Process
/ offer more than a service.
/ offer an experience.
The stationery process doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With over two decades of design experience, I'll personally guide you through the process, from selecting beautiful papers and printing techniques to perfecting the details that make your invitations uniquely yours.
INQUIRE
Begin by completing my inquiry form and sharing a few details about your wedding and stationery needs. We'll schedule a brief introductory phone call to discuss your vision, explore your options, and determine whether we're a good fit.
CONSULTATION
Now the fun begins! Following our introductory phone call, we'll schedule an in-person consultation at my Commack studio if we feel we're a good fit.
During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to see and feel invitation samples, explore different papers and printing techniques, and discuss your wedding style and stationery needs. This is also my opportunity to get to know you and learn how I can incorporate your personality and love story into your stationery.
For out-of-town couples, I am available to meet virtually and will mail stationery samples to you.
PROPOSAL
I'll prepare a preliminary proposal based on your stationery needs and preferences. Once your contract is signed and your 50% retainer is received, your project is officially booked!
DESIGN AND PROOFING
I'll begin creating your stationery based on the selections and details we've discussed. You'll receive digital proofs to review, with opportunities for revisions. For fully custom invitations, this stage may also include a mood board to establish your design direction.
PRODUCTION AND ASSEMBLY
Once your design is approved and the required balance is received, your stationery will move into production. Depending on your selections, I'll personally assemble your invitation suites and prepare them for delivery. You will receive a keepsake copy of your wedding suite to cherish for years to come and I will also send sets to your wedding photographer so you will have beautiful photographs of your stationery to include in your wedding album.
THE BEAUTIFUL REVEAL
Your finished invitations are ready! You'll receive your stationery with plenty of time to prepare for mailing, along with guidance on postage and mailing recommendations.
And when it's time to plan your wedding-day details, I'd love to help carry your invitation design through to your ceremony and reception stationery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
My home studio is located in Commack, New York. I can work in-person with any local clients and through Zoom and e-mail with clients nationwide.
What are your hours?
Consultations are available by appointment only. I'll work with you to schedule a convenient time for your introductory call or design consultation.
When should I contact you about my stationery?
If you are in need of save the dates, please inquire 8-12 months before your event, as they will need to be mailed 6-10 months in advance.
For wedding stationery, please inquire 8-10 months before your wedding. Your stationery will need to be mailed 3 months before your big day.
Earlier inquiries are always welcome! Availability and timelines depend on the complexity of your stationery.
What's the difference between fully custom and semi-custom invitations?
Fully custom invitations are created specifically for your wedding, allowing us to develop a completely original design around your vision.
Semi-custom invitations begin with one of my existing designs, which can be personalized with your wedding details and a selection of available colors, papers, printing methods, and embellishments.
Both options offer beautiful, professionally designed stationery and personal attention throughout the process.
Is a retainer required to begin the design process?
Yes. A signed contract and a 50% retainer are required to reserve your project and begin the design process. We'll first have a brief introductory conversation to discuss your needs and make sure Bella Giornata is the right fit for your wedding.
What is your turnaround time for invitations?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of your design, printing methods, embellishments, and assembly requirements. During the booking process, I'll discuss your wedding date and provide a project timeline so you know what to expect.
My general timelines is that I begin designing your invitations 8 months prior to your event. I set aside two months for the design phase, one month for printing and production, and one month for assembly. You will receive your invitations four months before your event, leaving you a month to stamp and stuff your envelopes so you can mail them out at the three-month mark.
Do you accommodate rush orders?
I do not accommodate rush orders for fully-custom invitations due to the amount of time and care they need to be done properly.
Under certain circumstances, I will accept rush orders for semi-custom invitations. Rush fees vary depending upon the turnaround time needed for them.
What printing techniques are used?
Our standard package includes digital printing but you can upgrade to thermography, letterpress, foiling, or embossing.
Digital: Digital printing, commonly called “flat” printing, is the most affordable print method. There is no texture achieved through digital printing, leaving a flat surface to the touch. Any ink color can be achieved and you can use as many colors as you'd like. A variety of papers are available to achieve a stunning design at an affordable price.
