Hiring a Calligrapher
You've chosen beautiful save-the-dates, 
invitations, opted for menu cards, and picked out place and table cards. Now it comes time to address them all. Are your hands up to the challenge and do you really have the time to address 100 envelopes and write out another hundred place cards? Doing your own calligraphy is certainly the cheapest way to go, but it won't always give you the most formal or traditional look. Typically, people hire calligraphers because they are "masters of the written word" and a seasoned calligrapher can create exquisitely written invitations and place cards, which unfortunately, most amateurs simply can't compete with.
When hiring a calligrapher, you'll need to find out several things:
- The Calligrapher's Work Experience
- What type of experience does he or she have?
- Is this a full-time job?
- Does the calligrapher belong to a professional association?
- Is the calligrapher able to finish your work in the amount of time you have available?
- Will the calligrapher be working on simultaneous projects while doing yours?
- The Calligrapher's Style
- Calligraphy marker or fountain pen? The latter lasts longer and is less likely to fade over time.
- Handwritten or computerized? Computerized calligraphy is faster and less expensive than handwritten styles, however, because it goes through machines, paper can jam, ink can smear, and misprints are more likely to occur.
- Can the calligrapher customize things for you? Usually, the sign of a good calligrapher is one that will be flexible enough to make you happy.
- See Samples
- Ask to see samples, either in person or through the mail.
- Pick samples of service that you would purchase.
- Check to see if you can get samples in various fonts. Some calligraphers are skilled to write in two or three.
- Get It in Writing
- What are the pricing policies? You should have an estimate of what each item will cost (envelope vs. place card, etc.).
- How long will it take? When can you pick up your order?
- Is there a deposit? If so, how much, and when is the rest of the payment due?
- Be sure to include the total cost and any refund policies on the contract.
- Contact information of both parties and their signatures should also be included.
