FAQs

We are designing, printing, shipping and delivering stationery! If you are uncertain about your upcoming wedding date but would like to get started, or are planning an upcoming wedding, we can design your suite and wait until you’re ready to print.

We have stocked the Shop with our most popular envelopes, laser cuts, pockets, seals and pairings to be ready for these new smaller celebrations.

This means that we can offer the same service and quality as our regular sets that usually start at 25 – 50 suites without additional charges on most items. 

We can also usually turn these micro wedding suites around within a week or two, inquire with us to confirm. 

If our most popular stock items do not meet your micro needs then additional fees may apply for custom items.

Note: Hand Stamped Wax seals with our in house designs are included in this. Custom seals will remain at a minimum of 50.

COMING SOON for 2021!!! Our FOIL PRINTING press is a new edition to our Studio!  In house foil printing and we can’t wait to share this with you! 

If you just couldn’t wait and eloped or are planning on a small 2 witness only ceremony to get hitched and want to share the news we can help! Wedding announcements sent to family and friends after your union are a beautiful way to share your news. We can also add a note or info that a future celebration will had or any other information that you may wish to share. 

Wedding design is a customized process. Urban Scribes walks you through and takes care of you every step of the way from a single one card design to full multi-piece suite including seating charts, programs and table numbers as desired. All these questions are answered in greater detail below.

Set a budget and have an idea of which pieces you want to include.

• Save-the-Dates

• Invitation

• Reply

• Thank You Cards or Tags

• Deatials / Accommodations

• Wine Labels

• Place Cards

• Table Numbers

• Programs

• Seating Charts

• Menus

• Tags

• Custom Ideas

Yes. We suggest to order one of our sample kits from the beginning. We are currently offering our samples kits via post and free pf charge. We believe you should see and feel the quality in person. *Sample sets cannot be altered.

• Invitation & Envelope
• Response Card
• Paper Options
• Envelope Options & Swatches
• Adhesive Seal Options
• Wax Seal 
• Envelope Liner (if requested)
• Laser Cut (if requested) 
• Pocket/Jacket (if requested)
• Belly Band (if requested)
• Swatches included for envelopes, laser cuts, belly bands and wax seals 
• Samples are sent based on in stock items 

Urban Scribes strives to accommodate all timelines

For our semi-custom designs we need 3-4 weeks prior to when you would like to send them out. These are the designs that are on our gallery and online store (coming soon). Custom items like pockets or laser cuts may need more time. Contact us directly for these timelines.

For fully custom designs we recommend 4-12 months before your wedding.

We can often meet rush or tight timelines, if you are pressed for time contact us directly to see what we can do.

Traditionally, 6-8 weeks ahead of your wedding. For destination weddings allow 10-12 weeks or as suggested by your destination wedding coordinator.  Save the dates can be mailed anywhere from 6-12 months before the wedding.

We suggest one month before but check with your venue and longer if you are having a destination wedding. This gives you time for planning day of details.

CONSULT: Our consultations are always free. We ask questions, listen to what you need and offer the most creative ideas for keeping your budget in tact.

DEFINE: We follow up with a detailed list of services and solutions.

DEVELOP: We develop the package that suits your big day including a quote form with all the details and costs.

DESIGN: From the big vision to the finest detail we create your unique and amazing wedding suite.

DELIVER: We deliver your standout invitations and any other pieces that you may have included.

SUPPORT: We keep in touch and follow up. We love to hear that we made you happy and your invitations had the “WOW” factor.

ONLINE COMING SOON!

Choose your design.

Choose your items.

Provide us with the information required.

An electronic file will be sent within 2-5 business days.

2 rounds of additional changes are included.

Physical prof/sample of final design to be sent out if desired.

Once approved we go to print! 

Your invitations will be mailed or delivered in person if you are within a reasonable distance of Toronto.

No, you don’t need one but in todays online world it is often easier for guests to connect and confirm or receive details. We have, in some cases, included only the wedding website in the R.S.V.P., sending guests directly to your site to confirm and saving you an envelope and postage as well. Wedding websites are also great for details that an accommodations card or printed map once provided. We love online sites for confirming details, number of guests, dietary restrictions and any special events like rehearsal dinners or brunches can be added. While it is considered impolite to include your gift registry on an invitation this is not the case on a wedding website. Urban Scribes can suggest some sites we like to work with to make your day easier.

