INVITATION GUIDE

ADD-ON:

These items or services can be ordered to add to the aesthetic of the design. They can also make your life a little easier before the big day.

Envelope Printing: The return address digitally printed on the back flap of the outer envelopes and the address printed on the front of the reply envelopes. Having the return addresses and reply envelopes printed will save you time and money should you decide to hire a calligrapher or hand address your envelopes. Traditionally, reply cards were addressed to the Bride’s parents (if they were paying for the wedding), but now it’s really whoever is keeping track of the guest list. I recommend using the spreadsheet you’ve started for addresses and having a column to track attendance.

Guest Addressing: Individual guest names and addresses are digitally printed onto the outer envelopes. The same fonts and styling used in your invitation would be used for the addresses. All you have to submit is your finalized guest list as a formatted Excel file with formatted columns.

Belly Band: A belly band is a strip of paper that wraps around all the stacked items in your invitation suite to neatly hold them together. It’s also a great place to add a personalized touch like a monogram, illustration, or favourite quote, lyric or scripture.

Tag & Twine Wrap: A printed paper tag is a nice way to add detail or a pop of colour while holding the stationery items of your suite together, similar to the belly band.

Custom Map: The map is drawn digitally or by hand and is tailored to your wedding with locations, roads, addresses, landmarks, etc. Custom maps are a fun way to personalize the experience for your guests while giving them important information. The map is often printed on the back side of the details card, but could also be used for welcome bags or on your wedding website.

Assembly: Packaging your invitation suite and making sure each suite is stacked with enclosure items and ready to mail to your guests.

Mailing Service: Establishing accurate postage rates, applying postage and mailing out to guests.

DAY-OF:

Printed materials for your wedding day service and reception.

Ceremony Program: A folding or non-folding card that lists the order of ceremony, wedding party, music, thank you message from the Bride and Groom, or any additional information about your marriage service. Your guests can read this while they are waiting for the service to begin and let’s them know what to expect. It’s also a keepsake for friends and family.

Menu: Menus clearly outline the meal and can be part of the table arrangements. Buffet dinners do not require a menu. Bar menus are also a fun option.

Place Card: A small card (usually folding table tent style) that includes each person’s name and indicates where they will sit according to your seating arrangement. If your guests have pre-selected their meal choice, you can have their meal on the place card so the servers can see where to serve the meals. If you’re having open seating, you won’t need place cards or escort cards.

Escort Card: A small card (folding or flat) that includes each person’s name and their table number. These can be arranged at a display where guests will find their card and bring it with them to their designated table.

Table Number: Numbers or names for each table at your reception, so your guests can easily locate where they’re seated.

Thank You Card: For after the wedding when you’re thanking people for wedding gifts or for starting your new married life out with some personalized stationery, Thank you cards from the newlyweds can match your wedding invitations or be a unique design.

Signage: Signs for your ceremony and reception that instruct or inform your guests. Some examples would be signage for… welcome sign, seating at the ceremony, arrows for direction (reception this way), guest book signing, photo booth, gift table, favors, social media hashtag, bar menu or signature cocktail menu, cake or dessert display, etc.

PRINTING METHODS

FLAT/DIGITAL PRINTING ($)
Flat printing is the most budget-friendly printing option. Your design will be digitally printed on the paper, leaving a smooth and flat image. Flat printing is available on light or dark papers or envelopes.

LETTERPRESS ($$)
Letterpress printing is a type of relief printing. A custom plate of your design is inked up and pressed into the paper, leaving a beautiful impression of your design that you can feel.

FOIL ($$$)
Foil stamping is similar to letterpress printing, but instead of ink, foil is used to print your design.

ENVELOPES

Matte envelope options ($)

Shimmery envelope options ($$)

Timing is everything! With so many details to think about, this suggested timeline will take some of the stress off. A great place to start is determining your guest count and budget. Also, gather inspiration that reflects the look and feel you want for your wedding and paper goods.

9 – 12 MONTHS
Placing your order for Save the Dates 9 to 12 months before your wedding will help you stay on schedule. If you are planning a destination wedding, your wedding date is on a popular holiday, or you are inviting out-of-town guests, ordering the 2-piece Save the Date Suite is recommended.

6 – 8 MONTHS
I suggest mailing your Save the Dates 6 to 8 months before your wedding day. For guests travelling from out of town, 8 months will allow a little more time for them to plan their travel.

4 – 6 MONTHS
Place your order for your Invitation Suite 4 to 6 months before your wedding date.

3 MONTHS
I recommend ordering your day-of pieces approximately 3 months before your wedding date. Think menus, place cards, vow books, programs, seating chart, welcome sign… Although you may need to wait to receive responses from your guests before finalizing certain details, placing your order ensures your place in our schedule (wording and seating charts can be finalized closer to production).

