Frequently Asked Questions
This section is to try and answer most of the questions you may have about ordering from Lovebug Designs. If you have a query that is not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone and I will be happy to help.
Wedding Stationery – What do I need?
Your requirements depend completely on what kind of wedding you are planning and your budget – there are no set rules to what stationery you have to order. You will always need invitations, but you may decide you also want to include an RSVP card to make it easier for your guests to reply. If you are planning a Civil Ceremony you do not have Order of Service sheets as it is not a religious ceremony so there are no hymns but you may want ‘Order of the Day’ cards so your guests know what to expect during the Ceremony. Please note that the Order of Service sheets for a Church Wedding are not the responsibility of the Minister – you will need to provide the Order of Service sheets for your guests. It is advisable that you do ask the Minister or Church Secretary to check it over when I send your proof for you to approve. Go to the Lovebug Designs Stationery Guide for more information on the individual items on stationery. Whatever you decide – Lovebug Designs has a wealth of experience so if you need any help please do not hesitate to ask and I will do my best to help.
Can you send me a brochure of your designs?
Lovebug Designs do not produce a printed brochure. As all stationery is bespoke, and completely tailored to each couple, the brochure would constantly need updating and would be very costly to produce. There is an extensive gallery on the website which is updated regularly to show some of the wonderful designs created for all types of weddings.
Can I meet you in person to discuss designs?
If you live in or around the Worcestershire area, I am happy to meet you for a personal no obligation consultation so you can view the quality of my work and discuss stationery designs. I can either visit you in your home or you can meet me at A-Z Wedding Services in Stourport on Severn where I have a permanent display of my stationery and accessories. Please email or call me to arrange a convenient time. As the Lovebug Studio is in my own home, I do not have client consultations at my home address.
Can I order a sample?
Yes, a maximum of 2 invitation samples can be ordered. If the design you have chosen is shown on my gallery then the cost for this service is £5 per sample. For bespoke stationery design, please contact me to discuss and I will quote on the cost to design and create something individual for you. The price of one sample will be refunded against any future orders. The purpose of ordering a sample is to see the quality of my work and how the card, ribbon and embellishments work together. Alterations can be made, but charges will be made for this. You can pay for a sample by either sending a cheque made payable to ‘Lovebug Designs’ or by filling in the form on the Samples page which will then take you to PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to do this – just a debit/credit card. I will email you within 48 hours to confirm the payment receipt. Please allow up to 3 weeks from receipt of payment for delivery of samples. If you need your sample urgently please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate you.
I have received my sample and it’s just what I wanted – what do I do now?
As I am so incredibly passionate about designing Wedding Stationery and Accessories, it is always a real pleasure to be given the opportunity to be part of a couples’ special day. If you are happy with the sample, you can email or call to confirm that you would like to go ahead with an order. I will then send you an order form for all the items you require.
I have received my sample and I love it but want to change something – what do I do now?
You may have received your sample and have since decided you wanted satin ribbon instead of organza or you want to change the card stock etc. If you want to order another sample, then this will be treated as a new sample order and you will have to pay the sample charge again. If you do not need to see another sample, I am happy to send you a swatch of the new ribbon or card free of charge so you can compare.
When do I need to order my Stationery?
I strongly advise placing your order at least 12 weeks before you intend to send out your invitations to your guests and that you order all of the items you require at the same time so I can order the materials in. The reasons for this are that sometimes items and materials may be altered or discontinued by the supplier and also ribbon is dyed in batches so each batch can vary slightly on the colour shade. If you need your order completed more quickly, please contact me and I will see if it is possible to slot your order in around my other orders. The busiest times in the Lovebug Studio are January to September and the diary does get quite full, so please give as much notice as possible to avoid disappointment. You can even place an order as far as 18 months in advance to ensure you are in the diary. As all stationery is handmade, I can only confirm your order once I have received your deposit and order form and pencilled in the production times.
What wording do we use on the invitations?
There are no strict rules regarding the wording of your wedding invitations - you can be as formal or as adventurous as you like. Usually the invitations are sent from the host - this is the person or persons paying for the wedding; traditionally the bride's parents, but as many couples already live together today it is not uncommon for the wedding to be paid for by themselves so the invitation will come directly from them. If you need any help or advice with wording, please just ask and I will be happy to help.
