Frequently Asked Questions
Why Hire A Calligrapher?
Your invitations are the first glimpse of your wedding that your guests will have. And the envelope is the first thing your guest will see! Etiquette dictates that all invitations must be hand-written, and hiring a calligrapher ensures that each one will be beautiful. Also, addressing that invitations can be one of the most time-consuming tasks a bride faces, making the convenience of hiring a calligrapher that much more important.
Why Choose By Hand?
I have been practicing calligraphy since childhood and have enjoyed incorporating calligraphy into various forms of artwork, as well as addressing wedding invitations and completing stock certificates. By Hand can also help you with the creative process in selecting a style to match your wedding invitations. Everyone has a different style when it comes to weddings, and your invitations should reflect that style. I can work with you to help select the most personal calligraphy style for your wedding or design a font style all your own! As a local vendor, I will pick up and deliver your envelopes or other orders within a thirty mile radius for free, eliminating the possibility that they will be lost or damaged in the mail. I also offer extremely competitive rates, which makes hiring a calligrapher a luxury that you truly can afford.
What Do I Need to Provide?
You will need to provide By Hand with a TYPED list of names & addresses exactly as you want them to appear, as well as all envelopes and place cards you need. Please order at least ten extra inner & outer envelopes per one hundred invitations, as you may have forgotten someone and I do make mistakes. Also be advised that when I accept your wedding project, a 50% deposit is required to secure your place on the production schedule. The remainder will be due when your order is delivered. At this time, I am only able to accept cash, personal checks or money orders.
How Long Will Addressing Take?
Turn around time for addressing is one week for orders of 150 or less, and two weeks for orders of more than 150. Remember, invitations need to be sent out six to eight weeks in advance, so please factor that deadline in when speaking with the calligrapher. If you are inviting 500 or more to your celebration, more time may be needed to ensure that you can send your invitations on time.