Frequently Asked Questions

1. Browse our online gallery to see which design you like best to base your own custom design from. You can even get an online quote to see what options fit in your budget. Once you are ready to begin the process, purchase the Design Fee listing from our gallery that best suits the style of invitation you want and you will be directed to the next steps. (A Design Fee listing must be added to your cart for you to begin the process).
• For current design turnaround times click here.

2. Once the Design Fee has been purchased, you will be notified by email with a link to our online information form and templates (if applicable) so that you can gather the details needed to begin your design. (This is usually sent within 24 hours.) You will also be sent a password to our online Client Resource Center where you can download templates, view our Font List, Swatches and Stationery Planning Guide.

3. Email us the details of your event (colors, theme, wording, inspiration boards etc.) and the corresponding template/photos if applicable.

 It is important that you provide as much accurate and thorough information as possible for the first proof.

4. A digital design proof(s) will be provided to you via email for your approval and suggestions. (We will get you a first proof/design as soon as possible, but note that the design process can take a total of  2-3 weeks depending on the amount of changes requested and the overall timely responses to emails. Every order is important to us and we strive to get the designs to you as quick as possible.)

5. Once the final design is approved via email, we can mail you a hard copy proof (this is included in your design fee) and/or get your order ready for production (yippee!). We will also email you your invoice at this time. For all orders over $150, half of the total amount is due before the production of your order and the remaining balance due before we ship it out. We will then print, assemble, and ship your invites to you! (Production turnaround time is quicker for some designs than others, please see listing descriptions to determine how long your order will take for production.)

6. You get compliments on how unique your invitations are and your guests say how they can not wait for your event!

Yes, you an get an online quote by clicking here.

Please note that the online quote does not include your Design Fee or any applicable shipping charges.

Due to the high volume of orders, initial first design proofs can take up to 1 week, depending on our schedule at the time. Every order is important to us and we strive to get the designs to you as quick as possible. However, this is a creative process and proofing times can vary. At this time, we are not accepting rush orders - all normal design and production dates will apply.
Click here for current turnaround times and general production updates.

At this time, we are not accepting rush orders - all normal design and production dates will apply. Once you have approved your final design for production, it can take approximately 2-3 weeks to assemble your order (this varies on quantity and and the style design). For example, Postcard Save the Dates usually take 5-7 business days* to produce, and Passports usually take 2-3 weeks*. Pocket fold invitations and other complex designs range from 3-4 weeks*. Letterpress orders take 4-6 weeks*.

*This does not include the design time, this is for production of your order AFTER the artwork has been approved. For wedding invitations, we highly recommend ordering at least 8-12 weeks prior to the mailing date to allow ample time for the design, production and assembly of your order.

Yes, we can rush your order based on our production schedule at that time.  Please note that the rush fee can vary on the type and quantity of invitations needed. To see if we are accepting rush orders, please view our production and turnaround times.

Want to see the quality of our stationery before you start the process? Of course you do! We have put together a Sample Package available for purchase here. Due to the custom-nature of our work, samples are available in limited numbers. (The samples sent to you will be of previously printed invitations — any personalization will be done once you place an order with us by purchasing a Design Fee listing.)

Due to the custom nature of our work, all orders require the purchase of a Design Fee listing - this fee can vary from $30 to $75, depending on the style and design you choose. (This fee covers the design time spent on customizing a design for you and the press set-up of your stationery for printing.) By purchasing a Design Fee listing, you are reserving a spot with us and starting the process for your own custom design! Please note that the Design Fee is non-refundable in the event that you decide not to place your order with us. Also, if you do not order enough stationery and need more reprinted, there will not be another design fee required, but there is a minimum press set-up fee of $25 to get your order back on press.

The design fee will be listed on your invoice in addition to the cost of your printed items and shipping fee. In the rare case that your custom design ends up being more than the Design Fee you purchased (example: you need additional proofs than the allotted 5, or decide you want a whole new design than the one you originally purchased) then any additional design fees will be added to your invoice. Any additional costs for the design will always be brought to your attention first before proceeding with proofs. The amount of the Design Fee initially paid to start the process will be deducted from the invoice total.

• A design consultation either by email, phone, or in person (if you live in the St. Louis area). This is optional and not required.
• Up to 5 email proofs in JPG or PDF format (There is a $10 fee per proof after the first 5 proofs)
• 1 printed proof sent via USPS mail.
 (Expedited shipping for samples, if requested, will be an additional charge. Samples are shipped without a tracking number unless otherwise requested.)

