Picking your wedding invitations

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Deborah Carasso, proud owner of Unique Invitations by Deborah. I love the wedding and party industry as I help my clients choose their fairytale wedding invitations. I enjoy helping in any way possible too so feel free to pick my brain. If I know the answer or can get it, I will be happy to share – I’m here to help. I’ve been helping clients since 1981.

How would you describe your style?

My style is varied as I understand there are many more flavors than chocolate and vanilla – same applies to the wedding invitations. It’s very difficult to give a generic quote to inquiring clients as the prices and styles vary soooo much. My style is respecting my clients' tastes, styles, and budgets and trying to fulfill what they want.

”When selecting a wedding invitation specialist, I recommend making sure they know etiquette, want to help/assist where they can and know their business.”

Which parameters are the most important to couples?

My most common question is “what is the price” and as mentioned above, the styles and pricing vary so much that it’s very difficult to answer this other than I will be delighted to give you a quote on the wedding invitations you like. If not delighted with the first album or pricing is too high, I will keep showing albums to you until you stay “Stop!”, I’ve made my decision.

Tips for couples who are interviewing a wedding invitations specialist?

When selecting a wedding invitations specialist, I recommend making sure they know the etiquette, want to help/assist where they can and know their business. I’ve had clients tell me “I need 350 invitations”. I then ask them if that is people or couples? I believe and recommend ordering extras but if this was 350 people, you’re ordering way too many.

Online only companies, I’m sure, wouldn’t stop you from over ordering. I give a lot of other helpful tips to help in their seating charts, guest list, etc. If my client is watching their pennies, and most are, I will tell them what is absolutely necessary and what they can do without. Again, I like to help.

”Unique Invitations by Deborah offers Beautiful wedding invitations for any Taste, Style, Budget and Event. My favorite recommendation is matching envelope addressing that would be the same ink color and type style of your invitations.”

What products do you typically offer?

I mostly offer Gorgeous Wedding Invitations for your special event. I have place cards, napkins, table numbers, runners, chair sashes, cake toppers, personalized serving sets… The sky’s the limit, just ask if I carry it. The couple influences things like wanting a ribbon, bling, typestyle, etc. You can often totally transpose what’s shown in the many albums I carry.

What additional services do you offer?

Unique Invitations by Deborah offers Beautiful invitations for any Taste, Style, Budget and Event. My favorite recommendation is matching envelope addressing that would be the same ink color and typestyle of your invitations.

I also carry wedding accessories such as runners, unity candles, sashes for the chairs, attendant gifts, shower game, favors, bridal ring pillows, programs, I also carry Graduation, Birthday, Anniversary, Baby, Sweet 16 Invitations/announcements. Also available are holiday cards.

Check out my website and see if I have what you’re looking for. As for packages, most are totally customizable but the Sep n’ Send wedding invitations are total ensembles which are affordable and beautiful.

”The typical not over the top budget for 100 wedding invitations, (list pricing of invitation not over $250) would be about $500-550 list, before discount. Again, pricing varies a lot.”

What’s the typical budget that the bride should set aside for these services?

The typical not over the top budget for 100 wedding invitations, (list pricing of invitation not over $250) would be about $500-550 list, before discount. Again, pricing varies a lot. For those really watching your budget, I recommend Sep n’ Send wedding invitations. If you place them in a lovely pocket, this enhances the look immensely and doesn't increase the pricing too much. All of my invitations are custom to a point so custom designs are still an option. Ask me what I recommend.

Any funny (or horror) stories you could share where things didn’t go as planned?

A while back, I was proofing an addressing file and I noticed several cities misspelled - Delaware. Of course, I made the change and all was great. An extra set of eyes is always advised and I can't find all the mistakes, but I do find a lot and correct them. I don't like mistakes. My clients are fabulous and 99.9% of the time, I love working with them.

If you could ask one thing of the grooms and brides that would make your job easier, what would it be?

If I had to ask my clients one thing to make my life easier, it would be to be prepared. If you use glasses, please bring them with (otherwise, I have a box of readers). Also, if you would bring preferred styles and wording, the total number of families being invited, the spelling of venues, a form of the deposit at time of order, that would save everyone a lot of time.