Is your work really all done by hand?

Yes, we will uniquely hand-letter each piece, giving it the personal attention it deserves. Hand lettering conveys such a special feeling of warmth to your invited guests, showing them that you think so highly of them that you chose to have their name (s) written completely by hand, with skill and artistry.

How much does it cost for envelopes?

Real calligraphy is surprisingly affordable. Please see the 'Pricing' section under 'Weddings'.

Can you design my invitation, too?

Yes, your entire invitation can be designed, by hand, if you so choose. If you are looking for a unique, exclusive look not seen elsewhere, this is the perfect solution for you. This is considered a special project, so it is recommended that you allow extra time for both our design and printing.

When should I order my invitations from the printer?

The sooner, the better! Once you know all of your pertinent information, feel free to order, as long as you are sure that none of the information will change. Some brides order several months to one year in advance, but 6 months in advance is fine. It's always a good idea to build in some extra time for this process. Hypothetically, there could be a spelling error in printing which would require a re-print. This rarely happens, but we have seen it on occasion. Ordering several months in advance will also cut down on your stress level.

Are colored envelope linings a problem?

Oh, the issue of linings! Dark colored or metallic linings can be beautiful, but can be a nightmare for calligraphers. Normally we need to see through the envelope in order to do calligraphy, because we work with an outside light source, like a light box, that projects the guidelines up through the envelope from underneath. When the light is blocked by a dark colored lining, this becomes a difficult challenge. If the lining only goes part of the way down inside the envelope, and the main part of the envelope is free, this is the best choice when making your decision to order. Sometimes the lining will go all of the way down to the bottom inside the envelope, but is not glued down. The solution is: we pull the lining out of each individual envelope, do the calligraphy, and then return each lining into the envelope. We really do! As you can imagine, this is extremely time consuming, so we need to charge a small, additional labor fee for this service. The last option is to have a full lining, going to the very bottom of the envelope, and is glued down. When this happens, we must render the work almost completely by eye, with a hand-made template, or the Phantom Liner, which is always a challenge!

What about hand-made envelopes or envelopes with a shiny surface?

All envelopes are normally tested in advance to prove that they are “ink worthy”, but especially hand made or metallic/iridescent/shiny envelopes. Sometimes the ink goes on very well and dries without bleeding, feathering, or smearing. If the latter happens, sometimes we can use a special treatment on the envelope to create an acceptable writing surface. Yes, there are times when the paper simply will not hold ink. It's always best to test, test, test the paper first!

Can my invitations be sent directly from the printer to you for calligraphy?

Most times the invitation company will be happy to split your order for no extra charge: they will send you the invitations, and send us the envelopes. And since we are on a first name basis with both the UPS and FedEx guys, they take extra care to deliver right into our hands!

When should I make an appointment for our first meeting?

Many times first contact is made with our studio even before the invitations are ordered! Brides, grooms, and other family members have so many questions and concerns. Whether meeting in person or working by phone or email, your first appointment can be made as soon as you are ready with your envelopes and guest list, or before, in anticipation of same. We love to meet out customers in person, but many of our jobs come from out of the area. At least one phone conversation is necessary in these cases, not only to review your guest list, but to put a human voice with the name!

Can I send you a deposit to hold my place in line?

Yes, we require a deposit in advance to hold your place in our upcoming production schedule. If you know that you will be engaging our services for a future event, but won't be ready for several months or even a year, you are encouraged to send a $100 non-refundable deposit now which will secure your place in the production schedule and avoid disappointment. And since there is a physical limitation to the amount of work we can accept into the production schedule, we encourage you to do this as early as possible.

What if I'm out of state? Can you still do my calligraphy?

Of course we can! Many of our customers are people that we've never met! You simply mail us your envelopes via UPS, FedEx,

or U.S. Postal Service, along with a deposit check. Then you

email us your guest list. We call you to confirm that we

have received everything, review your guest list together

to ensure accuracy, then we begin the work.

Afterwards, it is all carefully packaged

and sent back to you. So easy!

In what format should my guest list be done for calligraphy?

