Calligraphy - for invitations?

Question

I haven't looked into the cost yet, so if anyone is willing to share what they spent, I'd appreciate knowing.
That being said, I was just wondering if anyone is considering learning to do calligraphy themselves (or maybe has already learned) so they could do their invitations themselves.
I did a quick online search and there are a number of sites that show you how (for free!) it seems like if I got a light box that I could really do a great job by "copying" from the letter templates.

I'm only thinking of doing the addresses that way - - I'm having the invitation itself printed.
Might do the reply cards to keep them neat (and practice!)

Answer 1

I've done it myself. I went to a craft store and bought a kit. It came with templates and I practiced the letters until I felt comfortable. It wasn't too hard.

Answer 2

Another option is to get a chiseled tip medium point special marker - at a stationery store. It says right on it that it's for calligraphy (kind of 'faux' calligraphy). I didn't have this for my wedding, but do use it for greeting cards and other things. With some practice, it's amazing how good it can look. Because the pen has a chisel tip, you practice using fine lines and thicker lines as you do the letters - it doesn't take long at all to figure out what looks good. You just need to get the right slant to practicing letters, then adding those little crossbars to certain letters, like l, t, s, etc. Those ideas you can get from looking at a calligraphy book.
The pen only cost like $3, so even if you go through a few of them... and honestly, I'm no artist, but am totally amazed how good the printing looks.
Just an idea... won't cost much just to try it out.

Answer 3

I did some hand lettering and calligraphy in college; you can get a calligraphy kit at an art store, it would probably be the easiest thing - then practice drawing the letters. I learned from a book, but I suppose nowadays you can learn from websites, too - the way you're doing it.

For me, it wasn't too hard - but I've been doing art since I was a little kid, so I kinda had a lot of skills already. If you're not "artsy", consider getting it professionally done, or find a friend who is more "artistically inclined".

Answer 4

I had the addresses on all my invitations done and paid $.25 per line. Look and see if there are any local art school that teaches calligraphy. I found a student and her work was fabulous and way less expensive then the "professionals"! I had to much going on to do it myself, but that's also a great idea.

Answer 5

If you are getting printed invitations, you may want to check into getting addresses printed on your envelopes. The cost is about $2.00 for an inner and outer envelope and it would match your invitation printing. I'm not sure about the cost for calligraphy.

Answer 6

Hi. Yes, I know calligraphy and did my daughter's invitations, but just the ADDRESSES....not the whole invitation itself.

It's really easy to learn. Just get a little kit and practice...and voila! Good luck!

Answer 7

What a lovely and sophistacted idea. You will definetly stand out. Try your local craft or art supplies store for Calligraphty kits.
Check out a local college art department, a college student may be able to perform such duties for a a small fee.

Good luck

Answer 8

AC Moore's sell calligaphy kits.