CATEGORIES

I’m based in Adelaide, Australia but thanks to the internet, I have customers all over the world!

Email is the preferred method of contact, or you can call 0439 860 756 during business hours (Australian CST time).

Akimbo is owned and run by Alicia Parsons. Alicia is a qualified and experienced graphic designer who loves all things paper and parties! (Read the full bio here.)

No, Akimbo is a home-based business. (But you can take a virtual tour of my little studio here!)

Yes! You can find selected Akimbo goodies in various funky shops around Australia. Check out the stockist page to find one near you.

Awesome! Sign up for our newsletterto receive exclusive subscriber discounts and to be the first to hear about the latest news and product releases. If you’re engaged make sure you select the ‘Wedding’ subscriber option so you’ll get super helpful weekly tips delivered straight to your inbox.You’ll also love our blog for advice, inspiration, real weddings and all kinds of fun stuff.

I love meeting local clients at one of my fave coffee shops. For those further afield, I’m available for Skype calls by appointment. Contact me to arrange.

Certainly, I’d love to work with your planner or stylist to ensure that the stationery ties in with the rest of your day. In that case I would work directly with them, rather than with you. It will save you a bunch of time and best of all, it won’t cost you a cent more!

Relax, that’s what your stationery designer is for! Just drop me a line and we’ll chat about you as a couple and your vision for your wedding day and pretty soon I’ll be able to make a suggestion that reflects that. All initial consultations are free and no-obligation. So what are you waiting for?

I love non-traditional weddings that suit the couple’s personalities and tastes. Whatever your brand of weird, I’d love to work with you to make your dream day a reality.

Akimbo loves love in all its forms!

Akimbo is a one-woman show, so I can only take on a certain amount of jobs at once. I hate saying no to lovely brides and grooms so it’s a great idea to make a tentative booking. That way, I’ll be able to let you know before I’ve reached capacity, remind you if you have a deadline looming and give you a heads-up if I’m about to go on holidays. It’s not essential, though. I’ve worked to some seriously tight deadlines before!

You have a couple of options for invitation design:
· Off-the-rack: Our range of existing styles is perfect if you want a high quality invitation without the designer price tag. Read more here.
· Couture: For something truly one-of-a-kind! Read more here.

Yep, and it’s included in the price. Printed colours are virtually infinite, however keep in mind that colours of paper stock, foils, envelopes and embellishments are limited by availability. Learn more about customisation options.

Of course, this is included in the cost of all invitation design options. Some designs may or may not feature details such as a parents line and a different location for the reception, but go ahead and submit the wording that suits your needs and I will include it. Just keep in mind that it may need to be tweaked to fit the layout of an existing design.

Yes, you can customise the fonts for a small charge. I don’t have a standard list of fonts as I believe every job is different. Let me know the kind of style you’re after and I will be able to recommend something suitable that I have out of the hundreds I have on file!

For digitally printed invitations you can include the guests’ names (additional costs are incurred since each page will need to be different).It’s not possible to include guests’ names with printing methods such as screenprinting, letterpress and foiling since every copy needs to be made from the same block/screen. However there are ways around this such as:
· pre-filling the RSVP cards with the guests’ names;
· wrapping the invitation in a belly band that has been digitally printed with the name; or
· tying the invitation up with twine/ribbon with a handwritten name tag.

Yep, just send me a swatch of what it is you’re trying to match (eg bridesmaids’ dresses) and I will do my best to match the colour. Note that colours can be notoriously inaccurate when viewed on screen, so I will need the physical sample.

Yes. If it is a language that uses the roman alphabet, just submit the wording as per usual but please clearly label which text is intended for which line of information. For languages that use other alphabets please contact to discuss. Please be aware that some fonts do not have the full set of accented characters so font substitution may be required (at additional cost).

Sure, including photos on wedding thank you notes and birth announcements look especially good. A small fee will be applicable if the design does not already incorporate a photo. Simply provide your photo(s) as high-resolution JPEGs or TIFFs (they need to be at least 300dpi at actual size).I will use the photo as-is so make sure your photo is great quality. Professional photos are advisable, just make sure you check with your photographer that you have permission to reproduce their images.

I recommend placing your invitation order no later than four months before the big day. For save the dates, make it upwards of six months. I can work to tighter deadlines but it can mean your options in terms of specialist printing and Couture design may be limited. So to avoid having to compromise your vision I recommend getting in touch as soon as you can.

Yes, yes, yes! Save the dates, thank you notes, menus, programs, place cards, signs, favour tags, you name it! Check out our range of coordinating accessories here.

Yep, I’ve had clients in the US, UK, Europe and Asia (still working on Africa and Antarctica!). Keep in mind that paper and envelopes are in international metric sizes which are different to US standard sizes. You can find a size converter here.

