Find Your Font Mate Friday ~ Saint Agnes

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She's done it again! The magnificent Molly Jacques just released the newest font in her collaboration with designer Dathan Boardman and it's another gorgeous one! Hand lettering is going to be big this year and this is the perfect font to bring this trend to your wedding. Check out Saint Agnes here...

Happy Weekending!

 

 

Incredible Hand Lettered Invitation Inspiration

Ok..so I've decided I want to be a hand lettering artist when I grow up! The things these people can create with pen and paper are simply stunning! Take this hand lettered invitation designed by artist and groom Drew Melton. Can you imagine having a fiance with this kind of talent!? The couple was inspired by the vintage elements of old newspapers and posters and designed the suite to have a timeless feel. I'm pretty sure I would frame this invite if I got it in the mail! And it's definitely one that would be AMAZING to enlarge and display as decor on the wedding day like this couple.

Grab a napkin to catch the drool before you look at these pics!

 

all photos via YourJustLucky.com

Would you ever consider an invitation that is entirely hand lettered??

Find Your Font Mate ~ Chalkboard Lettering

So here it is (a few days late thanks to technical difficulties) the latest edition of Font Mate Friday. Still working out some kinks with the blog so there might be a few more delays. Thanks for hanging in there with me:) Have a fabulous week!!

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design by Elizabeth Baddeley

Chalkboard details are everywhere these days and I can see why! There's just something very personal about the hand lettering that makes them perfect for weddings. It's also the hand lettering that makes them a little tricky to create on your own...unless your lucky enough to know a fab artist or you can afford to hire one. Have no fear! You can still incorporate this trend with a few great fonts and a little printing magic. Try using some of these chalkboard inspired fonts on a black background and there you have it! Put the paper in a pretty antique frame and you have your very own fancy shmancy hand lettered chalkboard. Just remember, desktop printers don't have white ink so it will just print the black background which means ALOT of ink. Try calling some commercial printers to see if any of them can print white ink. It might take you a little extra time but it will save you tons of ink.

Eva

Mr Moustache

Azola

Frames and Banners

Taluhla

Mercury Script

Fuschia

Bonus...if you have photoshop, check out this quick little tutorial for creating a great chalk effect in a few easy steps.

Find Your Font-Mate Friday ~ Frosted by Molly Jacques

I am completely obsessed with everything that illustrator and calligrapher extraordinaire Molly Jacques creates! Which is probably why I am positively giddy about her new collaboration with font designer Dathan Boardman. Together they have launched a font foundry called Great Lakes Lettering and they unveiled their first design this week. Meet Frosted! The perfect addition to your laid-back casual wedding! Check it out here! Can't wait to see what's next!!

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If you missed Molly's great tips for working with a calligrapher, check them out  here!

Have a great weekend!! Congrats to all those getting married:)

*Guest Feature* Molly Jacques ~ Tips for Working with a Calligrapher

Today we have the ultra-talented illustrator and calligrapher Molly Jacques as a guest. She is here to give us the inside scoop on working with a calligrapher for your wedding invitations and event pieces. Her gorgeous work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine and on blogs like  Oh So Beautiful Paper, Design Work Life, and Paper Crave. She even has a fabulous online shop full of little lettering beauties for you to buy!

Welcome to Paper Wedding Molly Jacques!

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Hi everyone! Kate recently asked me if I could share a little info with her readers about working with a calligrapher to create beautiful, hand written pieces for a wedding or any special event. The process can seem a bit overwhelming, but hopefully with these few tips, you'll have no problem finding and working with a calligrapher that fits the overall aesthetic and budget of your big day! Here are a few steps to get you started...

 

*FINDING A CALLIGRAPHER*

 This is definitely the tricky part of the whole process as you want to find someone who fits your event's aesthetic and budget. Pinterest is a great way to find calligraphers with pricing at all different levels. Whether you want something traditional, modern, or whimsical, there's a calligrapher out there that specializes in one or all of those styles.

For example, my portfolio really highlights a modern, whimsical vibe. I love working with moving baselines and funky calligraphy styles, creating an image that is clean but also innovative.

 

 

*BOOKING*

 Next, you'll have to book time in your calligrapher's schedule. The earlier you contact him or her, the more likely he or she be able to fit you into their schedule. To be safe, contacting your calligrapher 6-10 months in advance is always a good idea. When contacting, be sure to include whatever amount of this information you can:

-What type of project is this (envelope addressing, invitation design, place cards, etc.)?

-How many will you need?

-What color is your paper and what color ink do you want?

-When will you need everything finished?

-Any information regarding a style of calligraphy you'd like (most calligraphers have a signature style that they are known for).

Most calligraphers can also work on a rush order for an additional fee.

From that point, your calligrapher will most likely take a 25-50% deposit to secure your place in their schedule, and voila, you've created a wonderful partnership!

 

*MATERIALS*

Be sure to send the paper materials to your calligrapher for him or her to receive on or before the date scheduled to begin. I usually ask for 20% extra materials in case of any added on names or spelling errors.

*SUBMITTING THE ADDRESS LIST OR NAMES*

 When the time comes for working on envelopes (or place cards, or other day-of paper materials), you'll need to submit a list of names and addresses in the same wording that you'd like them to be written out. Most calligraphers ask for a typed, alphabetized, numbered list as a PDF or Word Document. I always make sure to remind brides that I despise working from Excel sheets.

 *FINALIZING ITEMS*

 When your calligrapher is finished, he or she will ship everything back to you.  At this point, you'll let them know if there are any spelling errors.  Next, you'll send out your invitations and wait to hear back from your guests!

 

All photos via Molly Jacques

 

 For more information on the calligraphy process or to book time in my schedule, please visit me at (link to my website - htpp://www.mollyjacquesillustration.com).  Thanks so much Kate for asking me to contribute!

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Thank you Molly Jacques!

 



Calligraphy: Paper's Perfect Accessory

Like a necklace to your date night outfit or that dazzling pair of stilettos to your little black dress, your wedding stationary just isn't complete without a little calligraphy. Plus, nothing says elegant, classy, and bridal quite like hand lettering. You can almost feel the love in every little swirl and flourish that graces the paper. This ancient art takes years to master and it truly shows! Can you just imagine receiving one of these little gems in the mail?

1. Perch Paper Co / 2. Calligraphy By Christine / 3. Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy / 4. Grace Edmands Calligraphy / 5. Laura Hooper Calligraphy / 6. Molly Jacques Illustration & Design

Think calligraphy is too formal for your rustic country affair or modern museum wedding? Think again! There are so many different styles of calligraphy and hand-lettering that there's bound to be something just right no matter the theme of your event!

modern / formal /  rustic

Now as a designer, I never recommend digitally printing mailing addresses on wedding invitations! And I don't know about you, but my handwriting wouldn't exactly be described as "elegant" (even though I've also spent years mastering it:) So I always recommend working with a calligrapher to create that one of a kind look for your wedding invitations.

And while there's nothing quite like the hand-lettered look of calligraphy, I know it isn't always the most practical or the most affordable option for the invitations  themselves. But don't get your veil all in a knot  just yet, there are some fabulous digital options out there that can also be a great accessory for your stationary. Here a just a few that have me swooning lately...

Parfumerie Script Pro

La Portenia

Carolyna

Aphrodite Slim

Alana

And my personal favorite....

Katie Rose

 I hope you will consider calligraphy for your big day paper goods! It's the "write" thing to do:)