Customer Service
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I order my wedding invitations?
Invitations should be ordered at least three months before the wedding. All of your wedding details, such as date, time, approx. number of attendees and locations should be confirmed prior to placing your order.
When should I mail my invitations?
Typically, wedding invitations should be mailed 6-8 weeks prior to the response date for a formal function and 3 weeks prior for a very informal wedding.
Do envelopes come with my invitations?
Blank envelopes are included in the price for all invitations. Some invitations have inner & outer envelopes. Refer to the specific design for details. Your outer envelopes will be printed with your return address on the back. We will use the same font as the invitation unless otherwise stated by you. If you do not want the return address printed, please let us know. Your order will always include 5 extra envelopes (not invitations) because we know mistakes happen when addressing them.
Can I order a proof of my invitation?
After placing your order, an actual proof will be mailed to you, using your desired text and typestyle, paper and ribbon colors, etc. You will be able to see and feel the paper & materials before giving the final approval before production starts. This will be mailed within 1 week of your order. If there is a rush order, color photos can be emailed to speed the approval process.
Can I order less than 25 invitations?
Sure! You can order just a few or as many as you need! Please click on the image of the invitation in which you are interested and indicate how many you want to purchase.
What are Save the Date cards?
A save the date card is typically sent anywhere from 3 to 12 months in advance of the wedding. It is not an actual invitation to the wedding, but it should include the pertinent information, such as the bride and groom's names, the wedding date and the location. For a wedding to which many people will be traveling, it is helpful to include suggested hotel names and numbers, as well as airline suggestions. You have a choice to add a magnet to the back for guests to place the cards at home as a reminder of the event.
How should I indicate "No Gifts" on the invitation?
It is certainly fine to indicate ever so politely that gifts are not expected. You may add in small print in the lower corner of the invitation "No gifts, please" or "Your presence is gift enough". Please realize, however, that most people are simply uncomfortable attending a celebration without bringing a gift of some kind. So, you may still receive gifts even though you have asked your guests not to bring them.
Can I include registry information on the invitations?
Traditionally, the preferred way to spread the news of any registry information is via word of mouth. If a guest needs assistance in choosing a gift, she will usually contact the host or other friends and family members for ideas. If necessary, the registry information can be included on the bottom of the invitation in a smaller font than the rest of the invitation text, or on a card inserted into the envelope.
How do I determine a "reply by" date?
A requested "reply by" date should be indicated as two weeks to ten days prior to the date of the wedding. It is also suggested that the bride contact the caterer to be sure when a final headcount is needed. The caterer's cut-off date may affect the "reply by" date, as well, and should be taken into consideration.
What is the proper way to complete the "M___________" on a Reply card?
You would simply add your names after the "M" on the line as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Brian Smith The "M" is to state Mr. John Smith, or Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, or Ms. Jane Smith.
What is the proper way to stuff the invitations and enclosures into the envelope?
The invitation and enclosure cards are placed in the envelope in order of size and importance. The largest enclosure cards are placed closest to the invitation. When enclosure cards of the same size are used, the card that is most important for your guest to see would be placed on the top of the ensemble. When you place the invitation and enclosure cards into the envelope, they should all be facing toward you, so that when you remove them from the envelope, you are able to easily read all pieces of the ensemble. While holding the envelope so that you are looking at the back of it, we recommend that you stuff the envelope in the following order:
1. Invitation
2. Reply Envelope
3. Reply Card (tucked under reply envelope flap)
If you are using "double envelopes", you would place the invitation ensemble into the "inside" unsealed envelope. You would then write your guest's names on the front of this envelope. This envelope is then inserted into the "outside" gummed envelope. The front of the "inside" envelope should be facing you and inserted into the back of the "outside" envelope. TIP: Take a sample of your entire invitation -- completely assembled -- to the post office to be weighed to ensure proper postage.
How many invitations should I order?
