The calligraphy word literally means beautiful and nice writing. Some 500 years ago before the invention of the printing press, it was the way books were made. Each copy was written with handwriting by scribe workers in a scriptorium. The handwriting was done with ink and quill onto specific materials such as vellum and parchment. The letter writing style applied was one of the book-hands period such as rustic, black-letter and Carolingian etc.

Today, there are many types or styles of calligraphy writing as follows; this article focuses mainly on Western calligraphy with a glimpse at the Asian and Arabic styles.

• Western or Roman
• Arabic
• Chinese or Oriental
• European
• Asian

European Calligraphy: In Europe 2 types of handwriting came into being very fast. Cursive script was mostly used for records and letters, while greater polished handwriting styles, called uncial, was used into literary works. Both calligraphy styles could be seen in fragments of papyrus from 4th century of B.C. After the time of 1st century of A.D. the half uncial and minuscule letter development from the Roman capital gave growth for an extraordinarily and beautiful long lasting art of calligraphy.

The Renaissance humanistic handwriting style for the deliberate imitation of Carolingian minuscule was aesthetically pleasing & most legible. Design of alphabet became one subject of that study and some technical treatises were published on styles of handwriting. With the late 16th century, the secure establishment for the printing press and the art of calligraphy had declined throughout area of Europe. In UKs elementary school, Penmanship of a relatively inferior sort was taught and in the US until the late 19th century. The fine art of calligraphy is currently taught and crafted in schools with exhibition in museums. To the late 15th century the Italian manuscript copyists had produced many glorious work of calligraphy such as Matteo Gianrinaldo Mennio, Pierantonio Sallando and Contugi.

Asian Calligraphy: As a major aesthetic expression, calligraphy has been consistently practiced in the east. In China from the 5th century B.C., when the calligraphy was used for 1st time, it has always been considered equal and even superior with comparison to painting. Chinese calligraphy began with a sophisticated and simplified seal script, called as chancery script, in that the strokes width varies & the edges sharpen at the ends. In the 1st century of A.D. the perfection of the brush made easy and possible stylization for the chancery script into regular script. The Japanese calligraphy values as high as the Chinese, they began to practice in the 7th century A.D., after the introduction of Buddhist manuscripts from China.

Arabic Calligraphy: With the limited letter of alphabet by Arabic the art of calligraphy is also practiced. Due to faith of Muslim of discourages pictorial representation & Qur'an reveres, the people of Islam esteem calligraphy as highly as East Asia. In the beautiful Qur'ans the earliest Islamic calligraphy is found, written with gold leaf on parchment or by ink on paper with angular script. Elaborations, likes of foliation, interfacing, and other complexities were later invented. In the 12th century rounded cursive style was invented and spread throughout Islam, after that many different cursive scripts have developed. In Islam calligraphy experts decorate metalwork, textiles and pottery, as well as books.

For more info: Calligraphy is Art of Handwriting

To honor the guests by means of calligraphy with personalizing of invitation envelope addressing in handwritten, calligraphy-style lettering; it will bring a special emotions and touch in an event and definitely it would delight the significant guests!

The primary rate and cost will depend on the calligraphy expert maker, but it would worth by praises and compliments one will receive from guests. From one master list gather the information of name and addressing to be written on Envelope for invitation. With the master list it can be given as both sets of parents and hosting bridal showers with inclusion. The best way is to compose the list into three categories: primary with the receiving a Wedding announcement, secondary those guests to receive an Invitation for the function and reception, and third those guests to receive both wedding invitations for the ceremony and the reception function. Following is the best way to access the guest list.

• Personal friends of the Bride and Groom
• Work and employment affiliations
• Clubs and Membership Organizations
• Both Parents
• Work affiliations by both sets of parents
• Church
• Siblings
• Special interest group affiliations

Calligraphy Service for Invitation Envelope Addressing

Lots of advanced preparation needed before sending the main-list with the invitation envelopes to calligraphy experts. After getting the list of addresses and names, it is gathered from all sides of the family and friends, including business associates, colleagues, and special guests have the list computer generated or typed out; computer data base list, and with hand written of  printed on 3×5 Cards. 

The outer envelope for invitation contains the addressee; and the inner envelope contains only the title and last names, beneath the childrens names should appear.  Lets see some of the ordering that needed for the Invitation Envelope Addressing.

• Return Address should have preprinted on the rear flap of Envelope.
• Order an embosser with hand embosses the return Addressing.
• Order extra envelopes in the event of messy spills or ink splatters at time of Invitation. 

Order Large enough size of envelope to accommodate full address and names or titles; be sure to have the calligraphy expert for preparing invitation envelopes on both sets of parents and the bride as a souvenir and mementos! The following list suggests some of items that needed:

• Inner & Outer Envelopes
• Place Cards
• Table # Cards
• Food Name Cards
• Name Tags
• Wine List
• Menu
• Poem or Verse
• Family Tree Chart or Book
• Wedding Book
• Fill-In Victorian Certificate  

The postage should require the entire invitation and its Envelope art by calligraphy contents should weighed at the post office prior to purchasing of stamps. Some time extra postage may need.

For more info:  Invitation Envelope Addressing by Calligraphy Experts