So often after getting back envelopes, a bride will say to me, “I love them! What else can I use your calligraphy for?!” so this blog is dedicated to showing you girls what cute things I can do for you in calligraphy. First off, we obviously have the invitation envelopes. I do outer and inner envelopes, I also do belly bands that wrap around envelopments and hold them closed. Belly bands perform the same function as an inner envelope where you can include guests or family. Plus they look great! I can also write directly on an envelopment envelope which serves the function an inner envelope as well. {by the way, the envelopes above are in Bickham Swash Caps, my favorite style. The envelope above says “country instead of county and was an error on my part, which is why I saved it as a sample}

This envelopment and belly band are both done in shimmery brown and pink paper. The script is copperplate. Envelopments (which I can also provide) can also be tied with beautiful hand-dyed silk or double-faced satin ribbons. Below are three examples of ribbon, the first two are gorgeous hand-dyed silk and the third is double-faced satin. Whenever I get an order that includes ribbon I am thrilled. It really makes the invitation look so unique and so luxurious. The hand-dyed silks come in solid colors too, not just two-toned, though I love the look of the two-toned to match more than one color of your invitation design.
Envelope written in Bickham Script.

I design invitations, as shown in yesterday’s blog. Invitation design is simple. You email me the text, I email you back a proof, and we go to print. They come back and just look so good. They are perfect for the discerning bride who is going for the hand-lettered look. As you can see, this set includes a yellow gold backer paper which adds to the luxe look of the invitation suite, and it is tied together with a double-faced satin bow. All the paper is shimmery and the lettering is done in thermography (which means it is raised up off the paper). The envelope for this order was an ivory shimmer with a matching yellow gold address hand lettered on the front. Seen here is also a map. It’s relatively simple, but the maps can get complex as well. Script style is citadel, with splendid flourish for the names.This map is one I just completed for Nicola and Nicholaus in Manhattan Beach, California. It covers a very vast area (if you are familiar with Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach is nowhere near Burbank Airport but there it is up in the right corner). The maps are an adorable keepsake of the wedding, for you and your guests. They can be enlarged and watercolored in so that you can frame them. I am working on one now and will post a picture of this soon. The maps are meant to be an artistic rendering of the area. Therefore, they are not drawn to scale, but are used to encompass many places and locales so your guests can get a feel for the area. The writing on this one is called Costello (named after one of my brides) Maps can also be in full color (in flat printing only). Here is the perfect example…

This map’s reverse side has directions and a matching design printed. It looks great, and even though the map is not to scale, guests will still be able to find their way about town with accuracy. The writing is in baby script.

This map is on an itinerary for the wedding weekend in Palm Springs, California. It folds in half and has a design with the Bride and Grooms’ name on the front. How cute is that! I promise to write more on these adorable itineraries later. Plus, I have tons of samples so if you want to see some let me know.
Programs I do as well, in all different formats.
Moving on to the reception…of course I do escort cards, and placecards. Here are some examples:

Really pretty with rose petals scattered around. These tent style escort cards have the table names written on the inside flap. They are written in Bickham script.

Escort envelopes, they are light green coin sized from Paper Source with tiny inserts inside telling guests where to sit.

Escort cards in handmade bamboo holders. Notice the little cards to the left in front of the boxes? Heres what those are…They are adorable cards that say “Wedding Day Wishes” “One Year Wishes” and “Five Year Wishes” for each guest to write a note for the bride and groom to read. They will open the latter two on the prospective anniversaries. I wrote the wording and had it printed for her 25 times each.Above, placecards in Bickham script, photo by Aaron Delesie.Moving along, we have placecards, which tell the guests where to sit. One per each place setting please. This one is in Chaucer (not Costello…Costello was named after this bride’s new sister-in law).A cute spin on the placecard — this menu has the guests’ name at the top.
I also do favor tags and table signs.
Table names are a breath of fresh air. These ones were all favorite vacay spots of the happy couple. Photo by Always a Bridesmaid.
These ones were all Italian words celebrating love, and a nod to the groom’s Italian heritage.
Standard table numbers for a simple clean look. Photo by Aaron Delesie (I love his work)
Donation signs….in Citadel script.

Favor signs…

Petal toss cards.

Calligraphy for your welcome baskets. Look at all the goodies in here! This was an event by Beth Helmstetter I worked on.
Calligraphy for your menus too! (in Bickham Script)
And finally, “Just Married” signs, or any large sign at all for that matter. This sign I made on a fantastic watercolor paper, and it was later mounted on the back of a car. Simply perfect! Photo compliments of Xochitl at Always a Bridesmaid.
With that, I am at the end of my list–I am sure I missed something. Lets just cover our bases and say pretty much anything involving paper can utilize calligraphy. I encourage you all to think outside the box, and don’t use your computer! Hand-lettered calligraphy is the only way to go when it comes to your wedding. Please contact me if you have a custom idea you want to accomplish!