Frequently asked Wedding Questions

Does Saint Clair offer wedding invitations over the Internet?
No! Internet images are very low resolution (72dpi) and often purposely distorted by many vendors to avoid reproduction.  More importantly, the feel and weight of the paper is as important as the visual impact of the invitation.  Font colors and raised printing or letterpress are simply too varied and subtle to be adequately represented on a website.   I strongly suggest that you read buying invitations over the Internet for some friendly advice on some of the issues of buying online. 

A wedding invitation is much like a wedding dress.  The color and texture of the various fabrics and satins must be seen and felt to be appreciated.  Once you have made your selection, you then work with your seamstress to make the necessary alterations to obtain the proper fit.  Selecting the proper wedding invitation is similar.  Your stationer will show you a variety of paper and printing styles, fonts and monograms, bows and ribbons and envelope linings.  At times, it may seem a bit overwhelming but eventually it all comes together.  Now begins the hard part: wedding etiquette.  There is little worse than defacing a beautifully designed invitation with poor word selection, grammar and the lack of proper wedding etiquette. 

If you insist on doing your invitation yourself or online, please get a copy of Crane's Wedding Blue Book to walk you through the proper etiquette of a wedding invitation. Also, visit William Arthur online for a free brochure on planning your wedding.

When should I start looking for my invitations?
Ideally, begin at least six months before the wedding date to give you sufficient time to locate, place and receive your order.  There are many choices available and two or more visits with your stationer are often required before making your selection.  After making your choice, the printing of invitations can take between one week and twelve weeks depending on the invitation you have selected. 

How long does it initially take to review all my options?
Plan on a minimum of an hour to two hours to narrow down your invitation options and develop an action plan.   We strongly recommend to make an appointment so that there is no wait for service.

When do I mail my invitations? 
Send them so that your guests receive them at least eight weeks before the event. Take into account mailing time so that you may need to mail people living farther away earlier than others. A summer mailing for a fall wedding should be sent so that guests receive them nine to ten weeks before the date since people may be vacationing and will open their mail later than usual

Do I need to send a save-the-date notice before the wedding invitation?
Save-the-date announcements are highly recommended when the wedding is taking place in a location where advance planning is essential; otherwise, your guests will not have enough time to book hotels and transportation. Examples: a wedding on Nantucket, in the West Indies or in Europe.  Also, you should consider using a save-the-date announcement if your wedding event is scheduled near a major holiday or around a popular vacation period.

What’s the point of engraved invitations versus thermography?
Engraving is an older, more traditional type of printing process. Perhaps your mother (and grandmother) had their wedding invitations engraved. Ink colors tend to look richer than and avoid the shininess of thermography inks. The invitations are substantial plus the plates used to print your order are returned as a keepsake (often ending up framed or turned into trays).

How do I word my invitations? Am I locked into the etiquette book world of just a few, strict options?
Traditional wording is never out of style or place. There is flexibility, however, in wording based upon the setting and other considerations. Please consult with your trusted stationer. While there are clear guidelines on what is considered proper etiquette, practical good taste should reign supreme!

I want a more modern invitation while my parents want traditional. How do I please everyone? 
Although important to respect family likes and dislikes, all participants must agree upon the happiness of the bride on HER wedding day. It is also possible to adjust wording, type, paper and design to reach a compromise and avoid a long, protracted battle.

Are reply cards necessary?
Reply sets are a necessary evil for any first-time wedding for over 50 people or more. There are ways to lessen the "fill-in-the-blank" look of the r.sv.p. card while still providing a practical means of response.

Do I need a directions or accommodation card? 
Unless most of the invitees are from the surrounding area, directions are needed. Maps tend to confuse people so stick to words. Accommodations are useful and can be combined with the directions card, if needed. It is not necessary to do directions for a city wedding (e.g. New York City) but accommodation recommendations may be most helpful.

My handwriting is terrible. I need someone to address my envelopes. Any ideas? Saint Clair can recommend either hand or machine calligraphy. Our hand calligraphers are independent contractors who work directly with you, offering a very artistic, individualized form of addressing your envelopes. Especially good for matching ink colors other than black or grey as well as specific type styles.  We have samples of each artists' work in our salon. Very important to contact the calligrapher once you have placed your wedding order. Hand calligraphy normally requires a two to three week turnaround.

Machine calligraphy is done in our graphics department on the premises. It is a pen and ink system that simulates hand calligraphy, albeit without a lot of flourishes.   Also, on certain paper stock we can produce quality calligaphy with an ink-jet or laser printer.  Please schedule your calligraphy addressing once your wedding order is placed to insure that you will meet your mail date.

What about wedding programs?
Programs are often the most detail-intensive component, requiring more time than even the invitation itself. From simple cards to mini-booklets, there are an infinite number of format and design options. Review all details of your service with whomever is presiding and bring us a verbatim outline of order of the ceremony, including readings/readers, music and participants. Place your wedding program order at least one month prior to the wedding day.

What else do I need?
Thank you notes, for before and after your wedding; escort sets and/or place cards; and menu cards. Please bring in your list for escorts, etc. at least two weeks before the main event (or, at least, 80 % of your list). Thank you notes and Menus can take two to three weeks depending on quantity and design.