Hints, tips and frequently asked questions

When should I order my stationery? How long will the order take?
As soon as you have selected your chosen design you may place an order with me. From the date that you return your proof and 50% deposit, I will commence work on your order and will have it ready to be delivered to you within 6 weeks or at a mutually agreed time ie, if you are planning your wedding well ahead of time! At this stage we will agree a delivery date. If you require your order to be 'expressed' (made in less than 6 weeks) a charge may be added to your order depending on current workload - please ask for details.

When should I send out my invites?
The suggested time for sending out your wedding invitations is no later than 6 weeks before your wedding date. This is only guidance and can be done earlier if preferred - please consider busy summer months, when invitations should be sent at least 12 weeks before your wedding date. I suggest that you send out your day invites first, collate the replies and then send out the evening ones, hence avoiding having to ask an evening guest to the whole day to make up numbers, and making them feel second best!

NB: If you have 80 guests to the day then you do not need 80 invitations and the same applies to the evening invitations. Allow one invitation per couple/family.

I'm getting married abroad. Can I still have wedding stationery?
Yes! If a bride and groom are getting married overseas and are then having a big celebration back home afterwards, then I can provide the invitations for these.

Can I have boxes instead of cards?
Yes. Should your design be better suited to a box rather than a card this can be accommodated. Please ask for prices.

Can you do different card sizes?
I have given two sizes on my price list but I can supply other sizes if requested - just ask.

What should I do if I run out of stationery once my order has been delivered to me?
Not a problem. Firstly please contact me as soon as possible and let me know what you require and I will agree with you a date for delivery - the price of each additional card will be the same as your previous order and postage will be charged at a first class rate which will be advised to you. Your extra cards will be despatched to you once payment has been received.

Can my order be adapted to suit my colour scheme?
You will see that my designs have been produced in a wide selection of colours. If, however, your theme is not represented in my samples, please contact me to see if they can be adapted to suit you. If you have a design in mind that you do not see within my portfolio, then please discuss your ideas with me, as I am able to meet any design requirements you may have.

Personalisation
I am pleased to be able to offer a free personalisation service on your wedding stationery. This does not mean the design of the card can change but the inserts will be personalised for your wedding where applicable. Please note that this does not include the name place cards - please see price list for further details.

Do you offer a thank you card service?
Let me save you time and worry when you return from your honeymoon. I am able to offer a 'Thank You card' service whereby, from the details supplied by yourself, I can send each of your guests a personalised thank you card (to be agreed by both parties). Please see price list for the cost of this extra available service.

Bride and groom thank you cards - I can personalise your thank you card by using a photo of the bride and groom in the cover of the card. The cards are available with round, square, heart plus other aperture designs. All you need to do is decide which shape you want and supply me with a photo(s).

What wedding stationery do I need and how many should I order?
I have listed below the general wedding stationery available to you but please speak to me if you would like to discuss any ideas you may have.

Hold that date cards - a great way to secure your special date in your guests diaries if it is too early to send out your invitations. Please allow one invitation per couple/family. It is advised that you order some spares to allow for mistakes or if you need to invite extra guests.

Wedding invitations - sent to guests that you invite to both your wedding ceremony and your day reception. Please allow one invitation per couple/family. It is advised that you order some spares to allow for mistakes or if you need to invite extra guests.

Evening invitations - are sent to those guests attending the evening reception only. Please allow one invitation per couple/family. It is advised that you order some spares to allow for mistakes or if you need to invite extra guests.

Reply cards - sent out with your wedding and evening invitations so that your guests are encouraged to reply to you. These can be stamped and addressed by yourself. The envelopes for the reply cards are provided and for a small additional cost, printed labels can be provided. I can also offer a 'reply card' service. This service will take away the task of you collating the responses from your guests - the replies from your guests will be sent to 'Something Special Weddings' and the numbers fed back to you, leaving you more time to organise other aspects of your big day! Costs for this service can be found on the price list. You should allow for one reply card for each wedding/evening invitation you send. Again a few spares are advisable.

Orders of service/Order of the day ('OOS') - are available for your guests and are normally distributed by your ushers as guests arrive, so that they may follow the proceedings of your wedding ceremony (entrance music, hymns, prayers and the marriage). The 'OOS' can also include any poems or readings you may wish to include and special dedications to family or friends. You must agree the contents of the 'OOS' with your vicar/registrar before it goes to print. Please allow one for each guest and extra copies for the clergy/registrar and choir.

Place cards - identifies where your guests are to be seated. They can be used in conjunction with a table plan if desired. Name place cards are provided both blank and individually personalised - please refer to my price list.

Table plans - available as an extra touch to your reception. They are available as a special order and made to match your wedding stationery. Please refer to my price list or ask for further details.

Menus - a lovely touch for your guests. They can be made available per guest or supplied so that a number are placed on each table for your guests to share.

Thank you cards - to compliment your wedding stationery, why not continue your theme by sending out matching thank you cards to your guests? These are supplied with a blank insert for your own choice of words and should be sent to your guests when you return from your honeymoon.

Envelopes
Where applicable each card is provided with a top quality envelope. I have many different types of card that I use with different textures and colours to choose from for wedding and baby cards - they can also come in straight edge or deckle edge.