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20 Elegant Ways to Decorate Your Wedding with Calligraphy

Martha Stewart Weddings

20 Elegant Ways to Decorate Your Wedding with Calligraphy

July 27, 2011

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This sophisticated script adds instant polish to any wedding element.

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Credit: Johnny Fogg

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.

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Calligraphed Seating Chart

Credit: Kathleen Geiberger Art

Everything You Need to Find the Décor of Your Dreams

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

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Calligraphed Wedding Vows

Get Our Complete Guide to Wedding Vows

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.

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Calligraphed Envelopes

How to Address Guests on Wedding Invitation Envelopes

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

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Calligraphed Escort Cards

Credit: Amelia Johnson Photography

Or, Try These Outdoor Escort Card Displays

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

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Calligraphed Gift Tags

Credit: Bryan Gardner

More Favors That Show Off Your New Monogram

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

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Calligraphed Maps

Credit: Amaranth Photography

Get Inspired by These Nautical Wedding Invitation Ideas

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.

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Calligraphed Seating Cards

Credit: Shannon Von Eschen Photography

Insanely Creative Seating Cards

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

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Calligraphed Stationery Suite

Credit: Liz Banfield

Get More From This Modern and Romantic Fall Wedding

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