We highly suggest a wedding website for destination weddings as well. With so many details it is the best way to keep all your information for guests all in one place.

If you prefer a more traditional approach than any information that you need to communicate about travel or accommodations may be made via an insert in your invitation and you can skip the wedding website all together.

Fees are based on your design choices & items.

Our Invitations include our Luxe signature stock, premium envelope of your choice and a sticker seal. Prices increase with the addition of reply or details cards and extra items as jackets, pockets, belly bands and wax seals.

Couples usually spend between $500 – $2,500 for their wedding stationery with us. 

You can use our pricing guide Below (bottom of the page)  or visit our online store (coming soon) as a general guide. 

Consultations are always free.

Custom work starts between $25 – $100.

We charge a minimum design fee of $50 for any work started. 

Yes, we only offer back printing for out matte stock and there may be an additional charge of $0.50 -$1.00 depending on the design and ink coverage.

COMING SOON for 2021!!! Our FOIL PRINTING press is soon to be a new edition to our Studio!  In house foil printing and we can’t wait to share this with you!

No, not at all. We have a few options:

• You can omit the traditional reply card and we can add your wedding website to the actual invitation. 

• We can add a reply or details card indicating your wedding website that doesn’t need an envelope.

• Save the dates are up to the wedding couple, some prefer them and some don’t. If you have a lot of out of town guests or your wedding in on a long weekend or holiday you should include one. 

• A digital Save the Date that we can create for you instead can be emailed or inboxed out as an alternative option. 

Envelopes are offered in a variety of colours, including matte, shine and vellum.

Note, all of our envelopes are of a high quality stock and we do not up charge with the small exception for vellum and thick specialty stocks. 

Adhesive circle seals of your choice come standard with all of our envelopes as well.

Wax and custom seals are extra.

Adhesive circle seals of your choice come standard with all of our envelopes as well. 

Our standard is a clear circle seal with a gold or silver rim and always in stock. 

Solid  Black, Gold, & Silver are based on in house stock and confirmed with orders.

Wax and custom sticker seals are extra as well as custom foil seals (in house foil coming soon).

We print our invitations on our Luxe Signature Stocks.

LUXE MATTE comes in white or natural and both are offered in smooth or textured.

• 100% cotton archival paper

• 330 gsm / 122 lb weight 

• Acid and lignin free

• Matte papers can be printed on the back with the same output as the front 

• Decal / Torn edge finish available

LUXE SOFT GLOSS comes in white has a thick luxurious surface.

• Cotton fibre archival paper

• 325 gsm / 120 lb weight 

• Acid and lignin free

• Soft gloss is only glossy on one side (flat back printing available)

VELLUM specs coming soon…

Yes we do, using our matte stocks  in white or natural tones. This process is done by hand and looks is best achieved with minimal design elements and looks lovely accented with a wax seal.

Yes we can. The Studio keeps a variety of materials in stock as well as custom items to add any extra touches from soft to bling. 

Not at all. Our invitations are beautiful on their own.

You can use them to seal envelopes, accent invitations, guest cards  and anywhere else that you may like to see them.

We offer the choice of

Custom: we create a design or monogram for you or choose one of our custom designs.

Applications:

Peel and Stick backing in permanent (used for mailing and any other areas you don’t want the seal to come off easily)

OR

Peel and Stick backing in resealable (if using to accent a fold card, laser cut or belly band that you want to option to place back)

These can come in straight or organic edges and a variety of shapes and sizes (1″ is  a good, standard size ).

OR

Hand Stamped with one of our traditional or custom created stampers, every stamp is formed with its own shape. These are great for small batches (less than 50) and if adding an embellishment into the wax like a string or a leaf. Or we can have a custom stamper made for you to keep.

Note: 1″ stamps are approx. $2.00 each with a minimum order of 50. We are more flexible with numbers on hand stamped items.