The design fee is a separate cost and does not go towards the cost of the printed items.

The design fee will be listed on your invoice in addition to the cost of your printed items and shipping fee. In the rare case that your custom design ends up being more than the Design Fee you purchased (example: you need additional proofs than the allotted 5, or decide you want a whole new design than the one you originally purchased) then any additional design fees will be added to your invoice. Any additional costs for the design will always be brought to your attention first before proceeding with proofs. The amount of the Design Fee initially paid to start the process will be deducted from the invoice total.

YES, all of our designs can be customized - this is why you purchase what we call "the design fee" to get started. By purchasing a design fee, you have the option to customize the design you purchased with colors, fonts, maps, location, graphics, etc. That being said, consider each design shown on our website as online gallery and a starting point to designing an invitation just for you! We consider each order a custom design, and look forward to hearing your ideas and collaborating to create something extraordinary!

We offer digital, off-set and letterpress printing. Please contact us for a quote if you are interested in letterpress - letterpress printing will take longer for production time than the standard times stated in the listings.

The color and font options are virtually limitless – once you have started your design process with us we will direct you to our online Client Resource Center where you can view available swatches and fonts.

FONTS: When choosing fonts, we highly recommend that you let the designer choose the best fonts for your custom design. However, you may always request any fonts you wish during the design process, but keep in mind some fonts are best used minimally, as your invitations should be easy for your guests to read.

COLORS: All of our inks are custom, and we have provided a color guide designed to provide you with specific color options for available for papers, enclosures and envelopes. If you see a color in the guide that matches your theme,  we can match the ink colors for your order to that color.

At this time, we do not sell digital files of wedding invitation suites.
We do offer the option of purchasing digital files for Ceremony and Reception items, such as programs, escort cards, place cards, table numbers, menus, etc. We know planning these little details for your ceremony and reception can be last minute - for that reason you have the option to purchase the digital files to print at home for an additional design fee per item. However, we ask for at least a 6 week notice if you are wanting us to design your ceremony and reception items and for all of the finalized information to provided 3 weeks before your wedding date so we have enough time to design the items for you and provide you with printable files.

We also offer the option of purchasing digital files for our Baby and Kid designs, which include the digital files for cupcake toppers, water bottle labels, banners and more!

Our matte cardstock is recycled and has a light texture and a non-glossy surface. When ink is applied, the surface becomes a bit shiny, and we feel this stock works best with vintage style postcards and invitations. For additional glam, the shimmer cardstock has a metallic finish (and also a slight texture) that makes the inks look metallic.

You should consider everything shown on our site as an online gallery and jumping off point for your own unique design. However, if you don’t find exactly what you are looking for in our store but know we can design something super-fabulous for your event, then purchase our Custom Order Design Fee here.

At this time, no, we can not personalize each invitation with a guest,s name. We can only print your guests names on the envelopes, but any name personalization done to the invitation must be handwritten by you.

Of course! All of our designs can be customized for any event, so if you see something you like but it doesn't fit your event type, please let us know and we can personalize it just for you.

Yes, we can certainly design your save the dates and/or invitations in both English and any other language, providing you can give us the exact wording for the language you need. There is an additional design fee of $15 - $30 depending on the style of your save the date/invitation.

Yes! For example, if you see a wedding invitation that you like, but want to use it for a birthday party, we can do that! If you see a save the date that you like, we can customize it for an invite instead, the possibilities are pretty much limitless. We are happy to collaborate with you on any design, the more unique the better!

Unfortunately, no. We strive to create unique designs, and it is against our policy to copy another artist’s work. We will use your inspiration to design something completely unique for you, but we will not under any circumstance reproduce another artist’s design.

The Passport design can have multiple inside pages - there are usually 4 pages inside the Passport (this does not include the cover). The order of pages is usually this:
Cover, Inside Cover, Formal Invite Page, Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Inside Back Cover, Back Cover.
More pages can be added for an additional cost, though they must be added in multiples of four to keep within book format. Passport designs that have more than 4 inside pages will require an additional $15 design fee. We also offer a simpler, lower cost Passport option that has no inside pages. The number of pages you need really depends on how much information you want to include for your guests.

Our original Passport size is 4.5×6.25″ when folded - we recommend this size if you have a lot of information that you want to provide for your guests. It's the easiest to read and a more substantial to mail in comparison to our mini sized version, which is 3.5×5″ when folded, and truer to a real Passport in dimension.

