Hello budget brides! As you know, I am a vendor, but once upon a time I was also a bride (almost two years now!!) Well, I wanted to talk about budget calligraphy, and give you a few tips. You shouldn't go without the most important touch of elegance just because of your budget!! Calligraphy gives your invitations a very chic touch, and is a wonderful way to show off your personality and style. AND (did you know?) you can do it for as low as $1 per invitation! Here are a few things you can do:
1. Save up to 50% by printing your return address. Ask your invitation vendor to print your return address on the envelope for free. Many small vendors will be glad to do it if it helps you make your decision (it's a very low cost for them and they want your business!). If this is not an option, you can print the back of your envelopes yourself (here is some help. Make sure you have enough envelopes to mess up a few).
I know this might seem like a huge no-no, but take it from a calligrapher who has seen many top-notch brides go without calligraphy in the return address. Though it is technically not as elegant, many people won't even notice! We all look at ourselves first after taking a group picture, don't we? Your guests will mostly care that their names be written beautifully, by a skilled professional -they will be impressed.
2. Get your invitations early, so you can book your calligraphy during dry season, namely September-February. Because dry season is SO prolonged, I like to give a $1 Christmas sale, for example. Many calligraphers will be happy to negotiate prices during off season too. If you are making your own invitations and you know what size they will be, you can even buy envelopes ahead of time and send them to your calligrapher (keep in mind that this will force you to stick to your plan! If you are not good at sticking with your plan, wait till you make your invitations!). Don't worry about address changes -few people move during this time, and if out of 100 guests, 2 people move and you have to re-do their addressing, it is still worth the good price!
3. Find simple fonts. The calligraphy pen(s) used for a font makes a huge difference in price. The use of a flexible nib (the point of the pen that makes for VERY different widths in the line and even draws the "hairline" flourishes) will almost always mean a higher price. After that, the flat point pens also make for pretty differences in line, but they are not dip pens, but cartridge pens, so it takes a lot less time to hand-letter things with them. They are a little less expensive. Finally, there are the artist's pens, or even gel pens, which are basically regular writing pens (though hopefully a little on the nicer side). If you pick the right font (any font can be written with this type of pen of course), this can make for a beautiful and budget friendly alternative!!
P.S --Take advantage of sales! Look for my shop on Etsy!!
1. Save up to 50% by printing your return address. Ask your invitation vendor to print your return address on the envelope for free. Many small vendors will be glad to do it if it helps you make your decision (it's a very low cost for them and they want your business!). If this is not an option, you can print the back of your envelopes yourself (here is some help. Make sure you have enough envelopes to mess up a few).
I know this might seem like a huge no-no, but take it from a calligrapher who has seen many top-notch brides go without calligraphy in the return address. Though it is technically not as elegant, many people won't even notice! We all look at ourselves first after taking a group picture, don't we? Your guests will mostly care that their names be written beautifully, by a skilled professional -they will be impressed.
2. Get your invitations early, so you can book your calligraphy during dry season, namely September-February. Because dry season is SO prolonged, I like to give a $1 Christmas sale, for example. Many calligraphers will be happy to negotiate prices during off season too. If you are making your own invitations and you know what size they will be, you can even buy envelopes ahead of time and send them to your calligrapher (keep in mind that this will force you to stick to your plan! If you are not good at sticking with your plan, wait till you make your invitations!). Don't worry about address changes -few people move during this time, and if out of 100 guests, 2 people move and you have to re-do their addressing, it is still worth the good price!
3. Find simple fonts. The calligraphy pen(s) used for a font makes a huge difference in price. The use of a flexible nib (the point of the pen that makes for VERY different widths in the line and even draws the "hairline" flourishes) will almost always mean a higher price. After that, the flat point pens also make for pretty differences in line, but they are not dip pens, but cartridge pens, so it takes a lot less time to hand-letter things with them. They are a little less expensive. Finally, there are the artist's pens, or even gel pens, which are basically regular writing pens (though hopefully a little on the nicer side). If you pick the right font (any font can be written with this type of pen of course), this can make for a beautiful and budget friendly alternative!!
P.S --Take advantage of sales! Look for my shop on Etsy!!
Of course I remember you =)! How great that you have started your own business, very neat. And I agree, the felt flowers are perfect for the bride to be, a friend of mine made a really pretty hair clip from them.
ReplyDeleteFun to hear from you =). Glad you're well.