Wedding Stationery - those questions you need answering

When it comes to wedding stationery, Jeff Arnold, print manager at Bert Edwards (Milford Haven) Ltd., explains about the business and gives brides and grooms an insight into all they need to know about stationery for their big day.

What is the process when ordering bespoke wedding stationery?

Quite simply call us, make an appointment and come and have a chat to see what we can offer you. We can take your ideas and help develop them to get the stationery to look just the way you imagined.

How long have you been in business?

Well put it this way, some of our staff would have printed these using handset type over 40 years ago, printing a page at a time and taking at least a day to print an order of service. Of course, current digital processes mean this is much quicker and efficient. The company was founded in 1946, so it is fair to say we are established.

How long does it take?

Over the years, we have completed wedding stationery sets within the same week because the wedding was the following week! However, generally you plan well in advance and from design to completion is usually no more than two weeks. It is really dependent on whether it is just the invitations initially or the whole package.

What packages do you offer?

None as such. We treat each job individually, so it doesn’t matter if you want invitations only or invitations, order of service, place cards, table cards and table plans and even signs and banners for finding the venue etc. We can make them all match and spread the job over the months leading up to your special day. Once the invites are sent, there is a bit of breathing space to fine tune what else you want. We have even done table plans the day before, but we don’t recommend the stress that puts on you!

Can I add personal decoration myself?

There is a trend currently for the bride and her friends and family members to have a ‘stationery decorating’ night (any excuse!). We can print in specific places on the cards, leaving areas that can be decorated with beads, sparkles and anything else you can think of really.

What don’t you do?

We do not offer embossing, metallic or other decorative additions.

What material can you print on?

Our standard material is a premium quality 350gsm smooth white card. Colours of your choice are printed on as a background enabling us to get as close as practicably possible (bearing in mind we are using inks/toners) to dresses, ribbons and other themed colours. Other popular materials are hammered and laid finishes from the Conqueror range. A note of warning though - envelopes are not always available in the colour of your theme!

After I have decided on what I require, what happens next?

We will prepare an initial proof for you and from that, develop the idea until you are satisfied with how your stationery will look. You have input all the way to the final print stage, ensuring that even at the last minute you can make changes. If distance from Milford Haven is a problem, we can email proofs initially and then when we are close to the final version we can send you a hard copy of exactly how it will all be presented.

When and how do I pay?

Often you will be given a quotation immediately, but for more complex packages it will be prepared the following day and forwarded to you. As mentioned in a previous question, it could be just the invites at this stage, so that is all you pay for. The following work is paid for as it is produced. In all cases, a 25 per cent deposit is required when the order is placed.