Mastering Wedding Invitation Calligraphy: A Guide For Beginners

Wedding invitations are the first impression of your big day, and adding hand-crafted calligraphy is an artful touch that will wow your guests. Calligraphy, derived from the Greek word for beautiful writing, is a timeless art form that brings an elegant and formal tone to your wedding. While printed fonts are convenient, calligraphy adds a personal touch, making your guests feel like you're writing directly to them.

There are various calligraphy styles, from modern pointed pen to traditional pointed pen, each with its own unique feel. You can also choose between printed and handwritten calligraphy, with the latter being a challenging yet rewarding option for those who want to master the art form themselves.

Calligraphy is not limited to invitations; it can be used on envelopes, escort cards, place cards, and even non-traditional surfaces like tiles, stones, and bottles, adding a cohesive and elegant touch to your entire wedding.

Whether you decide to hire a calligrapher or try your hand at it yourself, calligraphy wedding invitations are a classic choice that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Choosing a calligraphy style

Calligraphy is a timeless art that adds a wow factor to your wedding invitations. It is a form of decorative handwriting that is usually written with a pointed pen, broad-edge pen, chisel-tip pen, or ink brush. There are tons of different calligraphy styles, or "hands", to choose from, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your wedding invitations. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect calligraphy style:

• Consider the overall style of your wedding. If you are having a formal wedding, you may want to choose a more traditional calligraphy style such as copperplate or Spencerian. If you are having a more casual or modern wedding, you may want to choose a more contemporary or organic calligraphy style.
• Think about the level of formality you want to convey. Some calligraphy styles, such as copperplate and Spencerian, have a very ceremonial and sophisticated look, while others, such as modern calligraphy, can be more relaxed and informal.
• Look at different portfolios and styles before making a decision. Each calligrapher is different, and you want to find one whose style aligns with your vision. Spend time reviewing a variety of portfolios and styles to get a sense of what you like.
• Choose a calligraphy style that is legible. While you want your wedding invitations to be beautiful, you also want your guests to be able to read them easily. Some calligraphy styles can be difficult to read, especially if they are very ornate or have a lot of flourishes.
• Consider the cost. Calligraphy services can range in price, depending on the calligrapher's level of experience and the specifics of your order. If you are working with a limited budget, you may want to choose a simpler calligraphy style or use digital calligraphy, which tends to be more affordable.
• Think about the impression you want to make. Do you want your wedding invitations to be elegant and classic, or fun and playful? Choose a calligraphy style that reflects the tone and atmosphere you want to create for your wedding.
• Pay attention to the details. Small details, such as the thickness of the letters, the slant of the script, and the use of flourishes, can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of the calligraphy. Consider what kind of impression you want to make and choose a style that has the right balance of these elements.

Printing vs. handwriting

There are several options available to you when it comes to addressing your wedding invitations. You could handwrite them yourself, hire a professional calligrapher, try faux calligraphy, or use machine printers. Here is a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of handwriting versus printing.

Handwriting Wedding Invitations

Handwriting your wedding invitations, or hiring a calligrapher to do so, is a traditional and elegant option. It adds a personal touch, and is a great way to set the tone for your wedding, giving your guests a hint of what to expect on the big day.

Pros

• Follows traditional wedding etiquette
• Adds a personal touch
• You can choose any colour, including opaque and metallic inks
• DIY addressing can be very cost-effective

Cons

• If you have bad handwriting, the envelopes may not look polished or be legible
• Hiring a calligrapher can be expensive, ranging from \$1 to \$5+ per envelope
• Calligraphy can sometimes be hard to read
• Fancy pens can be expensive
• Time-consuming
• Mistakes can lead to wasted envelopes and money

Printing Wedding Invitations

Printing your wedding invitations is a modern, quick, and cost-effective option. It saves you time, money, and the stress of having to address each envelope individually.

Pros

• Consistent, legible addresses
• Great for those with messy handwriting
• Ability to mix and match fonts and graphics for a modern style
• DIY printing can be cost-effective
• Faster than handwriting

Cons

• Doesn't follow traditional wedding etiquette
• May lose the personal touch
• Print colours may be limited
• Some printing methods are expensive (e.g. foil stamping, letterpress)
• Requires some knowledge and equipment
• Errors lead to wasted envelopes and money

Hiring a calligrapher

Finding a Calligrapher

Start your search by checking with your local calligraphy guild or association. Most states or major cities have a calligraphy group, and many of them provide a list of local calligraphers for hire or can connect you with their members. For example, the Michigan Association of Calligraphers has a 'calligraphers for hire' page on their website. You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family who have recently had calligraphy done for their wedding invitations.

