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The ancient art of elegantly curved
and curly handwriting, calligraphy has its root in Greek: kalli,
meaning beautiful, and graphia, meaning writing. If you're planning
a grand, high-style wedding and want formal, intimate, au courant invites
to match, calligraphy may be the perfect printing technique for you.
WHAT IT COSTS
Whether you choose sumptuous curves or sophisticated lines, calligraphy
adds a personal touch that reflects the tone of your event. Of course,
this handcrafted, luxe look will set you back a pretty penny. Artists that
painstakingly handcraft each address can charge from $2.50 (for
less-experienced calligraphers) to $7 (elaborate jobs by seasoned
professionals) per envelope. For an entire invitation (inner and outer
envelopes, plus return address on response cards), the price jumps
significantly to $12-$14 a pop.
RECURRING MOTIF
To carry the look throughout your wedding event, consider adding a little
swirly script to reception cards (separate cards that invite people to the
reception), menus, place cards, table cards, table numbers, programs,
scrolls (small pieces of paper, with a message from the couple, that are
rolled up, tied with a ribbon, and handed out at the ceremony or as
wedding favors), and information for out-of-towners.
FINDING YOUR CALLIGRAPHER
Your stationer or printer can usually refer you to calligraphers, and
online portfolios of calligraphers' work can be found on the Internet. You
can also ask friends for recommendations if you favored the lettering on
their invites. Most calligraphers require roughly 10 to 14 days to address
100 invitations. Keep in mind, though, that if you are getting married
during a popular month (May through October), more time may be needed,
especially if you are looking for something elaborate (designs, scrolls,
and so on). Be sure to double-check the turnaround time.
DECIDING FACTORS
Before you hire, you'll want to solidify fees, ask about minimum orders,
garner a list of references, and inquire about each of your prospects'
backgrounds. A calligrapher should have a degree or certificate in the
arts, not just a dog-eared how-to book. Ask how long they've been in the
biz. Quality comes with experience, and a new-to-the-field hobbyist's work
may not have the confidence of stroke you're seeking. You'll also want to
show each calligrapher your invitation and ask for a font sample before
you make a decision. The key to good calligraphy has always been
consistency: Shape, stroke, weight, spacing, and rhythm are all factors in
letter perfection. So be sure to survey as many samples of lettering
designs from each calligrapher as possible.
OTHER CONCERNS
Another consideration: In addition to addressing the envelopes, some
calligraphers, for a nominal fee, will stuff, seal, and stamp the
invitations, which is a simple way to save some time. Find out if this is
an option. And lastly, what about human error? If they spell your Aunt
Millie's name with a "y," will you have to pay for the
correction or are re-dos done free of charge? It probably depends on whose
mistake it is -- hers or yours -- but get the answer in writing before you
hand over the envelopes and addresses. When ordering your invitations,
make sure to order extra envelopes just in case there is a slip-up.
SELECTING A SCRIPT
You've got a lot of styles to choose from. While it may seem overwhelming
at first, in the end, your final choice should look great with the printed
script on your invites and, at the same time, reflect the tone of your
wedding. Keep in mind also that most have variations and/or can be
customized to complement your invitation typeface. Below are the 7 most
basic styles:
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Italic
By far the most popular, this simple "hand"-or
"style"-looks good on any paper. Italic letters slant upward
to the right and are based on an oval shape, with the width of the
letters usually half of their height. Created with a broad-tipped pen,
the lines are clean and crisp. Multiple variations of italic include
Chancery (sharper and more formal), Scroll (which resembles cursive
handwriting), Straight (less formal), and Flourished (which is
enhanced with a calligrapher's personal touch). Good for: semi-formal
ceremonies such as a Sunday afternoon wedding.
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Copperplate
Scripted with a pointed pen hand-dipped in ink, this style uses
pressure to create thick and thin lines. Developed in Europe during
the 17th and 18th centuries, Copperplate is a graceful hand most
famously exemplified in the Declaration of Independence. It is one of
the most difficult alphabets for a calligrapher (due to the slow
process of applying and releasing pressure on the nib); therefore, it
tends to be the most expensive. As with Italic, there are endless
variations. Rook, for example, has exaggerated curls, while Sloop
boasts capital letters with elongated curves. Good for: setting a
romantic mood.
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Gothic
Also called Old English or Blackhand, Gothic is a very formal, heavy
hand written with a broad-tipped pen. Good for: theme or period
weddings.
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Uncial
Uncial (pronounced "un-seal") is one of the oldest styles of
handwritten alphabets, though its straightforward style has
contemporary flair. Used in Greek and Latin manuscripts of the 4th to
8th centuries A.D., this rounded and stylized alphabet is mostly all
caps, with the letters about the same height and width. Good for:
Irish-themed affairs and for matching simple print typefaces.
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Roman
Developed by Italian scholars in the 14th century, the classic, clear,
round alphabet of Roman lettering is one of the most recognized of all
styles. The subtle serifs of Roman calligraphy make it less formal
than its related print typeface. Two variations: Antique Roman, a
stately script with capital letters that are much taller than its
lowercase, and Roman Capitals, a typeface similar to traditional Roman
but all caps. Good for: showers and other casual parties.
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Spencerian
Ornate and flourished, Spencerian is a formal offshoot of Copperplate
that dates back to the 18th century. Created with a pointed pen, the
thick and thin lines create sophisticated letterforms and rhythms
within the script. Good for: matching unusual printed scripts, as
Spencerian has no set alphabet for calligraphers to follow.
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London
London is hand lettering made to look like a printed typeface. Based
on the Spencerian hand, it is beautifully classic, formal, and highly
readable. It can be scripted with or without loops on the ascending
letters. Good for: sophisticated city affairs
AVOIDING ERRORS
Once you've made your final decision, you'll be asked to give your
calligrapher a neatly typed or handwritten address list. Be sure to
check your list twice and make sure that someone else familiar with
the names takes a careful look as well. To make it easy to follow,
leaving little room for error, lay out your list in an orderly,
three-line format:
Mr. and Mrs. John Davidson
123 Main Street
Merrytown, MA 12345
CHECKING THE WORK
When, at long last, you receive the finished product from your
calligrapher, check and double-check each invite and envelope for
spelling errors and title omissions. Sure, it may seem like a
superfluous, time-consuming task, but remember that your invitations
are the first tangible example your guests will have of your wedding,
and they can go a long way toward setting the tone. Which means you'll
want your envelopes and invites to be a perfectly matched pair -- just
like you and your beloved!
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