Wedding Ceremony Calligraphy: Certificate of Marriage

Custom Wedding Ceremony Calligraphy Document

 In the throes of wedding calligraphy season, I took a chance on a custom project and am SO glad that I did! A couple approached me in July of this year to commission a custom Commitment to Marriage document in calligraphy. There were a few elements that they were looking for in their document, and I've included a few images of the finished product: (Visit the Ash Tree Calligraphy Facebook Page to see more images!)

1) Lines for Guests' Signatures. The purpose of the wedding document was not only to write down vows that the couple promised each other, but for guests to participate in the ceremony by signing as witnesses and promising to support the couple in their marriage.

For this couple, it required about 117 lines - one for each guest. Though they initially wanted 3 columns of lines, we were actually able to fit the right amount of space with exactly 4 columns instead.

2) Color Palette. After consulting with the groom, we discussed that brown ink with tones of green would best match their wedding colors - and I recommended using a light cream color paper, as the colors would look best.

I was able to incorporate all of these colors in different areas of the wedding document  - including "illuminating" the first letter of a few lines with the green accent over the brown.

3) Illustrations. After a previous illustration of the California coastline I did last season for a destination save-the-date, this was another request to place a design element in addition to calligraphy on the document - and as an artist, I'm always up for that challenge!

Involve guests in your ceremony with their signatures!

We looked at three stock images of trees that the couple liked, and I used those as inspiration to create my own - tying in all of the document colors of brown and shades of green. The tree was meant to be a simple accent, while also representing the strength and sturdiness of their marriage. They opted for two identical, mirrored trees on each side of the top of their document.

There was also a slight flourish to graphically separate the signatures of the couple to the promises of the guests - I used the darker green tone to tie into the document and added leaf elements.

4) Size. Lastly, this document was also the largest I've created to-date! The final finished project was about 15" x 22" in size - I provided the paper to make sure it was archival and could withstand the test of time. I also recommended that once it is framed and matted, placing documents such as this in areas of little natural sunlight to decrease the chances of fading.

Looking for your own custom calligraphy project? Shoot me an email about what's on your mind for design, and let's get to work!

Reception Calligraphy: Table Tents and Place Cards

Table names instead of table numbers in calligraphy, $2 each

 Just showcasing a few recent client-supplied calligraphy images from her wedding reception:

Wedding Calligraphy for your guests' place cards!

The bride and her fiance were big book lovers, so they named each of their tables after fictional places: such as Hogwarts, Neverland, The Shire, etc. The names were written horizontally with a custom-mixed lavendar ink on deep purple, long table tents.

Table Tents for Wedding Reception Tables, $2.00 each

Her place cards were silkscreened in red and deep purple ink as well on both pink and lavender shades of cardstock. I wrote out the place card names in calligraphy for each guest, and the mix of color for the place cards was both refreshing and gave the place card display a real pop!!

Calligraphy for Wedding Place Cards, $1.50 each

Looking for calligraphy for your wedding reception? Shoot me an email and we'll talk about how we can make your reception special :)

Calligraphy for Your Wedding Photo Booth

Dress Up Your Reception with Some Signage in Calligraphy! $2

Lots of brides are doing fun activities for guests at their reception, such as video or photo booths. Why not dress up the reception a bit with some signage in calligraphy to tell guests what's what?

Tell guests where to go and what to do!

This bride wanted to do just that, so I did "Photo Booth" in calligraphy on beautiful handmade paper to fit into a chic horizontal frame for her to hang at her reception. We can do these in conjunction with your table numbers or place cards, and they definitely add a special touch to your big day!

Email me to find out more about the process, or to discuss any custom signage project that is in your heart :)

Bar Menu Calligraphy

Open Bar Menu in Calligraphy, $5 each

The ceremony is over, and it's time to party! Let guests know what beverages are available at your reception with a stunning bar menu in calligraphy.

A bride recently commissioned several signs for her wedding's open bar, which depicted all alcohol available for guests to choose from. This saves time -as each guest is not asking the bartender what drinks are available, then having to make a decision - as well as gives something for guests to look at and make their drink selections while waiting in line at the bar. And we all know less time thinking + more time drinking = happy guests!

Wedding Signature Drink in Calligraphy, $5 each

Another option that is increasing in popularity recently is the "Signature Drink". For those who chose a more simple drink selection for their wedding reception, this offers guests a single cocktail to eliminate the guesswork. Typically served in addition to a basic wine and beer selection, the signature drink is also a great opportunity to showcase your creativity or celebrate your uniqueness as a couple. For example, the bride above created a "Moortini" for her signature drink - and her menu in calligraphy breaks down the ingredients as well as a sweet caption on the drink itself: "A little but of sweetness with a pinch of love". Adorable.

Want to kick your reception up a notch with custom menus in calligraphy? Prices vary slightly depending on what you are looking for, but a ballpark is about $5 per menu. Shoot me an email to talk about your ideas, and let's make your reception the best it can be!

