20 Elegant Ways to Decorate Your Wedding with Calligraphy

If you're mesmerized by a calligrapher at work, you're certainly not alone. There's just something about putting a pen to paper and watching swirly, artistic script come to life—especially when you leave it to the pros. If you've ever been captivated by those viral videos of hands putting beauty to text, you might want to consider hiring a calligrapher to design an element of your wedding day. Perfect for brides looking to add a dose of elegance to their ceremony or reception décor, calligraphy is an age-old art form that's sure to impress your guests.

Of course, you don't need calligraph every inch of your wedding. Enlist a professional to address your invitation suite, design a ceremony sign, or adorn your menu. Planning a destination fête? Hire a creative professional that specializes in atlas calligraphy to create a detailed guide to the area—the map will serve as a memento, long after the big day is over. 

That's really the beauty of this loopy script—calligraphers can turn your vows into special keepsakes and or stationary sets into eighteenth-century-inspired love notes. They can embellish just about anything, including favors, guest books, and vows. And as the following photos from real weddings show, calligraphy isn't reserved for one type of wedding, with one specific style. From traditional celebrations to more modern affairs, these calligraphed ideas upgrade every party, whether you're looking to go all out or keep it subtle. Ahead, beautiful ways to weave in the art of the written word.

This bright, tropical wedding got a classic touch thanks to this white and pink seating chart by Miss B Calligraphy.

On this page of vows, Spencerian script by Michael Sull of the Lettering Design Group was finished with an offhand flourish—calligrapher-speak for an ink drawing—of a bird. The stationery was by Cartier.

Rather than having their entire invitation suite hand-calligraphed (cha-ching!), this couple focused on the first thing their guests saw—the address.

Maria Helena calligraphed these blue escort cards with gold ink, which were tied with ribbons to an iron gate.

We loved these monogrammed tropical nightcaps, which were given out after a Hawaiian wedding. 

These custom Edwina White invites, created for a summer wedding on New York's Shelter Island, were calligraphed by Bethany Siekmeier, and helped guide guests acclimate to the locale.

These rocks were embellished with white gel pen, with names on top and table numbers on bottom. 

This modern-yet-romantic geometric-shaped stationery by Ladyfingers Letterpress was calligraphed by Rosann Konieczny, who also made the geometric address labels.

A vintage getaway car looked even better with some classic calligraphy. 

These cowbells calligraphed by Anne Robin served as escort cards, noisemakers, and favors.

A hanging escort card display, calligraphed by The Artistic Quill, made the ultimate statement piece.

Bookmark favors (which doubled as escort cards) by Robyn Wylde Calligraphy were a great addition to this couple's bookstore reception. 

This couple had their wooden table markers calligraphed with sweet and meaningful Italian words.

A calligraphed sign directed meandering guests on their way to the outdoor ceremony.

These calligraphed oar signposts from Life at Studio B pointed guests to each of the day's activities. 

This beautifully framed glass program was handcrafted by the bride's father and accented by Tayrn Eukland Calligraphy.

At a beach wedding, a calligraphed sign by Life at Studio B. asked guests to suggest items for the newlyweds' travel bucket list. 

Neither Snow's calligraphed "Just Married" chair signage looked dashing alongside garlands of pittosborum and bay leaves. 

Plum-colored menu lettering by Signora e Mare looked lovely on a fall-themed wedding's tablescape.

This couple had Laura Hooper Calligraphy design a custom crest cake topper for their Sweet Heather Anne cake.