It’s no secret that planning a wedding is extremely expensive! The cost of cake, floral, photography, invitations, etc. add up and fast! However, many people don’t understand why these services can be so expensive. We talked to New Hampshire custom invitation designer Ana Aponovich, with Anastasia Designs to explain to us the reason behind the cost for invitations. Hopefully after reading this blog you will better understand (and appreciate) the process that goes into designing and creating wedding invitations! {BH}
The Cost of Custom Wedding Invitation Designs
Anastasia Designs is my business and I specialize in custom wedding invitations and paper products.
Each design and invitation I create is customized for the client. In most cases my clients have specific ideas, designs and colors they would like to use in their wedding invitations. The invitation is what sets the tone for the upcoming wedding day, whether it be a laid-back summer beach wedding, a trendy fall wedding or a formal winter wonderland wedding I am able to design the paper products to coordinate perfectly.
Planning a wedding is by no means a simple and stress free experience. Trying to stay in your so-called “budget” tends to almost never happen. Unless you elope to Las Vegas or get married at City Hall, the simple truth to it all is that weddings are expensive.
Wedding planners, photographers, cake designers, dress designers, florist, musicians, invitation designers you name it, have the talent and experience to take your vision and turn it into reality. Hiring vendors to manage all of your weddings odds and ends seems like the perfect solution, right? Until you’re handed over the final cost of services…I call this “sticker shock.”
As an invitation designer I tend to come across repeated questions on pricing. I’m not sure people fully understand the process of assembly and design. Hopefully my explanation will help the future “couples to be” to better understand the reasoning behind the costs.
Design Process
When I receive a new design idea from a potential client I create multiple design mock-ups for the “couple to be” to choose from. Once they choose to work with me and decide on a design, we then work together to complete their design and bring their ideas to life. A lot of my time is spent on the computer designing, editing and creating.
Assembly
Each invitation, save the date, direction card, etc. is cut, glued, and measured by my own two hands. A client orders 125 wedding invitation that’s 125 wedding invitations I have to put together. To go one step further if a client orders a pocket-fold design I have the extra task of decorating the outside of the pocket-fold with ribbon, a coordinating flower or a personalized monogram. The details are the best and most important part of the design but they also take time for precision and perfection.
Materials
Materials are a huge factor in the pricing of my paper products. I have to supply my own ink, paper, glue, velcro etc. If a client wants extras such as matching ribbon added to the invitation, or lined envelopes the price goes up because the cost of materials rises. Another cost factor that I think people tend to forget about so easily is the cost of mailing/response envelopes. If a client wants the “oh so popular” pocket-fold that is again an addition to the cost. I need to factor in all supplies and materials used with each individual client, because each client is different and unique.
Each invitation, save the date, table number, and place cards are one of a kind and the client has the ability to create their own design. Yes, ordering from an online store may be a bit cheaper but the quality in the end does not add up to the quality of my custom designs. My clients can also have the satisfaction that their wedding invitation and paper products will be unlike any other.
Sometimes I think people get so wrapped up in the whole wedding planning process it is easy to forget there is a real person behind the product. For most vendors in the wedding business it is their life, their job, their individual talent and that needs to forever be remembered.
*previously posted on 4.20.11
