/”Event” items such as Table Number Cards, Place/Escort Cards, Favor Tags, Gift Tags, Menus, Programs, Banners, Seating Charts, Signage, Custom Monograms, Thank You Cards, Save the Dates, Favor Stickers/Labels, Address Stickers/Labels and more.
Basically if you need some pretty paper details, invitations or cards for a wedding, birthday, shower or anniversary I will do my best to make it happen! Pretty “just because” paper items such as personalized stationery is also available.
Just contact me if you are interested in creating a coordinating set of items or have any product questions not answered here!
– What is a digital PROOF?
Proofs are basically digital/virtual sample “photos” created in our design program. They are digital mock-ups of your invitation or paper product design that allows you to make adjustments and proof read before I send to print.
– Can I order a sample?
All invitation suites have unpersonalized sample packages available that include the invitation and response card with envelopes which allow you to see and feel our designs and quality in person. A color chart and paper swatch set are also included in all wedding invitation sample orders. I strongly recommend ordering a sample package before placing your full order to ensure you pick the colors and paper types that you envision for your invitation suite.
Want an unpersonalized reception/day of stationery such as a table number, place card, tag, menu or program? Contact me for availability and pricing.
All samples are NOT customizable and are sent with generic names and information. Should you decide to place a full order fully customizable hard proofs are available for a small fee during the design process.
– Can I order items in different sizes than described?
I can usually customize items to a smaller or larger size as needed – just ask first! Enlarging the item may result in a slight price increase.
– How long does it take to print and ship my order?
Invitation orders are typically shipped within 3-5 weeks of receiving final approval of the final proof(s).
Orders for “day of”/”reception”/”event” items are typically shipped within 7-14 days of receiving approval of the final proof(s).
– How far in advance should I place my order?
INVITATIONS
Weddings – Ideally Order 4-6 months before Wedding date
Other Events- Ideally Order 2-4 months before Event date
Once design has been given final approval please allow an additional 3-5 weeks for printing & assembly (not including shipping).
Invitation Orders are shipped USPS Priority Mail which takes 2-3 days domestically and 10-15 days internationally.
ALL OTHER ITEMS (Also known as “Day Of” or “Reception Items”)
Ideally Order at least 3-4 weeks before Event date
Once design has been given final approval please allow an additional 1-2 weeks for printing & assembly (not including shipping).
– My wedding is (tomorrow/in a few day/in a few weeks), can I still order and get the items on time? Do you do rush orders?
Yes – but this is on a case by case basis. It would depend on what & how much is being ordered and how busy my schedule is at the time!
Typically non-invitation orders are printed and shipped within 7-14 days of receiving approval of the final proof. Non-invitation orders in which the event date or item is needed is 2 weeks or less may result in a 20% rush charge plus the cost of upgrading to a faster shipping service.
Invitation orders are printed and shipped within 3-5 weeks of receiving your final approval of the design. If you need them sooner contact me to see if it is possible. (20% rush charge plus the cost of upgrading to a faster shipping service may apply)
I always do my best to accommodate even the most last minute of orders but all I can guarantee is how fast I can design, print and ship. Once the product is out of my hands I have no control over the shipping times. (Priority Mail ~ 2-3 Days and Express Mail ~ Overnight(to most areas in US) is available upon request!)
– Do you take returns?
Due to the customized nature of my products there are no returns or refunds unless there is a mistake/typo that wasn’t present on the final approved proof. Please look over the final proof/example e-mailed to you carefully! (Have a friend look it over to play it extra safe!)
I highly recommend ordering a printed chart if color is extremely important to you. (If you are ordering invitations a sample printed invitation suite is also recommended so you can see and feel our product in person. Color chart and paper swatches are included in all invitation sample suite orders!)
– What if the colors aren’t as I had imagined when I receive my order in person?
Colors may vary between what you see online and your actual printed product so I cannot guarantee that the color you see on your monitor will match the printed product. The calibrations of your monitor and what type of computer you use can affect how the colors appear online when viewing the final proof. If you are concerned about color, I recommend requesting a sample print so you can be sure that your item is the color you are expecting. There are no returns/refunds because the color you ordered does not match your monitor!
I have printed color charts (and paper swatch samplers) available in my shop. I highly recommend ordering a printed chart if color is extremely important to you. (If you are ordering invitations a sample printed invitation suite is also recommended so you can see and feel our product in person. Color chart and paper swatches are included in all invitation sample suite orders!)
Colors can also vary slightly between different items (cards, stickers, envelopes, different paper stocks, etc) and different press runs (even within the same print method), we recommend ordering all of your customized pieces together (invitations, menu, programs, tags etc.) whenever possible.
