Our Semi-Custom Design Process
The Leighwood Design Studio Semi-Custom Invitation Collection features thoughtfully-crafted designs that you and your partner infuse with personal style. Each suite starts as a base design that you customize with personalized wording, curated ink and envelope colors, as well as distinctive script options. Unlike DIY sites, you'll work directly with a Designer (just like a custom client) who will guide you through the process, suggest alternate options and serve as a trusted advisor.
We created this guide to make personalizing your semi-custom wedding invitation suite a breeze. Together we’ll go through customization, color selection and the ordering process, as well as share some favorite final products from our couples.
Your wedding invitations should be an unmistakable reflection of you as a couple. Craft something unique and unexpected with Leighwood Design Studio – we can’t wait to see what you create!
Customization Process
Select Your Style
Choose an option from our selection of thoughtfully-crafted designs that aligns with your wedding style.
Build Your Suite
Select the best options to fit your needs, whether it be a single-piece invitation or a full suite with multiple inserts. All suites come with envelopes and inks in a variety of unique color options.
Select Add-Ons & Embellishments
Make a great first impression with your guests. Choose from luxury printing methods, additional inserts, or those perfect finishing touches like invitation wraps, wax seals or ribbon that add your personality to the design.
Shop Day-Of Designs
Your invitation is just the beginning. Create consistency and an elevated guest experience throughout your wedding day by including event pieces such as programs, menus, place cards and signage. Visit your suite’s day-of items to get started, or submit an inquiry to add on any pieces that aren’t featured.
Submit Your Order
Once submitted, your order is reviewed and details are confirmed by one of our Designers. If you didn't upload your details and guest addresses, your Designer will reach out to collect this information. (All suite orders require a minimum of six weeks production time.)
The Design Process
After your order is confirmed, we provide a digital proof for your feedback. Up to three rounds of revisions are included with your suite. Once your final proof is approved, you receive a Print Agreement confirming all order details and releasing your order for production.
Print Production & Assembly
Digital printing takes about three weeks to complete, with specialty printing taking an additional week. Once suites return from our trusted print partners, they are quality checked and pre-assembled before delivery.
Suite Delivery
Local pickup is available for those living in St. Louis. Otherwise, your suite is shipped and shipping charges are included in your order pricing. Orders are delivered at least one week prior to your suggested mailing date (10–12 weeks before wedding day).
Celebration!
Once your beautifully crafted invitations are mailed off to your guests, it’s time to celebrate and check this big to-do off your list! Be sure to track your RSVPs as they arrive for important guest details that impact your day-of paper goods, such as attendee numbers and meal choices.
Standard Suite Customization Options
Paper & Envelope Colors
Tailor your design with the perfect paper stock and complementary envelope colors.
Digital & Letterpress Inks
Customize your suite with up to two ink colors. Add letterpress, foil, or embossed printing for an elevated finish.
Script Styles
Choose from eight beautiful script styles to express your signature style.
Studio Favorite
Pennelope
Pennelope is youthful and funky, for when you want your invitations to be unique. Pennelope looks great with bold colors but can be muted down for a more refined look.
Real-Life Customizations
Our suites can be customized to your special event as much or as little as you'd like. Take a look at how our suites have been personalized by past clients!
Available Add-Ons
Printing Upgrades
We offer luxe foil, letterpress and embossed printing upgrades.
Envelope Liners
We love to incorporate a pop of the unexpected when guests open their envelopes.
Ribbon, Wraps, and Wax Seals
Add a finishing element like ribbon, a wrap, and wax seal to tie your look together.
Customization FAQs
All semi-custom designs from Leighwood Design Studio include:
• Wording modifications
• All color adjustments (paper, ink, envelopes)
• High-quality digital printing
• Full-address printing
• Partial assembly
Select designs include modifications to script options. Collections that include response card envelopes will include return postage. You will work with a Designer to customize your suite and make it feel like you, while staying true to the essence of the base design.
This is a great opportunity to order a Sample Pack! Our sample packs include 2–3 full invitation suites along with paper swatches and ink color swatches. If you’re interested in receiving a swatch of a specific envelope or paper color, indicate it in your order notes and we will do our best to provide one with your sample pack. The purchase of your Sample Pack will be credited towards your order when you place it online or through email.
After your order is placed, we will reach out to see when you want to get started on your suite, based on your wedding date and our suggested timelines. We require orders to be placed at least 4 weeks before the date you would like to mail your invitations (generally 10–12 weeks prior to your wedding date). If you place your order months prior to your wedding, we will put you on our calendar so that the delivery of your suites will happen at least one week prior to your suggested mailing date. If you order close to that 4 week mark, you will receive a proof within 48 hours of your order placement.
Review your total guest list and determine how many of those guests live in the same household. Add an additional 10% on top of that to get your total order amount. This additional amount allows for any guests that move, USPS mishaps, or extra guests you invite after your initial guest list is considered. Traditionally, adult children living with their parents should receive their own invitation.
We’d be happy to have a conversation about it! We keep personalization pretty flexible so long as the essence of the suite remains the same. If there is something you’re dying to have (addition of a monogram, changing the base font, etc.) there will be a customization fee of $100 assessed to cover the additional design time. We also offer fully custom designed invitation suites.
Orders are ready to pick up or ship within 4 weeks. Because of the personalized nature of our design process and our small business practices, we do not guarantee anything shorter than a 4-week turnaround without a rush fee. Unlike some print-on-demand companies, we do not print in-house. We also ensure that quality checks are happening at every point of the process. If you need your order in less than 4 weeks, please contact us at orders@leighwooddesignstudio.com to inquire about a rush.
Because of the personalized and customized nature of the product, refunds on printed materials are not accepted. If there are issues with your order, please contact us at orders@leighwooddesignstudio.com to bring it to our attention. If you placed an order, but no longer need it fulfilled, refunds are handled in these ways:
• If no proof has been presented: 100% refund
• If a proof has been presented: 75% refund
• If a Print Agreement has been signed, but production has not begun: 50% refund
Once Production begins, no refunds will be accepted.
Yes! We love carrying your design through your entire wedding day. Shop our semi-custom day-of designs in the shop to see what’s available to coordinate with your Collection. Looking for something that’s not currently available in your design? Indicate in a note on your order, or email us at orders@leighwooddesignstudio.com so that we can chat more about it.
