We recommend starting your invitation process 6–8 months before your wedding date. This allows ample time for design, proofing, production, and mailing — without the stress.

Starting early also gives you the opportunity to receive a lower shipping cost on custom invitation orders, as production materials can be shipped to us at a slower, more economical rate once they are completed.

Please note: this option applies only to our custom invitation line.

Once all wording and event details are finalized and approved, the timeline is as follows:

Design:
• Approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on client responsiveness and revision requests
• Clients may request up to 5 rounds of changes
• After 5 revisions, a $20 edit fee per additional change will apply
• To make the process easier, Sara shares the design file with clients after the first edit so they may make hands-on adjustments directly

Production:
• Approximately 2 weeks, depending on materials and specialty finishes
• Rush production is available for an additional fee

Shipping:
• Shipping time varies by carrier and manufacturer
• Fast shipping: typically under 1 week
• Economy shipping: up to 4 additional weeks after production
• Please note: production time is always 2 weeks, regardless of shipping method

Custom work takes time — exceptional details are never rushed

Yes. You will receive a digital proof prior to production. Nothing will be placed, ordered, or sent to production without the client’s full review, understanding, and written approval.

The digital proof is intended to clearly reflect the final design and align with what the client has in mind. It is the client’s responsibility to carefully review all details, including spelling, grammar, names, dates, quantities, layout, and design elements.

Once approval is given, the proof is considered final, and production will begin.

Once a proof has been approved, no changes can be made without additional cost. Any edits, corrections, or reprints requested after approval will be subject to additional fees, including full production costs.

When calculating how many invitations you need, always base your count on how many guests you are inviting, not households.

A good rule of thumb is to divide your total guest count in half, since most invitations are sent per household or couple.

Example:
If you are expecting 400 guests, we recommend ordering 200 invitation cards, plus an additional 20 invitations as backups for keepsakes, last-minute guests, or mailing errors.

Reordering smaller quantities later will result in a significantly higher cost per piece due to wholesale minimums and production requirements. Please note that all custom invitations are priced based on wholesale value — the smaller the quantity ordered, the higher the per-piece cost.

Yes. RSVP cards and QR codes are available upon request.

Please be prepared to decide whether you would like traditional RSVP cards or a QR code option, as pricing will vary based on your selection.

Traditional RSVP Cards:
These require printed RSVP cards, reply envelopes, and a printed return address, which will affect your overall quote.

QR Code RSVP Option:
With the QR code option, only a printed insert or side card is needed. Formal Invites offers its own QR RSVP database for a small additional monthly fee to manage and maintain the system.

Formal Invites is responsible for creating and setting up the QR code. However, clients are responsible for monitoring guest responses.

Our QR system is easy to use, simple to manage, and includes a feature that allows guests to select their meal choices when responding.

Formal Invites is currently in the process of developing an enhanced QR RSVP database that will limit the number of guests allowed per invitation. This feature is not active at this time.

At this stage, the QR database allows guests to enter the number of attendees they plan to bring when submitting their RSVP. Clients are responsible for reviewing responses and managing attendance accordingly.

Once this enhanced database feature becomes active, outside QR RSVP databases will not be permitted with your order. Clients will be required to use either:

• The Formal Invites QR RSVP database, or

• A QR code linked directly to an existing wedding website already created by the client.

Any other QR database options will not be accepted, and orders using unsupported QR systems may be declined.

Guest addressing is available as an add-on service:
• $2 per guest for custom invitations
• $1 per guest for pre-made invitations

Please note that Formal Invites does not include postage in any quote. Postage and mailing are not our responsibility, and once invitations leave our hands, they are under the responsibility of the shipping carrier. Any damage or breakage that occurs during transit is also not the responsibility of Formal Invites.

Formal Invites does not calculate or manage postage costs for clients. However, we are always transparent and happy to advise based on experience regarding estimated postage costs.

All custom invitation quotes include a printed return address. For pre-made invitations, printed return addressing is available as an add-on of $45 per print, which includes the main envelope and RSVP envelope.

Absolutely. We guide clients through traditional, modern, and custom wording options to ensure invitations reflect their style, culture, and event tone.

Yes — and we highly recommend it for a cohesive and elevated event design.

We offer a full range of matching day-of stationery, including:
• Seating charts
• Welcome signs
• Bar signs
• Cocktail stirs
• Cocktail napkins
• Menus
• Thank you cards
• Tent cards
• Meal cards
• Place cards
• Programs and more

Keeping your invitations and day-of pieces consistent creates a seamless look from start to finish — if it doesn’t flow, it’s not Formal Invites

A non-refundable deposit or full payment is required before production begins. ALL orders are final. 
For out-of-town clients, full payment is required prior to production.

Payment confirms your spot on our design schedule.

Every piece is custom designed, carefully produced, and thoughtfully executed. We focus on quality, luxury materials, and cohesive design — not shortcuts.

Your invitation is the first impression of your event. We make sure it speaks for you.