If using wax seals on mailing envelopes make sure to “hand cancel” at the post office and additional charges usually apply. This means that the envelope will be stamped by hand over the postage stamp and in Toronto, Canada you can expect to pay about $1.25 per envelope for local mail  and more for overseas. For exact postal rates visit your local post office in person or online.

If this is a cost you don’t want to occur but still want a wax seal we suggest using them on the invitation design itself, to seal a pocket fold or laser cut, on place cards, or adding an “outer” envelope to your suite and tucking the whole pretty package into that. 

Yes, you can have or add vellum for a jacket, overlay to an invitation suite, as a belly band and envelopes! 

Once our foil press is ready to go we will be offering foil printing on vellum for invitations and cards. 

Yes! Pockets, jacket and reverse pockets are all available.We have plain and laser cut available! it’s a beautiful way to tuck all your items into one pretty package going as simple or ornate as you may like.

SEE OUR VISUAL GALLERY AT THE TOP AS WELL!

TRI-FOLD POCKET (regular or laser cut): the invitation is mounted to the middle. There are two flaps, on the right there is a pocket for extra cards such as details and reply. To the left is the main fold. It can be sealed with wax, a ribbon or string or left “naked”. We offer a variety of beautiful stocks for the folds themselves. These take an additional 2-3 weeks as each order is custom. Envelopes are slightly larger than standard but still come in a large selection of options. 

BI-FOLD POCKET(regular or laser cut): similar to the Tri-fold but only one fold. The invitation is mounted to the Left and to the right there is a pocket for extra cards like details and reply. It can be sealed with wax, a ribbon or string or left “naked”. We offer a variety of beautiful stocks for the folds themselves. These take an additional 2-3 weeks as each order is custom. Envelopes are slightly larger than standard but still come in a large selection of options. 

JACKET FOLD LASRER CUT (no pocket): the invitation is mounted to the middle and the folds come across the centre. 

REVERSE POCKET(regular or laser cut): This is the pocket itself and the invitation and all other items are placed in the pocket and nicely displayed. They can be accented with wax, a ribbon or string or left “naked”. We offer a variety of beautiful stocks for the pockets themselves. 

POCKETS  take an additional 2-3 weeks as each order is custom. Envelopes are slightly larger than standard for most pockets/jackets but still come in a large selection of options. 

LASER CUT: This has a laser cut detail that we have in various options and colours. Laser cuts take an additional 3-4 weeks. 

VELLUM JACKET / WRAP or OVERLAY: Translucent vellum plain or minimally printed to show your invitation through the stock. Wraps or jackets need a seal or ribbon/string to hold. CUSTOM designed for your suite. OVERLAYS can be loose or secured with an eyelet or seal.

BELLY BANDS: A band of paper, lace, laser cut design, glitter paper, vellum or ribbon that wraps around the invitation. Extra pieces can be tucked in the front or the back.

Yes! We can create something new or match to one of already set designs in our gallery.

We have laser cuts! 

Yes, we do. These are more customized items. Contact us for details.

We create seating charts matching your theme and guest list.

Our charts are typically 18 x 24 or 36 x 24 depending the number of guests.

We provide a simple frame in black, white, gold, silver  or wood finishes. If you would like to add a little bling ask your florist to add a some elements from your decor theme across the top. Or we can source a more ornate frame.

Digital charts are also available if your venue is displaying on a screen.

If you would like to frame yourself we can provide you with the print out for framing.

We typically need 2-3 weeks. Prices start at $170. Contact us for details.

We use a Premium Vinyl Adhesive for all of our labels. A permanent, self adhesive material with water resistant coating. Excellent for wine, beer and mason jar labels.

If you would like to get creative we can create an invitation as a wine label as an alternative to the traditional.

• 15 mil thickness

• 350 gsm weight

• Vinyl base

• 95% brightness

• Archival properties

Yes. We require a word, google, pages, typed document with names and addresses of your guests.

Invitation envelope printing: $2.00/envelope

Return envelope printing: $1.50/envelope.

A digital proof is sent with the style that matches your invitations before we go to print.

Yes we can, if you live in Canada or the United States. This is an extra cost in addition to design and print, prices to be confirmed.

