Our Process
Contract & Deposit
To start the process, please email us your inquiry, complete with your name(s), event date, event location, and approximate quantity of invitations needed. We send out pricing, which is pulled apart in a la carte fashion so that you know what each piece of your suite costs. Once you let us know what to include in your package, we send an invoice and contract. Your deposit, along with your signed contract, is needed to secure a spot on our calendar. We do limit the number of events we book each year, so the sooner you secure your spot with us (or any stationer, really) the better! At any point in the process, we are happy to answer any questions you may have via email, over the phone, or in person if you are local to the Sacramento area.
Photo courtesy Amy Shuman Photography
Preliminary Designs & Revisions
Our custom design process starts with your inspiration. If you’re lucky enough to be working with a wedding planner, then we love to see the design boards they create for you. In addition to your color palette, these boards typically feature images of things such as the bridesmaid dresses, table linens, florals, table settings, and other items that define the look and feeling of your big day. If you’re not working with a wedding planner, then we love to see a few images from your Pinterest boards. Obviously images of stationery suites you like can be helpful, but we don’t like to rely too heavily on pulling from other stationers’ work. Our end goal is to create an original invitation suite that ties in seamlessly with your event. The invitations are the first element of your wedding that your guests will see, so it’s vital to use these lovely stacks of paper as a herald for the festivities to come. If done correctly, they will properly set the tone for your day.
After we have a design direction, we put together a preliminary design, which typically includes PDFs of each piece of your suite as well as a mockup photo of your suite, to give you an idea of what your invitation package will look like as a whole. At this time, we work together to make the necessary revisions and move toward finalizing the design. At this time, you should also be finalizing your guest list per the formatting instructions included in your contract.
Finalization & Payment
Once we have finalized your design, I will email you the final PDF proofs of your design along with a detailed breakdown of the materials and print methods we are utilizing to finish your suite. It is of the utmost importance that you carefully review layout, spelling, grammar, details, etc. as no changes can be made after final approval is given. Once I receive final written approval, your first invoice is due and I place the order for materials.
Production, Post, & Event Day Items
Your invitations will be fully assembled with meticulous attention to detail by the talented staff at Little Bird. If you desire, we will also take care of mailing them directly to your guests. There is no extra fee for this service (aside from the cost of postage itself). If you prefer to post them yourself, then we will email you a specific list of instructions to ensure that your invitations have the best chance of arriving at their final destinations in the best condition possible.
Once you begin finalizing the details for the event day itself, we begin work on the event day items you have ordered. Final quantities, menu items, guest names, etc. are typically due four weeks prior to your event, unless noted otherwise in your contract. This allows us enough time for material order and production. At this time, the final balance of your contract is due. If you are local, we prefer to hand deliver your day-of items and will set up an appropriate time to do so. If you are not local, then we mail your items out as soon as they are complete. Please note that we always employ a fully insured delivery service, expedited when necessary, and will require a signature upon delivery.
Photo courtesy Amy Shuman Photography