It is very important that whenever you decide on a wedding invitation that you make sure to get a sample wedding invitation before having the company or designer go ahead and create them for you. Some companies will send you a digital copy of the invitation for you to look over for this purpose. This can actually be really great if you’re in a big hurry and need quick turn around, but I really don’t think that this is the best thing to go by whenever you are putting forth this type of expense.
It is very different to see something like this on a computer screen than to actually see it in person. It is important to hold the invitation in your hands and see the texture and true colors of the paper and inks. You cannot truly appreciate this on a computer screen. This also gives you an opportunity to include any sort of vellum or tissue or even ribbons that you may be using as part of the invitation.
Seeing the invitation in person also allows you a better opportunity to catch any type of mistakes or size issues that you hadn’t considered. It really is a good idea to show a good handful of people the invitation so that they also have a chance to help you catch any mistakes. Whoever designed the invitation will not know if there is a misspelling in names or street addresses unless you let them know.
When you receive a wedding invitation sample you should also keep in mind how much time it takes you to actually assemble it. If you are planning on doing the assembly yourself you’ll have to allow for this and the more complicated the invitation is the more time it will take to do the assembly. When you actually receive the sample wedding invitation, this is a great time to try to judge how long it will take you if you plan on going with that wedding invitation.
Another reason to get wedding invitations samples is to try and make a decision about what type of wedding invitation that you would like. Typically, companies will send you a stock sample wedding invitation because the expense of actually doing them custom can add up. Of course some places will go ahead and actually do this but they probably will charge for the sample, and even at that any charge for the stock sample wedding invitation as well. Most companies do not give away free wedding invitation samples because this could really add up to the lot of money.
You might think that getting a wedding invitation sample is an added step that keeps you from getting the invitations done as quickly as you would like. Not rushing the process can really help you in the long run and actually keep you from added expenses and wasted time when you really don’t have a lot of time or money to spend.
I'm a graphic designer who has been working in the field for 7 years. Currently I am finishing up my graphic communications degree from the University of Houston. I have created many invitations for friends over the years including some wedding invitations. I actually really enjoy designing them and hope to be able to supply them sometime in the future. For now, I am just going to have to settle with sharing what I know about them.
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I for one wish that I had seen this blog before I had my wedding as all of the articles would have been very helpful. This article especially brings back a memory though as I should have really gotten a sample before I purchased. I purchased all of my wedding invitations and then after receiving them, I did not like them at all. I was very sad because then I had to shell out more cash just to get some invitations I liked. Of course, this time, I got a sample before buying.
Jacob I feel the way you felt. I too was unsatisfied about the wedding invitations when I got married. Imagine 5 weeks of planning and one small thing(the wedding invitations) delayed my wedding. I ordered the wedding consultant to do another wedding invitations. I kept an eye on the invitations. Imagine how much embarrassment we got from our guests. It was mistake not to take research on the Internet. This site could have done all the invitations faster than the people I hired.