What is a Family?
Each Original Design Family is an artwork suite which applies a co-ordinated style to a complete range of stationery items.   We have a wide variety covering most periods and styles; almost all are shown on this site.   Each Family comprises:  front cover (for folding invitations, service books and menus, with appropriate lettering), invitation design whose border is also used for menu interiors, response card, place card, thank-you card, correspondence card, letterhead, place card and gift tag.  Complete design sheets for each family, showing all its components, are available on request.
‘Text only’
On these items we do not offer graphics;  the design consists purely of typesetting, attractively laid out and in most cases including a monogram.
Typefaces
Each Family has a particular typestyle associated with it.   On the design pages you will find the name of the typeface used in each case;  alternatively, scroll down this page for a complete list, with specimens.   You can change the associated typeface to another when ordering, at no extra cost. — Typefaces marked * are exclusive designs available only from Olivia Stationery.
For ‘text-only’ items we will use our discretion in offering a typeface suited to the occasion, the venue, the style of wording etc., unless you indicate a preference of your own.
Invitations
The wording of these is completely flexible;  you can phrase them just as you wish.
Bilingual invitations are one of our specialities.   We recommend using the ‘folding front/interior’ styles E or F for these, so that the two texts can balance each other on the two inside panels.   We have typefaces for Greek, Russian/Cyrillic and Hebrew, besides all special characters for French, German, Spanish and the Nordic languages.  Prices are from £20 ($33).
Response cards
The normal wording is shown in the sample pages, but this can be modified in a number of ways without extra cost;  for example, you can use the response card to encourage your guests to tell you if they have special dietary needs or if they require transport.
Letterheads
If ordering these, please remember to give the address to be used.   We will not include names or telephone numbers unless asked to do so.
Service cards/booklets
A service card and a 4-page service booklet both allow three pages for the text of the service or ceremony (the difference is that the booklet, with its paper insert, allows for a separate title-page which you can use to list the people taking part).
How many pages?   In a normal 4-page booklet or card there is space to give the full words of up to three hymns and to list the opening and closing music, signing-of-register music (if any), readings, prayers and address, with names of minister, readers and musicians if required.   A full Roman Catholic Mass, with readings and prayers set out in detail, usually calls for twelve pages.   (Additional pages always come in groups of four.)
Special notes on American service programs   In the U.S.A., it is apparently normal to include full details of the participants, giving not only their names but their relationship to the couple - ‘Mother of the Bride’, ‘Best Friend of the Groom’ etc.   This list usually requires a page to itself and may well spread over two pages.   The details of the ceremony will normally call for a further two pages, thus filling the basic insert.   If it is desired to include the text of a reading, this may have to be printed on the inside back cover;  allow GBP15.00 (about $24.75) for this additional work.
Hymns   Although we have many hundreds of hymns on file, we do ask clients to give us the exact wording required, since individual churches (and brides!) have their own preferences in the way of verses to be included, choices between thou and you and so on.
Proofing is normally done by e-mail, using large-scale scans in JPEG format from the print-outs.  Please check them thoroughly as we cannot be responsible for any errors discovered after approval.   If you find mistakes of ours whilst checking, we will of course correct them free of charge.   If the error is on your side we may have to charge for correcting it, but in practice we do not charge for altering a word or two.
   Alcuin*
   Angelos Italic*
   Hill House
   Benguiat
   Caslon Italic
   Delphin
   Goudy Old Style
   Palatino Italic
   Parisian
   Post Antiqua
   Present Script
   Rotunda*
   Zapf Chancery
Dragon, Erin, Iona, Keltia, St. Columba
Daffodil, Katrine, Rose Nouveau
Tiffany
Bellringers, Wild Rose
Arabesque, Laurel
Bees, Harvest
Garbo, Geneva
Fable, Oceania, Plantagenet
Poppy
Isabella
Ivy, Lorien, Rose Heart
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Wording
When ordering by post, please write or type out the wording you require for invitations etc.   If ordering online using this form, you can either attach a document (Word, PDF etc.) giving your requirements, or else type your wording into the boxes given near the end of the form.
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*These type designs are exclusive to OLIVIA STATIONERY
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