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Hiring a Calligrapher

You've probably got enough on your plate as you prepare for your wedding  that the idea of perfecting your penmanship for wedding invites  seems absolutely insane.  And you may be right if you have the cash to hire a professional calligrapher--it's his or her job to write beautifully all the time so you don't have to!  Consider setting aside some extra money in your wedding budget  for professionally produced invitations,  save-the-dates  and whatever else you might need, as they'll help set the mood for the big day and make great keepsakes  for your wedding album. 

Things to Consider

  • Budget. Just because you're able to set aside some dough doesn't mean it will cover all of your expenses. Consider having only one hand printed invitation, and then copying and printing the rest to save money. Writing the addresses yourself (perhaps with the help of the groom or other members of the bridal party) is another great way to save.
  • Time. If you're having a calligrapher take over all of the writing for your wedding, this is going to take some time. Things you might use a calligrapher for include, but are not limited to:
    • Menus.
    • Invitations.
    • Save-the-Dates.
    • Placecards.

And because wedding invitations should ideally be mailed at least 6-8 weeks before your wedding, you're going to need to allow for a lot of time to create the actual invitations before the send out date.  Keep in mind that hand-writing each piece can be a slow process and if you try to book a calligrapher last minute, you may be out of luck.  Many calligraphers charge rush fees or will simply be unable to process your request.

Assess their Skills

Some calligraphers only specialize in a few select styles utilizing specific tools, while others are proficient in a variety of fonts and formats.  Make sure you ask for samples of several calligraphers before selecting and hiring one, because you not only want to assess how they measure up to one another, but you also want to get a feel for what your finished product may also look like.  And if you're at a loss for where to find quality calligraphers to choose from, why not consult fellow brides (family members or friends, for instance) whom you trust?  If no one you know has used a calligrapher, wedding planners, paper and invitation retailers and bridal websites are some other great resources worth consulting.

Extras

  1. When you go for a consultation with a potential calligrapher, discuss your wedding theme  and colour scheme  so that the calligrapher has a better idea of what you're looking for.
  2. If you've purchased your envelopes already, bring a sample to your consultation. Some materials are harder to write on--ink may easily bleed, for instance--and thus they may need to be treated beforehand. This can cause the overall price to increase.

Related Guides

If you're looking for a calligrapher, chances are you may be curious about some other wedding-day-related tasks.  Check out these related guides for more tips.

Hiring a Cake Designer

Hiring a Wedding Planner

Hiring a Wedding Caterer

Hiring a Wedding Florist

Hiring Wedding Musicians

External Links