Your passports will be shipped to you separate from any envelopes (that is, if you have ordered envelopes) and will not have any postage applied to the postcard/envelope, or RSVP.  The Passport books themselves will arrive to you complete assembled (if you have ordered ribbon, raffia ties, etc they will be assembled for you as well). You are responsible for addressing*, stuffing, sealing, adding postage and mailing your Passports.

*We do offer guest address printing for $0.45 per address.

All of our Passports are printed on metallic cardstock and papers. The cover is printed on a heavy 110lb cover stock, and the inside pages on a lighter 80lb text. At this time we do not offer a matte version of our Passports, as we feel the quality of the metallic is best for for the book format. The colors for the cardstock and paper, however, can be changed and customized to match your wedding colors and theme.

Of course! We can create Passports for birthday parties, wedding programs, wedding itineraries and more! The same design fee will apply, and the minimum quantity must be ordered.

Sure - we love that idea!
Pricing for Passport programs is $50 (design fee), $4.25 per book (has 4 inside pages).

You bet! We can customize to almost any shape and size, and personalize with names, initials, wedding date, etc.) Below are some examples of previously made wooden embellishments. (Customizing the wooden element can add up to a week more to production time.)

What's the point of mailing a postcard if you put it in an envelope, you ask?! Well, that depends on you!
Even with the heavy thickness of the cardstock we use, postcards can and most likely will get damaged a bit in the mail. This is because they get sorted through a machine at the post office, and then are shipped to your guests without much to protect them from the elements. (Note that the metallic cardstock fairs better through the postal machines than the matte cardstock because of its slicker coating.)

Personally, we like that postcards look like they have a bit of wear, after all, they are travel themed postcards! However, if you want them to arrive to your guests in pristine condition, we do recommend that you mail them in an envelope or clear sleeve. While we can customize the back of the postcard as much as you wish, the bottom .75" of the postcard needs to be void of any writing as the post office will place a barcode there.

Having your guests mail your RSVP cards back to you as postcards are usually fine, as you are the one who will be seeing them after they have gone through the mail. However, if you are requesting your guests to provide sensitive information with their RSVP, then a postcard is not recommended. Serendipity Beyond Design is not responsible for lost or damaged postcards that are not mailed in an envelope.

Unfortunately, for us to create multiple vintage postcard designs for any of your reception items, the cost can be quite pricey. We love the idea and would be happy to create them for you, but the time involved is extensive. Why, you ask? Because each design takes quite a bit of time for us to create and email you for approval, and after it is ready to print, we have to set up each postcard separately for the press. We can certainly give you a quote on multiple designs, but the minimum is $20 per design (for fronts only, back side must stay the same) and will increase on the complexity of the design and/or you want the back of the postcard to be different for each design.

Click here for photos and more information: www.serendipitybeyonddesign.com/mailing-your-postcards-in-clear-sleeves

Our matte cardstock is recycled and has a light texture and a non-glossy surface. When ink is applied, the surface becomes a bit shiny, and we feel this stock works best with vintage style postcards and invitations. For additional glam, the shimmer cardstock has a metallic finish (and also a slight texture) that makes the inks look metallic.

Your postcards will be shipped to you separate from any envelopes (that is, if you have ordered envelopes) and will not have any postage applied to the postcard/envelope. You are responsible for addressing*, stuffing, sealing and mailing your postcards.

*We do offer guest address printing for $0.45 per address.

No, if the addresses are being printed on envelopes, then we do not print them on the postcards.

Your invites will arrive to you completely assembled  - meaning we will do all of the binding, layering, ribbon tying, etc.  If your stationery has crystals, we will supply you with a protective vellum sheet for mailing. You will need to apply any RSVP postage* (if needed), and stuff the invitations in to their mailing envelopes. We do not mail your invitations directly to your guests unless you wish to purchase our Mailing Service (pricing will vary).

*RSVP postage is applied by Serendipity for Pocket Fold deigns only - the cost of postage will be added to your invoice.

No, it does not include postage. If you want us to mail your invitations directly to your guests, we do offer a mailing service.

SERENDIPITY’S MAILING SERVICES:
If you would like us to mail your invitations directly to your guests, there is a $45 service fee per 100 invitations*, or $25 per 100 postcards. *This can vary on the type of invitation ordered – boxed invitations will require an additional mailing charge. This service fee does not include the printing of guests addresses or the postage, which will be an additional fee.

