Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Who's The Fairest Wedding Of Them All?

Writing on mirrors for weddings has become an increasingly popular trend, with many couples opting for a luxurious and elegant look for their big day. From seating charts to decorative touches, writing on mirrors adds a unique and personalised element to the wedding decor. With the right tools and techniques, anyone can create beautiful and impressive mirror designs that will wow guests and make the wedding day even more memorable. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or hiring a professional calligrapher, there are several key steps to follow to achieve the perfect mirror writing for your wedding.

Use a water-soluble pencil to sketch out your design

Using a water-soluble pencil is a great way to sketch out your design on a mirror, especially if you want to create guidelines and headers for spacing. The Stabilo Aquarellable is a popular choice for this, as it marks on plastic, glass, and metal without leaving any traces behind. It's also easy to remove with just a dry or damp paper towel, so you can easily make changes or corrections.

When sketching with a water-soluble pencil, it's important to keep the pencil sharp to ensure precise and clear lines. Use a sharpener to maintain a fine point. This will help you create clean and elegant designs.

Before you start sketching, gather your tools and materials, including the water-soluble pencil, sharpener, a ruler or level, and paper towels for making corrections. You may also want to have a calculator on hand to help with measurements and spacing calculations.

Once you're ready to sketch, use the water-soluble pencil to lightly mark out your design. If you're creating a seating chart, for example, you'll want to mark out the areas for each table and the spacing between names. The water-soluble pencil allows you to create guidelines and headers that can be easily adjusted if needed.

As you sketch, take your time and make sure your lines are straight and level. Use the ruler or level to ensure accuracy. If you're creating a complex design, you may want to sketch it out on paper first before transferring it to the mirror.

Remember, the water-soluble pencil marks can be easily removed, so you can make changes or corrections without worry. Simply use a paper towel to wipe away any unwanted marks. This makes the water-soluble pencil a great tool for creating a custom design on your wedding mirror.

Choose an oil-based paint pen for writing

When choosing an oil-based paint pen for writing on a mirror, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to select a pen with a suitable tip size. If you're writing on a large mirror, a fine or extra-fine tip will allow you to create detailed calligraphy, while a broader tip may be more suitable for larger, bolder writing. You can find oil-based paint pens with a variety of tip sizes, including extra-fine, fine, medium, and broad.

Another factor to consider is the quality of the paint pen. Some paint pens may be streaky, so it's worth choosing a pen that produces consistent, opaque lines. You'll also want to make sure the paint pen you select is designed for use on unconventional surfaces like glass and mirrors. Look for paint pens that are specifically marketed for use on glass, mirrors, or other non-porous surfaces.

Additionally, you may want to consider the durability of the paint. Oil-based paint pens are generally more durable than water-based ones, as they are smudge-resistant and harder to remove. However, this also means that any mistakes made while writing may be more challenging to correct. To remove oil-based paint from a mirror, you may need to use a solvent like acetone or rubbing alcohol.

When choosing an oil-based paint pen, it's a good idea to test it on a small area of the mirror first to ensure that it writes smoothly and produces the desired effect. It's also important to follow any instructions provided by the manufacturer for activating and using the paint pen effectively.

Some popular options for oil-based paint pens include the Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Marker and the Artistro Oil-Based Paint Marker, both of which can be found online or at craft stores.

By considering these factors and choosing the right oil-based paint pen, you can create beautiful and long-lasting writing on a mirror for your wedding or any other special occasion.

Use a ruler to ensure straight lines

Using a ruler is a great way to ensure straight lines when writing on a mirror for a wedding. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Firstly, gather your tools. A ruler is essential, but you may also want to include a tape measure, as this will be useful for measuring the full length of a large mirror. It is also a good idea to have a water-soluble pencil, such as the Stabilo Aquarellable, which can be used to create guidelines and sketch out headers. These pencils are perfect for marking on mirrors as they can be completely removed without leaving a trace.

Before you begin writing on the mirror, it is important to plan out your layout. This includes deciding on the font style and size, as well as the placement of text and any other design elements. You can use Adobe Illustrator to play around with the layout and print out your design to scale. This will help you visualise how everything will fit on the mirror.

