When to Book Your Wedding Calligrapher

A helpful guide to planning your
wedding stationery and signage

Congratulations beautiful bride-to-be! Let’s pop the champagne because YOU’RE ENGAGED! I hope you’ve taken some time to celebrate with your family and friends and I hope you’re entering the world of wedding planning filled with excitement — because at the end of the day, this whole thing should be fun!

One of the questions that I get asked most often by engaged couples is “How far in advance do I need to book with you?” So, to help make planning your calligraphy and stationery a little bit easier, I’ve put together a timeline that you can use as a guide to help you with the booking process and keep you on track to get all of the pretty details organized . . .

9-12 months before your wedding

Begin to think about how you want your wedding to look and feel. Some things to consider are:

• Will you be getting married indoors or outdoors?

• Do you like modern or more rustic decor?

• Will you be incorporating calligraphy into your wedding stationery and/or your day-of stationery and signage?

As you’re daydreaming about your wedding, it’s a great time to start researching calligraphers! See who’s style really resonates with you and try to find someone that you can see yourself working closely with over the next several months. If you find someone you really love and know you want to work with, reach out so that you have a better chance of guaranteeing that vendor’s availability for your wedding date! There’s no such thing as booking your calligrapher too early.

6-8 months before your wedding

Around this time, you’ll start working with a designer on your wedding stationery. If you don’t hire a designer that also offers calligraphy, reach out to a separate calligrapher for envelope addressing.

Imagine receiving mail (which hardly ever happens in our digital age, so that’s an event in and of itself!) that has your name and address beautifully written out by hand on the envelope! I’d immediately think “wow, someone put that much thought into sending me something?!” Hand addressed envelopes make your guests feel extra special and they’ll truly appreciate the added personal touch to your wedding stationery. Your gorgeous envelopes will already set your wedding apart before it’s even begun!

Pro tip: Allow an extra 3-4 weeks for envelope calligraphy. So, if you want to mail your invitations out on March 1st, your calligrapher will need the blank envelopes by the beginning to the middle of February in order to complete them by or before your mailing date.

Once you’ve worked out the details of your wedding stationery and envelope calligraphy, you can go ahead and brainstorm ideas for day-of goods with your calligrapher. Make a list of items that you know you need for your wedding day as well as a list of items that you want. (Think: paper goods, such as programs and menus, as well as signs, such as a welcome sign, cocktail sign and seating chart.) Your calligrapher will help you come up with unique ideas based on your wedding vibe, color palette and personality.

2-4 months before your wedding

Order any day-of stationery items (menus, welcome notes, programs, etc.) and finalize the details on for your day-of signage with your calligrapher. At this point, you’ll have a formal proposal from your calligrapher that includes what materials you’ll be using as well as a timeline for both of you to work off of.

8-12 weeks before your wedding

Mail out your wedding invitations in your beautiful hand addressed envelopes!

4-6 weeks before your wedding

Finalize the copy of your wedding signage with your calligrapher. Once everything is confirmed, your calligrapher will start to work on the signs. Your RSVPs will also start rolling in, so you can begin to organize your seating assignments for the seating chart and/or place cards. The guest list will be due to your calligrapher about 3 weeks before your wedding.

1 week before your wedding

See your vision will come to life! Your calligrapher will have all of your signage and stationery complete, ready to be beautifully displayed at your wedding!

Wedding Day!

Your wedding day is finally here and it’s time to party with your best friend and the ones you love!!! Celebrate your special day and see all of the planning and coordination come to life. Watch your guests’ faces light up and hear their exclamations as they take in all of the pretty custom details. And most importantly, be present and enjoy every. single. minute of it!