We recommend that you order 10-20 more invitations than you think you need. You will need extra invitations for any mistakes and last minute additions to your guest list. It's also nice to save a few as keepsakes! Your order will always include 5 extra envelopes (not invitations) because we know mistakes happen when addressing them. To place a smaller additional order after your initial order has been completed, let us know how many more you need and we will get them to you as soon as possible (usually 1 week). By emailing or calling you can avoid re-entering all the info. We will send you a paypal invoice.
When should I order my Thank You Notes?
You may wish to purchase your thank you notes at the same time that you order your invitations. We offer thank you notes that coordinate with your wedding invitation.
ORDERING
How do I place an order online?
You may place an order at any time day or night through our site.
- After selecting your favorite invitation design that you wish to purchase, you will now have the opportunity to customize the item. Enter text, and choose your desired font and font color, ribbon color, paper choice, etc.
- Next, if available, you will be prompted to choose any items related to the one you have customized. If there are related items, such as matching thank you notes, you may select any desired items and customize as needed before continuing.
- Next, you will be directed to your Shopping Cart, where you can see everything in your cart. You can review your total order for accuracy and make any final changes. This is also your last opportunity to add or remove items, or alter quantities before Check Out. (You may also view your Shopping Cart at any time by simply clicking on the My Cart link at the top right hand of the screen.)
- You will then proceed to the Checkout area. This is where you enter your billing and contact information.
- You will be asked to enter shipping address. If this is not the same address the shipment will be billed to, you will have an opportunity to add another address to bill to.
- Continuing in the Checkout process, review your order and enter your credit card information. (We do not see or store credit card numbers) Complete the order by clicking the Place Order button.
- You will receive an email confirmation of you order. If you see any changes, email asap to suzanne@mysunflowerexpressions.com .
- If you need assistance with the order, please call 541-607-9009 between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (PST), Monday thru Saturday and one of our consultants will be delighted to assist you with your online order.
- After placing your order, an actual proof will be mailed to you, using your desired text and typestyle, paper and ribbon colors, etc. You will be able to see and feel the paper & materials before giving the final approval before production starts. This will be mailed within 1 week of your order. If there is a rush order, color photos can be emailed to speed the approval process.
- After your final changes and approval, the prodution process begins. Your finished order will arrive in 2-3 weeks. If you live in the Eugene, Oregon area, your order will be hand delivered with no shipping charge.
How do I purchase a sample?
Samples are available for any of the cards on our website. If you are interested in ordering a sample ($5 each including postage), send an email to suzanne@mysunflowerexpressions.com and give your name, address, phone number and the name of the invitation sample. Also include any changes you wish to see such as paper color, ribbon color, etc. We will send you a paypal invoice.
Will sales tax be added to my purchase?
Because of our location in Oregon, all orders placed within the United States are exempt from sales tax.
Do you ship overseas?
If you are interested in placing an order and having it shipped outside of the continental United States please call our Customer Service department for shipping rates. The department is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday. Or send an e-mail to suzanne@mysunflowerexpressions.com with your request for shipping information. Please be sure to include a complete shipping address, the product number and quantity of the item(s) you are interested in purchasing.
How long does it take to receive my order?
Orders generally take between 2-3 weeks, depending on size and complexity of your order. Need them faster? There may be an extra fee for this service- contact us for an exact quote. All orders are subject to material availability. The more time you give us, the greater the guarantee that your particular material will be in stock. In the event of a backorder, we will substitute similar coordinating available product.
How do I check the status of my order?
Upon placing your order, you will receive an automatic order confirmation via e-mail. You will also receive an e-mail confirmation when your order ships. If you need additional information about your order, you may contact us at mailto:info@mysunflowerexpressions.com
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, personal checks, and money orders. Email us for the address if you wish to mail in your payment.
When will I be billed for my order?
Since every order is customized, we will charge your credit card as soon as the printing process begins. If additions or credits are necessary, we will adjust your order total appropriately prior to shipping. If you would prefer to not order online, just call (541)607-9009 and we can take your payment information and order over the phone.
