How to Survive an Invitation Disaster
By Bob Poliachik
How to Survive Invitation Disasters
What a nightmare it is to send out invitations that are wrong!
If this ever happens to you, you have to work really fast to correct the bad invitations.
Here is what to do to fix your Invitation Disaster:
First, figure out how much time you have. You probably fall into one of three categories:
- Invitations have been ordered, but when you got them you spotted an error
- Invitations have been sent out, and there is enough time to send corrected replacements
- Invitations have been sent out and there is not enough time to send out replacements.
Invitations have been ordered, but when you got them you spotted an error
Contact your invitation vendor as soon as possible. They should have your order on file. A reputable vendor will offer expedited service to fix an error. If the problem was the vendor's fault, ask for a discount - or look to review their guarantee policies. You may be able to get replacements for no charge if it was your vendor's problem. Some invitation merchants even offer a "disaster discount" even if the error was yours.
Since you have the envelopes for your invitations, while you are waiting for replacements to be printed, go ahead and address your envelopes. Then you'll be ready to send the invitations out when the new, correct ones arrive.
If you've made a decision not to go back to your original invitation vendor, look for a new one that can get you replacement invitations quickly. You've already ordered one set of invitations that were wrong, you do not have time to order yet another replacement if your new vendor can't get them right.
Invitations have been sent out, and there is enough time to send corrected replacements
Ask your invitation vendor for a reprint of your order with the corrections made. Hope that they have expedited shipping option, or can at least get your reprints out to you by the next day.
If your event is informal, ask your vendor if there is a way to mark the new invitations "corrected", "revised", or "updated".
Invitations have been sent out, and there is not enough time to send out replacements
I'm afraid that you are going to have to pick up the phone. Go back to your guest list and call everyone that you sent an invitation to and tell them about the error on your invitations. Make sure that everyone gets the message, or they may show up on the wrong day, or the wrong place.
Do you have the email address of your guests? Send an email to your guest list - it can be an extra reminder that the information on the invitations is wrong.
Remind at RSVP Time
If you have asked for an RSVP on your invitations, remind your guests of the correct date, time, and place when they call to RSVP.
Damage Control
With your corrected invitations or the night spent on the phone with your guests, the damage caused by wrong invitations can be brought under control. If you have particularly forgetful guests, you might want to remind them again as the party gets closer.... make sure your crazy Aunt Millie gets there OK!
Here are some invitation disasters that we have seen and how we fixed them.
The biggest invitation disasters happen when your proof reading didn't catch a problem and you send your invitations out with wrong information on them.
Venue Change
The place Angie thought that her celebration was going to be held called you to tell her that they were double-booked and that her reservation was canceled. Angie was about to send her invitations out, but had not yet.
Solution: Reprint ASAP. Replacement invitations were sent out the same day we knew about the problem. Angie received a "disaster discount" because just a small change was needed to the existing order on file. Angie addressed her envelopes while waiting the 2 days for her replacements to arrive.
Date Change
The Church that planned Sherry's son's Confirmation decided to change the Confirmation to Saturday from Sunday. Sherry had not sent invitations out, but had addressed the envelopes.
Solution: Reprint ASAP. Replacement invitations were sent out the day after we knew about the problem. The customer received a "disaster discount" because just a small change was needed to the existing order on file.
Left A Name Off
We printed some return address labels for Lynn, but accidently left her husband's name off. Lynn received the labels and when her husband saw them he asked if they were getting divorced. After a laugh, Lynn called us to tell us we made an error. She did not want her friends to think that she was alone.
Solution: Reprint ASAP. Replacement labels were sent out the day after we knew about the problem. The customer received the replacements for free because it was an error on our part..
Quick Action Helps
Sure, there are much worse disasters than wrong invitations, but with some quick action your celebration won't be affected at all.
Bob Poliachik is co-owner with his wife Darian of Poly Graphics, which sells custom printed invitations. Poly Graphics is blessed to have your business. http://www.PolyGraphics.com
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