Wedding Invitations 101: Fully Custom vs. Semi-Custom & How to Get the Best Value

At Letters & Dust, I believe your wedding stationery should do more than share information—it should tell your story. Your invitation suite is the very first glimpse guests get into your celebration, setting the tone for the style, mood, and meaning of your day. Whether you’re drawn to a fully custom wedding invitation design or one of my semi-custom wedding suites, this guide walks you through what to consider, what services to expect, and how to get the most out of your stationery investment.

If you’re beginning your search for wedding invitations in Oregon (or beyond), here’s everything you need to know before you order.

Choosing Between Fully Custom and Semi-Custom Invitations

When it comes to wedding stationery, most couples fall in love with one of two paths: fully custom invitations or semi-custom designs. Both options offer beautiful, professional results—it simply depends on how much personalization you’re looking for and how you’d like to invest your time and budget.

A fully custom invitation suite is designed entirely from the ground up, giving you complete creative freedom. It’s ideal for couples who want their paper goods to tell a deeply personal story through custom artwork, monograms, venue illustrations, or unique materials.

On the other hand, semi-custom invitations start with an existing design framework that can be personalized with your colors, wording, and finishing touches. It’s a wonderful option for couples who want a refined, cohesive look but don’t need to start from scratch.

Both choices can be elevated through thoughtful details like envelope liners, specialty printing, and texture—so your final suite feels like an extension of your wedding’s aesthetic, no matter which route you choose.

Fully Custom Wedding Invitations

Pros:

• Designed entirely from scratch to reflect your story, style, and vision.

• Complete flexibility with paper types, print methods (like letterpress, foil, or embossing), and custom artwork.

• Opportunity to include meaningful personal details such as venue illustrations, monograms, or hand-painted elements.

Cons:

• Longer design timeline—typically 8–12 weeks.

• Higher investment due to custom design time, materials and assembly process.

Fully custom wedding invitations are ideal for couples who want something truly one-of-a-kind—a timeless keepsake that embodies the tone and artistry of their wedding day.

Semi-Custom Wedding Invitations

Pros:

• Built from an existing design that can be customized with your names, colors, and details.

• Faster turnaround time and lower investment.

• Professionally designed and cohesive without the need for a full custom process.

Cons:

• Limited flexibility for major design changes.

• Certain design elements, fonts, or motifs may be fixed.

At Letters & Dust, each semi-custom invitation order includes three rounds of revisions, allowing you to refine colors, wording, and layout. Additional revisions are available for $50 each, ensuring flexibility while keeping the process smooth and efficient.

How a Professional Stationer Makes the Process Easy

Hiring an experienced wedding stationery designer takes the stress out of the process so you can focus on your celebration. Beyond design, your stationer handles countless details to ensure every piece arrives beautifully printed, assembled, and delivered on time.

Here are some of the services you can expect when working with a professional designer:

• Design Consultation: Guidance on paper selection, printing techniques, and overall aesthetic direction.

• Proofing & Revisions: Digital proofs to review layout, wording, and color accuracy before printing.

• Printing Coordination: Management of specialty printing like letterpress invitations, foil stamping, or embossing with trusted vendors.

• Assembly & Mailing: Optional add-ons such as gluing envelope liners, tying ribbons, sealing envelopes, and coordinating with USPS for safe, hand-canceled mailing.

• Timeline & Etiquette Support: Help with ordering schedules, mailing timelines, addressing formats, and wording suggestions.

Your designer acts as your creative partner, quality control expert, and guide through the entire stationery experience.

Tips to Stretch Your Wedding Invitation Budget

Investing in beautiful stationery doesn’t have to mean overspending. Here are a few thoughtful ways to make your budget go further:

• Prioritize Printing: Invest in premium printing for your main invitation card, and use digital printing for inserts.

• Simplify the Suite: Combine information onto one details card or link guests to your wedding website.

• Choose Standard Sizes: Custom sizes and shapes increase paper and envelope costs.

• Select Quality Paper: A textured or heavyweight stock adds luxury without extra embellishments.

• Bundle Your Order: Ordering save-the-dates, invitations, and day-of stationery together ensures design consistency and can reduce setup costs.

• Skip Extras You Don’t Need: Think intentionally about which pieces add the most value—sometimes less is more.

The Value of Working with a Custom Stationer

Working with a professional wedding invitation designer means you’re getting more than paper—you’re getting expertise, organization, and artistry. From helping you choose postage that complements your suite to ensuring every color prints perfectly, your stationer oversees every detail so your invitations feel cohesive and intentional.

Your invitations are the first tangible piece of your wedding that guests will see and touch. A thoughtful, well-designed suite sets the stage for the experience to come and becomes a keepsake that lasts long after the day itself.

Ready to Begin Your Invitation Journey?

If you’re ready to create Oregon wedding invitations that feel deeply personal and artfully designed, I’d love to collaborate with you. Whether you’re dreaming of a fully custom stationery suite or want to personalize one of my semi-custom invitation designs, together we can craft pieces that beautifully reflect your story.

✨ Explore my designs or inquire about custom invitations at www.lettersanddust.com/shop