Cost of Calligraphy

The cost of wedding calligraphy can vary depending on the calligrapher's experience and the local market. Typically, calligraphy is priced per piece, and envelopes are usually priced per envelope. For envelope addressing, expect to pay between $3.50 to $5.50 per envelope, although some calligraphers may charge less. Remember that the quality of the work often reflects the price, so be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true.

Timing

It's essential to book your calligrapher early, around the same time you order your invitations. Calligraphers' client lists tend to fill up quickly, and there may be physical limitations to the amount of work they can take on. Try to get on their production calendar as soon as possible to ensure your desired turnaround time.

Style and Usage

Calligraphy can be used not only for invitations but also for envelope addressing, place cards, programs, menus, and seating charts. When choosing a calligrapher, consider the style of calligraphy you want and ensure it matches any existing calligraphy or lettering on your wedding invitation suite. Discuss with your calligrapher any specific formats they require for address lists and whether they charge differently for various styles, ink types, or envelope colours.

Alternative Options

If hiring a calligrapher is not feasible, there are alternative options to achieve a similar effect. Some printing companies offer free or low-cost address printing services, allowing you to select from a range of fonts, including those that mimic handwritten calligraphy. You can also print your addresses at home using a home printer or a Cricut machine, which has a handwriting function. Another option is to use address labels, although it is essential to ensure they are smudge-proof and do not resemble corporate mass mailings.

Cost of calligraphy

The cost of calligraphy for wedding invitations varies depending on the calligrapher's level of experience, the local market, and the complexity of the medium. Some calligraphers charge per piece, with envelopes priced per envelope, typically ranging from $2 to $7 each, or $3.50 to $5.50 apiece. Others offer package deals for designing a complete invitation suite, which may include the invitation, reply card, return address, and reply card address. This can range from $150 to $500.

There may also be additional costs for custom monograms, which can be around $150. The colour of the envelope can also affect the price, with some calligraphers charging more for envelopes that are lined with an additional paper liner or are coloured. The client's choice of paper stock can also impact the overall cost, with some calligraphers requiring the client to provide the paper stock.

Some calligraphers may have a minimum order requirement, such as $125, and additional charges may apply for non-paper materials like oyster shells, glass, fabric, or leaves. It is also worth noting that the cost of calligraphy is often influenced by the style of calligraphy chosen, with pointed pen varieties being the most popular for wedding invitations.

When hiring a wedding calligrapher, it is essential to inquire about their pricing structure, including any potential additional costs, to ensure you are getting an accurate estimate for your specific needs.

Tools and materials

Calligraphy wedding invitations can be created by hand or by using a printer. If you opt for the former, you will need to choose a suitable writing utensil. A calligraphy pen, paintbrush, brush pen, or waterbrush are all good options. Brush pens come in a variety of colours and sizes, so you can match them to your wedding card suite. Waterbrushes use ink and watercolour paint, allowing you to match the colour to virtually any colour you like. If you are using a printer, you will need to set up the envelope size on a word processing program and type in each person's address using a calligraphy font.

To ensure that your writing is straight on the envelope, you can draw lines using a ruler and pencil. For darker envelopes, you can place a piece of transfer paper between your pencil and the envelope. Alternatively, you can work on a lightbox with a template placed under or inside your envelopes. For medium- and dark-coloured envelopes, you can use an envelope addressing guide, which allows you to letter within a certain area and keeps your lettering straight. You can also use a SlideWriter, which projects a laser on your envelope that can be slid up and down as you move from line to line of your addresses.

If you are printing your invitations, you will need to use an inkjet printer, as most envelopes are not laser jet-friendly. You can also use a home printer to feed the envelope through and print each person's address. If you have your addresses in a spreadsheet, you can do a mail merge and print them all at once.

If you are creating your invitations by hand, you will need to give yourself plenty of time, as it can take a while to address each envelope. It is recommended to have 10-20% extra envelopes in case of mistakes.

In terms of paper, you can choose from a variety of options such as white metallic, silver metallic, or gold metallic. You can also add embellishments such as a belly band with a paper tag, envelope liners, or a luxe gold ribbed ribbon.

Frequently asked questions