2 MONTHS
Invitation Suites are typically mailed out 2 months before your wedding day. Consider adding-on envelope printing and assembly when ordering your Invitation Suite. Both of these options will save you precious time and can be found in the Add-Ons & Day-Of Materials section below.

4 WEEKS
Response cards typically note a reply by date 4 weeks before your wedding. Your guests should be responding by the date given which allows the seating chart to be finalized.

UP TO 3 MONTHS AFTER THE WEDDING
Send out Thank You cards within 3 months of the wedding.

One of the first elements your wedding guests will see are your invitations. Your guests will get some insight into details like your wedding’s formality, colour scheme, and overall tone form the wording and design of the invitation. This guide will outline some ideas, both formal and informal, to help you find the perfect wording for your wedding invitation.

ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR INVITATION WORDING

Ensure the “who, when, where and why” details are very clear and easy to read for both formal and casual weddings. Additional elements to include in your invitation are shown below.

Host Names

The first line of the invitation is dedicated to the host of the wedding, also known as the party covering the expenses. Traditionally, the bride’s parents paid for the wedding but with changing times, the groom’s parents, bride and groom, or a combination of all three are contributing. There is no official order or requirement to list the names. It’s all up to personal preference.

The Couple’s Names

Ladies first! The Bride’s name should be listed before the Groom’s name. Same sex couples are named alphabetically, however, it’s all up to personal style.

The Details

The most important part of your wedding invitations is the details. Simply include the date, time, location, and address. Spelling out the date and time lends a more formal feel to the invitation.

• Date & time
• Location & address
• Dress code
• Any other pertinent information

Post Ceremony Plans

Letting your guests know what to expect after the ceremony is a great way to set the tone for your reception and helps to convey clear expectations. If there’s a cocktail hour or dancing and dinner, it’s good to note it here. If the reception will be held at a separate venue you should also include the address.

Design Elements

The personal style of your wedding should be reflected in the design since this will be the first thing your guests will see when they open the invitation. Some additional design elements that you may consider including are:

• Monogram & symbol
• Borders & patterns
• Engagement photos
• Sweet phrases
  • Getting hitched
  • We do
  • Love
  • All we need is love
  • We decided on forever
  • Forever and Always
  • To love and to cherish
  • The future Mr. & Mrs. _____
  • At Last
  • & Mrs.
  • Share in our love

WEDDING INVITATION WORDING IDEAS

There are many great wording options for your invitations whether you are planning a formal or informal affair. Many couples like to use a hybrid of formal and informal wording since some weddings aren’t clearly formal or informal.

Formal Greetings & Phrases

• The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of _____
• _____ request the honor of your presence at the marriage of _____
• _____ invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children _____
• Together with their parents you are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of _____
• _____ request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their union
• _____ joyfully request the pleasure of your company as we exchange vows
• You are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of _____
• You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of _____
• _____ request the pleasure of your company at their wedding
• _____ request your presence on the day of their marriage
• We invite you to share in our joy and request your presence at the wedding of _____

Informal Greetings & Phrases

• You are invited to the wedding of _____
• You are invited to celebrate the marriage of _____
• Your presence is requested at the wedding of _____
• _____ request the pleasure of your company at their wedding
• _____ joyfully invite you to share in a celebration of love and commitment
• _____ invite you to celebrate their marriage
• Together with our families we joyfully invite you to the wedding of _____
• _____ invite you to join them in the celebration of their union
• _____ invite you to join them at their wedding
• _____ invite you to share in their joy as they become husband and wife
• _____ invite you to their wedding on _____
• Join us for the wedding of _____
• Kindly join us at the wedding of _____
• Please join us for our wedding
• _____ will say “I do”
• _____ invite you to join them as they say “I do”
• Please come help us celebrate our love
• _____ request the pleasure of your company as they exchange vows
• With joyful hearts, _____ request your presence at their wedding
• The wedding day of _____
• We’re getting married, please join us
• _____ join together as husband and wife
• _____ are getting hitched
• _____ would be honored to have you present when we exchange vows

Reception Wording

If you are hosting a post ceremony celebration make sure to include that in your invitation. If your reception is at a different location, make sure that you include the additional address or direct guests to your wedding website for more information. Consider these wording options:

Informal Reception Wording

• Dinner and dancing to follow
• Merriment to follow
• Followed by dinner and dancing
• Drinks and dancing to follow
• Dinner, drinks and dancing to follow
• Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow
• Adult reception to follow

Formal Post Ceremony Wording

• Reception to follow
• An evening of celebration to follow
• Followed by an evening of celebration

Different Location Reception Wording

• Reception immediately following at _____
• Dinner to follow at _____
• Reception to follow at _____
• Reception to follow at the residence of _____

EXAMPLES OF WEDDING INVITATION WORDING

Terms & Conditions – Hilside Digital Design Co. 2020

We encourage you to read carefully and understand fully the following terms and conditions before placing any order. By entering into a business relationship with Hilside Digital Design Co. (Hilside Design), you (the Client) agree and consent to the following terms and conditions. These are provided as the basis for a good working relationship.

