We’re Totally In Love With Our Latest Local Find: Manayunk Calligraphy


All of Shrack's calligraphy styles are named after cocktails, like this one called Mimosa.

All of Shrack’s calligraphy styles are named after cocktails, like this one called Mimosa.

We’ve often talked about how your invitations are the first impressions your guests will have of your celebration—and really, your invites’ envelopes are the first impressions of your invites! So it makes perfect sense that when we find something that makes that first standing-at-the-mailbox-impression extra gorgeous, we get a little squealy about it—and our latest discovery has us doing just that.

Manayunk Calligraphy is a labor of love by local artist Kimberly Shrack, who began offering her services to brides- and grooms-to-be after DIY-ing the calligraphy for her own wedding a few years ago. Now, Shrack has turned her love of doodling and crafting into a full-time gig that includes calligraphy and illustrations for everything from your invitations to your menus and escort cards (she also offers 10 percent off day-of items when you order envelope addressing through her).

With a variety of fonts and calligraphy styles under her belt (check them out here and enjoy having as hard a time as we are choosing your fave), Shrack will work with you to find the look that fits your Big Day, and your budget, best. She’s all about the details, so whether you want large, bold letters or a delicate script accented with curly-cues, Shrack will design a work of art that’ll wow both you and your guests.

Not only can Shrack handle all of your Big Day paper goods, but she also creates super cute custom illustrations using calligraphy too. Words can’t quite do her illustrations justice (so check out her designs here), but basically Shrack will turn any poem, song, or set of words (your love story or the lyrics to your first dance song, perhaps?) into a shape of your choosing.

And bonus: Right now, it just so happens that Shrack is currently hosting a contest over on her blog where you can win some wedding calligraphy or a custom illustration. All you have to do is help share Manayunk Calligraphy’s nomination in Martha Stewarts’s American Made competition on social media and you’ll be entered into the raffle. Check out all of the details here and then go spread the word!

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