S e m i - C u s t o m C o l l e c t i o n b y F e t e & Q u i l l
W h a t i s i n c l u d e d i n t h e b a s e p a c k a g e ?
In doing wedding signage for nearly eight years, we have come to understand the standard of what is needed at an event. All base packages include:
(1) 5" x 7" Sign (typically Cards & Gifts or In Loving Memory) (1) 8" x 10" Sign (like for Guestbook or Sip & Be Seated) (1) 11" x 14" Sign (Bar Menus or Tabletop Welcome) (5) 3.25" x 5.25" Signs (Table Numbers)
All signs come with a backer and base rental of your choice! If your vibe is more boho - the birch may be the best compliment to your wedding. More modern? We suggest an acrylic backer in a color that suites your event design! The backers will add that extra touch to the signage - and the bases will keep them secure whether your event is indoors or outdoors.
W h e n s h o u l d I o r d e r ?
Quick answer - as soon as possible!
Think of the initial order as a hold down on your wedding date to secure the services, rentals and day. Just like with catering and florals - this is a process. Your wedding day food and final floral choices are not set in stone when you first secure them for your event - they work with you throughout a good part of time to finalize everything. Our process is similar to that!
Although the bulk of what you need for your signage will be completed in the ordering process - the content details may not be ready at that time (think, Bar Menu - most choices are not done/ordered months ahead of your wedding). What is important is that the date is secure for the services and rentals - and we suggest booking 6 or more months before your wedding day.
More importantly - if you are deciding to go the custom route as opposed to pre-designed signs - F&Q will need a more generous lead time in order to create those custom designs with you.
O r d e r i n g p r o c e s s . . .
Once you finalize your paper style + backer + design - you will then choose:
+ Print color + Color and type of the bases (that keep the backers upright and secure) + Do you need additional signs beyond the base package? + Would you like to add on dinner menus, place cards or larger signage items like a Welcome or Seating Chart? + We also offer design details like wax seals and clips for signage and dinner menus!
W h e n d o I c h o o s e w h a t s i g n s I n e e d ?
The thing with signage is that not all weddings need the same signs. You may not have a table for Cards & Gifts, or you would prefer to use a 11" x 14" sign for a dessert display. That is the beauty of having semi-custom designs - since F&Q can adjust content when necessary! Although the majority of weddings will use the sizes for the suggested signs - we find it convenient to add the option to customize if needed. That is why we have designed the ordering process by size - rather than what type of sign.
Once the order is placed and F&Q has received the order email - we will contact you to collect all those additional details like content and what sign you will need in what size. From there we will create the proofs and send those once designed for approval.
W h a t h a p p e n s o n c e d e s i g n s h a v e b e e n a p p r o v e d ?
This is when all the amazing-ness is made!
Your final designs are sent to print. Once those are received back we adhere them to the backers + complete any extras that were added to the order (gorgeous wax seals on dinner menus for example!). Everything is then packaged up very securely and carefully and shipped out to your designated address (whether it is your personal address or your event planner).
T i m i n g I m p o r t a n c e !
We want you to have these in-hand the Monday before the wedding - at the very latest. That way, all can be inspected and confirmed + ready to go. Working from that, expect the timing below:
+ Final designs are approved 4 weeks before your wedding date + Print and process is 3 weeks before wedding date + Shipping is 2 weeks before wedding date + Arrival is 1 week before wedding date
Above is our preferred timing. Although we do understand that there may be some instances that do not follow the process - we try and work with you at the best of our ability to ensure that all is on track to arrive before your wedding. What is most important is communication, getting us the content of your signs ASAP, and the approval of proofs.
S h i p p i n g N o t e s
We are based in the gorgeous state of South Carolina and ship our signs all over the USA! Plus we keep it local as well - and are more than happy to have you pickup from us too or can deliver with the area (delivery costs apply). We also use sustainable shipping packaging! Our peanuts are biodegradable for example - and all boxes, packaging and such are reused over and over for each order. Even when we remove that paper from the backer - those get recycled as well!
Main shipping question we get:
Why is the shipping cost not included in the initial order?
Here are the details:
+ After being in the wedding industry and doing signage for going on eight years - we have come to see that signs for a wedding are rarely 100% confirmed initially. Weddings are static - as the planning process continues, most couples find that they need to add on a sign or more here and there (added another bar, need extra dessert tags, more guests RSVP'd yes and need to add more tables, need to add place cards). That is why the packages are a base - and can be added to even after the initial order is placed. This effects shipping in the essence that we may need to make the box bigger, add another box, weight can increase. Those are all factors that shipping companies base their prices on - and once we are closer to the final designs and amounts, we can then evaluate and weigh all your signs. Number one - we will always work our best to find you the best shipping rates possible!
+ Designs were not approved by the deadline and we need to upgrade shipping to 2/3 Day or even Next Day. We get it, it happens! And in looking out for your best interest - we need to hold off on quoting shipping to account for any delays.
+ Last minute order! We have had this happen more often that not, sadly, but - again! - we are here for you! Things fall through - a friend or family member offered to do the signage and can't (sick or wasn't able to), DIY disaster, another vendor fell through. There are a ton of reasons!
Shipping costs will be added to the final invoice and invoiced before all has been shipped. Items will not ship until invoice has been paid in full.
O n c e t h e i t e m s a r r i v e . . .
Yahoo! Now you get to see all the prettiness!
Firstly, do not wait to open the box. Open and inspect right away. Your items go through a multiple check system to ensure that all items you ordered are in the box(es), are clean and prepared correctly, packaged securely, and - overall - ready to go for your wedding.
That being said, sometimes shipping companies do not handle gently (even though we plaster FRAGILE all over the box(es)!!). If there is an issue - we want to be able to correct it right away and are more than happy to correct it - but we need to know about it immediately. If the box wasn't opened until wedding day and something was damaged, unfortunately, there is not any time to rectify that issue.
Luckily, there hasn't been an issue yet (you'll see once you see our packaging!)! Once all has been inspected, make sure to keep all packaging + ensure that the return label for the rentals is also included in the box(es). Everything will come labelled - so a base will have a note that it is for the Bar Menu backer sign - so when it comes to the wedding day, the person or planner setting it up will have no issue knowing what is what.
And then - enjoy your wedding!!!
O n c e t h e w e d d i n g i s o v e r . . .
D o y o u o f f e r i n d i v i d u a l s i g n s , n o t p a c k a g e s ?
At this time - in wanting to create a streamlined experience - we chose to only do packages as opposed to order one sign. Perhaps we will explore this option in the future, but not currently. We appreciate your understanding!