Friday, September 19, 2014

Preparing To Buy Custom Anniversary Invitations

By Lessie Kaufman


Here are some tips to designing beautiful invitations with minimal stress. Choosing custom anniversary invitations to celebrate your special day is fun if you prepare for it. When you and your spouse have a private conversation about key decision points before you enter the store or design studio, you'll get what you want more quickly, cheaply, and with less hassle than if you walk in cold.

The expert designer who will help you craft your invitations isn't just an artist, they are a salesperson. They work on commission, and will want to make your decision process as efficient as possible, so that they can see other customers in a timely manner. They'll also probably show you their top of the line offerings, encouraging you to spend more for quality and style. That pressure can make your decision feel stressful, so be prepared.

Have a mental picture of what your event will be like. The style of your invitation should match the party itself. Would you rather have a formal catered bash, or a casual potluck with intimate friends? There's no wrong answer, but whatever you choose, let your invitation be an appropriate cue to your guests about what kind of party is in store.

Find some photos or pictures in magazines or online of the kind of party you envision. Then, bring those shopping with you to share with the salesperson. He or she will know the available options in the stationary catalog, and will be able to suggest appropriate thematic elements and choices to match your vision.

In addition to bringing photos from magazines or the internet, work with your spouse to come up with a short list of descriptive words. These should describe both the anniversary party, and the feeling of your ideal invitations. For example, do you want something warm and relaxed, or elaborate and fancy? Share a list of five to ten adjectives with the salesperson, to help them guide you.

It's important to talk clearly and specifically about your budget. Know and agree on how much exactly you can spend maximum per invitation. This firm figure will let you work with the salesperson to achieve your design goals without confusion or frustrating negotiations in the moment.

Have an exit strategy, for if you need a break, or if one of you has decided this vendor isn't the right fit for you. You and your spouse should choose a code word that means you want to go outside and talk privately, one on one. Something like "I think the parking meter is going to run out" is discrete, and will let you leave without hurting your salesperson's feelings.

It can be a celebration of your bond to design unique custom invitations with your partner. Combining your tastes and styles to create an invite will help you celebrate what you love about each others' personalities, and it's fun to collaborate. Enjoy making something together that you're both proud of, and let your stationary choices show all your party guests a little something about why the two of you make a wonderful couple together.




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