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Calligraphy on wedding invitations, menus, name cards and wedding boards

Wedding invitations featuring timeless calligraphy. Every love story deserves A Fairytale Ending and Your Wedding Invitation It can be the perfect start to this enchanting journey. As a calligrapher, I can create designs that capture the essence of your love story, and my ornate script and elegant lettering will transport your guests to a fairy-tale world.

Menu with calligraphy in gold. Photo Luka Šimunovič

When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the most important things is choosing the right wedding invitations. Wedding stationery such as invitations, seating charts, name cards, confetti and signage set the tone for the whole event. One of the most popular trends in wedding stationery design is to incorporate elements of calligraphy.

The name card is a little different. Photo Luka Šimunovič

As calligraphy in LITERAS calligraphy I believe wedding invitations are more than just a piece of paper - they are the first glimpse into the romance of your special day. By incorporating charming elements into your invitations, you can create a feeling of admiration and excitement that will last long after the event.

From delicate calligraphy reminiscent of the elegance of a princess’s gown to playful accessories that capture the spirit of a forest fairy tale. There are countless ways, how you can add a personal touch to your wedding invitations. As you embark on this wonderful journey with your loved one, let your invitations reflect the love and joy that await you both on your journey together.

One of the best things about calligraphy is to add a personal touch to your wedding invitations and other stationery. We are calligraphers the lengthy and difficult process of writing the letters makes it very proud of your work and we are often excited to be involved in a wedding. A skilled calligrapher or calligrapher can turn an ordinary piece of paper into a real work of art. Use your skills to create elegant and beautiful invitations that reflect your personal style and the theme of your wedding.

Whatever your wedding style, just a little calligraphy can help you details help create a fairy tale.

Calligraphy is, in short, the art of beautiful writing. I simply cannot imagine a wedding without calligraphy. In this article I will explore 10 steps to choosing the perfect wedding invitations with the addition of calligraphy.

Wedding calligraphy in black and white. Photo Janez Marolt

How to choose wedding invitations?

Step 1: Determine the amount for wedding stationery

The first step in choosing wedding stationery is determination of the amount, that you are willing to spend on invitations. Wedding stationery and signage can be affordable or even expensive, That's why it's important to decide how much you're willing to spend before you even start looking, since even simple accessories like transparent wrappers, flowers, strings, or stamps, significantly increase the price. That’s why it’s generally difficult to answer the question “How much do wedding invitations cost?” without discussing your wishes and expectations. After all, you can opt for a custom-drawn illustration or even real gold leaf on your invitations.

Step 2: Choose your style

Once you've set the date and location of the wedding, the next step is...style collection for your wedding. Choosing a style is an important decision, as it will set the tone and look of your wedding. Think about whether you want your wedding to be elegant and formal, with formal attire and a dress code, or if you’d prefer a more relaxed and casual atmosphere where guests can feel comfortable and at ease.

Wedding invitation

Step 3: Choose your colours

Once you've chosen your wedding style and theme, it's time to choose colors that will complement your vision. The color palette of the invitations should match the colors you’ll use in your wedding decor. If you opt for a rustic wedding, warm and natural colors such as brown, gold, and orange are ideal choices. If, on the other hand, you choose a classic, elegant wedding, white, silver, and black are the right colors.

For more daring and vibrant couples, pink, turquoise, and red are the perfect choices. It’s important that the colors aren’t too loud, but rather blend seamlessly with the overall aesthetic of the wedding. Once you’ve chosen your colors, you can put together a complete set of printed materials, including invitations, thank-you notes, table numbers, menus, place cards, and more. This will give your guests a cohesive and professional impression and show them that you’ve gone the extra mile to ensure your wedding details are perfect.

A name card with real, handwritten modern calligraphy, adapted from the font used in the invitation above.

Step 4: Build your printed kit

The fourth step is to select the individual printed items to be included in the package for your guests. The package of printed materials for an individual guest can be made up of a variety of individual pieces, depending on your preferences and the financial resources you will allocate.

Stationery and other wedding decor can be divided into those that are handed out or sent:

• A notice announcing the wedding date, followed by an invitation (known as a “Save the Date”),
• A wedding invitation that includes all the necessary information, including details regarding RSVP,
• R.S.V.P card (a card for the guest's response to the invitation, to which a selection of dishes can be added),
• Directions or other details.

Printed materials we'll need on the day of the event or afterward

• Signboards for various corners (photo corner or snack corner),
• Menus,
• Name tags,
• Labels for food or allergens.

