Thinking about scheduling a consultation with our designers? The process begins with an initial consultation, which allows us to get to know you and to learn more about the event you are planning. Read on to discover what exactly we’ll be asking you…

Colors
At Brown Sugar Design, we love color! We are happy to work within a color scheme–in fact, one of the first questions we ask during the initial consultation is regarding your color choices for the decor, flowers and linens at your ceremony and reception.
The benefit that comes from working with experienced graphic designers is that we KNOW color. We are specially trained to help you choose a palette that will not only complement the rest of your wedding plans, but that will really impress and inspire your guests from the moment they pull your invitation from their mailbox.

Theme
Beach wedding under the sun? Cocktail party under the stars? We want to help you set the tone immediately! If you are planning around a color, a flower, a time of day, a location, anything…let us know! Your custom invitation can reflect that theme and whet your guests’ appetite the second they see your invitation in the mailbox.

Quantity
One of the things we will need to know right away is what your invitation quantity will need to be. Typically, we recommend that you take your final guest count and order 70% of that number. This typically is plenty to cover all of the singles, couples and families you’ll be inviting, leaving a few left over for your scrapbook.
Brown Sugar Design has no quantity minimums–order 5 invitations or order 500. A quick note about quantities–the more invitations you order, the lower the per-unit cost will be.

Printing
Our invitations can be printed in a variety of ways, the most popular of which are offset, letterpress and engraving. (For more information on specific printing processes, please click here.) We are proud to offer only the highest in quality, which is why we work personally with our favored press shops to ensure that the paper, printing, and finishing of the printed pieces are exactly as they should be. We choose to work only with Seattle-based press shops, which allows us to visit the press room floor, meet the experts, see the presses in action, and to have a hand in every last detail. This ultimately leads to a superior product.

Budget
We strongly believe in budgets, in fact, we planned our own wedding with one! One of the most important questions we ask during the initial consultation is “What’s your invitation budget?” Since all of Brown Sugar Design’s invitation packages are completely custom, we have the ability to customize every last detail, including cost. You tell us what you want to spend, and we design within that. We choose papers, ribbons and other details based on this, so whether the budget’s tight or the sky’s the limit, just let us know!

Enclosures & Extras
Many couples are finding that they need to include more than just your typical RSVP in their invitation…oftentimes other items are necessary, including directions, rehearsal dinner invitations or thank-you cards. Listed below are a few possibilities for enclosures, additional services and reception items:

• rsvp (this can be a postcard or slip into an envelope)
• reception card (pertinent information about the reception location and time)
• directions / map (especially helpful if the ceremony and reception are in two locations)
• accommodation & travel information (helpful for out-of-town guests and a MUST for destination weddings)
• rehearsal dinner invitation
• next day brunch invitation
• at home card (a card that lists your new address as a married couple, if necessary)
• return address printed on envelopes
• calligraphy
• addressing services (great for those who just don’t have time to write 100 addresses!)
• thank you cards and personal stationary
• programs
• menus
• escort cards
• placecards
• table numbers
• favors
• announcements

Mock-Up Fee
We charge a $50.00 mock-up fee at our initial consultation, which is payable by cash or check. This fee covers design time and materials for your mock-ups as well as a complete bid for the package. The mock-up fee will then be credited to your account when you place an order. Don’t forget, all consultations are free!

Design Timeline
The design process typically can take anywhere from 1-6 weeks. Our purpose is to give you a custom invitation that you love–no matter what it involves. After the initial consultation, we will design three to five mock-ups for your review. At that point, you’re the boss! If you love one invitation but would like to see it with a different ribbon, in a different color, with a different envelope, you’ve got it! We combine our extensive design training with your requests and wishes to give you the custom package you’ve always dreamed of!

Details
It’s all in the details! There is no end to the possibilities when working with Brown Sugar Design. You will have your own unique vision when it comes to your event, but here are a couple of the unique and fun details that we’ve assisted with in the past:

• candy wrappers and custom candy boxes for a candy buffet
• table numbers printed with famous love letters of the past on the back
• signage for various events throughout the reception: directing guests to a midnight chocolate buffet, instructing guests to have their photo taken for a photo guest book, a “just married” sign to be placed on the limo….
• custom water bottles and rear-view mirror hang tags for cars parked by the valet
• custom wine bottles

As you can see, there’s no end to the details you could include in your event. Mention your ideas and vision during your consultation and we’ll be happy to start brainstorming fun ideas!