How to Plan for an Engraving/Personalization Activation at Your Wedding: FAQs

If you’re looking for ways to make your wedding even more special, live engraving could be the missing piece. By working with an engraving artist, you can create a fun activation for your guests while also sending them home with gifts that are unique and personalized. 

To help it all come together, we put together some of the most common questions we get from our clients about engraving services for weddings. Read on to figure out how to plan your engraving activation and how it can fit into your big day!

When Should I Reach Out and Book Engraving Services?

Nailing down timing is one of the most important parts of planning a wedding. Each type of vendor gets booked up at different timelines, so it’s helpful to know when to start looking at engraving services and booking your artist. 

We recommend starting to reach out about a year in advance to inquire about pricing and services so you can ensure you will fit engraving services into your budget. Keep in mind that many engraving artists likely won’t be booking that far in advance, but it’s the perfect time to receive a variety of quotes to fit into your budget. Artists do tend to update their rates seasonally or annually, so it’s also good to factor in a range rather than a set amount. 

When you are ready to book with an engraving artist, most will be ready to book with you about two-to-four months before your wedding. However, if your wedding is during a busy holiday season (i.e. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or in November and December), booking around four-to-six months out is better to make sure you can secure your date. 

What Should I Have Personalized at My Wedding?

For the fun part, you get to decide what you want to have personalized at your wedding! We recommend choosing a gift that your guests will love and keep, and not just throw away or forget about. Here are some great ideas that our clients have used:

• Drinking glasses like shot glasses, wine glasses, and champagne flutes

• Luggage tags

• Candles

• Fragrance bottles

• Glass ornaments

• Wine and spirit bottles

• Passport covers

• Reusable water bottles

These types of gifts are special items that your guests will use more than once, ensuring your wedding becomes a lasting memory with everyone who attends. 

How Do Engraving Artists Put Together Their Rates?

When it comes to budgeting, most engraving artists offer rates based on time-based packages, similar to photographers. For a typical wedding, you can commonly book a four-hour package for on-site engraving or personalization, with an additional hourly charge for extra time or for unique requirements like special styles. 

Engravers’ rates usually include time for setup and breakdown, but additional time may be billed if your venue and vision requires extra setup/breakdown. Artists may also require reimbursement for parking and travel. If your venue requires your vendors to provide a certificate of insurance, please let us know and we would be happy to provide that information!

To book an engraving artist for your wedding, most artists will take an additional deposit to secure your date (generally 50% up front, and 50% a week or so before the wedding date

). 

When Is It Best to Have Personalized Engraving During My Wedding?

Thinking through logistics is crucial when you’re offering engraving or personalization at your wedding. At Sanique & Co., many of our clients have offered an engraving activation during their cocktail hour and reception. However, it’s important to consider your guest count. To make sure everyone can receive their personalized gift, you can choose a simple design (your guest’s first name or initials, for example). 

We can also start some of the engraving/personalization during your ceremony (if it’s in a separate space) to have some ready for your guests when the ceremony is over. We can also staff your wedding with a second artist if time is limited or you have a large guest list. 

Can I See Samples of the Personalized Products?

Once we receive your initial deposit, we can test up to three samples. The samples are included in your booking fee to ensure that you have exactly what you want for your big day. 

We know that you’re already making a ton of big decisions for your wedding, so we’re also happy to offer samples before you book at a small fee per sample. The sample fee would be applied toward your full invoice upon booking. 

Why Personalized Engraving is a Great Addition to Your Wedding

Still wondering if personalized engraving makes sense for your big day? Here are just a few reasons why our clients love on-site engraving!

• Offer a unique gift - Send your guests home with a gift they won’t get at any other wedding. A personally engraved gift is unique and sentimental for you and your guests!

• Give your guests more than cocktails - At most weddings, your guests are used to standing around and sipping on cocktails before or after the ceremony. With personalized engraving, you can offer something a little more special to make the day feel celebratory. 

• Allow your guests to meet and mingle - Most wedding guest lists include a ton of people who’ve never met, and allowing people from different parts of your life to come together is one of the best parts! A live engraving station is a great way for guests to meet, mingle, and have fun together. 

• Create a special keepsake - While your guests will love an engraved gift, it’s also a unique keepsake that you and your partner can keep for years to come. An engraved candle or other item is something that will always remind you of your special day. 

If you have a special occasion coming up, what better way to commemorate it than with personalized gifts! You and your guests will love going home with something completely unique and memorable from your event. Engraved fragrance bottles are especially great for weddings (the bride and grooms signature scents!), bridal and baby showers, and anniversary parties. 

How to Book Sanique & Co. for Your Wedding

We’d love to offer personalized engraving on-site at your wedding! To book with us, contact us today to get started. Depending on your timeline, we can provide a quote in advance or work with you to secure your date. We’d be honored to be there for your wedding and to help make your day even more special! 

TLDR: On-site engraving at your wedding is a great way to bring your guests together and provide a unique, personalized gift. To make sure your vision comes to life, it’s good to book your artist in advance and consider logistics. Contact me here to get started!