You’ll need to have worked out the following information prior to ordering:
· How many invitations you need (remember, this won’t be as many as the number of guests as there will be couples and families)
· Which coordinating items you require (e.g. save the dates, programs, seating chart, thank you notes etc)
· Your budget (browse the shopfor a rough guide to what you can expect everything to cost)Ideally you’d also have started on:
· Your (proofread!) wording (you can find some wording ideas here)
· Guests’ names (if you are having these printed on the invitations)
· Guests’ names and addresses (if you are having the envelopes printed)
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need help with any of this.

If you’d like to order a design from our existing range, simply select your options, add your wording and purchase online. For Couture creations, please contact for a quote and if you’d like to go ahead and you’ll be sent an invoice.

For online orders, simply type your wording directly into the ‘Your wording’ field. For Couture orders (or if you are sending your wording after your online order), please email your wording through in an unformatted Word document, plain text document or in the body of the email to hello@akimbo.com.au.
Make sure all the details are correct and you have proofread it carefully, paying particular attention to numbers (such as phone numbers, addresses and times) and proper nouns (such as names, venue names and suburbs).

An Excel spreadsheet please! If you are ordering more than one type of product with guests’ names, make sure you list them separately. For example, your wording will be ‘Mr John & Mrs Mary Smith (& address)’ on the envelope, ‘John & Mary’ on the invitation and ‘John’ and ‘Mary’ on the place cards. Also, I don’t know if your friend’s name has a typo or if she just has a wacky name so please proofread.

If you haven’t already, please provide your wording. For Couturejobs, I’ll contact you to find out a bit more about you as a couple and your wedding plans. I’ll hit the drawing board to come up an awesome idea just for you.For all design options, you’ll then receive a digital proof to which you are entitled two rounds of revisions.

If you’d like to make further changes, a minimal design fee will be charged for additional rounds of proofs. (Obviously if it was our oversight no fee will be charged.)

Sorry, hardcopy proofs are not available. If you’d like to see and feel what the paper and printing are like before you go ahead, I suggest you order a sample and/or paper selector.

Once you’ve approved your invitation, any remaining balance will be payable. Then your job will be promptly sent off to print.In the meantime you can get your addresses sorted (if you haven’t already) so when they’re delivered you’re all ready to go.

You’ll need to reorder the minimum quantity of 30, plus shipping. We want to avoid you having to do this which is why I cannot overemphasise the need to count your guest list carefully (including your B-list if you have one!) and strongly recommend ordering 10-15% extra invitations.

For Off-the-rack designs, simply browse the range and select your quantity and other options for an instant quote! If you’re not ready to order yet, you can save your favourites to your wishlist or forward to your other half for their opinion. You can then consider options for customisationif you wish.Akimbo employs such a variety of printing methods, formats, paper types and finishing details – as well as a tiered pricing structure – that it is impossible to provide a standard price list for Couture designs. Your quote will be calculated based on the design, quantity, materials and printing method. All quotes and initial consultations are non-obligation and free of charge. Request a quote now!

Due to the nature of e-commerce, online orders will require full payment upfront. If you’d prefer to spread out the cost (or if you’re ordering a Couture design) contact me and I will invoice your job manually. A deposit of 50% is required to secure your booking and begin the design process. The balance will be due upon approval to print.

Online orders may be paid by credit card or PayPal. Couture designs and any other orders invoiced manually can be paid in the same methods plus electronic transfer.

My snazzy website allows you to view prices in your own currency to make shopping easier (Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, United States dollars, Canadian dollars, British pound or Euro). Please note the transaction will go through in Australian dollars so your bank may charge you a foreign transaction fee. Quotes, manual invoices and all other prices are listed in Australian dollars unless otherwise stated.All prices listed are exclusive of tax. 10% GST will be added at checkout to orders placed within Australia.

I employ a variety of printing methods (digital, screenprinting, letterpress and foiling), depending on what it most appropriate for the style, materials and budget of the job.

Here at Akimbo we believe the best quality paper and printing are just as important as a great design, so we do not offer printable invitations.

Each product is designed with the recommended paper but you are able to choose alternatives from our paper selector. The cost of the selector is refundable against the cost of your order.

Akimbo uses recycled or sustainably sourced paper wherever possible, but if this is of particular concern to you I’ll be able to check the credentials of the product you’re interested in and recommend alternative papers where necessary.

They sure do! Thank you notes, save the dates and RSVPs also come with envelopes, unless described as ‘postcard’ style.

If you’re not aware, some people send invitations with an outer envelope to protect the inner envelope during postage. The practice of double envelopes is not standard here in Australia and as such the required envelope sizes are not available.

I really wish I could stock envelope liners. Unfortunately it’s not currently possible since I use a variety of envelopes some with different types of flaps. However I do have this great tutorial for DIY liners!

Of course, you can choose from either printed addresses or mailing labels. Please note that printing is not an option on very dark envelopes such as black, navy or brown.

