My wedding date is set…when do I need to meet with Allison Barnhill Designs?
Save the dates should be mailed 6 to 8 months prior to your wedding date. If you are interested in save the dates, please contact us about 10 months prior to your wedding. Invitations should go out 8 to 10 weeks prior to your wedding date. Please schedule your initial meeting with us at about 6 to 8 months prior to your wedding. Day of accessories – for example, programs, place cards, table numbers, menus – should be addressed closer to the wedding date, at about 2 months prior.

I have a vision…what is next?
If you are local to Annapolis, Maryland, Allison Barnhill Designs would be pleased to schedule an initial appointment with you to discuss your wedding stationery. At this initial meeting, you will have the opportunity to discuss your wedding in detail, see samples of our couture creations, pick colors, cardstock, fonts and ask any questions you may have. Each client and each wedding is unique, so at this meeting we like to get a good feel of your vision for the big day, so we can reflect it in our designs for you.

If you are out of state, through the powers of technology, Allison Barnhill Designs can still work with you to design your wedding stationery. Please email or call us to begin the process.

My vision is still blurry…can I visit the studio?

Sure! Our studio in Annapolis, Maryland is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, if you want to drop in and see samples in person. One of our associates will be on hand to answer any of your questions. Remember, if you want to sit down with Allison, one on one, you need to schedule and appointment ahead of time.

I’m making my budget…how much do Allison Barnhill Designs invitations cost?
Since all of our work is custom for each client, pricing does vary based on the style and materials used to create your couture invitation. On average, our invitations cost $4-$10 per set. Our invitations are priced per each, there are no minimums and you can order any quantity…even if it isn’t a quantity of 25…stop the madness! Finally, your initial consultation and preliminary computer generated designs are free of charge.

I need a response set, a reception card….A la carte? All inclusive? Huh?
Depending on the style of invitations you choose, items like response sets, insert cards or return address printing might be included in the price of the invitation. Here’s the scoop on the accessories for invitations: flat style invitations come with a single mailing envelope and all accessories are a la carte, meaning you pay for each item in addition to the invitation cost; this might be a good option for clients who only need an invitation and response set. On the other hand, folder style and pocketfold invitations have all inclusive pricing that includes a response set, insert card(s), return address printing, mailing envelope and more!

It’s a process…so what happens next?

Are you ready? At your initial meeting, Allison Barnhill Designs will gather information to create computer-generated designs that will be emailed to you 2-3 weeks after that meeting. You will receive .pdf files that show the designs, along with an information document that describes the invitation and provides pricing and general information. You will review the designs and go back and forth via email with Allison until you get to your final invitation design. This process can take a few days to a few weeks. After you finalize the design, Allison Barnhill Designs will provide you a proposal that reflects your designs, quantity ordered, etc. You will sign and return with a 30% deposit. At this point the process might slow, depending on your wedding date, but you can be gathering text for your invitation (final wording, response date, meal choices, directions, accommodations, etc.). You will be asked to provide this text to Allison Barnhill Designs for final proofs. Proofs of all printed items for your invitation will be provided via email for your review prior to printing. Expect these a few weeks before your delivery date. We will not print until we receive your final approval on all items. Then, sit back and let us do the hard work! We’ll email you with a final invoice when your invitations are ready for pick up or delivery.

I’m excited…how long does it take to get my invitations?
Allison Barnhill Designs delivers invitations based on your wedding date. We typically complete invitations about 10 weeks prior to your wedding date. If you are having a destination wedding or need to have the invites in your hands earlier than that time period, please let us know. As long as our schedule permits, we’d be happy to provide them to you by the date requested.

I’m crafty…can I do the assembly?
While we completely understand the need to be up to your elbows in cardstock, ribbon and glue, we also have your sanity and best interests at heart when we say that the assembly of your invitations is best left up to Allison Barnhill Designs. Let us use our years of experience and compulsion for perfection to provide you the ideal couture creation…from start to finish.

Impressions…can I get letterpress or thermography?
No. In order to ensure that your invitations are perfect for you, all printing is done at our studio. We use heat set/laser printing on all of our invitations.

Invitations….check…what else can Allison Barnhill Designs check off my list?
Here is a long and comma filled list: save the dates, wedding invitations, shower invitations, rehearsal dinner invitations, programs, place cards, table numbers and names, menus, favors, tags, labels, veils, hair accessories, jewelry, calligraphy, thank you notes, monogram/gobo designs and more.

Weddings are near and dear to our heart, but we also love other specials events: baby announcements, baby shower invitations, birthday party invitations, anniversary invitations, holiday cards and stationery gifts.

Have more questions? Contact us today.