L+L+L INVITATION COLLECTION ORDERING GUIDE
Ordering and making decisions about your wedding invitations can be overwhelming. If there are any questions you have that aren’t answered here, we’re here to help. Please email us at hello@livelifelettered.com
ORDERING DETAILS
PRICING
For wedding invitations, base prices start at $12.00 for one set. One "set" includes one invitation, one response card, one outer envelope, and one response envelope. As a full service studio, the base price of an invitation collection includes digital printing, digital addressing, white glove assembly and mailing. Postage is additional. From there, prices will vary based on design elements added to the base set.
QUANTITY
Invitation suites are sold in sets of 10 with a minimum order quantity of 50 suites. When deciding how many sets to order, count one per couple or family plus an extra 10-15% for last minute guest additions or changes, and a few extras for family. If you need more invitations at a later date, it is substantially more expensive to reprint than ordering extras up front. Each print run incurs certain setup costs and preparation time, despite the quantity ordered. Please contact us for a custom quote if you need a smaller number of suites or a quantity that exceeds 200 suites.
PROOFS
Once your order is placed, you will receive your client portal information so you can submit your invitation information. You will receive a digital mock-up of your suite within a week of content submission along with a timeline with important dates to meet your ideal mailing date. Please review the proof for design, grammar, spacing and spelling, then provide edits if needed. The timeliness of proof approvals and communication during this phase is crucial. L+L+L is not responsible for any printed errors and typos that have been approved for print. Production starts at final proof sign-off.
TURNAROUND TIME
As a baseline, our turnaround time for the L+L+L collection invitations is about 2-4 weeks for basic digital printing, then 1-2 weeks for assembly and mailing once final proof approval is done. Times may vary depending on the time of the year and your specific elements of the collection. I strongly recommend that you start the ordering process at least 3 months prior to your target mailing date. Even if you don't have all the details in place, it's a good idea to start the process with faux details and then simply plug with updated text changes. Your final proof approval is required prior production. L+L+L will not be held responsible for delays in production due to client delay in approval process.
RUSH SERVICE
If you find yourself in a pinch and need a faster turnaround time, please reach out to us (link). Rush orders are evaluated on a case by case basis. We will let you know as soon as possible whether we can fulfill your request. While a rush order does not garner an extra fee per se, you may incur additional fees if certain materials need to be expedited in order to fulfill your order.
CONSULTATIONS
If you need assistance making a decision, or would like to chat about details, please reach out to me via email. We can also arrange a time to video chat or by phone. If you are located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, we can also arrange to meet in person at a local coffee shop.
CUSTOMIZATION DETAILS
PRINT OPTIONS
For current invitation collections, digital (also called flat) printing is included. We are in the process of setting up our letter press and plan to offer letterpress printing very soon. We are so excited to get her up and running. Letterpress invitations often result in a longer turnaround time. If you are looking for foil printing which requires outsourcing, we can offer it through our custom design process.
PAPER CHOICES
All L+L+L invitation collections are digitally printed on premium matte card stock ($), on premium cotton card stock ($$) or gorgeous handmade cotton paper ($$$) or combination thereof. The matte card stock has a finish with an ever so subtle texture similar to that of an eggshell and is used in a suite for color and for two-sided printing. The cotton card stock paper has a soft, luxurious feel and the edges are clean and straight with printing limited to one side. The cotton handmade paper with deckled edges has a decidedly romantic and organic texture feel to it. Since it's literally every single sheet is made by hand, there will be imperfections and slight differences between each sheet. The beauty of the handmade paper is the imperfection and is considered part of the paper's character. The handmade paper option is not for you if you are looking for a clean, consistent look. As with the cotton card stock, printing is limited to one side.
WORDING
There are so many options available when it comes to wording your wedding suite. Upon purchase, you will receive some general guidelines in our "Anatomy of an Invitation” Guide to assist you.
