When it comes to invitations for your Philadelphia wedding, are you wondering what the difference is between online ordering and using a local business? There are many factors to consider besides cost.
Photo credit: Trilogy Event Design Invitations/Krista Patton Photography
What does your invitation look and feel like? Your consultation will allow you to see in person the true color of the invitation (especially when it’s a fine line between egg shell, ecru and seashell) and the weight. By ordering online, there is a risk that the color won’t match your preferences. Can an online company convey that effectively? Does the color look different on your computer monitor versus your finacee’s screen?
With a local company, you have the advantage of holding the sample invitation in your hand, feeling the texture and weight. These characteristics are hard to convey through an online site. They can also handle custom invites like those printed on a unique medium like wood, leather or thin metal to match your Philadelphia wedding theme.
Wording on the invitation is so important. There are etiquette issues. There are nuances. Owners of invitation boutiques are wedding experts, having handled countless invitations and scenarios for a variety of weddings and events. Tread gently with wording. Some wording should be considered very carefully so as not to offend parents such as in cases where there are step-parents or a deceased parent. Or, if the reception is strictly a cocktail-style soiree. Such information should be duly noted so guests are not expecting a full sit-down meal and find themselves a tad hungry. This is an area where an in-person discussion serves you well. That customer service 800 number representative may or may not know the right advice. Who wants to chance it?
Did you change your mind about calligraphy for the invitations? No problem with a brick and mortar business, just call your contact. Do you need more invitations with a later R.S.V.P. date? No worries, they have your personalized template. Did you need advice for a timeline when to mail them out? Again, a local company has it covered for your Philadelphia wedding.
Finally, by hiring local, you are supporting a small business and the local economy rather than some headquarters halfway across the country.