Jeff Fain asked:


It goes without saying that if you are having a wedding, you need to purchase and send out wedding invitations.  But there’s an incredible amount of formality behind invitations that many of us don’t even realize.  It had to come from somewhere, though, so what’s the history of wedding invitations and how did it all begin?

It wasn’t until 1447, with the invention of the printing press, that wedding invitations even came to be.  Before this time, weddings were announced by someone known as a town crier.  This gentleman would walk through the streets announcing the news of the day.  Even after the printing press came to be, though, there was still a huge amount of illiteracy among the people of the Middle Ages.  Thus, wedding invitations became reserved for those of nobility.  Noble families would hire monks who were incredibly skilled in the art of calligraphy to write their notices.  When these were done, they would be sealed with wax and a coat of arms of the family.  Some people still will seal their notices with wax or put their family crest on their envelopes today as a mark of higher class.

As time went on, the printing press was still considered too poor quality to be tasked with something as noble and honorable as wedding invitations.  The tradition of announcing weddings in the newspaper did pick up from here, though.  But it wasn’t until 1642 when metal plate engraving was invented, that invitations could now be printed acceptably by a press.  This process required that an artisan write out the appropriate text backwards on a metal plate using engraving tools.  This created a stamp that could be dipped in ink and pressed onto the actual invitation.  Once complete, the press mark was then protected from smudging by being covered with a piece of tissue paper, another tradition that still rings true in our time.  Another interesting note is that invitations from this time were much more elaborate.  Often, each guest’s name was printed on the invitation.

These are the very origins of wedding invitations and in honor of their history, we still use some of the rituals and traditions that have carried through hundreds upon hundreds of years to appear in our newest invitations.  Now, when you are choosing if you’d like to seal your envelopes with a piece of wax or when you are selecting the tissue paper that covers your inside inscription, know that you are carrying forward traditions dating back to the nobility of the Middle Ages.



Steve

Libby asked:


I need to finish a lesson plan on calligraphy integrated with local history. I was thinking about showing students examples such as the “Declaration of Independence” and some older maps that were written calligraphic-ally.
Do you have any ideas for a lesson that integrates the art of calligraphy and local/State social science?

Lucille

Sarrah Beaumont asked:


You have probably heard of the latest craze in wedding invitations. Gone are the days when each and every bride in the country rushes to have her invitation printed with a laser-printer ink etched on glossy paper. We now welcome the era of handwritten wedding invitations.

There are actually two options up for brides and grooms-to-be. One, if you believe that your handwriting is passably artistic, you can always write the wedding invitations yourself. This exceptionally personalized means is definitely more affective if you wish to invoke a more intimate, cozy feel for your special day.

Moreover, writing your own wedding invitations slashes down a fraction of your expenses. Just buy your own scented stationery, a box of lovely, well-designed envelopes and voila, a lovely invitation without the hefty price. You can even add in a few embellishments and ornate designs here and there to complete the personalized feel to a tee.

This savings could really work well for you. You can then splurge on the wedding dress or your dreams, or on the bridesmaids dresses.

If you still wish to evoke that same intimate atmosphere, yet your handwriting is needs to be deciphered by a specialist, we suggest that you go get yourself a professional calligrapher.

The art of calligraphy’s roots could be traced back to cave paintings. Over the years, it grew to become a famous, treasured art despite the advance of other printing materials such as typewriters, and of course, computers. Despite the myriad of font styles, colour and sizes that a computer can produce, calligraphy is still sought-after. As long as there is a human being who keeps it alive, calligraphy will continue to be an art.

This art is brought to a whole new light when used in wedding invitations. Calligraphy set in glossy, embossed or silky paper gives the guests an impression of comfort and intimacy. Nothing says “you are special” quite like handwritten invitations. It basically shows that much thought and effort was put into each and every line.

A wedding invitation, much like a wedding dress, is the finest representation of the bride’s personality. A gracious invitation reflects a gracious host.

To avoid humdrum handwritten wedding invitations, you can always opt to indulge and experiment in the following areas:

1. Shape. You can always create unique shapes for your wedding invitations. You can either have it shaped like your wedding dress, your wedding cake or have it shaped like a bell. You can always play around with shapes, it is probably the safest element to experiment with.

2. Size. If you really want to make an impression, lay it on the invitation size. The bigger, the crazier. However, your guests would probably be eternally grateful if you will not send them a billboard-size invitation.

3. Design. Make sure that your wedding invitation design matches your theme. Do not depict a beach theme on your wedding invitation when you are actually going to have a church wedding.

4. Colour. Since it is a wedding, go for neutral colors, earth tones or pastels. Avoid black at all cost.



Francis

DeppOsbourneFan asked:


I got a ‘how to do calligraphy’ pack for a xmas present, but, I’m confused as to how to assemble the pen. I comes with the part you hold, and two metal pointy writing pieces in diff. sizes. Does both of the points go on or just one? [oh, and so funny that the kit doesn't tell you how to assemble the pen! they teach you the art of calligraphy, yet expect you to know how to assmble it!]

Thanks!

Nathaniel

Sarrah Beaumont asked:


Did you know that in ancient times, the task of informing guests regarding the details of an upcoming wedding is not done through wedding invitations? Yes, back when paper and stationery sets are not yet invented, spreading the word about tying-of-the-knot events were done using different means.

The Town Crier

When the printing press was not yet in existence, weddings are announced using a Town Crier. Typically, he is a gentleman with a loud voice and who roams around town to inform everyone about an upcoming wedding. Basically, everyone who has heard about such an announcement is invited to the wedding. In other words, one’s sense of hearing is a guest’s wedding invitation.

Calligraphy

Then during the medieval era, illiteracy was rampant. Because most people cannot read and write, the use of wedding invitations was only limited to the members of the nobility and to the affluent. Wedding invitations are done by using the services of monks and other people who are skilled in the art of calligraphy.

Because only the rich and affluent could afford the services of these skilled professionals, those in the lower and middle class had to make do of the town criers still.

Engraving

When engraving was invented in 1642, quality wedding invitations became accessible to the middle class. Engraving here means handwriting the text in reverse to any metallic object with the use of a carving tool. This engraved metal is then used to mass-print the wedding invitations.

Perhaps, this became the roots of mass wedding invitations that you see today.

“Double Envelopes”

When wedding invitations were to be hand delivered by a “horseman,” the possibility of damage is high. This gave rise to the idea of putting wedding invitations in two envelopes in order to protect these precious papers. Today, you can still see invitations placed in double envelopes because these are still to be sent to other parts of the world using a courier service provider. Of course, if you are the bride, you don’t want your guests receiving dilapidated and crumpled bits of paper.

The Modern Means

After the World War II, the use of “fine wedding stationery” came about. This then led to how you see wedding invitations today. This was also coupled with a number of different printing techniques including thermography, letterpress printing and laser printing. The third is promoted by many wedding experts because it is said to be the least expensive printing method.

You see, as with the other aspects in a wedding ceremony preparation, wedding invitations have also evolved. It has travelled from being a lowly auditory function to an elaborate written material that features different font types, styles, colors, sizes, and even scents.

You can see that even before, when the world still lacked a touch of modernity, the task of spreading the word about weddings was still carried out. You can see that people have used their creativity and ingenuity in making special announcements.

Today, however, you can still make use of that creativity – but not anymore in how the prehistoric people handled it. Creativity can be poured in your unique design of wedding invitations.

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Kathleen