Pros and Cons of a Calligraphy Wedding Invitation

Calligraphy is probably one of the most traditional method of creating a wedding invitation. In the past, monks would help the couples to write the wedding invitation with calligraphy. Although mass production of wedding cards is possible with the advance in printing technology, some couples will still opt to have a calligrapher to have the cards hand-written. On the other hand, some couples will hire a printer to make the wedding invitation that looks like a calligraphy invitation.

In fact, a calligraphy wedding card is an interesting and perfect invitation. However, there are also some disadvantages of a calligraphy wedding invitation. In the article, the different advantages and disadvantages of such a wedding card will be discussed. It is hoped that by reading this article, readers can have a better understanding about the pros and cons of calligraphy wedding cards. This will certainly help in the decision making process of the couple when they are planning the wedding stationery.

The most natural way of making a calligraphy wedding card is to hire a calligrapher to write the contents of the cards. By doing that every wedding card will be a unique one because every card will be slightly different from one another. You can also feel a kind of human touch since the cards are all hand-written.

Some couples may find that hiring a calligrapher to write all the cards out of their budget. In this case they can consider hiring a printer to help them to make the invitation look like a calligraphy one. Even if budget is not a problem, some couples will still go for this option because they would like to have all the cards identical. In fact, being identical can also be an advantage of this option.
There is no doubt that a calligraphy wedding invitation card can be a perfect card. However, there are also some disadvantages for this option. Unless you are a calligrapher, you will have to hire a calligrapher. It will certainly cost you a fortune since all the cards have to be hand-written.

Moreover, you will need to prepare more spare blank cards for the calligrapher. You may need to prepare two hundred and eighty blank cards if you would like to have two hundred cards written. This is because the calligrapher is a human being and he or she may write some cards wrongly.

If you are going for the choice of hiring a printer to make your wedding invitation look like a calligraphy one, you can certainly spend less when comparing to the option of hiring a calligrapher. However, the printer may only provide computer fonts for you to print the wedding invitation. In this case you will have less options and control on the style of the calligraphy.
In order to balance between the cost and the quality of a calligraphy wedding invitation, you can consider hiring a calligrapher to write one card for you. You can then hire a printer to scan the writings for you and have it printed. In this case you can still get a real calligraphy with a lower cost.

Author: Jerry Leung of Free Wedding Invitation Templates.

The History of Wedding Invitations

by Karen E. Martin

Invitations are as much a part of a wedding today as the bride and groom! While many couples send traditional formal invitations, casual invitations are gaining popularity in today's society. Whatever invitation the happy couple chooses, there is little doubt that for every wedding planned, invitations will be created and sent by one means or another.

When did wedding invitations first come into use? Most people agree that the tradition began in the 12th Century with the town crier, who would walk through the town and announce important events to the public. Word of mouth was an important means of spreading news, and anyone within hearing of the town crier was, by default, invited to the wedding!

During the Middle Ages, when great numbers of people were illiterate, noble families would commission monks to hand-letter and illuminate wedding announcements in calligraphy. These invitations often included a family crest or coat of arms, an important symbol that helped identify the family of the engaged couple. Many people today include such a family crest or coat of arms on their wedding invitations as a nod toward tradition and heritage.

In the 1600s, literacy increased and it became common for weddings to be announced in the newspaper. At the same time, the technology of engraving emerged as a new way to print announcements. Soon, middle class citizens began to send customized, engraved wedding invitations. To create an engraving, a metal plate was engraved in reverse with the desired text. Then the plate was inked and stamped onto paper to create the finished product. Engravings were often covered with tissue paper to prevent the ink from smearing. Many modern invitations still include tissue paper, though it is largely a decorative element now.

In the late 18th century, the art of lithography was developed, making it possible to create beautifully printed invitations without engraving. Invitations at this time were generally still delivered by hand, so they were often sealed within a second envelope for protection. This is another tradition that modern society still observes.

Modern wedding invitations became more widely-used after World War II. The development of thermographic printing allowed more sophisticated designs to be stamped on invitations at less cost than tradition engraving. Thermographic printing creates a raised effect that is often used for letterheads, business cards, and even Braille. Its versatility lends itself perfectly to the artistic nature of modern wedding invitations.

Today, invitations are often creative and individual expressions of the couple's personality. Some couples might send a small gift as an invitation, such as a box of chocolates. Other couples may send an invitation with a framed photograph and a personalized letter. Some people choose nontraditional papers, such as handmade stock with flower petals pressed into it. Invitations may even include favorite cartoon characters, symbols such as an Irish claddagh, ribbons, bows . . . the list is endless!

So next time you open your mail and find that distinctive envelope amongst your letters, take a moment to ponder the history of how that invitation came to be. Just think, it all started with the lowly town crier!


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