Wedding Blog
Let’s put this next topic in the “I didn’t think I would really care about this for my wedding” category: calligraphy.
For the “streamlined, cut out everything not necessary” bride like me, I should be getting our computer printer ready for some lovely mailing labels. Yet there I was, about a month ago, looking and practically salivating over calligraphy options for invitations.
“Is calligraphy necessary? Heck no! Will your invites be welcomed by open arms by your guests? But of course!” This was my internal dialogue as I realized that I really wanted this item for our wedding, and I began the search for affordable calligraphy options.
I went to one of my new favorite sites, Etsy, and searched through pages and pages of lovely calligraphers. I knew that I wanted the look to not be too frilly and formal, since that would not fit our daytime, bright-colored, modern wedding. I wanted something that was maybe a bit more whimsical or contemporary than something with a ton of script-y flourishes (nothing wrong with that, by the way).
I finally found Fran of Little Flower Calligraphy through Etsy. I fell in love with the quirky yet pretty Social Butterfly script below. I found her prices to be fair, and since we are not going crazy on the invitations, I was pretty excited that we could afford her.
Now I am the first to remind myself that I am probably the only one who will even care that we will have specially hand written envelopes, but come on. I should be allowed to have the bridal genes kick in sometimes, no? 
For the marrieds and the planners out there, was there anything surprising that you realized you wanted for your wedding during the course of the planning?
Does anyone have a favorite calligrapher?
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Share this post: The Write Stuff
i’m totally with you as to “since when did i care about [insert item that only brides notice here]?” that being said, that calligraphy is really nice and sounds like it fits the style of your wedding, so yay!
Yes, I do! In fact, I’m writing a post about her for tomorrow!
love her style… my godmother is a calligrapher and has offered to do all of of my save the dates, invitations, envelopes, etc… it worked out perfectly.
I did my own :o! It was really fun, though I did ruin several envelopes because I was concentrating so hard on the script that I forgot how to spell!
@doctorgirl: haha, that’s hilarious!! That sounds like something I’d do 
Hello! I live in NJ, and used Michelle Clark in Staten Island for my invitations, you should contact her! there is always posts about her on the knot!! Very affordable and she does GORGEOUS work! I too was a little undecided if i wanted calligraphy and didn’t think anyone even would care, but i heard so many compliments about them, so in the end i was happy i did it, and it didn’t break the bank!
Tara Jones, out of Dallas, is the best calligrapher in the WORLD! I worked with her for my wedding. Her script is so romantic and ethereal and elegant and any other wedding adjective buzz word you can think of. I used her for our whole invitation suite, and I’ve gotten tons of compliments on her work. Check her out at tarajones.com
this is hilarious because I just went through the exact same debate in m head. I am going to try first Ms. D’orsay’s method of printing and tracing first, but if I fail, I am hitting up some calligraphers on Etsy. I have done a completed 180 on this!
Definitely surprised by a lot of the things I want (and some of things I’ve compromised on).
Calligraphy was also one of those things that I rejected at first.. but realizing I have the handwriting of a 8 year old boy, I’ve slowly changed my mind.
But your calligrapher is a great find I think!
kimtim, i used michele clark too and she blew me away! i love her work. i’ve already sent out my invites and got raves from guests. i think she is worth every penny!
Looks like Miss. Swan found the write stuff… Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh, Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh the write stuff.
NKOTB anyone?
anyone?
P.s. I love the script you choose!
Don’t do it, man. I learned calligraphy and did our envelopes myself, and they looked great. We also added a wax seal to the back. Comments about wax seal: at least 30. Comments about painstaking calligraphy that took a month to complete: 0. Seriously, no one cares. It’s sad but true.
I’m not going to do calligraphy. I can’t afford it one and two I don’t really care about it. I’ll either choose a really nice font and print them directly on the envelopes (no labels here!) or I’ll hand write them all. However, I am going for a wax seal on the back of the envelopes!!
Michelle Clark!! was a dream to work with and possibly the sweetest. And SUPER quick. i wish she could calligraphize everything for me.
Laura Hooper is my fave. She’s designing my invites and doing the calligraphy.
Kelly Ann Rega in New Jersey is super sweet, talented, and affordable. I would recommend her to anyone who longs for calligraphy but doesn’t think she can afford it.
@Miss BookWorm- You made me LOL there! Did you have a favorite NKOTBer?
@Anne- We’ve actually recently sent out our invites and quite a few people have commented to us about the calligraphy. I think Fran did a great job, and I’ll be talking a bit more about her.
@doctorgirl - LOL
I’m a lover of anything silk… And silk flowers are no exception. So, I was surprised to learn that I preferred “fresh” flowers over “silk.” I recall saying, “I’d never pay that much for flowers for one day… I’ll just stick to silk, they look just as beautiful.” Well, this lover of “silk” flowers went with fresh flowers for the wedding party.
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Mrs. Swan, New York City
Age and Occupation: 31, Legislative Representative
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Finance Guy
Engagement Date: August 9, 2008
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: Battery Gardens
About Me: I am an un-crafty but resourceful, Caribbean-born but New York-raised woman who's been known to analyze "Dancing with the Stars" and “So You Think You Can Dance”, buy stinky cheese, and use way too many parentheses. I keep lists for fun, am constantly daydreaming of my next international travel adventure (four continents down, three to go), debating sports (let’s Got Mets/Giants!) and dancing around my apartment to stay sane. I am excited to share our wedding planning journey as I hope to plan a streamlined, personal, and fun wedding with the greatest life partner I could ever imagine, Mr. Swan.
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