Should you have questions regarding our services left unanswered after reading this page, email hilsidedesign@gmail.com directly.

Design
Great care and attention to detail is incorporated in our designs; elements are intentionally crafted to best fit the whole aesthetic and quality of our products and services. Although the wording for the invitation suites may differ from suite to suite, Hilside Design has the sole discretion to layout the copy as deemed fit without changing the overall design.

Style
The Client has spent a satisfactory amount of time reviewing Hilside Design’s work and has a reasonable expectation that services will be provided in a similar manner and style unless otherwise specified at the beginning of the project. Inspiration photos containing other designers or artists’ creations will not be copied.

Mailing Service
Hilside Design is not responsible for lost or damaged mail; however, we do our best to adhere to Canada Post’s mailing rules to avoid unnecessary issues. Hilside Design is not responsible for any returned mail due to incorrect addressing format, custom ink, and insufficient postage.

Due to the high volume of mail and parcels sent out in the months of November and December because of the holidays, we do not recommend mailing out your wedding invitations in these months. Should you decide to mail them out in these months, please note that it might take longer for mail delivery.

Return, Refund, & Exchange Policy
Due to the customized nature of your order, we do not offer returns, refunds, or exchanges. All sales are considered final. Orders with spelling, spacing, address, or other such mistakes that were present on the proofs approved by the client are not our responsibility. Clients may request a reprint, but we have sole discretion to approve or deny the request. If the reprint request is approved, the full cost of the reprint and a setup fee ($100) will be covered by the client. If the pieces that the client received do not match the approved proof, we will reprint all affected items free of charge.

Each order is packaged with great care to ensure that your wedding paper goods are delivered in perfect condition. However, we cannot accept full responsibility if your items are damaged in the mail. Once we release the package to a third-party mail carrier, we also relinquish liability for the shipping and handling of the package. We are unable to refund money on a purchase that is lost, damaged, etc. in transit to the client. Please make sure to input the correct shipping address.

We want you to be happy and satisfied with your order. Please contact us within 5 business days upon receipt of your order, in the unlikely event of being dissatisfied with our products.

Cancellations
If you decide to cancel your order before final proof approval, you forfeit your 50% initial deposit. If you cancel your order after your final proof is approved, we retain the right to keep the full amount paid. If any errors are discovered after final approval, it will be necessary to charge you for a reprint (if requested). Orders cancelled after the printing/production process has begun will not be refunded.

Errors
Invitation Suites and Day-of Wedding Stationery: In case the error was made by Hilside Design, we will reprint the items at no additional cost. In case the error was on the Client’s part, the Client will be responsible for any extra charges.

Envelope Addressing: In case the error was made by Hilside Design, we will reproduce and send a corrected envelope at no additional cost. In case the error was found on the submitted final list by the Client, we will reproduce and send a corrected envelope at the client’s expense.

Colour Disclaimer
We do our very best to show the most accurate representation of invitation suites and other wedding stationery and products. Due to the many variations of monitors, please note colours on digital proofs may slightly differ as computer screens are not calibrated equally. Digital ink, letterpress ink, and metallic foil colours may slightly differ to what is seen on-screen.

Currency & Payment
All prices shown are in Canadian Dollars. Payments for services and products can be made through PayPal. Canadian clients have the option to pay for some services through electronic transfer of funds.

INVITATION SUITES – To book a spot in our calendar, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required prior to beginning your order. For printed items such as invitation suites, the second half is due prior to sending the design to the printers.

ENVELOPE GUEST ADDRESSING – We recommend you send us the FINAL addresses at least 3-4 weeks before your requested completion date. Should you need to add or change guest names and addresses, the invoice will be adjusted, and payment is due prior to shipping and delivery of items. Please note a set-up fee of $25 per additional batch of guest addresses will be added to the final invoice.

DAY-OF ITEMS & SIGNAGES – To book a spot in our calendar, the full payment is required prior to production. These items include, but are not limited to, place cards, welcome signs, guest seating charts and table arrangements, bar menus, quote signs, large directional signs, etc. Should the client request any changes during the production stage, Hilside Design reserves the right to charge any additional costs and payment is required prior to shipping and delivery of items.

