Tips from The Pros - Part V - DIY Internet Invitations

Some of our clients are turning to the Internet to save money on save the dates and invitations.  We asked Oksana Lanis of Details by Oksana to give us her take on this process and how to avoid being disappointed.

Here are Oksana's thoughts:


1) Fine papers come in such a vast variety, that no computer monitor and/or best photography can reproduce its weight, shade and texture. Paper needs to be touched and felt, to understand fully if you like your selection.  

2) Be careful with those pearlescent or shimmery papers and envelopes. The ink will sit on top of the paper, without being absorbed if you print on your home printer. The heat of the digital professional printer that you find at a print shop will insure the ink has dried and does not smudge. 

3) Suggesting polygamy in your invitation is as easy as having an extra "and". When you say "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", the "and" tells the reader that the two people are married, so, the next time you see 

"Mr. and Mrs. Bridesparents

and 

Mr. and Mrs. Groomsparents"

on an invitation, basically, what the wording is suggesting is that all four of those people are married :-) There are great books on etiquette out there, but unless you have the time to read them, asking a professional is the next best thing that you can do.  

4) I am not sure if you have ever ordered a lipstick or eye shadow from a catalog, but if you have, the first thing you notice when it arrives is that the color(s) are not what you expected. Why? Well, the computer's screen is backlit, which makes the picture(s) on the screen appear lighter. A designer putting a layout together tries to adjust the color as much as possible, but we all see colors and shades differently, as our eye anatomy is slightly different from the next person's, and when the picture(s) prints on pages of catalog, it prints darker, which is why when you receive your order, the colors are almost never what they are in reality. Images are also uploaded at very low resolution, making it possible for the page to load rather quickly. When you add that to the limited Internet color range and different monitor settings what you might receive in the mail is really anybody's guess. 

5) Be sure to sign off on the proof of your invitation, just so there are no misunderstandings later. We recommend that you ask at least five trusted friends or family members to proofread the invite to see if they can catch any of the grammar mistakes.  Since you are close to the project, you might not be reading the text, but rather recalling it from your memory, making it harder to proofread it. 


6) Don't be surprised if you receive a black and white proof of your letterpress invitation, since it costs $35 to $40 to produce a plate which will be used to press into that fine paper you had selected for your invitations. Every time you make a correction to the layout, a new plate needs to be produced. I dont know of a letterpress shop that will spend that kind of money just for a proof, therefore, until you finalize your layout, expect to see black and white proofs, unless you are willing to pay for the plates yourself.  

Crafting a bespoke wedding invitation is more than just gathering information, it involves discussing fine papers and printing options, your likes and dislikes, etiquette, your sense of style and event theme before making a financial commitment.  The process should be a pleasant experience based on actual samples and expert advice. Once you've looked at the invitations on the screen of your computer and got a sense of the designer's style, set up a complimentary consultation to discuss the possibilities for your event's stationary. 


We welcome an opportunity to design your bespoke wedding stationary, custom guestbook and swarovsky crystal incrusted wedding pen, card box, bridal flip flops and anything else you might dream of for your event. Oksana Lanis 323-333-7897 http://www.detailsbyoksana.com/ 

photo by Ellice Boone of ES Photography