Q. When should I send my wedding invitations?
A. We suggest sending wedding invitations out 2 to 3 months before your wedding. Be sure to request that your guests have their rsvps back to you by at least 1 month prior to your wedding. Is your wedding over a holiday weekend or are you having a destination wedding? Be considerate and send your invitations 3 to 4 months prior to your big day! Since invitations should be sent 2 to months before the wedding, we recommend ordering from us at least 2 months prior to when you need them (Just incase). For holiday and destination weddings, we recommend ordering at least 3 months prior to needing to hand them out.
Q. Why do you charge a design fee?
A. All couture designs are subject to a design fee. This fee is for the time it takes our designers to conceptualise, research and eventually create you a one of a kind design. Naturally perfection takes time, so all couture designs might require a few rounds to perfect. Design time gets calculated based on the intricacy of the job and is charged per hour. The more intricate the design the more hours will be required. When adding additional items to your order they will require designing too and will thus be subject to a design fee. Only our couture stationery requires a design fee. Shop our “Ready to Order” range for designs that are design fee free.
Q. How do i place an order?
A. There are 2 ways in which to place your order: (1) Order online via our website which showcases a range of “ready to order” invitations, stationery, packaging and gifts which can be swiftly ordered and have a quicker turnaround time than our custom orders. (2) Custom couture orders: After receiving a detailed brief from you via email or in a consultation at our studio, we can draw up a quotation. If you accept the quote, we will send you a PDF order form that needs to be filled out with all your order details. Once we receive your completed order form we will put together a contract and send you a request for your text. Once we receive the approved contract (by email), your text (attached as a word document or in the body of an email), and a 50% non-refundable deposit we’ll prepare your PDF proof.
Q. Do you offer rush orders?
A. We totally sympathise with your need to receive your invitations or stationery as soon as possible! Our rush service allows us to ship five business days from final proof approval for an additional rush fee. This fee covers our team working after hours to produce your order. Please email or call us to confirm availability of rush turnaround before placing your rush order, but know that we will do our darnedest to accommodate your turnaround needs.
Q. What is a monogram?
A. A great way to brand your wedding, event or business, A monogram is a motif made by overlapping or combining two or more letters of your name or company to create a symbol that’s unique to you, your family or your business.
Q. Can I order samples before I purchase?
A. Samples can be purchased by special request, but will be samples of existing designs we have in stock and wont be customised. To view our work in person, please contact our studio to book an appointment. Our showroom boasts thousands of beautiful designs to choose from and is the best way to view our designs up close and personal. (All samples are charged for)
Q. How do I choose paper and can I order paper samples if im not based locally?
A. Paper can be chosen in two ways. You can either visit our showroom and peruse our large range of luxury papers or we can ship a free small paper sample swatch book to you. Shipping fees will be for your own account. We are always available to make recommendations as to what will look best with your chosen design.
Q. Can I order a stationery proof / mock up?
A. Digital proofs are emailed to you during the design process at no additional fee, which means a digital rendering of your order will be emailed to you for your approval prior to printing. A physical printed mock up of your design can be sent to you at an additional cost. Please let us know if you’d like this added extra when we quote / invoice you. Please note: Your order will be placed on hold until we receive your signed approval of the proof. Once approved, your order will be processed in production.
Q. I have my own artwork. Will you just print it for me?
A. Yes, however this is a specialised service and will only be permitted after viewing the design file and providing you with print and finishing feedback based on the design file. We know what works best for our production team and machinery so we will always provide the best advise in this regard. Any amendments we need to make to your design file will be at an additional set up fee.
Q. Will you address my envelopes for me?
A. Yes, we can professionally print your envelopes with your recipients’ names and addresses. It’s easy! Simply send us a word or excel document with your guest list. This is an additional service and not offered standard with envelopes, thus it will be quoted for additionally on your quote/invoice.
Q. Will you stamp and mail my invitations for me?
A. Sorry, we currently do not offer this service. We can however book a courier service for you (at your own cost). We do not make use of the South African postal service or Postnet.
Q. What are envelope liners?
A. Envelope liners are additional inserts which are placed into the inside of an envelope to give it an extra thick luxurious feel and to add an extra pop of colour or pattern to your invitation suite. Liners are not standard with our envelopes and need to be requested and quoted/invoiced for additionally.
Q. What are your shipping options and how much do they cost?
A. Shipping is available locally, nationally and internationally at your own cost. Shipping is worked out based on the weight of your parcel, the size of the box/s and the number of boxes. Overnight shipping is available, but comes at a much higher cost than our standard 3 day shipping. Shipping is never standard with couture orders and is only added to your order on request.
Q. I printed out my proof and the colour looks off–the colours look lighter or darker than I expected. What’s going on?
A. Your colour PDF proof is only a digital simulation of your stationery. On-screen colour varies greatly from monitor to monitor depending on your screen settings. Your best option, and the option we strongly recommend, is to view your custom stationery piece in person through asking for a physical mock up for proof purposes when we quote you. Your mock up can be shipped to you (at your own cost) or fetched from our studio.