Hello Readers!
With digital technology taking the place of many forms of visual art that are tediously done by hand, I am always amazed and pleased to see the whimsical elegance found in calligraphy. When calligraphy adorns wedding invitations, escort cards, ceremony programs and reception menus, I am always thankful for this personal touch of finesse that a bride and groom add to their wedding. Recently, I was introduced to Mandi Heilig, owner of Dry Ink Designs, which specializes in design and calligraphy. She describes her passion as the ”love of working with people to decide a style that works for their use, and then finally seeing their reaction to the finished product.”
So let us take a journey back to the origins of calligraphy. Wikipedia states that calligraphy “dates back to 600 B.C.,”and the evolution of this visual art form has truly created beautiful products through many years. Therefore, the calligraphers that preserve this historic art form are able to personalize and tailor items to really meet a person(s) vision. Mandi expressed how important the preservation of calligraphy is because the artform portrays a ”beautiful tradition that is slowly becoming a lost art.” She also comments that calligraphy ”is a first glance into your special event and is something that I can do fairly easily, allowing me to create something people and excited to use.”
I was interested in how many people become interested in calligraphy and Mandi was so kind to share her journey below:
“I remember years ago, I was very young and was at one of our weekly Sunday Night dinners at my Grandma Grace’s house. She had a set of calligraphy pens, she was very artistic and creative. I had never seen pens like this and wondered how they worked. My dad got the pens out and just started “creating” letters in Old English Style. He showed me how to hold the pen and how to create the different lines to write out the letters. At that point I was young, but hooked and through the years kept working at it and eventually picked up my own techniques and styles.”
Therefore, for brides and grooms who are interested in incorporating a calligrapher and/or designer into their wedding stationary, don’t forget to visit www.dryinkdesigns.com! Ultimately, your wedding stationary is yet another outlet to make a great first impression.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I couldn’t agree more. It is becoming a lost art, though I believe it is gaining popularity again. I see more people getting back into it as a business they can do locally and nationally. Letterpress invitations and photopolymer plates have also helped its popularity by incorporating it into the text of an wedding invitation or as a monogram.
I try to get copies of the wedding invitations to photograph. I have noticed a little more Calligraphy being brought in to the mix.
Calligraphy is definitely a beautiful touch to any part of a wedding. I have also seen a “come back” with calligraphy. I think it is attributed to the fact that we rely so heavily on technology and for our special moments we want something different.