You can choose to use the same design for all your stationery and stationary, or combine designs that complement each other.

Calligraphy and visualisation by Zlatka Trstenjak Rampre

Step 5: Compose the text, choose the format of the invitation and choose your fonts

The choice of format or size of the invitation is influenced by the amount of text and additional information you want to communicate to the invited guests. To compose the text for the invitation you also need accurate and definitive information about the date, time and location of the ceremony, especially if your wedding will consist of a civil and a church part.

The choice of font as well is an important step in designing your wedding invitations. I recommend a maximum of two fonts, which match the selected theme and style. Calligraphy It's a wonderful way to add a unique touch to your wedding invitations, but I recommend it just for the details, such as the names printed on invitations and envelopes, or for place cards on the tables. A handwritten name can be a wonderful keepsake for your guests that will make their evening even more special. When choosing a font, it’s important Readability should also be taken into account. Don't forget that the invitations are meant for your guests, so choose a font that is clear and large enough for everyone to read.

Step 6: Add uniqueness

Adding unique elements to your wedding invitations is a great way to make them even more unique. You can personalise your wedding invitations in a variety of ways, for example by including a photo of you together or an illustration of where the wedding will take place. In addition, you can include a personal message to show your guests your story.

Wedding invitations and calligraphy stationery. With the exception of the calendar, all printed matter is created with real calligraphy. Calligraphy and visualisation by Zlatka Trstenjak Rampre

Step 7: Handwritten addresses on wedding envelopes

Handwritten addresses on envelopes are definitely something special. For envelopes, I recommend a calligrapher/calligrapher. But if you have extremely beautiful handwriting yourself and have the time, you can learn calligraphy and write the addresses yourself. It will take some time and practice, but you will be especially proud of your invitations. You can use a variety of fonts to write your addresses, from classic calligraphy fonts to more modern, minimalist fonts, or you can choose a combination of calligraphy and computer fonts to maintain legibility. You can also choose printed addresses on envelopes, but handwritten addresses are sure to make a much better impression on your guests.

Calligraphy and visualisation by Zlatka Trstenjak Rampre

Wedding invitation with calligraphy

Step 8: Include a nice love quote

In Slovenia, wedding invitations usually include some sort of introduction to the body of the invitation, which may feature a beautiful proverb or a love quote. This introductory section can be the perfect way to showcase your unique story and your relationship on your invitations. A chosen quote or proverb can reflect your shared values, hobbies, shared memories, or anything else that defines your relationship. This will show your guests what brings you together and what you have in common. It’s definitely important to choose a quote or proverb that fits the theme of your wedding day and, of course, your personalities.

Wedding table decoration with seating plan and menu

Step 9: The male perspective

Although your future husband may not want to get too involved in choosing the wedding stationery and decorations, it’s a good idea to involve him in organizing some other elements. For example, he might be very happy to take care of hiring a band or catering service, while you focus on selection of flowers and other decorative elements. This is a great way for both of you to actively get involved in the wedding planning while staying true to your own priorities and interests. Don’t forget that your wedding will reflect your shared taste and style, so make sure you choose the best possible elements for your big day together.

Step 10: Review and order

After you have chosen your style, colours, fonts and calligraphic details, it's time to review your printed materials before approving the printing or calligraphic writing. Before you decide to approve, it is important to check that all the details are accurate and error-free and that the design looks the way you envisioned. Check that the names and date are correct, and check the wording of the invitation several times to make sure that everything is spelled correctly. Once you are happy with all the elements of the invitation, it's time to place your order. Remember that your wedding invitations are the first impression your guests will get of your wedding, so do your best to make them look perfect. In short, calligraphy is a beautiful and elegant touch that can really make your invitations stand out. Plus, the calligraphed details are tailored specifically to you and your wedding.

Custom or Instant Production

There are many ready-made graphic templates available today. However, designers who simply customize Canva templates will struggle to give your invitations that true sense of uniqueness and a personal touch. These templates also weren’t necessarily created by professional graphic designers.

Printing at home vs. a professional print shop. If you’re going to print the template yourself at home, Canva templates are perfectly fine. If you’re sending the files to a professional print shop, you’ll need to pay attention to their technical requirements (the template must include proper bleed margins and be in the correct color format (CMYK); otherwise the colors on the paper may look slightly different than they do on the screen.

Remember that uniqueness is always in fashion, so dare to be different and create something that is completely yours.