The Art Of Wedding Invites: Calligrapher's Touch

Wedding invitations are a special piece of mail that deserve special attention. Hiring a calligrapher can be a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding invites and make them stand out from the rest of the mail in your guests' mailboxes. Not only will your guests be delighted to receive a beautifully addressed envelope, but it will also make them feel valued. In addition, calligraphy can bring an artistic and elegant element to your wedding invitations that is hard to achieve with printed fonts. While hiring a calligrapher may seem like an unnecessary expense, it can be a worthwhile investment that will enhance your invitations and create a lasting impression.

Cost of hiring a calligrapher

The cost of hiring a calligrapher for wedding invites can vary depending on factors such as the calligrapher's level of experience and the local market. Typically, calligraphic art is priced per piece, with envelopes costing between $3.50 to $5.50 apiece for envelope addressing. It is important to note that the price range mentioned may not include all costs, as some calligraphers may charge extra for additional services or more complex designs.

While it is possible to find cheaper options or DIY alternatives, it is worth considering the level of quality that you expect. As Leah Sachs, a full-time calligrapher and wedding invitation designer, advises, "While there are many out there charging far less than this, be warned that you get what you pay for."

When deciding whether to hire a calligrapher, it is essential to consider your budget and the overall impact you want to achieve with your wedding invites. If you have the means and value the artistic and personal touch that calligraphy can bring, hiring a calligrapher can be a worthwhile investment. However, if you are on a tighter budget, there are other options available, such as printing addresses directly on envelopes or using address labels, which can still achieve legible and aesthetically pleasing results.

Ultimately, the decision to hire a calligrapher depends on your priorities and budget constraints. If you have room in your budget and want to add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding invites, hiring a calligrapher can be a great choice. However, if you are looking to save money or prefer a more modern or streamlined approach, there are alternative options available that can also get the job done effectively.

Finding a calligrapher

Calligraphers can be found through local calligraphy guilds or associations. Most states or major cities have a calligraphy group, and many maintain a list of local calligraphers or can put you in touch with their members. For example, the Michigan Association of Calligraphers has over 125 members and a 'calligraphers for hire' page on its website.

If you are working with a stationery designer, they should be your first point of contact when looking for a calligrapher. Most stationery boutiques have a list of trusted calligraphers they work with and can match you with an artist who suits your needs and style. Some stationers offer in-house calligraphy, or they can outsource the work so you don't have to act as a middleman.

Online marketplaces, such as The Knot Vendor Marketplace, are another way to find calligraphers near you. These sites allow you to filter by location and view samples of the artist's work.

Word-of-mouth recommendations are also a great option. Ask friends and family if they have any calligraphers they can recommend, especially if you have received a wedding invitation with calligraphy that you liked.

When choosing a calligrapher, it is important to look at their portfolio and reviews. Each calligrapher has a different style, so spend time reviewing a variety of portfolios and styles before making a decision. Once you have narrowed down your options, reach out to ask about availability and pricing quotes. Be sure to include your wedding date, guest count, wedding style, and the services you are interested in so that the calligrapher can provide an accurate quote and timeline.

Benefits of calligraphy

Calligraphy is a timeless art that adds a wow factor to your wedding invitations. It is a simple and elegant detail that adds a touch of formality and sets the tone for your wedding. It is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding and make your invitations feel special. Here are some benefits of hiring a calligrapher for your wedding invitations:

• Adds a Personal Touch: Calligraphy is a form of decorative handwriting that adds a unique and personalized element to your wedding invitations. It allows you to express your style and creativity, making your invitations stand out from the rest.
• Creates a Great First Impression: Your wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have into your special day. Calligraphy envelopes will delight your guests and create a sense of anticipation and excitement. It shows that you've put in the extra effort to make them feel valued and appreciated.
• Time-Saving: Hiring a calligrapher can save you time, especially if you have a large number of invitations to send out. A professional calligrapher will be skilled and efficient, allowing you to focus on other wedding planning tasks.
• Enhances the Overall Presentation: Calligraphy is an art form that elevates the look and feel of your wedding stationery. It adds an artistic and elegant touch, making your invitations truly memorable. Calligraphy can also be used on other wedding details such as place cards, menus, and seating charts, creating a cohesive and stylish event.
• Etiquette and Expertise: Experienced calligraphers have a good understanding of etiquette when it comes to addressing envelopes. They can guide you on the proper use of titles, addressing children and families, and other intricacies. This ensures that your invitations are not only beautiful but also properly formatted and respectful.

