Frequently Asked Questions

Are your invitations the same ones found in retail stores?
Yes! You can be assured that any invitations ordered with us are the exact same invitations found in retail store albums. All Carlson Craft orders are printed and shipped to you from Carlson Craft, all Checkerboard orders are printed and shipped to you straight from Checkerboard, etc. The only difference is, that by being a wholesal retailer, we eliminate the overhead costs of a retail store which allows us to offer a great discount!

How many wedding invitations should I order?
As a general guideline, it is always recommended that you order at least 25 more wedding invitations than you plan to send out to account for any last minute guests or addressing mistakes. Ordering 25 extra is much less expensive, as re-orders are charged as a new set of 25.

What printing process is used?
Invite me offers all styles of printing. We carry engraved, letterpress, thermongraphy, flat & glaze printed invitations.

How much should I budget for invitations?
It is suggested that your wedding stationery budget should be 6% of your total budget.

When should I mail my invitations?
Generally, it is recommended that you mail your invitations out 8 weeks before the wedding. If you are planning a large wedding or one with many out of town guests, you may want to send them 10 weeks before your wedding.

How should I convey that children are not invited?
Printing "No Children" on an invitation is considered to be a breach of etiquette. Two options below are
generally recommended:

"Adult Reception" on reception card
"Number of adults___" on response card

How should I word my wedding invitations?
There are many ways to word your invitation depending on the style of your wedding, family situation, and your personal taste. When you place an order, you will have the option of choosing a verse or creating your own verse. For more wording help, please contact Invite Me.

Etiquette & Grammar
When titles are used, the husband’s title always comes first:
Doctor and Mrs. Robert A. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Smith

Without title, the wife’s name should come first:
Amanda and Robert Smith

With children’s names added
The father’s name should come first, then the wife’s name, followed by the children’s names listed according to age (oldest first):
The Jones Family
Ryan, Amanda, Logan and Julie

Monograms and Typestyle
How do I enter my initials for a monogram? A monogram comes with your last name initial larger and your first and middle names smaller. The first initial of your LAST name should be in the MIDDLE. If you name is Sarah Elizabeth Smith, your monogram would be sSe.
How do I create a joint monogram with my husband? For monograms, as a general rule, the woman's initial should be listed first. The order would be: Wife First Name; Last Name; Husband First Name. If your name is Sarah and Robert Smith, your monogram would be sSr.
Initials
Your initials come in all the same size and in the correct order of your name. If your name is Sarah Elizabeth Smith, your initials would be SES.

Printing Methods
Engraving is one of the oldest processes for printing, and it is considered to be the epitome of good taste and elegance. Engraving involves etching the text onto a copper plate. During the printing process, the plate is coated with ink and then compressed onto the paper, creating the printed text in a slightly raised impression and leaving a bruise on the back of the paper. After purchasing an engraved item, the plate will be sent to you with the stationery and it will serve you for a lifetime of fine stationery usage. The process is relatively expensive but well worth the investment.
Thermography is a modern process using ink and a powder resin combined with heat to produce a raised lettering similar in feeling to engraving. Often, thermography is used as a less expensive alternative to engraving on formal invitations, but it is also an appropriate choice for informal invitations and everyday stationery items.
Flat , Matte or Offset Printing In flat, matte or offset printing, the ink appears to lay flat atop the paper. It's less expensive than engraving or thermography, and creates a less formal look. A metal or paper plate is imaged from a black and white image, typically from a laser printer. The plate is treated so that the ink adheres to the image. The plate is then hung on a press, and the image is transferred onto paper.
Embossing Also called blind embossing, this process creates a raised impression on a sheet of paper by pressing the paper between two heated metal dies. One die, fits into the other mirror-image die together like a lock and key. The embossing is termed "blind" because the design is formed without ink or foil.

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Please contact Invite Me for Wedding Invitation Sample Wording Suggestions