Thermography: Thermography is used to achieve a luxuriously raised texture. This printing methods can be used with any color ink including white and it works well with light or dark paper. It can also be used on vellum paper.
Letterpress: Letterpress is widely loved for its deep impression into paper. Originating in the 1400s, letterpress involves creating a metal plate with your design on it. This plate is inked and pressed into each sheet of paper. Thick, cotton paper is best for letterpress printing and light-colored papers are ideal. No ink can be used to create a “blind” impression. Metallic inks are available for letterpress.
Foil Stamping: Like letterpress, foil stamping also involves a metal plate being created with your design on it. Foil stamping is great for both light and dark paper and it is the only way to achieve a truly metallic finish. Although silver, gold, and rose gold are the most popular colors for foil stamping, several other colors are also achievable.
Embossing: Despite its age-old roots, embossing remains a popular and widely used printing technique in the modern world. Embossing is a printing technique that involves creating a raised, three-dimensional image on a surface. It adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to printed materials. Whether it's a simple monogram or a complex pattern, embossing can bring any design to life in a tactile and visually appealing way.
How many invitations should I order?
Once you have your guest list complete and you figure out how many households you will need to send invitations to, I always recommend couples order 10 to 15 extra wedding suites. You want at least one keepsake set for yourself. Your parents will also usually want a pristine copy that hasn’t been sent through the mail.
In several cases I’ve seen a guest or two accidentally left off the list, at least a couple get lost in the mail and lastly, there are always people who move and don’t send out an announcement with their new address.
What is the minimum order quantity?
You can order as many or as little as you need. I do not have a minimum order quantity and I don’t require you to order in certain increments. There are price breaks as the quantity increases, so please be sure you are ordering enough invitations to cover your guest list and have extras just in case. If you need to reorder a small quantity later on, the price will cost much more per piece.
What is your standard stock?
We have several standard stocks that range between 250gsm (92# cover) and 300gsm (110# cover) depending on which color you choose. For a more luxurious feel, paper can be upgraded to double or triple thick or to cotton paper. For letterpress or embossing, a paper upgrade is required to achieve a proper impression on the paper.
Will I see a proof of my invitations?
Yes, I will send you digital proofs of your stationery throughout the design process as well as a digital mock-up with embellishments included so you can envision what your hardcopy stationery will look like.
If you are ordering digitally printed stationery, a hardcopy proof can be obtained at an additional fee.
Because of the time-consuming set-up and nature of printing with thermography, foil, letterpress, or embossing, it is not possible to order one hardcopy proof.
How do I match my colors? Will my invitation look exactly how I see it on my screen?
All computer monitors and phone screens are backlit and are calibrated differently which causes color discrepancies, so your prints will typically look slightly different than what you see on screen. All printers print differently as well. During our meetings if we picked out specific colors to use on your stationery, I will color match those as best as I can so that the final, printed product will match the color swatch as close as possibly.
When should I mail my save the dates or invitations?
Your save the dates should be mailed 6-8 months prior to your event or 8-12 months for a destination wedding or a wedding that falls on a holiday weekend.
Your invitations should be mailed 12 weeks prior to your wedding or 16 weeks for a destination wedding or a wedding that falls on a holiday weekend.
When should my rsvp date be?
Your rsvp date should be 4-6 weeks prior to your wedding. I always recommend going with 6 weeks so you have plenty of time to track down anyone who didn’t respond and to create your seating chart.
How much postage is required to mail invitations?
Postage depends on the finished piece's weight, dimensions, thickness, rigidity, and other characteristics. The safest guidance is to have a fully assembled invitation evaluated by USPS before purchasing postage.
What does it mean to hand cancel invitations?
While you're at the post office, you can ask if they will hand cancel your invitations. Hand-canceling is the process by which the mail is processed by hand as opposed to going through the large processing machines which can potentially damage your invitations. Hand-canceling minimizes the amount of stamping, bar codes, and other marks the post office automatically puts on mailings. The process also ensures your invitations don't get caught, torn, or damaged by the machines.