– What fonts do you have available? Can you use (specific font name) in the design?
You can view a list of fonts I currently use often in my designs here (click!).
If you have a specific font in mind not seen in that list ask me about it! I may already have it or I may be able to get it for use in your design.
– What paper are your products printed on?
Invitations are also on extra heavy smooth matte cover stock in white or cream (130#) but there are upgrade options such as white/cream Shimmer Cover (107#), white/cream Linen Cover (130#), ultra luxe white/cream Cotton Cover (118#) or ultra luxe white Shimmer Cover (137#).
Reception/Day of Items: Table numbers and place cards are typically printed on extra heavy smooth white 122# cover stock. Tags and signage are typically printed on 130# white or cream extra heavy smooth matte cover stock. There are also upgrade options such as white/cream Shimmer Cover (107#), white/cream Linen Cover (130#), ultra luxe white/cream Cotton Cover (118#) or ultra luxe white Shimmer Cover (137#).
Labels are printed on white label paper.
Contact me with any other paper questions you may have!
– Are envelopes included in the price?
Yes – All invitation and greeting cards include envelopes at no additional cost.
– Do you offer envelope addressing?
Yes – I offer direct to envelope address printing on all matte envelopes for an additional fee. See pricing page for details! (* Printed in black archival ink so directly printing on dark envelopes is not available. Labels can be ordered in this situation!)
– Can I get a printed proof of my invitation before printing the entire order?
Hard copy proofs are available for $10 (which includes shipping). Proofs will include sample prints of the invitation panel, response card and other enclosures if applicable. Hard copy proofs will not include add-ons such as backer cards, pocket folds or envelopes. They are strictly for you to see the final print outcome before printing the entire order and final assembly.
– My guest list has increased and I suddenly need more invitations – can I order more?
Unfortunately once your order has been given final approval for print and sent to the printer you will need to place a new order for additional quantities. Reprints have a minimum invitation order and do not automatically include bulk pricing since it will be a new order. The same timeline also still applies (3-5 weeks).
For this reason we strongly recommend adding an additional 15-25 invitation suites to your initial order to account for any last minute additions and invitations that may be lost in the mail or returned. It’s also great to have a few on hand to save for sentimental reasons. Ordering extras upfront protects you from costly reprint charges that may occur down the line.
– How much will my invitations cost to mail?
The cost to mail your invitations will depend on the final size, how many pieces you include, how elaborate the design (including upgrades and add-ons). Be sure to take a final assembled invitation to your post office to be weighed and checked for thickness before purchasing and adding postage.
– Should I do anything special when mailing out my invitations?
YES. All invitations should ALWAYS be brought to your local post office and “hand-canceled”.
Although most papers and inks are not prone to bleeding, certain conditions can sometimes cause this to happen. (High heat, humidity, and especially pressurized post office machinery are not friendly to ANY fine papers). ALWAYS remember to bring your invitations to your local post office and ask them to “hand-cancel” when sending them through the mail. This reduces how often your invitations get sent through post office machines.
Why hand cancel?
If you simply drop your invitations into your mailbox they will be brought to your local post office and run through a postage cancelling machine. The machine sorts and cancels postage so it is not reusable (and presses your invitation flat in the process!). Each time your invitations go through one of their machines (cancelling/sorting) you run the risk of them getting snagged or damaged (rips, bends, ink smears..the works!)
When an invitation is hand cancelled a postal employee hand stamps each invitation personally so you at least avoid the risk of your invitation getting ruined in the postage cancelling machine. It will still go through a sorting machine but the less machinery involved the better! At least the sorting machines shouldn’t press invitations flat (a major culprit of damage!)
*TIP* Going to a smaller out of the way post office during a less busy time (some say Wed/Thurs around 2pm) is ideal since it can be a little time consuming if you have a lot of invitations going out! Give your PO a call first to see if it is a problem. If they are busy they may request you bring them in small batches. If the worker seems as though they are placing them to the side, give your best smile and say you’ve never seen it done before and you’d love to see how it works. (It’s a polite way of saying, I know you’re planning to throw them into the machine and I’m not going to let you.)Â You could even ask if they’d allow you to do it to save them the time! (If they won’t hand cancel for you and won’t allow you to do it try back another time or another location. It is not worth the risk of damage just because you got a grumpy worker!)
On occasion despite hand cancelling you can get the clueless worker who sends it through the machines anyways. If you want to play it extra safe there is usually an option to upgrade the invitations as “non-machinable” for a small additional fee.
(Other handling and environmental conditions are unfortunately unavoidable. WnW cannot be responsible for any issues that may arise during the mailing process as environmental and mailing conditions are completely out of our hands!)