How it works


Before you start

1. How long does the process generally take?
  • We provide the end to end service to customise your invitations and stationery including design, proofing, printing, optional handwritten calligraphy, assembly and quality control.
  • Including design, printing from our printing vendor and shipping the whole process can take anywhere between 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of your order, how fast you respond to proofing and any potential errors that are identified during quality control which require reprints. 
  • For custom calligraphy additional time is required (2-4 weeks).
2. When should I order my stationery?
  • For invitations: At least 6 months before the wedding date
  • For place cards: At least 8 weeks before the wedding date
  • For invitations, this may depend on when you would like to send your wedding invitations and whether you are sending Save the Dates. Generally, wedding couples send their invitations anywhere between 2-6 months before their wedding date. You may send your wedding invitations as early as 6 months if you have finalised all the details and are not sending save the dates. 
  • As it can take up to 12 weeks to design, produce and ship your invitations, we recommend that you order invitations at least 6 months before the wedding date, leaving plenty of time to hand out invitations and buffers for RSVP. 
  • For other stationery, it is recommended that you order as soon as you have the final details (menu specifics, guest list) at least 8 weeks before the event date. It is therefore recommended that the RSVP date is 8 weeks before the event date. 
3. How many invitations should I order?
  • Generally, one invitation per single guest, and one invitation per couple or family/household. This means that if your guest list size is 250, the number of invitations required could be less.
  • We always recommend you order between 10 to 20 spares. If you realise that you require more after you've received your order, this will be treated as a new and separate order, so make sure you include spares! Any extra prints required after the original order has been completed, will be treated as a new and separate order subject to minimum order quantities, stock and supplier availability and can take up to the standard 6 to 8 weeks production time. Dear Charlotte will not be liable for ensuring that the re-print will be ready in time for the event date.See terms and conditions in relation to minimum order quanities. 
4. Is there a minimum order?
  • Yes, there is a minimum order of 50 on all invitations and accessories (envelopes, wax seals, envelope seals), menus and place cards. Any extra prints required after the original order has been completed, will be treated as a new and separate order subject to minimum order quantities, stock and supplier availability and can take up to the standard 10 to 12 weeks production time. Dear Charlotte will not be liable for ensuring that the re-print will be ready in time for the event date. See terms and conditions in relation to minimum order quanities. 
  • Envelopes, wax seals and envelope seals are not sold stand-a-lone and only available to purchase with invitation orders.  
5. Can I order extras if my guest list changes or increases?
  • All orders have a minimum of 50.
  • If your guest list changes or increases and you have not ordered spares as recommended you will be required to meet the minimum order of 50 and this will be treated as a new and separate order. Any extra prints required after the original order has been completed, will be treated as a new and separate order subject to minimum order quantities, stock and supplier availability and can take up to the standard 10 to 12 weeks production time. Dear Charlotte will not be liable for ensuring that the re-print will be ready in time for the event date. See terms and conditions in relation to minimum order quanities. 
  • To prevent this from occurring, we recommend you order when your guest list numbers are pretty much locked in and always order between 10-20 spares of each stationery. 
6. What details do I need?
  • Generally, we always recommend you have a good idea of your run sheet for the wedding day and have confirmed all the details (e.g.time, banquet room number) with your ceremony and/or reception venue.
  • If there are any changes required after printing, we regret to inform that there will be no refunds and it will be treated as a new order. Any extra prints required after the original order has been completed, will be treated as a new and separate order subject to minimum order quantities, stock and supplier availability and can take up to the standard 10 to 12 weeks production time. Dear Charlotte will not be able to guarantee that the re-print will be ready in time for the event date. See terms and conditions in relation to minimum order quanities. 
  • The details below are generally required:
Header: e.g. Together with their families
Wedding couple name: 
Wedding date and format:
Ceremony details: Time, venue name and address
Reception details: Time, venue name and address
Footer: eg RSVP date and method, dress code

 

How it works

Step 1 - Choose your stationery and request a quote
  • Take your time to browse and choose from our collections to match your theme and vision. 
  • A design guide is also available to explain the different printing methods and materials.
  • Custom designs are not currently available.
  • Sample packs are available for $10 each (excluding shipping) which can be can be credited towards your order.
  • We have a range of envelopes and seals listed as separate products to mix and match with our invitations. Before you proceed to request a quote, we recommend that you have considered all of the following:
    1. Invitation
    2. Envelope
    3. Wax seal or envelope seal
  • Full invitation suites including detail cards and other accessories such as belly bands are also available. Request a quote here
  • Once you're ready, request a quote here
Step 2 - Design and Approve digital proof
  • Full payment must be received prior to digital proofing.
  • We will request for you to provide the content for the invitation.
  • Once the payment and wedding details are received, we will contact you within 2-5 business days with your first digital proof. This is a digital version of the specific design with your wedding details. Any custom information such as custom logos, guest lists, menu specifics must be provided by email for the digital proof to be produced. 
  • You can make up to 3 rounds of changes. Any additional changes before printing will incur an additional cost of $10 per round of changes requested.
  • Please allow 2-5 business days to process changes to the proofs.
  • If you have several completely different designs in mind and would like a digital mock up for comparison, an additional fee from $10 (depending on the complexity of the design) will be charged.
  • You will be required to confirm the accuracy of your wedding details including spelling, spacing and the overall presentation and placement of the design.
  • Once you have approved the digital proof, the digital proof is sent to our printing vendor to print.  Dear Charlotte will not be responsible for any oversight of spelling, spacing, overall presentation, placement that was not reflected in the approved digital proof, and will not be able to offer any refunds. Any re-prints will be treated as a new and separate order subject to minimum order quantities, stock and supplier availability and can take up to the standard 6 to 8 weeks production time. Dear Charlotte will not be able to guarantee that the re-prints will be ready in time for the event date.
Step 3 - Printing, quality control and assembly
  • Our printing vendor generally takes 3-4 weeks to print, depending on the print method, size of order, and including potential postage delays.
  • Once we receive the printed stationery, each piece is subject to quality control. They are checked and re-printed if required, as such additional buffer time of 3-4 weeks has been incorporated. 
  • Once we are satisfied with each piece, we assort and assemble into envelopes. This step can take around 1-2 weeks depending on our capacity.
  • For custom handwritten calligraphy, please allow an additional 2-4 weeks.
Step 4 - Pick up or shipping
  • Pick ups are available at Meadowbank NSW.
  • Complimentary shipping is available for stationery orders over $300. For stationery orders under $300 a flat rate of $9.95 will be charged. 
  • Please note that as a result of COVID-19 logistics continue to be under pressure, shipping delays are can be expected from time to time.
  • Shipping is only available in Australia.
  • Separate shipping rates apply for wedding favours and a quote will be provided at the time of your order.

 

Still want to find out more? Please contact us here.