Who doesn’t love a good deal? With all those couponing television shows and blogs telling us where to save and squeeze our dollars it’s becoming a way of life – searching for the best deal. Honestly putting together a wedding is no different. You’ve searched through the websites/blogs/bridal shows to meet and research the very best vendors in your area. You’re listening to your friends/relatives/dogs about who did who’s wedding and for how much. Hopefully your interviewing your vendors, looking at their portfolios and reading their reviews online – oh no? Well you should be – that’s tip #1.

So here’s my two cents on hiring a “good deal” – it’s my blog and I can write it if I want to.  The “good deal” on paper is not always the best route – tip #2. Crave Design specializes in designing unique wedding invites – if you can dream it, I can put it all together for your event. Am I the only one out there doing this? Absolutely not. So you should meet me – I’m very nice. And you should look at my portfolio – it’s super fun. Then you should read my reviews – they’re very complimentary. Remember tip #1. There are other amazing local designers in Portland that I support with all my heart. They do exactly what I do but we all have our own style. Want a list? Leave me a message.

Now maybe you’ve decided that these local Portland designers are too expensive for your event, now you want to check out your other options. There are a million websites you can order from (there are actually some good ones) and a billion books to flip through.  Most, but not all of the time these are the “good deal”. You get style A with font B in color C delivered to your door in a box for you to assemble. Sounds fun, I got three of those invites last summer. Usually you make your friends assemble them with you and if they’re nice they’ll bring a bottle of wine. What could go wrong?

Lots of things can go wrong. What if the box is damaged? What if the ink is chipping of the paper? What if the paper is not what you though?! WHAT IF the envelope glue won’t stick!!!! Okay put down the wine you’re freaking out.  You can just call the company and reorder, allow a week or more for another deliver, fight over who’s going to pay for that order, and cry yourself to sleep that night. Sound fun? Yea, not so much.

Let’s assume you hired Crave Design and payed an extra $1 per invite, hypothetically. I’ll come and meet with you – hello, I’m a real person. Then we’ll hang out and talk about your wedding and what you need for your unique event. Want a custom graphic/logo/drawing of yourselves frolicing in Forest Part – no problem. Now I’m going to estimate some prices based on your decision. Ouch too much? No worries let’s make some changes – if you’re flexible I am too!

Here’s what happens when there is a problem with your order… you can pick up a phone and call me. I’m in the same town. Genius! Did one of your invites get damaged, did you run out of envelopes, do you need two more invites for some obscure relative your mom wants to invite? No worries I’ll get it done and drive it to your house. You didn’t need to order 50 extra invites from the book that will just go in the garbage either – just order what you need and call me if you need an extra.

So now you’ve paid an extra $1 per invite and received all this one on one attention. I’m totally invested in your wedding and I really love being a part of your special day – if I’m being honest it’s a huge honor. If something is wrong with your order I’m going to fix it immediately, plus you know where to find me! You’re order is going to come all assembled and wrapped in ribbon and beautiful tissue paper not in a box to be assembled. Save your wine for movie night.

This is just all my opinion and observation throughout the years in the wedding industry. I’ve seen a lot and I think you can learn from my mistakes and those I’ve seen around me. Apply these tips when hiring all your vendors – bakery, photographers, your gown – there are amazing local businesses. These services may cost a little extra but you get sooooo much more! And in my book that’s the “good deal”. Stress free. Gorgeous weddings. Hey it’s what we do!

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