WEDDING STATIONERY FAQ

New Zealand dollars (NZD) - you can convert your currency here.

For New Zealand orders, we add 15% GST. International orders do not have New Zealand tax added - however you are responsible for all import fees, duty, taxes and tariffs your country may charge when receiving your order. These fees are not included in your order, nor charged by us. We recommend that you research your country’s import and duty regulations.

Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card.

Every request is made to order in our design studio. There are many variables when it comes to orders, including the quantity, the number of items required, whether you’re looking for something custom made or choosing a semi-custom template.

See our shop for premade items - with fast check-out options online.

Semi-custom invitations - minimum fee of $3,000 NZD - convert your pricing here (USD $1,800 | Euro 1,700 | CDN $2,500 | AUD $2,700)

Custom invitations - begin at $6,500 NZD - convert your pricing here (Example at $5,500 NZD = $3,800 USD | Euro 3,600 | CDN $5,300 | AUD $6,000)

Calligraphy commissions - minimum $250 NZD

Yes, we offer a complimentary 15-minute online consultation to answer your questions! Generally our proposal will walk you through our process and provide an overview of our services, so we recommend requesting a proposal and then gathering your questions.

To book a consultation, send us a message.

To allow for design, printing, production and assembly, here are our guidelines for ordering your invitations:

Semi-custom designs - at least 5 months before your wedding date (we generally cannot accommodate shorter timeframes however please enquire for our rush availability and pricing).

Custom invitations - 1 year to up to 9 months before your wedding date

All invitation and save the date orders include:

~ Invitation/save the date card with envelope and your return address printed on the back

~ Invitation orders receive a smaller insert card with your response website or email details

~ Invitation wording guidance

~ A digital mockup with one round of revisons to wording, colours, or materials

~ 2 keepsake suites (one for you and one for your photographer)

~ Assembly & standard international courier (expedited shipping options can be added on)

~ If you’ve ordered custom design, you’ll also receive a design consultations, moodboard, sketch layout of your design, and 3 rounds of revisions to make sure it’s your dream design suite!

Yes, absolutely! Your suite will arrive ready to post ~ just seal and add your postage!

There is a small surcharge if you need us to glue the envelopes closed.

You can make changes to your quantities before items go into production. Beyond this, we may be able to increase the quantity if materials are available.

Yes, you can. However, the cost of printing may increase significantly due to the smaller print run. We highly recommend ordering at least 10 additional invitation sets to cover lost mail, last-minute guests, and for keepsakes.

To book a spot in our production schedule, a $150 non-refundable deposit is required - this is applied to your order.

Contact us for availability and to receive a proposal.

Once you’ve signed our agreement and paid the deposit, we’ll confirm your production date. Typically we begin 5 months before your wedding, or earlier.

If your production date is a future date, we’ll schedule you into our production calendar and will contact you when your order is ready to begin!

When your order begins, 50% of your invoice is due. Once paid, you’ll receive a design questionnaire and invitation wording form to begin.

When your order is ready for production, the balance of your order is due.

For our semi-custom invitations you can change the wording, the colours in the design, and select your preferred paper, print methods, and add in embellishments. You can add on custom elements such as venue illustrations and wreaths plus you can choose between custom calligraphy names and headings or use the font included in the design. The font, style and layout of the design is not editable.

For custom design, we create an entire design based on your preferences. Once your sketch design and moodboard are approved, you can modify elements however a new design cannot be be created. Additional designs can be added on if you’d like to see more than once concept design!

While our timeframes may vary, we do our best to keep you updated throughout your order. Our timeframes are dependent on receiving timely responses and complete information required from you, so any delays in responding will unfortunately delay your order.

Here is a general guideline for our services and products - shipping is an additional timeframe separate to our design and production:

Semi-custom collection - Typically 8 weeks plus shipping

Custom invitations - Typically 12-14 weeks plus shipping

Day of wedding stationery - We begin 2-3 months before the wedding date ~ available only to our invitation clients

Calligraphy only orders - varies by request and quantity, typically 2-3 weeks for envelope calligraphy and wedding placecards plus shipping

Online orders - see item description for timeframes!

Yes! We love sending orders around the world.

We ship orders with New Zealand Post Courier - expedited shipping may be available for an additional fee.

Here are some general shipping estimates, however these can vary without our prior knowledge:

New Zealand - 3 working days

Australia - 2 weeks

Rest of the world - 2.5 to 3 weeks (expedited shipping maybe available, please enquire for a quote)

If you need your order than our production timeframes, we may be able to provide rush service. This is dependent on our availability. There is a 30% surcharge plus an added expedited shipping fee that is calculated when your order is ready to ship. The shipping fee varies based on weight.

Yes! We work with event planners, businesses and non-wedding clients to create stunning designs, signage, branded stationery, and custom calligraphy items. Get in touch to discuss!

Yes! We offer a range of calligraphy services and custom commissions. Popular items include calligraphy guest name tags, calligraphy envelopes, custom cards and so much more!

Yes! We are a full service design studio and happy to discuss your wedding or event needs. Contact us to set up a quick consultation!

Typically no. We print and design items in-house and use our trusted production teams to bring your suite to life. In this case you may prefer working directly with a local print company in your area to print your items.

Due to the customised nature of our work, payments are non-refundable and your order is not eligible for refunds, returns or exchanges. Please place your order with this in mind.

If we printed the incorrect file or made an order error that was not approved by you, we will at our discretion reprint/re-do it at our next available date or provide a credit. You are responsible for approving your order, if you find an error after approving it, please let us know immediately. Depending on where your order is at in production, we may be able to limit additional reprint/reorder fees, however if your item has been ordered/printed, you are responsible for any fees to correct it.

Online and wedding day of orders are not able to be cancelled as production begins when we receive it.

Firstly, we are truly sorry if you have received a defective item - we take great care to ensure our items are free of defects. You must notify us within 3 days of your order being delivered if you have a defective items. All items with defects must be returned to us by registered post. Upon inspection of returned defects or issues, we will, at our discretion, replace the item or provide a credit for the defected goods, plus reimburse reasonable return post fees. Please contact us Sara@TheEssLetter.com to arrange.