If you would like us to mail your invitations directly to your guests, there is a $45 service fee per 100 invitations. This can vary on the type of invitation ordered – boxed invitations will require an additional mailing service fee. This service fee does not include the printing of guests addresses or the postage per inviations, which will be an additional fee.

We ask that you give us your addresses in the exact way you wish for them to be printed, meaning all salutations, punctuation, and spelling is correct. Once a design fee has been purchased you will be directed to our online Client Resource Center for our address formatting and instructions. We will provide a proof for you of your addresses in the envelope/postcard layout, in matching and complimenting fonts. Note that once the addresses are in the layout, there is a $10 fee per proof for any changes, so make sure to proofread them carefully before submitting them to us.

Each invitation set is unique, so postage costs will vary. It's best to take a completed invitation set (including all your enclosures) to your local post office — they can weigh it and tell you the price for a first-class mailing. Also, please tell your designer if you are ordering custom stamps — these are larger in size than normal First Class stamps and your artwork may need to be adjusted to accommodate this.

"Hand canceling" means that your invitations should be processed BY HAND and should not go through the automated processing machines, avoiding damage. Hand canceling also minimizes the amount of stamping/barcodes on the outer envelope, so your invites will arrive much cleaner to your guests! This is usually a FREE SERVICE, but check with your local post office first.

We sell invitations in quantities of 5 (if you need 52 invitations we will invoice you for 55). Please note that all of our designs have minimum quantities, and that there is a $75 minimum for all orders.

Please note that we can ONLY ship your package through UPS, and this can be quite pricey but your package will be easy to track and will arrive much faster than shipping any other method. Contact us prior to ordering with an quantity needed and your shipping address and we will give you a more accurate quote.

 Serendipity Beyond Design is not responsible for any duties, taxes or brokerage fees that may incur during customs.

Yes, we can ship to you overnight via Express Mail for an additional cost. Expedited shipping can range  from $18 to $60, depending on the size and weight of your package. We never request a signature at delivery, so please specify if you want a signature to be required. Serendipity will not be held responsible for damaged or lost stationery in shipping and mailing.

We accept PayPal, check or money order. (PayPal will allow you to pay by credit card, even if you don’t have a PayPal account. There will be a 3% service fee on all orders over $250 paid through PayPal/credit card.

When paying through PayPal with a credit card, there is a 3% service fee. To avoid this you may mail a check or money order for payment.

All completed orders are shipped Priority Mail, UPS or FedEx (with tracking). (Samples are shipped USPS FIRST CLASS, unless another method is requested). Shipping can range anywhere from $10 to $50, depending on the size and weight of your package. We never request a signature at delivery, so please specify if you want a signature to be required. Please make sure your address is current on both your Etsy account and PayPal account to ensure accurate and timely delivery. Serendipity will not be held responsible for damaged or lost stationery in shipping and mailing.

TO OUR OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS: Please note that we can ONLY ship your package through UPS, and this can be quite pricey but your package will be easy to track and will arrive much faster than shipping any other method. Contact us prior to ordering with an quantity needed and your shipping address and we will give you a more accurate quote.

 Serendipity Beyond Design is not responsible for any duties, taxes or brokerage fees that may incur during customs.

If you are within the U.S. your package will arrive by UPS within 3-5 business days.
Click here to view domestic transit times for your location.

To our overseas customers:
Shipping times vary on the country, but are usually between 5-10 business days.

Please make sure the shipping address you provide with your order is correct. Once your package has shipped, you will be notified via email from the shipping carrier with your tracking number. Once your package has shipped, Serendipity has no control over the shipment or delivery of your order - please check on the status of your package with the tracking number.
(Samples are shipped First Class without tracking unless otherwise requested.)

There are no refunds on personalized/custom products. In the event that you need to cancel your order, all costs incurred to date are billable (supplies, printing, etc) which will be a maximum of half your order total.

Once you give us the OK to print, any mistakes/typos that were overlooked on the final proof are the clients responsibility and a re-print fee will be charged if needed. We will try our very best to make sure everything is spelled correctly and that a consistency is maintained, but we are not proofreaders and will rely on you, the client, to make sure all punctuation and copy is correct before printing. Any mistakes deemed the fault of Serendipity will be taken care of at no cost to the client and in a timely manner.

Yes, reprints are available for a minimum of $25 for press set-up and can increase depending on the amount of pieces in your invitation suite. The cost for additional supplies and shipping will be an extra charge. Remember, it takes time for us to set up the press for each job, and reprints can take a considerable amount of time. Depending on the type of invitation style you may also be charged for the minimum amount per press run – the best way to avoid any reprints is to order extra on the first run.

