Wedding Stationery Guide: Fonts, Part I

Looking for a swirly script for your wedding invitations? Or maybe you want something with an art deco flair or a traditional serif? No matter your preference, I’ve got you covered. Typography is an obsession of mine, and I have the font library to prove it!)

So, while you probably haven’t given much thought to fonts (besides the standard options available on your computer), I could spend hours picking out the perfect typeface for the project I’m working on. There are hundreds of thousands of fonts out there, and while I will happily comb through them all, I doubt you have the time or desire to stare at letters all day.

To keep things simple I’ve put together a selection of my very favorite fonts, perfect for your wedding invitations. View the full font guide by clicking here

This post is going to be an overview of the different styles of fonts available, and I’ll share tips for the best way to use each style of font.

First up are serif and sans-serif fonts. These styles are the workhorses – they are versatile, come in different weights and cases, and are ideal for large blocks of text when legibility is key. I recommend that you choose one serif or sans serif family to use for the main text throughout your wedding stationery.

Next are the script fonts. Since there are so many different styles of scripts, I’ve broken them down into different categories.
Formal scripts are going to be your more traditional styles. They are elegant, and flourished, and are a great way to highlight the bride and groom’s names on the invitation. Because they tend to be ornate and have many fine details, these script fonts work best at larger sizes and are not recommended for large blocks of text.

Now we have some simpler script fonts. A little less embellished than the formal scripts, these styles tend to be easier to read and a bit more modern looking.

While I sort of hate the oxymoron of the phrase “digital calligraphy”, that is the best way to describe next category of script fonts. They were designed to mimic real handwritten calligraphy (and in most cases, were created by an actual calligrapher, using their unique calligraphy style). While fonts are no comparison to the art of hand calligraphy, this selection is as close as you can come digitally.
First up are the traditional calligraphy style scripts. These elegant typefaces mimic copperplate pointed pen calligraphy and have a very traditional and old-fashioned feel.

I alos have a selection of more modern calligraphy style fonts. These stunning scripts work best at large sizes.

The display category features fonts that are unique and embellished. They work best at large sizes so that you can see all the details. I love using a display font to highlight the wedding date on a save the date card, or as a heading on inserts.

Lastly is
the “Miscellaneous” category – basically, anything that doesn’t fit into one of the previous categories! Some modern, some retro, some grungy, and some art deco – these fonts are wonderful if you’re looking to add a fun touch to your typography.

Looking for more fonts tips? Check out the other posts in the Fonts portion of The Wedding Stationery Guide.