Selecting Vendors: Set the Tone

Invitations set the tone for what is yet to come. They convey to your guests the type of event you are planning, whether glamorous or funky, elegant or down-home. They are also your signature, reflecting your taste and personality.

While the Crane Company is still regarded as the premier wedding invitation supplier, other companies offer equally elegant paper, designs, and calligraphy. Computer-aided design is becoming more and more popular.

Packaging is as important as the message. Invitations can arrive in bottles or as puzzles that your guests put together. There is no limit to creativity.

Some companies also offer other products, such as gifts; accessories; bridal and guest books; and photo albums, as well as other stationery items.

Choosing the Right Designer:

• Ask to see a portfolio or sample invitations.
• Will they address the invitations for you?
• Will they deliver the invitations to you?
• Find out the lead time: some suppliers can turn around invitations in a matter of days; others require a few months.

Recommendation:

Feel comfortable with the person you are going to work with. The easier it is to convey your ideas to the designer, the closer the end product will meet your expectations.

Money Matters:

• Prices vary from about $1.50 to over $12 per invitation from those professionals reviewed in the San Francisco Greater Bay Area edition.
• Extra charges may be incurred for addressing and stuffing envelopes, shipping, and rush orders.