THE CALLIGRAPHY CLOCK: TIME TIPS ON PLANNING FOR WEDDING CALLIGRAPHY NEEDS

"A week is a rush job?" I've heard this question uttered in disbelief by prospective brides and grooms in the fury of the final stages of wedding planning.

Calligraphy is often left as a last minute decision and couples are often forced to resort to the computer for one of the most important announcements of their lives.

"I really want calligraphy! But I was just going to do it on the computer because it's probably too late, right?" When I hear this question my heart goes out to the person on the other end of the telephone line. I can hear the fear and impending disappointment in their voices as they hold their breath and wonder if their calligraphy wish can be granted in a week or less!

Most people have no idea how long it takes to address weddings envelopes, design invitations, create calligraphic menus and other event elements that require calligraphy. I'm going to give you a few suggestions to eliminate some stress and help you figure out the quickest, easiest way to get your project done with a calligrapher. If the information comes too late to help you, at least you can educate a friend.

CALLIGRAPHY TIME LOCK TIP #1: RESEARCH CALLIGRAPHERS 3-4 MONTHS


Search for a calligrapher 3-4 months before the date you want to mail out your invitations.

This will allow you time for price comparisons, budget adjustments,exploring and deciding the calligraphy style you envision on your carefully chosen invitations.

If you spend a thousand dollars or more on invitations why stick labels on the envelopes? Quality deserves quality -- let a calligrapher put ink on that fancy paper!

Give the prospective groom the task of gathering information on calligraphy costs.

I'm getting more and more calls from prospective grooms who are crunching the numbers on the calligraphy piece of the wedding planning puzzle. Men seem to feel comfortable handling the research chore. After they share the info with their other half, the men often take the next step of actually meeting with me to deliver the material and discuss the address list.

Calligraphy by Francesca provides the unique service of meeting busy professional clients at or near their job or home. Working with advertising companies, major corporations and events planners often requires me to go to their offices. There I can meet with "the team members" simultaneously so communication is clear and decisions can be made quickly with all the principals present. So I decided that if I'm willing to do this for the big companies why not do it for the individuals, who are overworked, totally stressed out and trying to plan a fun event without having any fun in the process.

I frequently set up client meetings at nearby Starbuck's or in their private home, so I can accommodate busy clients. I figured it's better for one frustrated person being stuck in the New York City subway system or in the back of a taxi in a traffic jam (me) than four or five frustrated office bound professionals juggling a bazillion tasks in their heads or on their desks. Mu clients love being able to sit at their desk and work or relax on their sofa until I arrive. It saves them time, and eliminates the stress of trying to do the equivalent of a 100 yard dash or jumping five high hurdles in two seconds.

Plus it gives me an opportunity to do a quick review of their list and point out any possible mistakes in formatting or spelling. And I often do "on the spot" calligraphy samples on the actual material, so clients get an idea of what the finished product will look like.

Men who tackle the calligraphy chore love the chance to combine getting a quick cup of coffee during the work day and actually doing something constructive for their wedding. And they get major brownie points with their Beloved. I even meet couples after work when they are more relaxed and can enjoy a stress-free wedding planning experience. It's my service to humanity!

If you don't plan to send out a "save the date" invitation, consider sending your formal invitations out more than eight weeks before the wedding date.

In our 21st century society we're forced to plan far in advance for everything ao our lives are not overbooked. I think it's crucial to get wedding invitations in the mail beyond the "six to eight weeks" rule. Weddings now not only involve juggling schedules and appointments but also involve international travel. As couples join together in holy matrimony they are also creating international villages that require guests to fly across country and even across continents.

Starting your calligraphy search early will give you the flexibility to find the best calligrapher to fit your budget and to allow you to enjoy the piece of the wedding planning.

But don't worry if you're too late for the advance calligrapher research.
It is true that most calligraphers schedule wedding projects with a turn-around time of 3-4 weeks, so they can set up a schedule to do the work. But calligraphers are willing to do a "rush job". This means calligraphers can do envelopes, place cards, menus and other wedding needs in a turn-around time of 7-10 days.

Stay tuned for CALLIGRAPHY TIME CLOCK TIP #2: How to get your calligraphy project done in a rush -- 10 days or less!

The Beauty of Silver and Gold

Dark colored envelopes -- chocolate brown, fire engine red, navy blue and black -- seem to be a popular selection this season. Clients often request white or yellow ink which often come out pasty looking.

My recommendation is always "go gold" or silver! There are great metallic pens that give vibrant glittering metallic lettering. Although these pens require great skills and control for even a calligrapher.

Before you order dark envelopes go to a shop like Paper Presentations on 18th Street in Manhattan or JAM! on 44th and Fifth Avenue and buy a few envelopes to experiment with. Also beware that a calligrapher will charge you more per envelope because they will have to measure and line the envelopes with a pencial a ruler because they can't use a light box to show lines through.

Play with dark paper and a metalic pen to make sure that's the choice you want to make.