Planning Tips + Vendor Spotlight: Hardink Calligraphy

Happy Friday!

Every year, after my birthday hits, the weeks just seem to fly by. It’s my birthday and then it’s practically Christmas! Ok, that’s a bit dramatic, but seriously, Halloween (aka, the last day of October!) is next week! I just don’t get it. I’ll just embrace it 🙂

Anyhow, I have a few fun things to share with you this morning. First up, Ashley’s Bride Guide ( a go-to blog for brides in the area!) in Nashville did a little feature/write-up on Amy Nicole Photography and I was just so thrilled to see what she put together. I am so honored to have my business featured and it was great to see someone’s outside perspective on Amy Nicole Photography. So, if you’re wanting to learn a little more + read an interview about Amy Nicole Photography, hop on over to Ashley’s Bride Guide for the post here:  http://ashleysbrideguide.com/the_wedding_scoop/article/amy-nicole-wedding-photographer-nashville-sweet-graceful-album-heirlooms/

Thank you again so very much, Ashley!!

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Next up, I have a special vendor spotlight for you today! There were so many questions I had when planning my wedding, and though the internet was a huge + helpful source, it’s nice to hear advice from the vendors themselves. I fell in love with Elizabeth of Hardink Calligraphy‘s work in the last issue of Southern Weddings V5 magazine. I opened a spread to find a beautiful print loving on sweet tea + the south and then came upon a beautiful plate she designed in the story they did about wonderful southern pies.  I so wanted the opportunity to work with and/or meet her! Well, Ms. Elizabeth ended up being the girl behind the beautiful invitations + menu for a styled shoot I did this past Spring (see below for those photos), which I’ll be revealing soon! I was so thankful she agreed to be on the team, and she truly is just so sweet and talented!

If you’re a bride needing invitations/stationary, you can view her BEAUTIFUL portfolio here — she is sweet as can be and it’s impossible to not fall in love with her beautiful work! And, also be sure to check out her Etsy shop for fun gifts!

1. When did you start calligraphy and/or what inspired you?
    I started in 2011 when I struggled to find a wedding invitation for my own wedding. When I couldn’t find something that felt like “me” I decided to create my own. It all kind of took off from there.
2. What is your favorite thing to write/design?
   I love doing tattoos! It’s such an honor when someone asks me to create something to put on their body for a lifetime. 
3. What are some things brides/couples should think about when choosing invitation designs, etc?
   I always tell couples to try and find a design that speaks to them as a couple – it’s important to include the grooms too! It’s also important to think about what time of year your getting married, if your wedding will be more modern or traditional, etc. 
4. What does the process look like for a couple when they contact you for wedding stationary?
    If they’re local, I like to meet with couples to get to know them and to get a feel for what they’re looking for. It’s always fun to see inspiration from invitations/paper goods that they’ve seen that they like and also to see images of things that they don’t care for. Then we chat about their vision for their wedding suite and get started on designing something just for them. 

   

5. What is your favorite thing about your job?
   Brides are all so different, so my job allows be to be creative on so many different levels. I get to do something different with every couple which is fun! 
6. How far in advance should a couple contact you?
   I recommend couples mail out their invitations 6-8 weeks before their wedding date. The design process can take anywhere up to a couple of months, so the more time we have to work through designs and proofs, the better! 

   

7. What is your favorite font you’ve designed?
   Ooooh I just can’t choose – it would be like picking a favorite child. I love them all for different reasons! 
8. Dream invitation to design?
   For me, the dream invitations are ones where the bride comes in completely open-minded with no particular design in mind and allows me go crazy designing pieces for her. It’s hard to find a bride like that – but I don’t blame them! I certainly wasn’t that way .
   

Isn’t her work beautiful? I just want to make up every opportunity to have pretty stationary!