Junior Rasmussen
Wedding invitations are a chance for couples to express their style and set the tone for their celebration. While some opt for modern methods like printing or using labels, others prefer the timeless charm of handwritten addresses. Handwritten wedding invitations, once a privilege of the elite, exude elegance, sophistication, and tradition. They convey a personal touch, making guests feel valued and cared for even before the wedding day.
The art of calligraphy adds a unique, luxurious element to wedding stationery. However, it is a time-consuming and costly endeavour, often requiring the expertise of a professional calligrapher. For those with beautiful handwriting, DIY handwritten envelopes can be a labour of love, but mistakes and inconsistent writing can lead to wasted time, money, and envelopes.
Whether it's through the skilled hands of a calligrapher or the expressive writing of the couple, handwritten wedding invitations create a lasting impression, setting the stage for a memorable celebration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Impression | Sets the tone for a personalised and unique celebration |
| Personal Touch | Makes guests feel extra cared for |
| Formality | Adds a nod to tradition |
| Connection | Makes guests feel a special connection to the occasion and your personal ask |
| Time-Consuming | Requires practice to perform well |
| Budget | Can be expensive |
| Readability | Some calligraphy can be hard to read |
What You'll Learn
It's a traditional, formal option
Handwritten wedding invitations are steeped in tradition and history. In the Middle Ages, only families of means could afford to commission monks, skilled in calligraphy, to handcraft their wedding notices. This tradition has evolved over time, with modern couples now having the option to hire professional calligraphers or even do the calligraphy themselves.
Handwritten wedding invitations are a formal option that conveys elegance and sophistication. The personal touch of handwritten calligraphy immediately sets the tone for a unique and personalised celebration. It lets guests know that the couple has put thought and care into every detail, from the invitation to the wedding day itself.
For a white-tie, formal affair, hiring a professional calligrapher is the most luxurious option. Calligraphy is a beautiful visual art form that can elevate your envelope from plain to a frame-worthy piece of art. The broad strokes, inkwells, and nibs of a calligrapher's tools create a one-of-a-kind experience for your guests.
If you have beautiful handwriting and want to add a special touch to your wedding invitations, you can also consider handwriting the envelopes yourself. This option is more affordable and can be a fun DIY project. However, it is important to note that handwriting each envelope can be time-consuming and mistakes can lead to wasted envelopes and money.
Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, handwritten wedding invitations are a timeless and elegant choice that will impress your guests and set the tone for your special day.
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It's more personal
Handwritten wedding invitations are more personal. They are an elegant and unique way to make your guests feel special and cared for. The art of calligraphy, or even just a bride's handwriting, adds a sophisticated touch to the invitation, setting the tone for a personalised celebration.
Handwritten addresses are a nod to tradition and are seen as following proper wedding protocol and etiquette. Historically, monks were commissioned to hand-craft wedding invitations, and even today, it is a way to let guests know that the couple is thinking of their entire experience, from the moment they receive the invitation to the actual wedding day.
Handwritten invitations are a labour of love and can be a thoughtful heirloom to cherish for years to come. While it can be time-consuming and costly to hire a calligrapher, or write them yourself, it is a way to add a special connection to the occasion and your personal ask.
Some guests may even frame the invitation as a piece of art, especially if it is written with beautiful penmanship. It is a way to make your guests feel extra cared for and adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to your wedding stationery.
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It's an art form
Handwritten wedding invitations are an art form that adds a personal touch to your special day. The history of sending wedding invitations dates back to the Middle Ages when only the most privileged classes could afford to commission monks, skilled in calligraphy, to handcraft their invitations. Today, it is a way to make your wedding invitations stand out and give your guests a glimpse of the thought and care that has gone into your wedding planning.
Calligraphy is a beautiful and impressive art form that requires practice to perfect. The broad strokes, inkwells, and nibs used by calligraphers can transform a plain envelope into a work of art. It is an elegant and sophisticated way to present your wedding invitations, and your guests will feel extra cared for when they receive a hand-addressed envelope in the mail.
If you have nice handwriting, you may choose to address your wedding invitations yourself. This is a more budget-friendly option and adds a personal touch, as your guests will see your handwriting. However, it can be time-consuming and mistakes can lead to wasted envelopes and money. If you have a large guest list, your hand may also get tired!
Another option is to hire a professional calligrapher, which is a luxurious and impressive choice for a formal affair. Calligraphers can create beautiful, elegant scripts that will elevate the look of your invitations. They can also provide guidance on etiquette and will carefully proofread all the envelopes before returning them to you. However, this option can be quite expensive, with prices ranging from $1 to $5+ per envelope, and you may need to book a calligrapher well in advance to avoid rush order fees.
Whether you choose to write the envelopes yourself or hire a professional, handwritten wedding invitations are a unique and artistic way to set the tone for your wedding and make your guests feel special.