Can I have the guest’s names printed on the invitations?
The price of the invitation includes the guest names being printed on the invitation. It looks more professional and neater unless you have magnificent handwriting! I will just require the names typed in a list, preferably in a Word document, indicating the day and evening guests. You will receive a proof of the guest names set in the chosen typeface to check for spellings.
Please also allow a few extra blank invites for both the day and evening incase you have either forgotten someone or you need to use your reserve guest list due to your original guests declining your invite. The reason for this is because I may not have sufficient materials left in stock to meet your requirements once your invites have been dispatched and I cannot guarantee I will have space in my diary to make extra invites at that moment in time. I will of course endeavor to help, but if I have to order more materials there may be a delay and an extra charge may be made to cover the delivery costs I am charged for ordering small quantities from my suppliers.
Will I see a proof of the wording?
You will see a proof for all items ordered. When I request the details for your stationery I will ask you to choose a typeface from the typeface page on my website. This typeface will then be used on all items to ensure consistency. The typefaces shown are just a small selection - if there is s specific one you want me to use which is not shown please let me know and I will do my best to help. You will need your venue or caterer to check the menu proof and your minister to check the Order of Service proof.
When do you need the information for the stationery that will be used on the Wedding Day?
Once you have had all your invitation replies back and you know how many guests are attending, you need to send the information on email as soon as possible so I can start planning to make the other items such as the Order of Service, place cards, menus, table plan etc. This should be at least a month before the wedding day to allow for proof checking. The easiest and preferred way is if you send the information for each item in a Word document. The order of service will need to be typed in the order you need me to lay it out. Don’t worry if you haven’t got the lyrics for the hymns – as long as you state the hymns title I can fill in the gaps. For place cards, I need a typed list of the names for each of your guests and the same for the table plan – please list the guests that will appear on each table. Send your menu through as soon as it is available from your venue or caterer. If you need any help at all – just ask.
When do I order Thank You Cards?
You can order them when order your stationery so you are pencilled in for production. That way, you can approve the text before you go on your Honeymoon and I can make them cards whilst you are away. They will be ready for delivery for when you return so you can post them out to your guests.
We are getting married abroad and having a big reception party when we return – can you make invites for the party?
Yes, of course! You can just order invites for your reception or if you need a few special invites to invite your friends and family to your wedding overseas – then no problem just let me know.
How and when do I need to pay?
A 50% deposit is required when you return your completed order form to Lovebug Designs. It is advisable that you order all the items you require at the same time so I can pencil you in the diary for all stages of your stationery order. The remaining balance for each stage is required when you approve the proofs of wording. When I send your proofs, I will indicate on the proof form the balance owing for that stage. You can pay by cheque – please make payable to Lovebug Designs’ or you can pay by PayPal via my contact page. You do not need a PayPal account to do this – just a debit/credit card. Manufacture of stationery will only commence once signed proofs and payment have been received.
What do your prices include?
All prices quoted for invitations include the printing of your wedding details, guest names and an envelope. Prices for Order of Service include the printed inserts. Other items will be detailed on the quote so you know what is included. Postage and packaging is not included and will be quoted for separately.
How will I know when I will receive my order?
Once I have received your final payment and signed proofs, I will email to confirm the week you can expect delivery of your order. When your stationery is nearly complete, I will email you again to confirm which day it will be dispatched and ask you to confirm where it needs to be sent to as it will need to be signed for. I can send it to a work or alternative address as long as the full address and postcode is given.
Do I have to pay for Delivery?
All orders are subject to delivery charges unless you are local to me (within a 5 mile radius) and they will be hand delivered free of charge - I will specify this on the order form. When you have received your invitation order, if you realise you need to order a few extra invitations for guests you may have forgotten when placing the initial order then I will post the extras out as first class mail – the cost for the invites and P&P will be added onto phase 2 of your stationery order. I send most orders via Royal Mail Special Delivery so that they have to be signed for. For larger or heavier items then it may be cheaper to send it by Parcel Force 48 hour, this is also a signed for service. The cost of P&P varies according to weight but once I have quantities I can let you know the costs.