Once you have your design, attach the printed pages along the side of the mirror, using tape. This will serve as a guide for your writing. Now, grab your ruler and line it up with the text on the printed pages. Using a Bistro Chalk Marker, draw lines across the mirror, following the text on the printed pages. Do this all the way down the mirror, using your printed sheets to guide your spacing.

If you prefer not to use printed pages as a guide, you can also figure out the spacing by hand if you are good at math. Alternatively, you can use a level tool to create guidelines, as this will help you write perfectly straight lines.

Now that you have your guidelines in place, you can start adding your calligraphy and writing the names on the mirror. Use a Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Pen, which will stay put on mirrors and is also completely removable with rubbing alcohol if any corrections are needed.

Finally, once the paint is dry, use a dry paper towel to wipe off the chalk guidelines. Your seating chart is now complete!

Clean guidelines with a dry paper towel

Wedding seating charts on mirrors are a popular way to greet guests and help them find their tables. To create this, you will need a mirror, a seating plan, and some tools.

After you have created the artwork, you will need to clean the mirror. To do this with a dry paper towel, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure you are using a dry or very slightly damp paper towel. This is important as using a wet paper towel on a mirror can leave streaks and specks of paper towel behind. If you are using a paper towel to clean the writing off, it should be dry, and you should be careful not to rub too hard, so you do not remove any of the lettering.

Secondly, use the paper towel to rub over the guidelines or lettering you wish to remove. This should be done in a tight S-pattern from top to bottom, ensuring you cover the entire area of the writing in one swipe. Do not go backward over an area you have already wiped. This will ensure you do not leave streaks or smudges on the mirror.

Thirdly, if there are any remaining specks of dirt or dust, use a dry corner of the paper towel to gently rub at the mark until it is removed. Alternatively, you can use a regular cloth, such as a towel or a T-shirt, and rub in circles over the mark until it disappears.

Finally, if you are cleaning the mirror frame, do this after you have cleaned the mirror. This will ensure that you do not get any residue or marks on the mirror from the frame.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean a mirror with a dry paper towel, ensuring it is streak-free and sparkling for your wedding guests.

Check the spelling of names twice

Writing on a mirror is a unique and luxurious way to honour your wedding guests and acknowledge them by name. It is a wonderful way to make a big impression and is perfect for guests to take selfies.

However, it is crucial to ensure that the names are spelled correctly. Here are some detailed tips to help you get the spelling of names right twice:

Print Out a Copy: Start by printing out a copy of the list of names provided by your client. This will come in handy for cross-referencing and ensuring that you have the correct table assignments for each guest. It is also a great way to catch any spelling errors.

Use Dynamic Spell-Check: Utilize the dynamic spell-check feature available in most text-based software. Programs like Word, Chrome, and Google Docs will underline misspelled or grammatically incorrect words. If the software doesn't flag a name, you can manually add it to the dictionary to ensure correct spelling throughout your document.

Copy and Paste: Consider copying and pasting names from an official, primary source, such as an email or a message from your client. This method is almost foolproof, especially when combined with dynamic spell-check, as it preserves the correct spelling and any diacritics (accents, umlauts, etc.).

Don't Trust Google: Be cautious when using Google to check spellings. Sometimes, Google may not correct your spelling, leading you to believe that the incorrect spelling is correct. For example, "Vivian Lee" might seem correct when Google doesn't flag it as incorrect.

Learn a Spelling Alphabet: When verifying the spelling of a name verbally, don't rely solely on your pronunciation. Instead, use words that start with the letters of the name you are checking. You can learn the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, which is less painful than stumbling over words to find the right letter.

Ask and Confirm: If you are unsure about the correct spelling of a name, don't hesitate to ask. Reach out to your client or the person whose name you are trying to spell to confirm. It is always better to double-check than to assume and risk making a mistake.

By following these tips and carefully reviewing the spelling of names, you can ensure that your wedding mirror with guest names is not only beautiful but also accurate and respectful.

Frequently asked questions