For over 20 years, Laura Hooper Design House has provided calligraphy and print details for weddings and events worldwide. With a tireless dedication to personalized service and premier design, LHDH’s beautifully crafted paper elements inspire awe through their graceful hand-drawn details and bespoke color palettes customized to their client’s sensibilities.

An interview with acclaimed artist and entrepreneur, Laura Hooper

Laura Hooper’s dedication to artful living informs her approach to business ownership and her role as a calligraphy educator. We sat with Laura to talk about her journey into calligraphy and her experience as an entrepreneur and teacher fueled by creative passion.

Can you tell us about the first time you tried calligraphy?

I can’t remember! It was so long ago, but I’ve always enjoyed art and writing. My first job was personalizing pictures. That’s where I developed my skills with lettering, spacing, and stuff.

Then I started doing calligraphy part-time in college.  Once I graduated and got a “real job,” I continued to do calligraphy on the side after work.  

During that time, I realized that calligraphy was a true passion of mine, and that’s when I decided to make it my career.

What was it like, starting as a calligrapher?

Well, like most people starting a business, I took advantage of my network.  My first client was actually my best friend.  I did 200 inner and outer envelopes for her wedding.  I also helped assemble her gift bags on the day of the wedding.

That snowballed into more referrals for more weddings, and eventually, it turned into a sustainable business. 

I also have a great business partner in my sister, Alyssa.  She’s excellent at overseeing the operational side of things, and I don’t think you could run a business like this without the right team members.

Building a business is always risky, but we took a chance, and it’s worked out beautifully.

As a business owner and artist, what makes your service unique?

My style is unique because it’s specifically geared towards being traditional yet aesthetically pleasing for weddings and other high-end events. 

I’ve trained in more traditional calligraphy scripts, like Spencerian & Copperplate, and there are specific “rules” to the art form.  But with weddings, you often need to bend those rules to capture your client’s vision for their special day.

That process makes this job very satisfying — you can embrace the key elements of calligraphy conventions and push boundaries to create something truly unique and magical.

You mentioned training.  Can you tell me a little more about your work with Calligraphy masters?

I wish I’d taken formal training sooner! I could have avoided so many pitfalls and mistakes. I’m primarily self-taught, and I don’t know if I’d recommend that route to others. 

Eventually, I connected with three incredible mentors and Master Penmen, including Vivian Mungall, who I studied with in Orlando. She helped me develop my lowercase lettering in a way I couldn’t have developed independently.

I’ve also taken courses with Michael Sull, who helped me improve capital letters and shading.  

And I had a wonderful experience at the Spencerian Saga with Harvest Crittenden.  The program helped me look at my work with a keener eye and took me to the next level of mastering the form.

It sounds like mastering calligraphy is a lifelong process.  Is that why you offer courses?

Yes. We created online calligraphy courses because I knew there were a lot of people who love the art form just as much as I do.  And I wanted to give them the kind of learning calligraphy opportunity I wish I had when I was just starting out.

We designed courses for hobbyists, but they’re also perfect for people who want to run small businesses. I’ve had great mentors and gained a lot of hard-won wisdom through my DIY experience, so I want to pay it forward to other passionate artists.  

Click here to shop Laura’s acclaimed calligraphy courses and tools!

What advice would you give people who want to learn more about calligraphy?

Honestly, there are so many great artists out there.  I would tell an aspiring calligrapher to find artists whose style(s) you are drawn to and invest in one of their courses.  Honestly, I’m saying this from experience — wasting time on the internet and scouring for free how-to’s is not a good strategy!

Investing in a course that includes practical practice with purpose and an explicit curriculum will accelerate your development tenfold.

We offer a free calligraphy guide for beginners if you want to get an idea of what solid calligraphy instruction should be.

For more, be sure to get Laura’s tips for what she wish she knew before starting calligraphy!

Artful living and elevated experiences are a common thread throughout your business. How does this inform your work with clients and students?

Art is really about the details.  And artful living is about paying attention to those special touches that make an experience unique and memorable. We infuse these principles into every aspect of our services. 

We are committed to providing value to the people we have the privilege of working with. Whether it’s a wedding, an event, or a course, we always focus on personalized service and care.  

It’s funny because that’s what calligraphy is really about, too, right?

These added flourishes and attention to form make calligraphy a timeless art form. My approach to my work as an artist informs the business that Alyssa and I continue to build. We want to create a memorable experience from beginning to end.

What do you see next for Laura Hooper Design House?

We are always looking to grow our custom calligraphy and stationery design services.  And we’re always looking to develop and source new premium calligraphy products for our customers.  Honestly, we’re so grateful for our clients and customers.  We’re always looking for new ways to give more people the elevated experience of artful living.  

So, I foresee new products, courses, and calligraphy services on the horizon!

If you are interested in getting started in calligraphy, be sure to download our FREE beginner calligraphy guide and visit our online shop to see the best calligraphy supplies, tools and courses to support you in your calligraphy journey.

If you are looking for a way to elevate your wedding day stationery, we would love to work with you to craft a gorgeous invitation suite and wedding day paper details. To learn more or to inquire about your own custom wedding stationery or wedding branding needs, please visit the weddings section of our website.