Wedding planning can be a stressful and overwhelming task, especially when it comes to deciding on the invitations. Minted offers a wide range of stylish designs and customisation options for wedding invitations, but it is important to plan ahead to ensure timely delivery. Users on WeddingWire recommend ordering Minted wedding invitations three months in advance and sending them out around 10 weeks before the wedding, allowing ample time for proofing, delivery, assembly, and travel arrangements for guests. While some customers have praised Minted for their fast shipping and high-quality printing, others have expressed concerns about the proofing process, emphasising the importance of zooming in to ensure accurate sizing and lettering.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Time to receive order | 2 days max for the proof, then a week max for shipping |
Quality | High |
Customizability | Customizable font layout and wording |
Price | Affordable during sales |
What You'll Learn
Minted's wedding invitation quality and pricing
Minted offers a wide range of wedding invitation options, from simple and minimalistic to more luxurious designs. The company provides a free consultation with a stationery expert and free sample kits to help customers make informed decisions. In terms of quality, Minted wedding invitations are known for their high-end options, such as foil and letterpress printing, thick cardstock, and elegant designs.
Minted's wedding invitation paper options include:
- Signature cardstock: A thick, luxurious cotton cardstock in 130# weight with a matte finish.
- Premium 100% Recycled: Smooth, matte texture with subtle flecks from recycled fibers. Thicker at 160#.
- Pearlescent paper: Minted's thinnest cardstock at 98#, with a soft shimmer.
- DoubleThick: Sturdy 240# cardstock, heavy yet bendable.
- TripleThick: Smooth, luxury cardboard weighing 360#.
Regarding pricing, Minted offers three main options:
- Low: Budget-friendly invitation templates that couples can print themselves.
- Medium: Semi-custom invitations with high-end options like foil and letterpress printing. This is where Minted stands out, offering these options at more affordable prices compared to small-scale design companies. For example, 100 foil-pressed invites and RSVPs with printed envelopes would typically cost over $1500, but Minted offers this for $450.
- High: Custom invitations from small-scale design companies, which tend to be more expensive.
Minted also provides additional services like free guest addressing, custom monograms, and wedding planning tools, such as a free wedding planning journal and a wedding website.
Overall, Minted wedding invitations offer a good balance between quality and pricing. Their semi-custom options provide high-end features at more affordable price points, making them a popular choice for couples who want elegant invitations without breaking the bank.
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Minted vs local businesses for wedding invitations
When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many options to choose from. Two of the most popular choices are Minted and local businesses. So, which one is the best fit for you? Here is a detailed comparison between the two to help you make an informed decision:
Minted Wedding Invitations:
Minted is a well-known online platform that offers a wide range of wedding invitation designs. One of its standout features is the ability to support independent artists. Minted hosts regular design challenges where independent artists can submit their creations, and the public votes on their favourites. The winning designs are then sold on the Minted website, and the artists receive a cash prize and a small commission percentage from sales. This model allows couples to support independent artists while also having a variety of stylish options to choose from.
Minted also provides a high level of customisation. They offer completely custom design services, allowing couples to tailor their invitations to their unique wedding themes and colour palettes. Additionally, Minted provides free guest addressing, luxe paper and printing types, and easy digital address collection. They also have frequent sales and discounts, making their products more affordable.
However, one potential drawback of Minted is the lack of personalised customer service. As a large company, you may not get the opportunity to work closely with the same designer or customer service representative throughout the entire process. This may be an issue if you require a lot of guidance and support during the design and ordering process.
Local Businesses for Wedding Invitations:
On the other hand, opting for a local business or independent artist for your wedding invitations has its own set of advantages. Firstly, you will likely receive a more personalised and tailored experience. Working directly with an independent artist means you have one-on-one access to the artist who created the designs, ensuring a seamless and stress-free process. This direct communication can also help avoid any miscommunication or errors in the final product.
Local businesses and independent artists can also provide a more comprehensive service. For example, you may be able to purchase everything you need in one place, from the invitations themselves to additional items like envelope addressing, wax seals, menus, escort cards, and signage. This ensures that all elements of your wedding stationery coordinate perfectly.
Additionally, choosing to work with an independent artist can provide greater financial support to small businesses. While Minted does support independent artists, the commission they receive is relatively small compared to the total cost of your purchase. By working directly with an independent artist, a larger portion of your money goes directly into their pocket, which can make a significant difference for small businesses.
Both Minted and local businesses have their advantages. Minted offers a wide range of stylish designs, customisation options, and frequent sales, while local businesses and independent artists provide a more personalised experience, comprehensive services, and greater financial support to small businesses. Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Consider what aspects are most important to you, and don't be afraid to shop around and ask questions before making your final choice.
