When most of us think of calligraphy, we think of paper. But why settle for ordinary? Weddings should be anything but! Let's take our dip pens on a grand adventure and think outside the (paper) box.
Darra Sargent, the Baltimore-based artist behind Dear Darling Design Studio, is a hand-lettering goddess. She creates colorful bespoke designs out of everything -- from terra-cotta pots to holographic cardstock. Here, she dishes on eight of her current fave surfaces, and we can't get enough!
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Madison Short Photography
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Dear Darling Weddings
1. Magnolia Leaves
From $1.75 per piece. The perfect place card for a garden wedding. The leaves are preserved, so you don’t have to worry about them losing their green color.
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Dear Darling Weddings
2. Holographics
These cut outs are made from a silver holographic card stock and can be designed in the shape of a hexagon, moon, heart, or whatever you want.
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Dear Darling Weddings
3. Agate Slices
Geode crystals are heavy, elegant, and full of exciting patterns. Since they come in many colors, they can fit almost any palette you choose.
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Dear Darling Weddings
4. Terra-cotta
Use plant saucers, or chipped pieces from pots for a more organic look.
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Calligraphy by Dear Darling Weddings, Photo by Mandi Thommen @chesapeakecharmphoto
5. Sea Glass
A beach or destination wedding favorite. Like agate, found sea glass is easily dyed according to your color needs.
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Dear Darling Weddings
6. Marble Tiles
These heavy, mod hexagons make a great coaster long after your wedding’s done.
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Dear Darling Weddings
7. Capiz Shells
Another fabulous surface for a coastal wedding. Dip the shells in color for an added pop or to signal specific meal needs. "Different color ink dips for meal choices are a great way to let the servers know without having to have an animal stamped on everything!" Darra explains.
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Dear Darling Weddings
8. Painted Acrylic
It’s choose-your-own-adventure time. Acrylic can be embellished with anything, from an abstract doodle to a wedding motif.
For more inspiration, be sure to check out the Dear Darling Weddings Etsy shop. Just remember your calligrapher is an artist and their pieces are original work! There's nothing wrong with showing a vendor an image you like on Pinterest, but asking them to copy another calligrapher's work is plagiarizing. If you like something, hire the person who made it!
