Bridal Jean Jackets: The Hottest Calligraphy Trend in 2021

One of my favorite new “trends” in wedding calligraphy right now has got to be bridal jackets! Honestly, I’m hesitant to even call it a trend, because I don’t think they are going away. When it comes to the wedding industry, we have seen a rise in personalization over the last ten years. Most couples I work with want their wedding day to look and feel like them! And that includes your wedding day attire. Although many brides may be drawn to a more traditional white wedding dress, they are infusing their personality with accessories – whether that be bridal sneakers, brightly colored accessories, or adding a custom bridal jacket to their look. Nothing makes me gush more than seeing an edgier jacket paired with a delicate wedding gown. Especially for fall or spring weddings in New Jersey, having a jacket is practical too!

Before we get started – are you a calligrapher? I would love to invite you to a free virtual summit for Calligraphy business owners. It’s March 1-3, 2021 and you can grab your free ticket here. I hope you’ll join me for my session on pricing!

If you are looking for a calligrapher to customize your own bridal jacket, make sure to get in touch here. Although you might be tempted to DIY-it, trust me that you don’t want to make that mistake! There are certain pieces that you may be able to get away with DIY-ing it (not that I would necessarily recommend it as a calligrapher, but I am especially biased toward hand written touches), but a jacket that you will wear on and off all day is NOT a place to cut corners. Below, I am going to talk about 3 more reasons why you shouldn’t try and write on your own bridal jacket (and what you need to consider!)

You’ll save time hiring a professional calligrapher for your bridal jacket

Like many other DIY projects, Pinterest makes it look easy. Pick up a jacket and a few supplies, and you have everything you need. The reality is, there are SO many factors when it comes to choosing the right paint and the right brush for your jacket. Not to mention, you’ll need to practice on a test piece of fabric if you want clean lines that are readable (and can be seen in the photos!) on your wedding day. The average wedding takes about 200 hours to plan. Do you really want to add more time DIY-ing your calligraphy? Why spend hours and hours researching and testing paints and brushes, when a professional has already done all that and knows exactly what to use and how to use it? By hiring a professional, I’ve done all that experimentation and research so that you don’t have to.

DIY-ing can be more expensive.

Although you might think it’s cheaper, like other DIY projects you’ve started, you might quickly realize that it’s not always less expensive. Who hasn’t made a costly DIY mistake from time to time? Although hiring a professional calligrapher might be an investment up front, you’re going to get your money’s worth. Not to mention – you’ll save money by not ruining the $100 jacket you purchased because it was harder than it looked.

You want your Bridal Jacket to LAST

I know the types of paint to use so that it’s permanent on the fabric – no matter how many times your jacket gets cleaned. (I do, however, always recommend dry cleaning as opposed to putting it through a rough wash and dry cycle!) I talk about the idea of repurposing things from your wedding day more here, but this bridal jacket doesn’t have to be a “one time” thing. Not only is it a great statement piece for your wedding day fashion, it’s also a really fun accessory to have at a bridal shower or a bachelorette party! Make sure that whoever you’re hiring knows what kinds of paints and products to use on your jacket to ensure longevity!

Looking to hire a calligrapher for your bridal jacket? Here’s how it works!

Whether you are dreaming of jean denim, faux leather, or leather, the first step would be contacting me here. Then, we’ll chat about what kind of design you’re looking for on your jacket! Some brides want their new last name and a peek-a-boo wedding date under the color. Others like to incorporate a pretty floral design. And some prefer to have a quote that speaks to their love story painted on their jacket.

We’ll also review what date you need it by and whether you’re local to Hoboken, NJ or need it shipped. You can drop off your jacket or mail it to me and once I receive it, I’ll create a sketch for you to review and approve before I paint the final. Once the sketch is approved, I’ll get your jacket painting into the works!

Please allow a 4-week turnaround time for custom bridal jackets. This gives us plenty of time to dream up a design, sketch and paint, and factor in shipping, if needed. And given the craziness of 2020, I would encourage you to reach out a lot sooner! (If you’re looking to have a jacket done in less than 4 weeks, contact me with your rush order and I’ll see if I can accommodate it depending on my current schedule!)