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Minted's proofing process
Selecting a Design
Minted offers a wide range of elegant and unique wedding invitation designs created by their community of independent artists. You can browse through their collection and choose a design that reflects your style and wedding theme. Whether you prefer classic, minimalistic, or whimsical, there's sure to be a design that captures the essence of your special day.
Customization Options
Once you've selected a design, the fun part begins! Minted allows you to customize your wedding invitations to make them truly yours. You can add personal touches such as crests, illustrations, monograms, and custom colours. You can also choose from various printing types, paper options, and stationery accessories to create a cohesive suite that impresses your guests.
Digital Proofing
After you've placed your order and finalized your design choices, Minted will provide you with a digital proof. This step is crucial, as it allows you to review and approve the design before it goes into production. Take the time to carefully review every detail, from spelling and grammar to design placement and colour accuracy. This is your opportunity to make sure everything is exactly as you envisioned.
Express Service
If you're in a hurry, Minted offers an Express Service option for select items. With this service, your order is sent directly to print, bypassing the standard proofing process. However, any design requests or changes will not be accommodated, and your order will not be reviewed by a designer. Therefore, it's essential to be certain about your design choices if you choose this route.
Designer Review
During the proofing process, your wedding invitations will be carefully reviewed by Minted's team of professional designers. They will ensure that your design is technically sound and will look for any potential issues that may impact the final product. This extra pair of expert eyes provides peace of mind and ensures a high level of quality.
Customer Support
Throughout the proofing process, Minted offers personalized support to address any questions or concerns you may have. You can meet one-on-one with a stationery expert, either online or through their Minted Address Book app, to help bring your vision to life. Their commitment to customer satisfaction means that you're not alone in this journey, and they're here to help every step of the way.
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Minted's shipping speed
Minted offers a variety of shipping options to ensure that your orders arrive on time. The specific shipping speed depends on the chosen shipping option and the item's production time. Here is an overview of Minted's shipping speed and options:
U.S. Shipping Options:
Minted provides Standard Shipping, Rush Shipping, Expedited Shipping, and Priority Shipping for deliveries within the United States. The estimated delivery time for Standard Shipping is 5 business days for unframed paper prints and 6-8 business days for mounted art prints. Rush, Expedited, and Priority Shipping are faster options, with business days defined as Tuesday through Saturday for Standard shipping and Monday through Friday for the other options.
International Shipping Options:
Minted ships internationally to over 200 countries via International Economy and International Priority. The estimated delivery time for Standard International Shipping is 6-8 business days for framed art items.
Transit Times:
It's important to note that the transit times provided by Minted do not include production time. To get the most accurate estimate of the delivery date, refer to the estimated delivery date provided during checkout. Additionally, you can change your shipping methods until your order goes into production.
Express Service:
Minted also offers an Express Service for eligible designs that require minimal customization. With this service, your order goes directly to print after placement, and design requests are not accommodated. You can select Express Service on the preview screen before adding items to your cart.
Holiday Shipping:
During the holiday season, Minted provides various shipping options to ensure timely delivery. They recommend choosing the fastest shipping option available and reviewing their holiday delivery deadlines.
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Minted's customer service
Minted's website is also user-friendly, with an easy-to-navigate interface that allows customers to customise their designs with ease. The website offers a range of tools and services to help customers check off tasks from their to-do lists. Customers can also take advantage of Minted's ""Buy Now, Personalize Later" option, which allows them to purchase their chosen design at a sale price and add in the details later. This is especially useful for those who are still finalising certain wedding details.
Minted also provides a free monogram maker, as well as a free wedding website builder with online RSVP functionality. The website builder includes multiple layout options, custom pages, photo and video galleries, and password protection. For an additional $15, customers can upgrade to a custom URL.
In terms of the physical products, Minted offers a range of printing methods and paper types, including luxe paper and printing types. Customers can also take advantage of free guest addressing, which is printed in a beautiful style that matches the invitation suite. Overall, Minted's customer service is designed to provide personalised support and make the wedding planning process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to order your wedding invitations from Minted three months in advance and send them out 10 weeks in advance. This allows enough time for proofing, delivery, assembly, and any other adjustments.
Minted typically delivers wedding invitations within a week, with some customers reporting delivery times of 5-7 days or even less than a week.
Minted offers high-quality printing, beautiful designs, and customisation options such as address printing and envelope liners. They also have frequent sales and promotions, making their products more affordable.
Minted does not provide a physical proof, but customers can zoom in on the digital proof to ensure the sizing and layout are correct. It is important to carefully review the proof before approving it to avoid any issues with the final product.
Some alternatives to Minted include local stationery shops, Etsy, Zazzle, Vistaprint, and independent graphic designers. These options may offer more customisation and personal guidance but can vary in price and delivery time.