You guest list should be prepared in Microsoft Word format, Times New Roman, 12 point, flush left. The simpler, the better…please do not draw boxes around the names. Sorry, we cannot accept Excel spreadsheet format, but it can easily be transposed to Word. For inner envelope information, add to the right of the name/address. This format is critical to assure that your envelopes to be processed in the most efficient, expedient and accurate manner. Please read “Preparing your Guest List” under the “Weddings” section of our website.

How long will the calligraphy take?

Because our years of experience help us to fully understand the stresses of planning a wedding, we like to create a very relaxed pace. We focus on etiquette, time frames, and the individual needs of each of our customers. We recommend that you contact us 5-6 months before your wedding to be put into our production schedule (a small deposit can easily hold your place in line), and allow up to 3 weeks for completion of your job. We always try our best to squeeze you in, if you are pressed for time. Rush jobs are available at an additional fee.

What if I make a mistake with etiquette?

The question of etiquette is complicated, always super charged, and sometimes confusing. Buy six different books on Etiquette, and you will find six different answers to your question. Some calligraphers don't bother helping their customer with etiquette questions. We, on the other hand, love to help you! In this day and age, there are so many different and unique living arrangements, some of which Emily Post never even envisioned. How you handle these potentially sticky situations will make you appear the ever gracious host. We are here to help you and make you look good! This service is free to all of our customers. We will always advise you according to what we know about your etiquette question(s), but you decide the answer which feels right to you. In the end, the most important thing is that you are comfortable with your decision(s).

What about additions/corrections after you've finished?

Additions and corrections are handled with priority and a quick turnaround. We are extremely flexible both during the process and after your envelopes are finished. Just call or email us with the changes. These can usually be completed and mailed only 1-2 days after your new information is received.

When should I send my invitations?

Traditionally, invitations are sent 4-6 weeks before the wedding. If you have guests that are coming from out of state or country, and/or guests who will be requiring hotel reservations, you may want to send them up to 8 weeks in advance. But be careful! The timing here is crucial. Many times you think that you are helping your guests (and yourself) by sending your invitations out way in advance- but in reality, you are setting yourself up for problems in the long run. What happens is this: your guest receives his/her invitation, sees that the response date is far, far away, and it disappears on their desk, underneath the pile of papers. Then your response deadline ends, and you haven't heard from several people. Why? Too much time has lapsed, and they've forgotten. They say timing is everything in life, and this is no exception!

How should I handle invited guests who don't respond by the deadline?

Since it is always necessary to have a final head count for the reception site, we believe that you should call or email those who haven't responded. Our lives are so busy- chances are they've forgotten. Don't take it as a personal slight, and don't assume this means they aren't coming. Contact them with a very friendly message, like: “We really hope you can come to our wedding, it would make it so much more special with you there! Please let us know that you'll be there…we can't wait to see you!”

When should the place cards be done?

Place cards are usually done 1-2 weeks before the wedding, or as soon as you have the final table arrangements made. Always order extra cards- if something unexpected happens at the last moment, changes can be made. Like we said, we're flexible!

What about seating charts?

Seating charts are currently a giant trend for weddings, because of their unique nature. Because a seating chart is considered a one of a kind piece of artwork, it will take longer than place cards, because it is a larger design project. Careful attention is paid to theme, color, illustration, etc. We suggest allowing one month for completion, or as soon as you finalize your table arrangements. Your seating chart can also be framed before your wedding and displayed on an easel just outside the reception room. Your guests' response is always one of amazement, and afterwards you will have a precious memento to proudly display in your first home!

What is the process of creating individual menus for my reception?

When each of your guests sit at their place at the reception and see a hand lettered menu, you can be sure that it makes a lasting impression. First, we decide on alphabet style, color, theme, and illustration, if any. Next, the calligraphy design is executed using the course and food names, according to the chef. Usually this information is faxed or emailed to us directly from the reception site. Then it is printed or copied to your liking. Afterwards, you can use them plain, hand decorate, or embellish each one, depending on your style and taste. Menus always make a great statement.

Can you create a special gift in calligraphy for me to give my new husband/wife?

Yes we can! This is an especially heartfelt gift, an original piece of art, which will last a lifetime. We commonly hand letter wedding vows, song lyrics, and poetry. Since this is considered a design project, please allow extra time for the process. Please see the Portfolio pages on our website, to see what we have created for others. The options are limitless, and the result and response is always amazing!