Calligraphy Labels for Wedding Reception

Food labels in calligraphy for wedding reception, $2 each

A few months back, I had the pleasure of working with my 2012 calligraphy giveaway contest winner in helping her out with free calligraphy signage for her wedding. The bride needed signage for her buffet-style reception, as well as for her drink menu for the bar.

This is such a great idea for brides who are looking to do a buffet-style dinner for their guests - having calligraphy food labels at each station lets guests know exactly what they are getting, eliminates guesswork and constant questioning of waitstaff, as well as give something for guests to read / think about while waiting in line.

Calligraphy food labels for wedding reception, $2 each

The bride was also kind enough to send me the two images above from her wedding - she had taken the labels I had written in calligraphy and placed them in small frames next to each appropriate dish.

"Ash Tree Calligraphy work is amazing! She is very responsive, accommodating and has an amazing talent...She did my place cards, food labels and drink signage and everyone thought it was such a nice touch to our special day! You should definitely use this company!!" - Candice, Wedding 3/16/2013

Pics of the calligraphy food labels right from my desk!

Thinking about adding another personal touch to your wedding reception? I've worked with brides all over the country to make their day perfect - shoot me an email to see what we can do to make your wedding special!

Image credits: Andrew Nyholt, photographer - nyholt.com 

Wedding Reception Calligraphy: Food Labels for Buffet Stations

Calligraphy signs for your wedding buffet food stations!

This was a fun, unique project that I had never done before: a bride recently commissioned me to do food labels for her wedding reception in calligraphy - that is, she was having a buffet and wanted guests to know what was available at each buffet station.

Buffet Food Station Signs in Calligraphy, $2 each

This is another great idea to dress up your reception a bit - and buffet stations are a fun way to inform guests what's available to eat (without the guessing) - especially when they are waiting in line.

Looking for wedding calligraphy for your wedding reception? Most signage takes just a week to turn around, and ink can be custom mixed to match your wedding palette perfectly. Contact me on how to get started!

Wedding Calligraphy for Reception Signage

Calligraphy for Wedding Reception Signage, $2 each

Wedding signage for your reception is a fun way to dress up your reception, let your personality shine through, as well as play up your wedding's theme. I just received these adorable images from a past wedding calligraphy client and wanted to share.

She had a nautical wedding on Cape Cod, so much of her theme was conveyed in the colors she chose: such as navy, white, and red. Above is a sign I did for her breaking down for guests what was in her Signature drink, and it was held up by a monkey's fist sailor knot - great idea!

"Reserved" Signs in Calligraphy for your wedding ceremony, $2 each

The reception isn't the only place you can use signage for - I also created several "Reserved" Signs in calligraphy navy ink to be placed in pews reserved for close friends and family during the ceremony.

Add fun signage in calligraphy for your wedding reception!

When guests arrived at the reception space, the bride provided the girls with the option of ditching their heels for more comfortable red flip-flops for dancing. The calligraphy sign for this was just fun - "Sole Mates", in red to match the shoes and her theme.

Wedding Calligraphy for Table Numbers, $2 each

Lastly, the same idea of her signature drink carried through onto her reception table, where I also wrote her table numbers in calligraphy. The numbers in red ink were the perfect touch to once again sit on top of a monkey's fist sailor know.

If you are looking for a unique, handmade touch for your wedding reception with signage in calligraphy? Contact me today for a wedding calligraphy consultation, and we'll get you started!

Wedding Reception: Red Tag Place Cards with White Ink on Mason Jars

I did a blog post about working with this bride's wedding reception calligraphy a while back, but just recently got some beautiful images from her nautical-themed wedding.

Red tags with white calligraphy on mason jars for favors!

Navy blue, red, and white played a big role in her reception, (she had table number cards with instructions on how to eat a lobster-cute!) and she decided to do her place cards using red tags with white ink calligraphy featuring each guests name attached to Mason jars, which served as wedding favors.

Matched perfectly with the white and red straws

If you ever get the opportunity to use white ink on a colored cardstock for your place cards, or white ink on dark envelopes for your wedding invitations, USE IT! It makes for such a striking contrast and impression. Enjoy the photos!

If you are looking for a unique, handmade touch for your wedding reception, contact me for a wedding calligraphy consultation, and we'll get you started! 

Image credit: Stacey Kane Photography, www.staceykane.com

Event Calligraphy for Certificate Names

Occasionally, I'll get a freelancing request outside wedding calligraphy work: calligraphy also makes a great final touch to more formalized events. For example, I get commissioned every year by a student club at Harvard to write out their Final Dinner invitations on gorgeous cream card stock. So in this latest featured case, a client found my work online and needed about thirty names written in calligraphy for award certificates for an upcoming function.

I liked doing this job because it reminded me of how I got started with calligraphy: when I was in high school, and the Dean recruited me to fill out National Honor Society certificates after seeing some of my early work. Since then, I've been honing my skills and catering to all different clients and styles - from brides to event planners: the handwritten art definitely has it's place in a digital world!

If you are in need of a calligrapher to help you out with some certificate names (and maybe don't trust your own hand!) shoot me an email on how to get started. With quick turnaround and flexibility, I will definitely be able to help you out!