DESIGN CHANGES
The collection designs have been carefully and intentionally created with the typography, graphics and layouts to create the best overall design. However, if you would like to make a simple change, we are happy to do this for you during the proofing process so long as the requested changes don’t significantly alter the scope of the suite.
CUSTOM DESIGN
If one of the L+L+L collections aren't exactly what you're looking for and you're looking for a one-of-a-kind design, we do offer custom services on a limited basis based on current workload and schedule. There is no limit to the amount of customizations with this option. The custom process takes longer and averages 14-16 weeks from initial consultation to production. Please visit --- page (link) for more information!
WHITE GLOVE DETAILS
ADDRESSING
Since L+L+L is a full service studio, all the L+L+L invitation collections include envelope addressing and are printed in the style shown in your collection. Each design is designed to complement the collection. Once you place an order, you will receive a Guest Address Spreadsheet to enter your guest names and addresses. We do offer options to upgrade to envelope addressing with full or half and half (spot)hand calligraphy. Please visit the calligraphy tab (link) for more details.
ASSEMBLY AND MAILING
All the L+L+L invitation collections include white glove assembly and mailing of your invitation suites. We take extra special care to assemble your invitation pieces with all the finishing touches you selected, insert them inside the envelope(s), apply all the postage, seal them and then mail the complete suite to your guests. We make sure everything is perfect.
TIMING
Wedding invitations should be sent out approximately 8-10 weeks before your wedding date. If you’re planning on having a destination wedding, or a wedding on a holiday weekend you should plan on sending them out at least 12-14 weeks in advance to allow your guests to plan for transportation and accommodations. Once the invitations are mailed, you should start planning your day of details.
POSTAGE DETAILS
POSTAGE COSTS
All invitation suites will vary in the amount of postage they require. Shape, weight, thickness and machineability will determine the final postage cost. Currently, a one ounce stamp costs $.55 and for every ounce over that up to 3.5 ounces, it’s an additional $.20 per ounce. For weights over 3.5 ounces, suites will be charged large envelope costs unless the envelope is rigid, non rectangular or non uniform when costs are then based on parcel prices. Most invitation suites start at 2 ounces costing a minimum of $.70 for the outer envelope. If you have anything on your invitation that may cause a “bulge” in your envelope such as a ribbon or wax seal, you’ll have to factor in an additional ounce to the cost. Response cards with an envelope are usually covered by a standard first class/forever stamp (currently $.55) and response postcards currently require a $.35 stamp. In order to get the exact amount, we take a fully assembled invitation suite to our local post office to have it weighed for accuracy before ordering stamps. Once the postage cost is determined, you are invoiced separately for the postage.
POSTAGE CHOICES
Postage stamps are one of the most forgotten aspect of your invitation suite. There are options for picking out postage for your suite to make it a fun way to dress up your envelopes and we can help you pick out the best postage for you. Here are a few different options:
MODERN USPS Stamps($)-- The US Post Office offers a wide variety stamps that can be used. Due to the weight of the invitation suites, multiple stamps may be required to add up to the correct postage needed. This is the most cost effective option.
VINTAGE Stamps($$$)-- Vintage stamps are all the craze right now. It is a fun and creative way to group coordinating stamps to elevate the look of your envelopes. The possibilities are endless.
USPS + Vintage Combo($$) If you are looking to use some vintage postage, the most cost effective approach is to start with a forever stamp and then add the vintage stamps to achieve the correct postage. Vintage stamps cost considerably more than the face value.
HAND CANCELING
Hand canceling is when an ink seal is stamped over the postage stamp(s), instead of running it through the machine. This helps prevent damage to your invitation suites. However, we have found that even if the envelope is hand canceled, it is not a guarantee that a post office down the process chain will not run your invitation through a machine, but it definitely helps your chances. It's just a fact of life. Some post offices don’t charge for this service, but some will charge the cost of an additional ounce to hand cancel them for you.