Wedding Map Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much advance time do you need to create my wedding map?
A. The sooner the better. If you have all of your information gathered you can download our information sheet and fax or mail it to us. Once we have your information we will email, fax or mail a agreement to you to read, sign and send back to us. Once we have the signed agreement and the deposit, we can get your map into our job list.
Q. How many maps do I get for the $190.00 design fee?
A. The $190.00 design fee only covers the research, design, pdf file and layout of your wedding map. The design fee does not include any printed paper maps.
Q. I need my map in two weeks, will I be charged the $45.00 rush fee?
A. Yes. Because of the amount of maps we do, we need to prioritize your map and put in front of other customers. To avoid the rush fee, plan early-three or more weeks. Also, please make sure that you return the signed agreement along with your deposit as soon as possible. If we receive the agreement and deposit within three weeks of the map due date, even if you contacted us months in advance, you will be assessed a rush fee.
Q. I want to have information for special guests on our map. Should I put that information on the map or have another version of the map?
A. If you have any special message that you want to inform certain guests about, it may be more appropriate to put that information on a separate card or note and include it with their invitation, rather than put in on the map for all your guests to see. For instance, if you are inviting certain guests to stay at a bed and breakfast, it is best to inform them separately. If you do want another version of the map to show this type of information, an additional map price of $85.00 is required.
Q. What is considered a non-hotel location?
A. Any location on the map that does not provide lodging for any or all of your guests. Some examples are: Future in-laws house, your house, restaurants/pubs, rehearsal dinner locations, points of interest, etc.
Q. Can I substitute a non-hotel location for a hotel?
A. No.
Q. Do I really need written directions on the map?
A. We attempt to design our wedding maps so that they are easy to read and follow. In most cases you do not need written directions because the map should be sufficient enough to aid your guests in finding the ceremony, reception and any lodging you may have. We suggest that you consider written directions if your locations are in truly secluded areas or that your locations are hard to find such as rural settings where an address may not be present.
Q. Why do you only provide written directions from a nearby major road?
A. We assume that most guests traveling to your wedding will be on and
should be familiar with the Interstate,
US and
Q. But I have guests coming from all over the place. What about them?
A. As much as you would like to accommodate all of your guests, the law of averages suggests that some people will not be happy. Please keep in mind that if people are coming from far distances, they will most likely be traveling the Interstate System or by airplane. Our maps are designed to show the relation of where your ceremony, reception and hotels are in relation to the nearest high class road. If there is a nearby airport, we will attempt to display it on the map or make reference to it. Again, keep in mind our maps are a supplement to a Rand McNally, DeLorme map, etc.
Q. Do you print the maps on cardstock?
A. No. We only print the maps onto 70lb bright white paper. If you need the maps on cardstock, we suggest that you use the Adobe Acrobat (pdf) file that is included with the design fee. We send the map file to you and you can bring the file to a print shop and have them print the map on the cardstock or the paper of your choice.
Q. Why would I want an Adobe PDF file?
A. If you have a special paper or cardstock in mind, we can send you the file so that you, or a print shop, can print out the map on the paper of your choice. This way you know exactly what kind of paper you are getting. In some cases a print shop may require an EPS file. Let us know and we can provide the EPS file along with the PDF file at no extra charge. You may require a large number of maps and in some instances the PDF file is more economical than having us print the map.
Q. Why don't you have a choice of fonts to select from for the map? The ones you use don't match the ones on my invitation.
A. We view that map more as a tool for your wedding. To make sure the tool works correctly, we only use a limited amount of easy to read fonts. While not recommended, someone may be trying to read the map while driving at the same time and scripted or small italicized fonts are hard to read. If the map cannot be interpreted for what it is, then the map will not help your guests.
Q. What is the basic price for your wedding maps?
A. The wedding map is $190.00. This fee covers the research, layout and design and includes title, ceremony location, reception location, pdf file and up to four hotel locations. If you require additional hotel locations, non-wedding locations, or written directions there is an additional fee. Printing is extra. Please see the wedding map page for current prices. For example the cost for a wedding map ($190) with printing 100 copies ($32.00) and written directions ($30) would cost $252. If you don't want us to print the map, you can use the PDF file we provide to print your own and the cost would be $220.
Q. I OK'd the proof you sent me as a final product, but now I need to add or change some more information to the map that either I or you missed. Can I do that?
A. To ensure that your map has no errors, we advise all clients, and it is their responsibility, to look over the map information carefully and let us know of any corrections. We use the most up-to-date basemaps as possible, however sometimes these sources have inaccuracies which we are not aware of. We are not responsible for local road conditions, road construction, one-way and barricaded streets etc. because we do not have the local road knowledge. Some clients take the time to "drive" the wedding map to ensure all road information is correct and up to date and let us know of any changes/corrections. Any rework of the map, after you have accepted the map as done, is subject to our hourly rate of $60.00 an hour.
Q. What size do you make the map?
A. We make the map slightly smaller than the invitation so it will easily fit into your envelope.
Q. We have changed our mind about getting a map. Do we get a refund of our deposit?
A. As stated in the agreement, that must be signed and returned to us (with payment in full), we do not refund the wedding map base price amount (including Rush Fee if applicable). Because of the service we provide, we expect imbursement for the work we perform. We advise all customers to read over the agreement carefully and communicate with us if they decide to cancel the order.
Q. I really want North Arrow to make the map for our wedding, but my fiancé say's they'll do it. What should I do?
A. Call us immediately!!! Funny as it sounds, we have had requests from clients who exclaimed either a friend or fiancé would make the map and have had the whole process turn into a nightmare for all parties involved. Avoid having the photocopied, pasted together Yahoo/Mapquest/Expedia maps or pencil-sketched maps that take away from the style of your invitations. We will create an easy to read and follow map for your wedding guests.
At North Arrow Cartographic Design, we understand that weddings can be a stressful and wonderful time for all parties involved. If you have any questions or comments about your map, no matter how small, please call us directly to resolve any issues in regards to your map.