PRIVACY & SECURITY:
Is it safe to use my credit card?
Yes. Shopping with My Sunflower Expressions is safe! Our server is protected by Veri-Sign which uses an encryption process that converts your information into bits of code, ensuring a secure transmission over the Internet. For more information regarding the safety of our site, simply click on the Veri-Sign logo found on our home page.
What is your privacy policy?
You will not be added to anyone else's mailing list. We do not exchange, share, nor offer any information about you to any other companies.
Product
I love your invitations but I don’t see exactly what I want. Can you create a design for me?
Of course! We offer this custom service to our customers to create one-of-a-kind invitation for your special event. If you give us a general theme and ideas, we will work to create a special and unique invitation for you.
The cost will depend on materials and difficulty of your vision. Contact us via email with as much info as you can, and we will give you a price quote on your custom designed invitations.
Can I print on the back of my stationery?
While it is not traditional, most of our stationery can accommodate printing on the reverse side. We will be happy to review your request and determine if printing on the back is feasible. Since printing on the back of stationery requires double printing, a fee may be associated with these special requests. Contact us for information on availability and pricing, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (PST), Monday through Saturday.
How much will it cost to mail my wedding invitation?
The price of mailing your invitation will depend on both the height and the weight. If the height of the card is over 6 and 1/8 inches, the length is over 11 and 1/2 inches or the thickness is over 1/4 inch, additional postage will be necessary. The dimensions of your invitation can be found on the "Main" picture page in the design center. Square envelopes cost more to ship. We suggest that you bring an assembled invitation to your Post Office to have the exact postage determined. It is also a good idea to have them hand-canceled instead of going through a postage machine.
Am I able to choose which color ribbon I want on my card?
Yes, many of the cards with enhancements can be ordered in a variety of colors. See the customization items on invitaion page.
Will my invitations come fully assembled?
Yes, all you need to do is address the envelopes, insert rsvp card & envelope (if ordered) into outer envelope, stamp them, and mail.
Can I have my response envelopes printed and stamped?
Yes, this service is available and recommended for a small fee - $0.50 each for envelope address printing and $0.45 for stamping.
For available stamp styles click here to choose one you would like or you can mail us your stamps.
The font on the envelopes will match your invitations unless stated otherwise by you.
I'm not sure whether I am using the correct punctuation and grammar when I write the wording for my invitation. Does someone review my order for proper grammar?
We proof every order for grammatical correctness. If we observe any grammar or punctuation that we feel is questionable, we will always call or email you first before making any changes. Please make sure you then re-review your order. There are many good websites to help you with wording your invitation such as http://www.verseit.com/ .
RETURNS
What is your return policy in the event that I am not happy with my order?
Although this is extremely rare, if any changes to the order are necessary, contact My Sunflower Expressions as soon as possible. We will do our best to accommodate you. For example, if you changed your mind on the ribbon color after you received your order, we can replace the ribbon for you if you ship your order back (there is a charge for re-shipping & $25/hour production time) OR we can ship you new ribbon and instruct you how to change it out yourself. Contact us to see what we can do to make it right.
Shipping
How long do orders take to ship?
Shipping is based on the carrier as well as the destination the package is being sent to. We will select the fasted method based on the shipping charges. In most cases, you may expect your order within 5-10 business days (after the 3-4 week order time).
How much do you charge for shipping?
We typically use USPS or UPS to ship our products. Shipping prices are as follows:
$0-25 - $2
$26-100 - $10
$101-200 - $15
$201-400 - $20
$401- 600 - $25
$601 & up - $30
In most cases, you may expect your order within 5-10 business days after you receive a shipment confirmation email. Express mail next day or second day is available at an additional fee (usually around $35) We are also able to ship to overseas and APO addresses. Feel free to contact us to obtain a shipping estimate. Please be sure to include a complete shipping address, the product number and the quantity of the item you are interested in purchasing.
Any other questions? Please contact us and we will get back to you right away!