Weddings FAQ
I’M ENGAGED! HOW DO I GET STARTED SELECTING INVITATIONS?
Congratulations! The best way to start is by scheduling an appointment with our wedding team. We offer meetings in-store or by video call.
Meetings are scheduled for one hour. You will receive an appointment confirmation email and we’ll request some basic details about your big day before we meet.
THERE ARE SO MANY INVITATION OPTIONS! WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
Don’t stress! At Rock Paper Scissors, we love printed paper goods. We’re here to be your guide and will help you select the invitation suite that perfectly complements your style and budget.
Check out our glossary of terms to get familiar with the options available. During in-store wedding appointments, we show you samples of all the paper goodness.
WHERE DO IN-STORE WEDDING APPOINTMENTS TAKE PLACE?
In-person wedding appointments take place at our Ann Arbor Rock Paper Scissors store located at 216 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
WHERE CAN I PARK?
We validate one hour of parking in the Washington (123 E. Washington Street) or William Street (115 E. William Street) garages. We encourage you to arrive a few minutes before your appointment to park and get settled. Plus you can always shop around the store!
MAY I BRING MY PLANNING ENTOURAGE TO THE APPOINTMENT?
Of course! Please feel free to bring a few guests with you, keeping in mind that our meeting space is cozy. We can comfortably accommodate 4 people during your meeting.
UGH, SOMETHING’S COME UP & I CAN’T MAKE IT TO MY APPOINTMENT!
If you are unable to make it to your appointment, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. We’d be happy to reschedule at your convenience or move our meeting to a video call, instead of in-person, if it helps your availability.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT MY APPOINTMENT?
Our wedding invitation client manager will greet you with refreshments. No better way to get the creative juices flowing than with a glass of champagne or a cup of coffee! We’ll get started by having you browse our sample invitation suites so we can talk about the details you love (or hate!). We find this to be a great way to get an idea of your style. Feel free to bring any inspiration pieces from your planning board!
Please be on time. We want to dive into the details of your wedding day as much as possible and having the full hour is very beneficial. Time flies when we’re talking about wedding paper ideas!
After our meeting, we will connect with all of our brilliant partners (no really, our designers, illustrators, hand letters, and print houses are the best around!) to prepare a comprehensive quote and confirm turnaround times specific to your order. While we aim to provide your quote as quickly as possible, sometimes it takes several days to connect all the dots to get you the most accurate information. Not to worry, we will stay in touch with you throughout the entire process.
WE MET, I LOVE OUR INVITATION PLAN, NOW WHAT?
Yay! Let’s do this! After you review the quote, make the 50% deposit online and provide us with your wording, then get excited to see your digital proof within 10 business days.
Does your invitation contain custom calligraphy or illustrations? Lovely! Due to the personalized nature of these jobs, your proof may take longer.
We take the remainder of the invitation pay upon final proof approval. There are no returns, refunds or exchanges on custom invitations, stationery or day-of pieces.
HELP! HOW SHOULD I WORD MY INVITATION?
We’ve got you! Let us know your special considerations and we’ll be happy to suggest wording that will please everyone and be Emily Post-approved.
CAN YOU HANDLE THE GUEST ADDRESSING ON OUR ENVELOPES?
Sure thing! We offer calligraphy, digital printing and labels to address your envelopes. If you’d like to have your envelopes addressed, please submit the addresses at the time of proof approval using our provided template.
The devil is in the details! Please be sure to proofread your addresses prior to submitting them. This includes having all addresses in a uniform format, i.e. spelling out Street or abbreviating St. consistently, to listing titles and suffixes correctly. We will not make any changes to the information you provide.
CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE PROOFING PROCESS?
As soon as we provide you that first proof to review, the process has begun! It’s happeninggg! All proofs are provided digitally. The sooner you review and provide feedback the quicker your invitations will be in your hands.
The first proof will be provided within 10 business days (calligraphy and illustrations may take longer). Additional rounds take 3-5 business days each time. The first few rounds of proofs are complimentary. If continued edit requests are made, we will discuss budgetary implications with you before proceeding. We want to make sure you get exactly what you want and have no surprises when it comes to the cost. Here are some tips to keep things as streamlined as possible:
- Have more than one person look over the proof each round. Different people see different things.
- Send one email of edits back to RPS from your entire party. If your entire party responds individually with different feedback, there’s a greater chance for errors and miscommunications.
- Looks great? Hooray! Print, sign and send it back.
WHEN SHOULD I MAIL MY INVITATIONS?
Invitations are traditionally mailed 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. Consider sending them sooner if many of your guests will need to travel to attend the celebration, or if the wedding will be at a busy time like a holiday. In which case, a save the date can be a great choice! Save the date cards can be mailed any time from 4-6 months before the big day.
HOW WILL MY INVITATIONS BE DELIVERED?
When you place your order, you will have the option to select if you would like us to assemble your suite for a fee, or provide the pieces individually for you to assemble directly. All orders will be available for pick up at our Ann Arbor Rock Paper Scissors store.
I WANT AN INSTA-WORTHY AFFAIR. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I CONSIDER?
So glad you asked! Don’t forget to plan for escort cards, programs, bar signage, table numbers, welcome bags, and seating charts to name a few! Make a follow up appointment for us to assist you with the day-of details. We like to think those elements are the invisible string that ties your event together.
I’M ON A TIGHT BUDGET BUT LOVE YOUR STYLE. DO YOU HAVE OPTIONS FOR ME?
Digital printing is an affordable, classic alternative to labor-intensive letterpress, foil, or engraving. Heart set on letterpress? Stick with one color and consider fewer enclosure cards. Let’s have a conversation about your invitation needs and budget so we can more accurately discuss options.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR ME TO GET MY INVITATIONS?
Every invitation suite is unique - by design! Which makes it difficult for us to give a general time frame before an order is placed.
We suggest ordering your invitations at least 4-5 months before your wedding. Please keep in mind, the design process varies depending on the response time between proofs and the number of revision rounds needed.
Once a final design is approved, it typically takes between 2-3 weeks for digitally printed invitations and 4-6 weeks for letterpress, foil, or engraved invitations. Adding items like pocket folds and other embellishments can add to the turnaround time. Be sure to leave time for assembly and mailing too. The finished pieces will be worth the wait! Remember, the invitation is the first impression of what’s to come for your celebration - let’s make yours one to impress!