Skip to main content

INVITATION JUBILATION


WRITTEN BY Megin Potter | PHOTOS PROVIDED


When paper wedding invitations came into fashion, they were for “high society.”
Today, paper invitations are used by couples with many different budgets and styles. 

Sure, paper invitations are for traditional, sleek, and modern weddings, but they are also for the vintage chic, and the rustic, farm barn gatherings, even those rolling with a beachy bohemian vibe. Why? Because paper invitations give your wedding its own distinctive voice. They share your joyful anticipation in a way that hits differently than a digital invitation ever could - creating more excitement and enticing guests to say, “YES!”

For centuries, paper invitations have remained an essential part of special occasions because they do more than convey written information about the event - they give those who mean the most to you an exclusive glimpse of your wedding with color, weight, and texture they can feel between their fingers. 

Invitations tell your story in a way that is impossible to forget.

“No matter what other choices you’ve made, invitations give your guests a first glimpse of your wedding vibe,” said Danna Dubno, owner of Paper Dolls of Saratoga, the area’s premier stationary specialty store. 

Manage My Invitations! 

You’re busy, so before committing to another project, ask yourself if you have time to add more to the list. 

Choosing papers, font sizes, styles, printing techniques, inks, and embellishments is just the beginning. You will also need to consider wording, research designers, find printers, and communicate back and forth – it’s a time-consuming process. 

Rather than taking it all on yourself, trusting your invitations to a professional like Paper Dolls of Saratoga’s Danna Dubno will feel as if you have a personal Project Manager for your wedding invitations. 

In this completely-customizable process, she helps you take your invitations to the next level by suggesting embellishments and papers that best reflect your taste and what you want. 

In addition to informing you about style choices, Danna ensures your invitations are delivered on time by pairing your project with suitable designers – all while staying within your budget. For 100 invitations, reply cards, and envelopes, costs may be as low as $350 but can go as high as $1,000 or more. 

“I meet people where they are budget-wise,” Danna assures.

Timing is Everything

To ensure your wedding invitations arrive on time, you’ll want to start the process early. Scheduling your initial invitation consultation eight months before your wedding is ideal, but in many situations, six months is feasible - any amount of time less then that is going to feel rushed. 

Your timeline begins with a two-to-four-week design phase. Whether you are meeting in-person at Paper Dolls of Saratoga on Broadway, or through Zoom (evening and weekend appointments are available), you’ll kick things off with a FREE hour-long consultation. During this discussion, Danna will want to know your wedding’s venue, style, and other details – like what activities you enjoy – which will all be utilized while developing the design.  

Upon approval of the final design proof, next is the printing phase – which takes anywhere from five to 15 business days (depending on the time of year and the printing process you have selected). Flat digital printing, for example, typically takes between five and 10 business days, while 15-20 business days is the norm for the more labor-intensive letterpress and thermography raised-print techniques. 

“You can’t rush the printing – the time needed for the specific print styles is fixed, especially during the busier months,” said Danna. 

So, when is the right time to send invitations?
Six to eight weeks before the wedding, said Danna (but plan on getting them out 10 to 12 weeks prior for a destination wedding or when guests will need to travel a great distance). 

Invitation etiquette dictates that you include a “reply by” date one month before the event. 

History-Making Craftsmanship

Paper Dolls of Saratoga is a supplier of many high-quality papers including Crane Stationary, a name trusted in the business for more than 250 years. 

Early American Paul Revere used Crane papers for printing the colonies’ first paper money, they have been used for Presidential Christmas cards, the Queen’s birthday invitations, and on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon during their “Thank You Notes” segments. Crane literally wrote the book on stationary etiquette. 

Paper Dolls of Saratoga is the closest dealer geographically to the locally-owned Crane Stationary in Cohoes. 

“I take great pride in working with this local company to deliver timeless wedding invitations,” said Danna.

To schedule your FREE consultation, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit paperdollsofsaratoga.com