No, we do not create photo magnets. We do offer custom designed magnets that are made from real wood and are laser engraved.

Our prices are set and are not negotiable. We have several types of invitations for all budgets, and can offer tips on reducing costs. You can also get an online quote here should you not need all of the items shown in a suite. We also provide the following discounts:

BULK DISCOUNTS:
• Receive a 5% discount for order quantities of 100-150.*
• Receive a 10% discount for order quantities of 150-200.*
• Receive a 15% discount for order quantities of 200 and more.*

WEDDING INVITATION DISCOUNT:
• Order your save the dates with us and get 10% off your wedding invitation order* (for invitation orders over $150).

*Discounts do not apply to orders less than $150. The above discounts can not be combined, or used with any other special promotion. If more than one discount applies to your order, the highest percentage will be given. Discounts do not apply to rush orders, previously printed orders, or orders that require out-of-house printing, such as letterpress or thermography.

At this time we do not have any wedding packages, but we do offer the following discounts:

BULK DISCOUNTS:
• Receive a 5% discount for order quantities of 100-150.*
• Receive a 10% discount for order quantities of 150-200.*
• Receive a 15% discount for order quantities of 200 and more.*

WEDDING INVITATION DISCOUNT:
• Order your save the dates with us and get 10% off your wedding invitation order* (for invitation orders over $150).

*Discounts do not apply to orders less than $150. The above discounts can not be combined, or used with any other special promotion. If more than one discount applies to your order, the highest percentage will be given. Discounts do not apply to rush orders, previously printed orders, or orders that require out-of-house printing, such as letterpress or thermography.

There is a significant amount of cost and time to set up the presses for each job - therefore we require a minimum order of 20-40 quantity, depending on the style of invite.

Yes.

Yes, we do offer discounts!

Bulk Discounts
• Receive a 5% discount for order quantities of 100-150.
• Receive a 10% discount for order quantities of 150-200.
• Receive a 15% discount for order quantities of 200 and more.

Wedding Invitation Discount
• Order your save the dates with us and get 10% off your wedding invitation order (for invitation orders over $150).

Disclaimer:
Discounts do not apply to orders less than $150. The above discounts can not be combined, or used with any other special promotion. If more than one discount applies to your order, the highest percentage will be given. Discounts do not apply to rush orders, previously printed orders, or orders that require out-of-house printing, such as letterpress or thermography.

We recommend that you order 10-15 additional invites to account for extras. Any reprint will be a minimum of $25 for set-up, and can vary depending on the amount of pieces in your invitation suite. Remember, it takes time for us to set up the press for each job, and reprints take a considerable amount of time.

It takes quite a bit of time to set up each job for our presses, which is why we ask for a minimum order per job.

For invitations, we highly recommend ordering at least 8-12 weeks prior to the mailing date to allow ample time for the design, production and assembly of your order. Orders needed before the production dates listed on our website will be charged a 20% rush fee. To ensure you have plenty of time for the production of your design, visit the Get Started section here and get a custom quote and timeline. Note that once you have approved your final design, it will take approximately 4-6 weeks to assemble your order (this varies on quantity and design). For example, postcard save the dates and passports usually take 1-2 weeks for production – this does not include the design time, this is for production of your order AFTER the artwork has been approved.

Yes! We have put together an informational wedding stationery guide, available for download once you have purchased a design fee.  Download Here.

We accept high resolution .jpgs or .tiff files. High resolution means your photo is at 300 dpi or higher.

Your invitations will arrive to you completely assembled, but unstuffed and without postage. You are responsible for addressing, stuffing, sealing, adding postage and mailing your invitations unless you have purchased our guest addressing service and or our mailing service.

If you are mailing your invitations yourself, we recommend mailing them first class. Most of our invite designs have multiple layers of paper or little embellishments on them, such as ribbon, crystals, etc. These invites should be “Hand Canceled” when mailing them to your guests! Hand canceling means your invitations will be processed BY HAND and should not go through the automated processing machines, avoiding damage. Hand canceling also minimizes the amount of stamping/barcodes on the outer envelope, so your invites will arrive much cleaner to your guests! This is usually a FREE SERVICE, but check with your local post office first.

We do leave out addresses, phone numbers and websites from the designs shown on our site to respect our clients privacy. Though we love to post new designs on our website, if you are concerned about your personal information being shown, please let us know and we will not post your design.