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!

ADVICE FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE

Andrea and Brian are getting married on the "green grass beside the barn" on Scully Ranch in Napa Valley California this June. But when their guest RSVP to attend they will have a little homework to do first. Enclosed in the invitation is a card that says "Advice for a Happy Marriage." This couple is asking family and friends in weigh in with there secrets to success in relationship and marriage.

I was touched by their idea of seeking comments from the intimate community that will witness their wedding. It made me think of times gone by when the community helped to nurture newly weds. It was Andrea's idea to do the advice card and fortunately she found an online stationer who was willing to work with what she wanted. So be courageous, outrageous, whimical or traditional with your invitations.

Andrea and Brian worked with MackenzieKate, an online stationer located in Rhode Island. The company is run by a real person named Mackenzie Sala, who is willing to customaize invitations for the bride-and-groom-to-be whenever possible.
Andrea dn Brian chose the invitation package called "Paris".

For more information check out their website: http://www.kenziekate.com/
Or you can email: info@kenziekate.com

Mackenzie Sala says she's always just a phone call away: 718.928.3946.

Do you have any advice for a happy marriage! Send me your advice and comments!

SPRING SEASON WEDDING WISDOM: "GET YOUR LIST DONE"

Spring has sprung and the busy season is just not for the bees. Calligraphers are getting calls for June weddings! Despite the recommended six to eight week recommendation for invitations to be sent out before the wedding, many couples move slowly in getting their list together and this causes undue stress and delay.

Since the list is the major issue for most couples it's time to get ready now so you're not stuck at the last minute trying to make moms, dads and relatives get their acts together.

My advice to is start with your list first, then you can set the standard for how you want the information given. For example, if its a formal wedding set your list up with the appropriate title (Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.) Although your Calligrapher will know to spell out abbreviations in addresses , it is better to write out the full words, especially if you are sending invitations to friends and families in foreign countries.

Decide if you want to use the ampersand (&) or you want the Calligrapher to write out "and" instead. Although the formal way is to write out the "and" sometimes there is not enough room. If the envelopes are small for save-the-dates or invitations it saves room to use the ampersand. The invitations will look more beautiful because the letters won't be crowded. And if you have a lot of guests with long names -- like from the cultures of Turkey, India, Greece -- it saves room to use the ampersand.

Don't wait until the last minute to get started. Set a schedule and start off by committing to doing at least five addresses every day. Make it fun! Sit down with a glass of wine or cup of hot tea, turn on some nice music or your favorite TV show or movie and create a joyful atmosphere for the task. I highly recommend that couples do this together to save time and also to have an idea if there are any issues.

If you do decide to use Excel remember that your Calligrapher needs to see the names and addresses as they will appear on the envelope so they can judge the spacing. For example:

Francesca Simon
244 Fifth Avenue
Apartment Number 200
New York, New York
10001

This allows the Calligrapher to better judge the spacing needed. Simply convert the Excel list into a label format in Word. More men are taking the responsibility for making the list and they love Excel

So get busy now and avoid stressing yourself out.