Hiring a calligrapher for your wedding invitations is a worthwhile investment that will leave a lasting impression on your guests and add a special touch to your big day.

Time-saving

Planning a wedding can be a time-consuming and stressful process, so it's important to consider ways to save time and effort where possible. Hiring a calligrapher to address your wedding invitations is one way to do this.

Firstly, addressing wedding invitations can be a time-consuming task, especially if you have a large number of guests. By hiring a calligrapher, you can save yourself the time and hassle of writing out each envelope by hand. This is especially beneficial if you or your partner have messy or illegible handwriting.

Secondly, a professional calligrapher will be able to work efficiently and produce consistent results. They can also advise on the correct etiquette for addressing envelopes, which can be a tricky process when it comes to using titles, addressing children, and families. This will ensure that your invitations look neat and professional.

Additionally, if you've hired a custom stationery designer for your invitations, a calligrapher can work with them to create cohesive-looking envelopes that complement the invitation design. This saves you from having to source and manage two separate vendors and ensures a seamless look for your wedding stationery.

Finally, by delegating the task of addressing envelopes to a professional, you free up your time to focus on other important aspects of wedding planning. This can help reduce stress levels and give you more time to tend to the many details that go into creating your dream wedding.

In conclusion, hiring a calligrapher for your wedding invitations can be a worthwhile investment in terms of time-saving. It not only ensures that your invitations look beautiful and elegant but also allows you to focus on other aspects of your special day.

Types of calligraphy

There are many different types of calligraphy, each with its own unique characteristics and history. Here are some of the most popular and well-known styles:

Copperplate Calligraphy

Copperplate calligraphy, also known as English Round Hand, is known for its highly slanted, elegant, flowy, and delicate strokes. It is usually created with a pointed nib and ink, but can also be practised with a brush, pen, or pencil. The x-height of letters is not fixed, allowing for flexibility in the size of the minuscule. This style is often used for wedding invitations and envelopes, adding a timeless and artistic touch to the special day.

Blackletter Calligraphy

Blackletter calligraphy, also known as Gothic calligraphy, is characterised by thick, black, dense, and vertical strokes with sharp edges. It emerged in Northern Europe around the 11th century and has since evolved into various styles, such as Textura, Fraktur, Rotunda, and Batarde. This style is typically practised using a broad-edged nib, marker, or fountain pen.

Italic Calligraphy

Italic calligraphy, also known as Cancelleresca script, originated in Italy during the Renaissance. It is recognised for its smooth and elegant strokes with a slight forward slant, making it a dynamic and highly readable style. Italic calligraphy is commonly practised with a broad-edged tool, such as a broad-edged marker, nib and ink, or a fountain pen.

Uncial Calligraphy

Uncial calligraphy evolved from Roman capitals around the third century and was associated with the early Christian Church. It introduced some of the lowercase letters that are used today. This style is usually created using a broad-edged calligraphy tool, such as a nib, marker, fountain pen, or brush. Calligrapher Daniel Reeve used Uncial to develop one of the fonts in the "Lord of the Rings" movies.

Roman Capitals

Roman Capitals date back to the first century and are known for their strong, wide, and precise letterforms. There are two distinct styles within this type of calligraphy: Roman Square Capitals and Rustic Capitals. Roman Square Capitals are geometrically based, with the widest letters fitting perfectly into a square. Rustic Capitals, on the other hand, have a narrower form and are more suitable for colloquial use.

Modern Calligraphy

Modern calligraphy is a broad term that encompasses any type of calligraphy that does not strictly adhere to the rules of traditional scripts. It can be created with various writing tools and allows for creativity and experimentation.

Frequently asked questions