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You can hire a professional calligrapher
Handwritten wedding invitations are a beautiful way to add a personal touch to your special day. If you want to elevate your stationery with calligraphy but don't trust your own handwriting, you can hire a professional calligrapher to address your wedding invitations. Here's why this may be a good option for you:
Professional Calligraphy Elevates Your Wedding Stationery
Calligraphy is a beautiful visual art form that can transform your wedding invitations into frame-worthy pieces of art. A professional calligrapher can create elegant, sweeping scripts with broad strokes, inkwells, and nibs, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication to your envelopes.
It Saves You Time and Effort
Addressing wedding invitations can be a tedious and time-consuming task, especially if you have a large guest list. Hiring a professional calligrapher saves you the time and effort of writing out each envelope by hand. Most calligraphers have a quick turnaround time, and you can expect your envelopes to be ready within two weeks.
You Can Expect High-Quality Results
Calligraphers are skilled artisans who take pride in their work. They have steady hands, years of practice, and an eye for detail, ensuring that your envelopes look flawless. With their expertise, you can avoid the stress and frustration of trying to achieve perfect handwriting yourself.
It Adds a Touch of Tradition and Etiquette
Handwritten envelopes follow proper wedding protocol and etiquette, especially for formal affairs like white-tie events. By hiring a professional calligrapher, you can impress your guests and show them that you've put thought and care into every detail of your wedding, from the invitations to the celebration itself.
You Can Choose from a Variety of Calligraphy Styles
When you hire a professional calligrapher, you have the option to customize your envelopes to match your wedding's aesthetic. Calligraphers offer different styles, including modern calligraphy, traditional calligraphy, and spot calligraphy, where only certain elements, like the couple's names, are written in calligraphy. You can also choose from a range of special materials and ink colors, such as metallic or custom shades, to make your invitations truly unique.
It's a Worthy Investment for Your Special Day
While hiring a professional calligrapher can be an additional expense, it is a worthy investment for your wedding. The elegance and sophistication of calligraphy will elevate your wedding stationery, creating a lasting impression on your guests. It is a detail that your guests will appreciate and admire, setting the tone for a personalized and unique celebration.
Hiring a professional calligrapher ensures that your wedding invitations are not only beautifully crafted but also follow proper etiquette. It adds a touch of luxury and tradition to your special day, making it a memorable experience for both you and your guests.
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You can do it yourself
Handwritten wedding invitations are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. If you're considering DIY-ing your wedding invitations, here are some tips to help you get started:
Choosing the Right Tools
- Pick the right writing utensil: Instead of a calligraphy pen or paintbrush, consider using a brush pen or waterbrush. Brush pens come in various colours and sizes, allowing you to match them to your wedding card suite. Waterbrushes use ink and watercolour paint, so you can match the colour to your preference.
- Select the appropriate ink: Sumi ink has a stronger look, while India ink is thinner and dries faster. Both are great options for beginners.
- Prepare the necessary materials: In addition to ink, you'll need a screw-top container to store it in, a cup of water, laserjet paper for practice, a ruler, an eraser, and Nikko G nibs. You may also want a non-fibrous cloth, needle-nose pliers, and a pencil.
Practising Calligraphy
- Give yourself plenty of time: Calligraphy requires practice and patience. Set realistic goals and practice addressing 10-15 envelopes a day.
- Start with straight lines: Use your pencil and ruler to draw parallel lines on your paper as a framework for your lettering.
- Angle your hand: Hold your pen at a consistent 45-degree angle. Your nib should always point in the same direction, giving your letters cohesion.
- Apply pressure with your index finger: Sit upright and softly guide the pressure on the pen with your index finger. Use light pressure for upstrokes (thin lines) and slightly more pressure for downstrokes (thicker lines).
- Create emphasis: Write certain words bigger or thicker than others to add an artistic touch or denote emphasis.
- Add flourishes: Sprinkle in flourishes at the beginning or end of a word to complement your lettering.
Additional Considerations
- Order extra envelopes: Mistakes are inevitable, so it's a good idea to have extra envelopes on hand.
- Practice makes perfect: Don't be discouraged if your calligraphy doesn't look perfect at first. With practice, you'll see significant improvement.
- Dress comfortably: Wear dark clothing that you don't mind getting ink on, as accidents can happen.
- Explore different styles: Try out different fonts and styles to find the one that suits your taste and skill level.
- Seek inspiration: Watch videos, browse Pinterest, or search galleries of wedding invites to discover new tricks and styles.
Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and create something special that you and your guests will cherish.
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Frequently asked questions
Handwritten wedding invitations are more personal and thoughtful. They can also be a nod to tradition and add a unique touch to your wedding.
Handwriting each envelope can be time-consuming and mistakes can lead to wasted envelopes and money. If you have poor handwriting, it may be difficult for guests to read.
You could hire a professional calligrapher, use a computer to print the addresses on envelopes, or use labels.
Using a computer to print the addresses on envelopes is a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to handwriting. You can also choose a calligraphy-inspired font to add a personal touch.
No, you don't need to handwrite the return address. Instead, you can use a stamp or have it printed on the envelope.
