Bride and groom walking together outdoors in black and white wedding portrait

Here’s exactly what to expect

If you've never ordered custom wedding invitations before, you're not alone. Most of my brides haven't. This page is here so you know what's ahead — and nothing catches you off guard.

The process has four phases.
Most couples move through all of them in about 8–12 weeks.

Discovery

We start with a conversation about your wedding — your venue, your date, your style, what matters most to you. You don't need to have your vision fully formed. That's what this is for.

After we connect, you'll receive your Invitation Compass — three personalized design directions built entirely around your wedding.

TIMELINE: 1-2 WEEKS

01

Design

This is where your suite starts to take shape. We'll work through font pairings, color palettes, print methods, and any custom details that make your invitations feel entirely yours.

You'll see life-like mockups along the way — nothing goes to print until it feels exactly right. For most couples, this phase takes four to eight weeks. The best ideas often evolve, and that's by design.

TIMELINE: 4–8 WEEKS

02

Set of wedding invitations and RSVP cards with elegant black and white design, including envelopes and reservation details.
Proofing

Before anything goes to print, you'll review your entire suite — every card, every line — to make sure every detail is exactly as it should be. Spelling, dates, wording, layout. All of it.

If other wedding details are still being finalized by your vendors, we simply pause where needed. There's no pressure to rush. I'll guide you through it.

INCLUDED IN DESIGN PHASE

03

Production & Delivery

Once your suite is approved, I take care of the rest. I oversee printing, manage quality control, assemble each suite, address your envelopes, and prepare everything for mailing.

No coordinating with printers. No sourcing ribbons. No evenings spent at the kitchen table addressing envelopes. It's handled.

TIMELINE: 4–6 WEEKS

04

Three side-by-side pages of a watercolor infographic about fishing lure charms, with sections labeled 'The Expected Path,' 'The Scenic Route,' and 'The Unexpected Journey.' Each page displays diagrams, handwritten notes, and cards with fishing-related themes and instructions.
fabric wedding menu with place card on elegant place setting
red and pink floral table scape with arched wedding menus
Elegant wedding reception place setting with blush napkin, custom place card, and floral centerpiece
Custom save the date card with calligraphy envelope addressing and vintage postage stamps
Terri Hanson addressing an envelope in calligraphy
  • "WOW! I'm OBSESSED! ...I think there are some incredible options...so many pieces of each version that I adore."

    Hailey, Wedding Planner, Minneapolis, MN

  • "This is exactly what I envisioned"

    Liseli, Minneapolis, MN

  • "Stunning!! We love it! "

    Aly, Minneapolis, MN

A Few Common Questions

You may still have a few practical questions — here are the ones I’m most often asked.

  • Most couples begin about 5–6 months before their wedding date. That gives us plenty of time to design, proof, and mail without feeling rushed. If you're planning a destination wedding, a multi-day celebration, or considering specialty printing like letterpress, a little earlier is always better. Not sure where you fall? I'll tell you exactly where you stand when we connect.

  • Not at all. Most brides come in with a sense of their wedding — the venue, the colors, a general feeling — but not a fully formed vision for their invitations. That's where I come in. I'll ask the right questions and guide you toward something that feels cohesive and completely yours.

  • Most suites include an invitation, reply card and envelope, and a details card. From there, we refine with finishes and print methods that support your overall design — and add any additional pieces your wedding calls for.

  • Yes — every step of the way. From formal wording to who gets their own invitation (an adult child living at home does, by the way), I'll guide you through all of it so nothing feels uncertain.

  • That's very common. If timelines shift or details are still coming together with other vendors, we simply adjust. There's no pressure to rush decisions before they're ready.


  • I take on a limited number of weddings each year so every couple gets my full attention. To reserve your date, we'll finalize a simple agreement and a 30% retainer. The remaining balance is due once your designs are approved and ready for production.

Wedding Invitation Timeline — ElizaGrace Paperie

ElizaGrace Paperie

Your invitation
timeline

Enter your wedding date and we'll tell you exactly when to begin, when to mail, and when to set your reply-by date — personalized to your celebration.

Wedding type
Your wedding date

Your personalized timeline

Everything you need
to know for

First step
Save-the-dates

Begin the process
Reach out + start invitations

ElizaGrace process
Discovery call + Compass

Your Invitation Compass — three personalized design directions built entirely around your wedding — arrives within one week of your discovery call. The sooner we connect, the more time we have to make it extraordinary.

Design phase complete
Final design approval

Design typically spans several weeks of collaboration — font pairings, paper choices, print methods, life-like mockups, and proofing until everything feels exactly right.

The big moment
Mail your invitations

Reply-by date
RSVP deadline

Request replies 4–6 weeks before the wedding so you and your vendors have time to finalize seating, catering counts, and any last details.

The day
Your wedding

Everything has been leading here. Your guests have their invitations. You have everything handled. All that's left is to enjoy every moment.

How long the process takes

The full custom invitation experience typically spans 6–8 months from your first conversation to the mailbox.

Phase one
Design + proofing
Discovery call, Invitation Compass, design, mockups, revisions, and final approval
Phase two
Production + delivery
4–6 weeks — printing, assembly, addressing, and mailing. All handled for you.

The earlier you reach out, the more creative flexibility we have. Most couples find that starting sooner than they expected leads to the work they love most.

Ready to find
your direction?

Your Invitation Compass — three personalized design directions built entirely around your wedding — begins with a discovery call. No pressure to have anything figured out. That's what the call is for.

Begin your inquiry →

artfully designed and gracefully handled

“I should have known you would have already thought of this and made it lovely :)”

Sarah, Boston

Ready to begin?

You don’t need to have everything figured out — that’s what I’m here for.

If you've found your way here, you're likely planning a wedding where the details matter. Share a few things about your wedding below, and I'll personally review your inquiry within two business days.

Custom invitation suites begin at $2,500. Most couples invest between $4,500–$8,000 for a full-service experience. If that range feels comfortable, we're likely a great fit.

If you’re ready, share a few details below.