LFS: Tell us how you got started on your amazing calligraphy journey!

Suzanne: I have loved calligraphy my whole life. My first encounter with it was the Speedball Textbook, 19th edition. My mother was an artist and would do Old English calligraphy from it. As a child, I would copy the letters from the Engrosser’s Script page with a pencil or ballpoint pen. I didn’t realize it was calligraphy I was copying, I just knew I wanted to create the same beautiful letters.

In 1993, I took samples of my calligraphy to several stationery stores and began addressing wedding envelopes. There was no social media, so I had no advertisement other than word of mouth. I had many brides that would save envelopes they had received from other weddings, yet would still choose my work over other envelopes. This was a huge blessing and helped me get my name out to the public. Later on, Instagram became my way of advertising my work and was a game changer.

LFS: What's the most common error you see on the guest list when addressing envelopes? 

Suzanne: I see two errors frequently on a bride’s guest list: 

 

LFS: Are you seeing more brides going to one envelope vs. the traditional inner and outer envelopes?

Suzanne: Most of my wedding envelope orders still have the traditional outer and inner envelope. I see a single envelope about 25% of the time. 

 

LFS: What is your favorite style calligraphy choice? (whether style, color, etc!)

Suzanne: My favorite style for wedding envelopes is a flourished, Copperplate script. It is timeless, elegant, and will never go out of style! I love a classic black ink and love gold ink as well. 

 

LFS: If you could tell the bride ONE thing when deciding on calligraphy for her envelopes, what would that be?

Suzanne: The advice I would give to brides about calligraphy on envelopes is that the style of calligraphy needs to complement the style and feel of the wedding. For example, if it’s a 2:00 garden wedding, a formal, flourished Copperplate might not suit as well as a relaxed, modern script.

LFS: Any advice for brides wanting to use you for calligraphy on their envelopes?

Suzanne: For anyone needing my calligraphy services, my best advice would be to inquire and book early by contacting me at suz822cunningham@gmail.com. Calligraphy is a meticulous job and needs to be done slowly in order for it to look good. I book up far in advance because it’s not a quick process, unlike printing an address.

I think a beautifully calligraphed envelope sets the stylistic tone of what’s to come. It serves as the guest’s first sneak peak of the creative elements of the wedding. You want to wow your guests!