Let's Get Started
Your wedding stationery is the first impression your guests have of your wedding day. Your save the dates and invitations provide the first glimpse into the style, venue, and atmosphere of your Big Day.
We would love to better assist you in booking our services. Learn below about our process, how to inquire, and investment information.
OUR PROCESS
SAMPLES
Begin with purchasing a
Shop Aurea Sample Box
Having our samples in hand will give you confidence in our work and help you understand our brand, creative style, our attention to detail, and all we have to offer. Feel the weight of the paper, the impressions of letterpress and foiling, and see the artistic details... consider this your in-home consultation!
INQUIRE
Then gather your ideas and inspiration, and know your guest list and estimated budget. Now, you can connect with us by filling out an inquiry form. This will instantly put you on our leads list and give us all the information needed to provide you with a detailed estimate.
Next, we can schedule a phone call to
further discuss what is best for you!​
DESIGN
A deposit and signed contract is required to book your wedding date with us. This will hold your place in our design and production schedule from beginning (Save The Dates)
to end (Day Of Goods).
Shop Aurea clients receive access to a personalized client portal for a seamless and organized design and proofing process.
A Little Understanding
For many of you, this is your first time to walk through planning a wedding. There are many unknowns in this world of creativity. Pinterest and social media may show you incredible ideas, but how are those ideas realized? How are those ideas put into production? What was required to bring that idea to life? Do they fit into my budget? We don't usually think about these factors when we see something pretty. We just understand that we "want" it.
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Below are some common terms you'll see in the stationery and print industries. This will help you understand what they are, what they require, and how it relates to pricing.
PRINT PROCESSES
Digital Printing
The standard method that transfers digital-based images directly onto paper without using physical plates. This allows personalized printing, quicker turnarounds, low costs, and high-detail output.
*Necessary for full color imagery and watercolor style artwork. This method is built into our standard pricing for every invitation.
Letterpress
A traditional form of relief printing where a raised, inked surface—such as metal type or polymer plates—is pressed directly into paper to create a tactile, indented image. This method is an upgrade due to the custom-engraved plate required to transfer your design to paper. This process also requires more physical labor.
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*Perfect for typography, line art, and sketches.
Foil Stamping
A specialized printing technique that uses heat, pressure, and a metal die to apply metallic or pigmented foil onto paper. This method is an upgrade due to the custom-engraved metal die required to transfer your design to paper. ​
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*Perfect for typography, line art, and sketches. Usually provides reflective finish, but matte foils are also available.
Blind Emboss vs. Blind Press
Embossing is the process of creating a raised, three-dimensional design, text, or pattern on paper using heat and pressure with a metal die. No ink or foil is used in this process. This method is an upgrade due to the custom-engraved plate required to transfer your design to paper. This process also requires more physical labor.​
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A blind press gives a similar effect, but in reverse.
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*Perfect for typography and simple line art.
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EMBELLISHMENTS
Each embellishment is an optional upgrade to the standard invitation suite. Each of these add-ons require additional material cost, and some require assembly fees as well.
Ribbon & Bellybands
Ribbon and bellybands are not just visually beautiful, but are actually serving a purpose. They are used to gather multiple pieces of the suite to ensure they stay bundled within the mailing envelope.
We use only the best quality ribbon! Usually made of 100% silk. Each ribbon is cut to length and hand-tied. Depending on how you want the ribbon presented will determine the type of ribbon used. Bows require a lighter, daintier ribbon so it does not add much bulk to your envelope. Flat knots require a sturdier ribbon for a firm hold. Paper & Vellum can also be used to bundle together your suite. This is called a bellyband.
Wax Seals
Wax seals are hardened, stamped wax impressions used to secure or decorate correspondence. Traditionally made of beeswax, resin, and pigment, they are created by melting the material, pouring it onto a surface, and pressing it with an engraved metal stamp to form a customized, tamper-evident bond. Our wax seals are pre-stamped and applied with a professional-grade adhesive backing for easy application.
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While these are not a necessary for sealing envelopes, they do provide another personalized touch to your suite. Seals can also be used on bellybands and folding enclosures. Keepsake stampers can also be purchased with your custom wax seals.
Vellum Overlays
A smooth, durable, and semi-transparent paper that resembles frosted glass. It is highly versatile, often used for elegant, layered, and see-through effects, and may be printed on. We love to use this to showcase artwork without completely covering the main invitation. This also gives a nod to the old tradition of tissue between layers used to protect the invitation itself.
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*Perfect for watercolor artwork and sketches.
Die Cut Shapes
Die cut shapes are customized, precisely cut pieces of paper created by specialized metal blades (dies) and cutting machines (manual press or digital machine). Shaped insert cards, or accent tags with ribbon bring an element of visual interest to your typical invitation suite. This adds playful layering and an extra dose of personality.
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We offer several standard shapes, premium shapes, and new custom shapes can be designed.
FINISHING SERVICE
Calculating postage cost can be overwhelming, especially if you don't use the mail system frequently. Size, shape, weight, and rigidness all play a role in determining the cost to mail. There is nothing worse than spending money on beautiful stationery only for it to be beat up and returned right back to your own mailbox. We provide the necessary postage for each one of our clients to avoid invitations being returned to sender for "insufficient funds". But we also take it a step further...
We Can Handle It All
If you want the option to be completely hands-off, we offer a finishing service. This service includes the stuffing, sealing, stamping, and the actual mailing of your invitations. Then your extra invitations are packaged and shipped to you.
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This relieves any stress the client may have, and avoids additional packaging and shipping before they're even in the mail to your guests.
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Finishing service is automatically quoted with every suite. Completely optional. Totally worth it!
