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Calligraphy: It’s All In the Writing, Or Is It?

Posted: 5.21.14
Category: Special Events

Calligraphy is a visual art related to writing.  Most often associated with official documents, monarchs and royalty and of course wedding invitations, it has always held a regally formal and official feel.  Well times, they are a changing.

Now we are seeing a trend swing with the creative use of calligraphy throughout the event. Moving past the English traditional styling, it’s not just for royalty anymore. Calligraphy is adding a personal touch to the print elements that are carried throughout the event and moving beyond into the decorative and design side.  From Copperplate and Black letter to Uncial, Asian and more vintage styles, calligraphy is becoming an artistic design tool.

Turning to our indispensable inspiration resource, Pinterest, we found some really interesting ways to use the written art form within the design of events.

1.  Take a peek at calligraphy name scrolls on reception chairs from burnettsboards.com.  It is a fun application for special occasions or weddings to denote guests of honor or even the bride and groom.

2.  We loved this Chalkboard Paper Table Runner that we found on shopwaitingonmartha.com.  You can even add some jars of colored chalk on the tables and let your guests have fun doodling.  When they are finished, cut the runners apart to create custom artwork and have them framed as a reminder of the event for the guest of honor or the bride and groom.

3.  Check out this cute Maternity Photo Shoot. Beyond being the cutest pug in the world, the calligraphy in the shot brings personality into play and makes your pet a part of the family fun.

4.  For an event that was designed after the theme Once Upon a Time featuring details from storybook tales and a nod to the poisoned apple in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, these escort cards by Meant to be Calligraphy were attached to red apples from Edge Floral.  Deliciously dangerous and cool aren’t they?

5.   Have some fun with menu boards. We loved this example from Style Me Pretty.  Create chalkboards out of anything with chalkboard paper, which can be found almost anywhere online these days in both chalkboard green and black.  Cut it to any shape.  The ideas and applications are infinite.

6.  These Write on Aluminum Tags we found on Etsy are just cool and can be used in so many different ways from escort tags to custom napkin rings and more. Let your guest write their own, or use a calligrapher to create something custom.

The ideas are endless - from table numbers to directional signage, inspiration and art walls, photo backdrops and even overall decorative design elements, there is a myriad of ways to incorporate calligraphy into your event. Did you notice the stage floor at the Oscars earlier this year?  The design pattern was simple striking and prominent in every photo you can find online.

Additionally, you can take that same pattern and pull it onto acrylic and illuminated tabletops or ghost chair backs for another surface on which to play. Anywhere writing or design is involved, you can infuse calligraphy.

Pull some calligraphy design onto the walls of your event with custom lighting gobos.  Calligraphy can even be entertainment with a professional artist onsite at your event creating custom memory cards.

For more ideas on how to infuse calligraphy elements into the design of your event, take a stroll around Pinterest or call your AFR Representative at 888.AFR.RENT.  We are more than a furniture rental company, we are your event partners.

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