 Shipping & Delivery
Canada Post (Canadian addresses) or FedEx (Canadian – express, US and International addresses) are used for tracked and insured shipment on invitation suite and day-of-item orders. The Client agrees to provide the correct address to avoid delays or having the package returned to sender. We recommend providing us with an address where you or someone you trust can sign for your invitation package. Hilside Design’s shipments require a signature upon receipt, unless otherwise discussed. Shipping times may vary, see estimated standard delivery times below:

Estimated Standard Delivery Times

• Canada: 3-7 business days
• USA: 5-10 business days
• International: 7-14 business days

Estimated Shipping Costs (*will depend on weight and size of parcel)

• Canada: CA$25-100*
• USA & International: CA$30-150*

A shipping deposit will be calculated when placing your order. Upon completion of your order, your suites will be packaged, weighed, and final shipping cost will be invoiced. Upon receipt of payment, your order will be shipped and tracking information will be provided. Once your order has been shipped, Hilside Design is not liable for any damages caused by the courier, severe weather conditions, or any circumstance beyond our control.

CUSTOMS FEES – Hilside Design operates in Canada; therefore, we have no control over duties and taxes on shipments sent overseas. Please familiarize yourself with your country’s policies on customs duties and brokerage fees prior to booking. All customs fees are the responsibility of the Client.

 Production, Proofs, Timeline, & Printing
Due to the custom and handmade nature of our products and services, the following are estimated timelines. Production timeline may vary from one order to another and may depend on the complexity of design, chosen print method, additional embellishments, client communication, submission of requirements, shipping schedule, etc. Delay in the Client approving proofs will result in delay of the order.

PRINTING QUANTITY – Once your order has gone to print, we are unable to reduce the quantity of the sets you’ve placed. If you need to order more and your order has gone to print, a set-up fee and additional time will be added to your project’s production.

CUSTOM – Custom Invitation Suites generally require 4-5 weeks to design and produce, upon approval of digital proof. This may vary depending on Hilside Design’s production calendar.

Custom suites include three initial proposed layout concepts, three rounds of revisions one selected concept. The Client is encouraged to triple-check everything before approving and allowing Hilside Design to send your order to production and printing. Additional rounds of revisions are $50 each and may add 1-2 weeks in production, depending on the design and schedule.

Digital proofs are sent to the Client electronically and require approval within 3 business days to avoid delays in production.

SEMI-CUSTOM – The Collection suites generally require 3-4 weeks to design and produce, upon approval of digital proof. This may vary depending on Hilside Design’s production calendar.

Semi-custom suites include one round of revision. The Client is encouraged to triple-check everything before approving and allowing Hilside Design to send your order to production and printing. This revision includes changes in wording, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Additional rounds of revisions are $50 each and may add 1-2 weeks in production.

Digital proofs are sent to the Client electronically and require approval within 3 business days to avoid delays in production.

DAY-OF ITEMS – The production timeline for day-of event items will vary depending on each order. If requested, Hilside Design will provide a quote and timeline.

COMMISSIONED PROJECTS – Each year Hilside Design accepts requests for several commissioned projects. If you feel we are the right fit for your project, please contact us to discuss.

Exclusivity
The Client understands and agrees that she/he has hired Hilside Design exclusive of any other design service provider. In order to provide a high level of satisfaction and quality of service, no other service providers, other than any assistant or third party that Hilside Design agrees to complete the services outlined in the agreement prepared prior to the job order, are permitted to provide the same or similar services or products, paid or unpaid, at the locations and dates specified in the agreement.

Privacy Policy
Hilside Design respects your privacy. Information collected will only be used for our communication during the design process. We will never share, sell, transfer, nor give your information to any third party, without your consent.

Social Media & Photo Release
On occasion, Hilside Design shares designs on social media. We are proud of our work and we respect your privacy! Should the Client have any reservations regarding this, we request notification prior to beginning the design process. Unless otherwise agreed, Hilside Design reserves the right to share the artworks and designs created by Hilside Design on social media, website, and online blogs in our sole discretion.

Hilside Design is granted permission by the Client to use images of the design order for marketing and promotional purposes, unless otherwise agreed. The Client also grants Hilside Design permission to directly contact the Client’s photographer and acquire photos from them.

Pricing
Hilside Design reserves the right to adjust the pricing for our products listed online at any time without further notice. Booking our services as soon as you have finalized your wedding date and venue is recommended to avoid delays and/or rush fees.

Ownership of Artwork
All original designs, art, and imagery on this website or purchased products and services remain the property of Hilside Design. You may not reproduce the design, art, and imagery without the written permission of Hilside Design. Please contact us if you are interested in exclusive rights to the original art and designs so we would be able to provide you the appropriate quote.

Changes to Terms
We encourage you to read our Terms and Conditions every time you visit our website as we update them periodically. We reserve the right to modify our pricing, imagery, services, products, and terms, at any time without prior notice.