We suggest taking a finished package and having it weighed at your post office. Most invitation suites cost slightly more than regular postage. Single Invites or Postcards are generally the same price as regular mail depending on where you live. We do not like the auto stamping machines as they can bend the invitation inside and instead suggest that you place each stamp on by hand.

No mention of your registry should go in your wedding invitation. It is impolite to assume that the reason you are inviting them is to receive gifts, and to place this information in your invitation would indicate that you expect gifts. If you have a wedding website then this information can go here if not than word of mouth is the best way to communicate this information. Your guests will ask, make sure your bridal party and future in laws have the details to provide.

We suggest a separate insert for these events in your invitation suite. You may ask them to respond via email, or we can design two response cards: one for the guests who are invited to the wedding and reception only, and one for the guests that are invited to the weekend’s festivities. It is okay not to include this information on your wedding website and use email to confirm any details of these events.

It’s perfectly acceptable to address your invitations less formally if you are having an intimate, casual or less formal wedding. For formal or traditional weddings, proper etiquette does show the importance that such a special occasion merits. In this case, the following rules are applied:

Man or Woman First? 
Traditionally, the woman’s name went first, so that the man was not separated from his surname:
Jane and John Smith

It is acceptable for either to come first.
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Jane and John Smith

unless one or the other outranks in title:
Dr. Jane Smith and Mr. John Smith

If they are unmarried, and living together, the names go on separate lines, women’s name first:
Ms. Jane Lewis and
Mr. John Smith

Same-Sex Couples
Mr. John Lewis and Mr. Frank Alan

If they have the same last name:
Mr. and Mr. John and Frank Lewis

There are no formal rules on who’s name should be listed first on same-sex addressed invites. You may choose to list the person you have known the longest in this case.

I don’t know the name of my guest’s partner, how do I handle that? 
Ms. Jane Smith and Guest

How do I address Gender Neutral name(s)? (A gender neutral title is a title that does not indicate the gender of the person being formally addressed.)
You can use the gender–neutral honorific “Mx.”.
Mx. Jane Smith

Adding Children:
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
Master (if boy is under 13) Charles Smith and Miss Faye Smith
or
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Family

If the Child is over age 18, and living at home, they receive their own invitation.

We’re not inviting children, how do I indicate that?
Etiquette states that if children are not mentioned on the invitation envelope, then they are not invited. Some may not be aware of this, and may assume their children are invited. Traditionally this never used to be proper to be stated on the invitation, but in today’s modern times you can add this information if you like on your invitation, reply card, wedding website or rely on word of mouth to pass the information on to your guests. In some cases you’ll have to address this directly with your guest. Examples of how to politely add this are “This invitation is extended to adults only” or “Adult only affair”.

Streets and Provinces or States are usually written out in full: Avenue, Ontario, New York. We prefer to go with the times and see what fits best with our wedding couple. It is up to you how formal or casual you would like to be.

We suggest a ordering an extra 2 – 10 sets from the beginning. This way you always have one to keep for yourself, they look great framed and hung up in your home as part of your forever memory, as well as for any last minute guests you didn’t account for. If you are in a pinch we can arrange to have a few re-printed and confirm pricing at that time.

The Urban Scribes “Quickie” is to the rescue here. Announce your wedding with a simple invitation on regular/standard type card stock and white envelope that includes a website address to direct your guests to all the details. Contact us for last minute elopements/rush items.

We accept all major credit cards, etransfers, and regular cash for anyone who wants to meet in person and is in the Toronto area.

Online orders can be cancelled within 24 hours with a $25 service fee.

If we have not gone to print then a $50 charge will apply. Any deposits or custom design fees are not returned.

If we have already printed your items then we cannot refund due to the nature and costs of custom work that has been approved.

If you are looking at one of our semi-custom designs, a design fee would apply and we would provide a print quality jpeg or PDF for output with print trim.

If you are looking for custom work, yes we will quote for design fees and supply files in the formats of your choice. We can add printer requirements as well.

Contact us for a quote for digital file service.

Urban Scribes Design Studio is mostly an online stationery boutique. We do not have a public studio but do meet our clients often for in person consults in the Mimico area of Toronto. Due to the current global situation we are providing email, phone and online consultations only. We are happy to send out one of our free sample kits via post. Contact us for yours.