Sure, there are a few ways of going about this:
· Printed return addresses
· Return address stickers / envelope seals
· Custom rubber stamp

Your calligrapher will likely request an extra 10% or so envelopes in case of ink blotching or spelling mistakes. You might also want to get a head start on the addressing while the invitations are in production. Let us know and we can adjust your order so that your envelopes (including extras) are posted ahead of time.

We have samples for selected designs available in stock. If one you’re interested in is not available, contact me and I’ll be able to recommend the one that’s most similar in terms of paper and printing. There is a small fee and free shipping. Samples are refundable if you go on to place an order.

No, it’s not possible to provide a customised sample as that would cost almost as much to produce as a whole batch.

Yes, our paper selector is the perfect companion when you’re deciding what paper you’d like. This kit includes papers most suitable for digital printing. Samples of letterpress papers and timber are available on request.

Readymade orders (such as prints and cards) are shipped via Australia Post. Orders of personalised items (such as invitations) are shipped via courier to ensure safe and timely delivery.

Yes, that’s fine.

Yes! Shipping of personalised orders internationally still only takes a few days, however I recommend allowing a little bit more time in case of customs hold-ups.

Delivery will occur during business hours, so if you are not at home during the day we suggest you list your workplace or perhaps a parent’s house as the delivery address to ensure safe delivery.

If you are in a hurry, simply get in touch and if I have room in my schedule (and my printer does too!) to meet your deadline I will do my best to rush through your job. No additonal fees apply.

It depends according to the stage your job is at. Here are some common scenarios:
· If you change your mind before I have started your proof or ordered any materials, I will refund your deposit in full.
· If the design process is already underway, your deposit will be forfeited to reflect the time already spent on design. The balance will not be payable.
· If your job is already at the printers and/or completed and on its way, cancellation is not an option.

In the case of faulty readymade goods, I can either provide a full refund or send a replacement. If you have simply changed your mind, contact me to discuss. Personalised items are not able to be returned as they have been printed just for you. But please contact us if you have any concerns and we will do our best to accommodate you. (See next question for details on errors.)

Please alert me to the issue straight away. If it is our error of course I will reprint and ship at my own cost as soon as possible. If you’ve approved the artwork with mistakes in it, I will arrange another proof and reprint at a discount of 20%.

As a general rule of thumb, aim for 8 weeks before your wedding. You may like to send them out a little earlier if you haven’t sent out save the dates.

Firstly, remember that you don’t need as many invitations as guests since many will be couples or families. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve quoted on a batch of, say 100 invitations only for the bride to realise she was counting individual guests and actually only needs 60 invitations! Write out your guest list and count up how many households (singles, couples or families) there are. It’s usually around 50-60% of your total head count. From there, add an extra 10-15% extra invitations to avoid having to order costly reprints if an invitation gets lost in the mail, you forget to invite someone or you decide to invite more guests when you receive ‘no’ responses.

You should be sending an invitation to each couple/family. If children are invited, they should be listed on the invitation and/or the envelope. Grown-up children over 18 living at home should receive their own invitation. Allow for an invitation for your parents, in-laws, grandparents, siblings and bridal party even though you know they are coming. You should send an invitation to overseas guests even if you don’t think they will attend.

Check out this guide for ideas to suit every family situation and level of formality. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.

You can start by casually spreading the word with your friends and family so there are no surprises. Carefully addressing the envelope and invitation only to the parents should be sufficient. For extra clarity, you can pre-fill the RSVP card or include a short footnote on your invitation or information card, my favourite of which is: ‘While we love all the little ones in our lives, this is an adult event’. Whatever wording you choose, it’s much better to put it in the positive (‘Adults only please’) rather than the negative (‘No children’).

The appropriate dress should be evident from the wording and design of your invitation, the location of your venue (is it a beach or a ballroom?) and the type of people you and your fiance are. So if it’s nothing out of the ordinary it’s not necessary to include. However if you’d like to be more specific because of preference (I’ve had a number of laid-back couples who specifically didn’t want people to dress up) or practicality (wear appropriate footwear for a beach wedding) you can go ahead and do so. This can be included on either your invitation or on your information card.

Aww, yay! I want to hang out with you too. You can find more goodness by…
· Signing up to the newsletter for latest news, exclusive discounts and free sanity-saving wedding tips.
· Visiting the blog for all the inspiration, advice and projects you need to plan a beautiful day.
· Following me on Pinterest for crush-worthy wedding inspiration, DIY projects and more!
· Becoming part of our Facebook community for instant updates, useful links and fun chat.
· Connecting on Twitter for virtual water cooler talk.
· Following my Instagram for behind-the-scenes snapshots of my life and work.
And, if you’re still not sick of me after that, you can…
· Check out my lifestyle blog Atypical Type A for creative ideas for home, craft and entertaining.