All About Custom Maps
One of the questions I get asked a lot by potential brides and current clients is what is a custom map and do I need one? Well the answer, as with most things in your suite design, is it really depends! Custom maps have quickly become a favorite of mine to design because there are so many fun things you can do with them. For instance, the map can be functional or it can be completely for fun. We can include icons for some of the special places or keep it simple with just words. We can include it as a completely separate card or make it a part of your details or wedding weekend itinerary. So let's dive into some of these options and see what might be best for you - and I'm pretty sure you'll be wanting a custom map by the end of this!
Do I need to have a destination wedding in order to include a map?
No, absolutely not! My brides ask me this all the time, and you can have a custom map no matter where your wedding is! Think about it - this map is about you as a couple wanting a fun way to share about weekend happenings or introduce your guests to your home! If you are having a destination wedding, it is a great way to let guests know what all there is to do while they are there, but if you have out of town guests your wedding is already a destination wedding for them, and they may want to know what they should check out while in town! If you have a lot of in-town guests they may not know some of your favorite spots and it is a fun keepsake for them highlighting their city too!
Function vs. Fun - The Purpose of the Map
So the first thing we have to determine when designing your custom map is whether it is going to be functional for your guests or if it is just going to be a fun addition to your gorgeous, personality driven invitation suite. A functional map would include something that is more to scale and would actually function like a map for your guests - this is typically more feasible if all of your locations are close together in a downtown area and you want to direct them with the best ways to get to everywhere there is a wedding event. If you want to include a lot of your favorite places around town we can create a custom map that still makes sense geographically, but includes a lot more locations than just wedding locations that may be spread out, and wouldn't necessarily be used like a map (we have Google Maps for functionality!).
What do I include on a custom map?
Anything and everything! You can include important wedding locations like rehearsal dinner, the main hotel for guests, the ceremony and reception venues, and any after-party locations. Beyond that however, you can include the place where you first met, your favorite ice cream shop in town, your favorite place for a Saturday morning hike, or must-dos while guests are in town - the possibilities truly are endless. In my opinion, the custom map is a place to let your personalities and relationship shine. There is no "right" way to do it or "must includes". It is all about how you want your guests to experience your wedding weekend and we can include as much or as little as you would like.
Illustrations vs. Words - The Design of the Map
This is where we get into the design and look of the map! Sometimes it is fun to include little icons and illustrations of all of the places you want on the map - this is of course dependent on the size of the map and the number of locations. You could also choose to just have the map outline be the main focus and include the names of the locations on the map. Or we can do a mixture of both - illustrations for those places that are just so cute or iconic, and then words for everything else!
Does my custom map need to be it's own separate card?
This depends! If you have a lot of locations and information you would like to include, it would likely be best to have the custom map stand alone as a showstopper part of the suite. We want to make sure it is beautiful and not overly crowded or hard to read and understand. However, if you love the look of a custom map and only want to include a couple of locations we could potentially combine it with your details card or a wedding weekend itinerary that you include in your guests' welcome bags upon arrival!
Can we do gold foil and letterpress for a custom map?
YES and YES! Number one way to make your map stand out - include the bells and whistles! Letterpress and gold foil take custom maps to the next level, y'all. They go from really beautiful to absolutely gorgeous and definitely a keepsake! So don't be afraid to invest in your map to make it truly special.
I hope this answers a lot of your questions about custom maps - what they are, why you would want one, and what in the world to include on it! If you have any questions I didn't answer or are ready to include one in your custom suite, let's do it!
