Farr Media & Design
I was so excited to hear that someone I grew up with had their own media & design business! Katie and I go way back–like kindergarten way back, so I was so happy to work with her and see her beautiful invitations up close and personal! Weddings have come so far in the last few years and it is so great to be able to have so many options on colour, texture and design when we strive to perfect every last detail of our special days.
For those still making plans for their wedding, be sure to read the rest of this post as Katie has so kindly agreed to answer a few questions for me–even offering up some great advice I wish I knew when I was getting prepared to tackle my wedding invitations.
Thanks, Katie!
1.) What inspired you to get into this line of work?
I found my passion for creative design while I was taking Broadcasting at Niagara College. We had a desktop publishing course and PhotoShop course. I excelled and loved doing the design work. From there, friends and acquaintances started asking me to make them business cards or logos or wedding invites and I thought, “hey, I should actually make this official!” I started getting a lot of inquiries and started my business after friends told me it was a no-brainer. I absolutely love using my creativity and bringing a client’s vision to life! It’s so rewarding when they are so happy with the final products.
2.) What services do you offer?
Anything design related… and more! Primarily I do wedding invitations, and anything wedding related; save-the-dates, programs, seating charts, table numbers, thank you cards, favour tags etc. Aside from that, I also make custom business cards, logos, advertising, photography, websites, video production… you name it! Everything is custom and I work with each client and bring their vision to life.
3.) Can you give us a few tips for brides-to-be when finding the right stationary?
Your invitation should go with the theme / feel of your wedding. Incorporate your wedding colours! This is your guests’ first taste of what your wedding will be like. Traditional, modern, rustic, outdoors etc. Have fun with it and be different!
Careful when choosing heavy paper products and be mindful of how many layers of card stock you’re thinking, because extra postage isn’t something you want added to your budget! The thickness of the finished invites in the envelope can affect the price too.
When dropping off your invitations to get delivered at the post office, ASK FOR HAND SORTED! Don’t just throw them in a Canada Post box. You’ve spent all this money making a beautiful invitation, so you want mail carriers to treat it extra special 🙂 This means it will be sorted by hand and not through machines at the post office, so you’re spare anything getting squished or scuffed. Be sure to ask if it costs extra. From personal experience, I had to use two stamps for my invitations, but I believe it’s because mine were quite heavy. (I used a pocket-style card stock invite.) I didn’t have much luck at the actual post office; go to a post office that’s inside a drug store like Rexall or Shoppers; they are more lenient on the rules!
I always tell my brides that sometimes it’s a good idea to put a tiny number on each RSVP envelope (in pencil) on the back. Correspond the number with the guests on your master list. Apparently some people get too excited and forget their names on the RSVP; odd but true! This way if they happen to leave it blank, or they only put a first name, you will know who it was by the tiny number on their envelope.
4.) What are some of the things that affect cost?
Certainly printing and quantities… I don’t have a set price list, especially for wedding invitations, because everything is custom made and it all depends on the embellishments, printing, and quantity. If a client has a certain budget though, I’m more than willing to stick within it and make it work for them and make something they love.
5.) How early in the process should a bride choose her invitations?
Invitations should generally go out at least 2-3 months in advance. Save the Dates are also a great idea, especially if you have a lot of out-of-town guests invited. I’ve done some really nice magnets for couples, and it’s perfect to include it in a Christmas card! Save the Dates would normally get mailed 6-12 months in advance of the wedding. The whole invitation process takes time too, from initial concepts / design to actual production. Then you have to factor in the time to address and mail them too! I would generally start finalizing your designs 5-6 months before the wedding.
6.) How long does it typically take to receive the paper products once they’ve been ordered?
It takes at least one month from initial designs to finished products. I make most of the invitations by hand! So I need time to assemble everything. Unless you are just doing a basic printed invitation, that would take much less time.
If you would like to get in contact with Katie with any other questions or inquiries, you can visit her on her
Be sure to visit and like her page to keep up with what she designs!
