Wedding Stationery: Custom vs Templates
Getting access to beautiful wedding templates for your save the dates and invitations is easier than ever with so many websites specifically offering designs to fit any style. So with so many options to choose already available online, why would someone choose to go with a custom design? I'm glad you asked! Below are my top reasons to choose a custom design over an online template for your wedding stationery.
Too Many Options
Having endless options is not always a good thing. Especially when it comes to planning your prefect wedding...those decisions can be hard! Working directly with a designer allows you to get exactly what you want by explaining your vision, not scrolling through page after page of templates until you find the one you like. It's like when you're shopping for a wedding dress. Most bridal shops have you meet with a consultant first - you explain your style and the consultant picks out her top choices for you to try on. They do this because otherwise you could be browsing through racks of dresses for hours, second guessing what you like and what you don't like. All of these options can lead to unnecessary stress, and no one needs more stress when planning a wedding. Choosing a custom design for your wedding stationery will simply the whole process, and in the end, you'll have a product that you absolutely love.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Ok, maybe you did browse through pages of templates and you found one you love. That's great...until you insert your picture. WHAT? There's a big curly-q coming off a letter that goes straight through your fiance's eyes. You try cropping it slightly differently...ugh, now your hand perfectly positioned on your fiance's chest to show off your ring, is cut off. So you try another picture, or another template, and keep trying until you settle on something that is only ok. It is not your original vision, but it works. The trouble is that the templates are not designed around your pictures, and in this case, one size does not fit all. Choosing a custom design, the designer will design the graphics around your photo and make YOU the focus of the design..that's the point of the design anyway, isn't it?
Matching Designs for ALL of Your Needs
In an earlier post, I stressed the importance of branding your wedding, and that includes having a consistent style for all of your wedding stationery, from save the dates to thank you cards, and everything in between. If you use a template online, you may not have the option to get everything you need. So then you're left to scroll through more websites and pages to find something that looks similar. The easier option is to work with a designer who can create all of your stationery needs with the same fonts, colors, graphics and details. This includes not only your save the dates, invitations, and thank you cards, but also your programs, hotel welcome bags, place cards, and ceremony/reception signage. It also includes any other crazy ideas you have for your wedding...like maybe selfie sticks with a note including your wedding #hashtag (trust me, this is a fun one).
BUT...what about cost?
You might assume that a custom design costs a lot more than doing an online template. But that is not always the case. With a custom design, you're working directly with the designer, so there's no middle man. This allows designers to offer very competitive pricing that are often comparable or even lower than big online retailers. Plus, working with a designer you will get a hands on experience through the entire process.
If you think a custom design is for you, send us a note - let's work together to create your vision.