Starring: The old-fashion couple
Pan Pacific gave the couple a selection of three wedding cards: Black-red, Silver-pink, and Red-gold. Being old-fashion and traditional and not wanting to get in trouble with the elders, the couple eliminated the black-red card immediately. The silver-pink card looked too sweet and a bit non-Chinese-y, so they stuck with the typical red-gold. The cards are longish in design, not the best of size because it limits the printing space.
In their wedding package, the couple were entitled to 210 pieces of cards (70% of total number of pax). They had to source for the printers (with recommendation from the hotel). It seems that "tdragoncards" is the only invitation card printing company used by most couples who are getting married. Probably because the vendor has very good relations with hotels and/or they are smart enough to be located in City Hall (Peninsula Shopping Centre).
The couple went to TDragons on a Monday evening (TDragon is open from 11am to 8pm on Monday to Friday, and 10am to 2pm on Saturday). The shop was very crowded as it was near closing time. Nonetheless the staff were nice enough to attend to the couple even after 8pm. They had a very systematic approach which made the couple feel at ease although they were secretly blur like sotong.
Question 1: Are you looking for cards + printing or printing only?
After informing them that they are only looking for printing services for their Pan Pac red cards, Ms Nice Lady from TDragon came with a set of wording templates and samples of the templates being printed on the red cards. The templates were very useful as the couple could easily see that the red colour of the card was too dark and thus hot-stamping on the cards itself will make the words unclear.
Question 2: Hot-Stamping or Insert Printing?
The couple easily made this decision as explained in Question 1. You can find the price list
here.
Question 3: What words to put in the card?
The couple did ample research on this beforehand (i.e. referred to cards from their friends). They decided to go with the traditional wordings (e.g. Parents inviting the guest to their children's wedding) vs the modern one (e.g. Together with our parents, we, the couple invite you the guest to our wedding).
Once you decide on the style, the words are quite standard.The couple tried to phrase their card as best as they could to disseminate the fact that the holy matrimony will be held
during the banquet itself. As such, guests are kindly requested to be punctual!
The Chinese wordings were a breeze as Ms Nice Lady helped the couple go through the arduous task of knowing how and what to write. Some of the key questions she asked were if the grandparents (father side) were still alive and whether the couple had brother and sisters.
Author's Note: Remember to find out your parent's full name & Chinese character name before going there.
Question 4: Cartoons?
An additional non-word item on the card costs $10 regardless of number of cards you have. The couple thinks it's a very easy way of earning $10 but the graphic does make the card look less wordy. The couple wanted to pick one which was super big to make the $10 worthwhile but in the end chose something sweet-ish instead.
Question 5: How many to print?
The couple's initial reaction was huh? "Of course print the same number as the number of cards you have". Ms Nice Lady enlightened them that (a) What makes you think you have enough cards (since the hotel gave you 70% only) and (b) You sure you won't make mistake? Hmmm... The couple hasn't ordered additional cards from the hotel yet, but some guests have pre-opted for e-invitations instead to save them the hassle & cost & trees.
The meeting with TDragon lasted for about 30 minutes. They produced the first draft within 3 days of the appointment and would be ready with the inserts 10 days later! The old-fashioned couple will be collecting their cards on 10/10/11. Everyone look out for the invites in your mailboxes!
Author's Note:
TDragon's contact information --
tdragoncards.com
Showroom/Customer Service Centre
No. 3 Coleman Street, Peninsula Shopping Centre #03-01
Singapore 179804
(Near City Hall MRT, Next to Funan Centre IT Mall)
Tel: 6292 8338 Fax: 6333 9279
