Wedding readings, special poems and favourite song lyrics in calligraphy make the loveliest once-in-a-lifetime gifts.
Whatever your occasion, however crazy your request might be… please get in touch. I will be delighted to hear from you!
People have hired me to write love letters, marriage proposals, classic poems and verses they’ve written themselves.
On this page I will tell you a little more about the process – but it’s really super simple to order a calligraphy poem or commission from me!
On this web page (tap a title to jump to that section) –
How long does a calligrapher take?
Are there different calligraphy styles?
How do I choose ink colours and paper?
Advice and customer friendliness first!
My calligraphy pens have been put to work on retirement poems, family recipes and favourite song lyrics from Beyonce to Pantera. (And if you’re interested, the latter was playing on Spotify while I wrote the former!)
One of my first ever calligraphy commissions was for a personalised poem in vibrant turquoise ink. I loved it: these kinds of commissions are wonderfully creative, and a chance for me to close all the doors, pop some music on and disappear into the heart of a beautiful piece of writing.
What a calligraphy poem costs
Pricing for calligraphy poems depends mostly on the time they take for me to write.
My starting price is £75 for a poem of up to 75 words, without a frame.
Little extras can be added if you have a little more in your budget: gold leaf for example, or a floral border illustration.
Longer poems will cost more, because they take more time to write. Here’s a little breakdown of my current prices for calligraphy only, unframed (but I would always encourage those extra little touches like gilding and illustrations to add interest and colour!)
41 – 75 words in calligraphy £75
76 – 100 words in calligraphy £120
101 – 150 words in calligraphy £180
151 – 200 words in calligraphy £250
+ single letter in 23 carat gold leaf £15
+ border illustration £40 (more if it’s very detailed and will take longer than 2 hours to illustrate)
I can frame your calligraphy commission, and I’m happy to chat with you about framing options and styles. The price for this depends on the frame you choose, and the size of your calligraphy!
Payment in full is taken at the time of booking, so I can reserve time in my calendar to write your commission.
How to order calligraphy
At the heart of my business is helpfulness. I want it to be easy for you to order, and I’m always happy to answer your questions.
The first step is to get in touch. You can email me at hello@bymoonandtide.co.uk or call me on 07722405537 or 01229 465 064.
I’ll explain how it works. Usually I’ll ask how many words are in your poem, so I can give you a price.
Then I’ll ask you if you’d like an illustration, or any gilding or framing. The choice is entirely up to you!
I’ll explain how soon your calligraphy commission is likely to take, and if you need it for a certain date (a wedding or anniversary is a common deadline!) I will make sure I can do this for you.
How long does a calligrapher take?
I often have availability in my calendar during quieter times of year – sometimes during the summer months as well!
It’s always worth asking if I can fit you in.
When my calligraphy studio is quiet, I’ll often be able to write a poem or wedding reading within the week. Delivery will then take a couple more days.
At busy times, and for longer or more complex poems, it may be 3 weeks or so until I can begin work on your calligraphy commission. Again, do let me know if you need it quickly, and I’ll do my best!
Specialist papers and framing can add to the timing for having your calligraphy piece ready. I will always let you know of any delays before we confirm the details of your order.
What about illustrations?
I specialise in floral and botanical illustrations in a modern style. I’ve also produced calligraphy commissions with more classic style illustrations, such as Celtic knot work and acanthus leaves. These can be simple or detailed, depending on your budget.
I have often worked with a wonderful Welsh artist on calligraphy commissions (and floral wedding invitations). Her name is Amy Swann, and she specialises in charming and beautifully painted floral borders. Her style is wonderfully romantic with a dash of nostalgia.
If you would like to commission a piece of calligraphy art from myself and Amy, please get in touch with your ideas, and I will reach out to Amy for pricing and availability. Amy’s minimum price for artwork is £125.
I can also add watercolour and ink floral illustrations to your calligraphy commission myself. Please scroll through the images on this web page to see my calligraphy illustrations and borders.
Calligraphic art adds a timeless look to your bespoke gift. A nice touch is to add an initial letter in 23 carat gold leaf, with swirls or floral designs spreading from the initial letter.
Please ask to see examples!
Are there different calligraphy styles?
I write in a modern calligraphy style, with a few simple but effective variations.
It’s helpful if you pick a couple of examples from the images on this page, to let me know the styles you prefer.
Some are very easy to read; others have lots of swirly flourishes.
I can write in a style which leans over to the right, or a more upright lettering style – this can be more legible.
For art commissions and wedding editorials for magazines and blogs I’ve occasionally written in a very modern organic calligraphy style, which is really impactful and organic, but much harder to read!
One of the most popular poems I’m asked for is Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If’. A few years ago I wrote this out by hand in a classic gothic style.
This style of calligraphy is much more time consuming than the modern lettering I usually write – it takes a similar time to write one letter in gothic as it does to write a word in modern!
A bespoke calligraphy commission in this style would cost upwards of £200 as a starting price. However, if you’re looking to give ‘If’ as a graduation, birthday or retirement gift, I sell copies of my original artwork, hand finished in gold leaf, in my calligraphy shop. These are available unframed for £85.
I also sell this famous Rudyard Kipling poem as a print, with only the title in calligraphy – it’s hand finished so still a special gift to give.
As a general rule, I would write poems in a modern copperplate style, with a handful of flourishes at key points in the piece.
How do I choose ink colours and paper?
Paper and ink colour choices are everything! They can make a huge difference to the finished look of your calligraphy commission.
Song lyrics look amazing on black paper in white, silver or gold ink. (They make amazing gifts for men’s birthdays, or anniversary presents!)
People often ask me to write wedding readings in softer tones, so perhaps consider a charcoal or dove grey. The style can be more romantic.
Paper colours can be limited, because the paper I use for a calligraphy commission has to be smooth and free of loose fibres for the nib to create the beautiful letter shapes.
I work with FSC certified papers from leading UK manufacturers and can source recycled papers in some lovely colours – if you have something in mind, do ask!
An easy rule to follow is that contrast is king! Choose a darker ink on pale papers, or a vibrant, light or metallic ink on darker papers.
Advice and customer friendliness first!
Most people have never hired a calligrapher before.
I welcome all enquiries and I’m always happy to help, advise and answer any questions.
Ask for as much or as little guidance as you need.
Part of the process of having a bespoke piece of calligraphy written is communication of your ideas and my solutions.
I want you to enjoy this process. I want for it to be exciting and easy – and I hope all of my customers feel comfortable and happy ordering from By Moon & Tide.
From my calligraphy archives
The following images are of calligraphy poems and commissions written a decade or so ago! I usually write in a different style these days (more copperplate, swirly!) but I’ve included them here to show you some of the illustration styles I’ve created for people in the past!
