Dallas, Texas

Advice for Brides | Stationery & Calligraphy | Dallas Wedding Photographer | Sami Kathryn Photography | Scribbles & Swirls

Wedding Wednesday with Scribbles & Swirls | Calligraphy, Invitation, & Stationery Design

I’m so excited to feature Scribbles & Swirls today as a part of the Wedding Wednesday series! Each Wednesday, we hear from a different wedding vendor about their stories, their tips & tricks for brides, and what they do!

Betty Jameson is the creative mind behind Scribbles & Swirls, a bespoke calligraphy & design studio based out of Dallas, Texas. Her designs are timeless and classic designs, and she has some great advice to offer brides! Read through her interview below to hear about her story, special elements you can include in your invitation suites, and how to find inspiration for your stationery design! Be sure to visit her website & social media to see more of her amazing work!

Betty Jameson | Scribbles & Swirls
scribblesandswirls.com | scribblesandswirls@gmail.com
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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Scribbles & Swirls Stationery & Calligraphy | Dallas Wedding Photographer | Sami Kathryn Photography

Tell us a bit about your background/career path. What led you to start your Scribbles & Swirls?

I’ve always loved paper and pretty writing, but I always thought it would be a hobby. I went to college and got a degree in Management Information Systems and began my career in application development and consulting. Once my friends started to get married I took a calligraphy course with the intention of addressing a friend’s wedding invitations. I was lucky enough to have the word spread and other people were willing to pay me to address their invitations. I started Scribbles and Swirls shortly after that and integrated stationery design within the last couple of years.

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What do you love about working with brides to design special elements for their invitation suites?

I love working with brides and learning more about what aspects of their love story and personality they want to incorporate into their wedding stationery. Invitations are truly the first glimpse guests get into a couple’s wedding and I always want my couples to send something that is truly meaningful to them. I especially like it when couples will incorporate special verbiage, pets, destinations they’ve traveled to or places that are special to them.

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What calligraphy elements would you encourage all brides to incorporate into their wedding? (ex. place cards, signs, menus, table numbers, invitation addressing).

I like to encourage couples to incorporate spot calligraphy in their wedding invitations specifically for their names, venue and titles on some of the inserts. I think it adds a special touch because its so unique and hard to duplicate. Invitation addressing is also something I love especially in a digital age. Knowing that someone took the time to hand address each envelope makes guests feel so special and some will keep the envelopes even after the wedding is over.

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What elements do you like to incorporate in your designs?

I like to think my design aesthetic is timeless and classic. I like to incorporate typeface and spot calligraphy along with a crest/monogram/duogram while interweaving colors, venue illustrations, florals and design elements to make an invitation truly unique and meaningful to a couple.

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What’s your advice for brides on a budget?

I’m able to work with brides of a variety of budgets and those brides that are on a limited budget I always suggest they prioritize their stationery needs. There is such a wide spectrum of paper and print methods so try to work with brides to understand what their priorities are and provide a product that fits in their budget.

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What’s the number one question brides should ask their calligrapher and stationery designer?

Brides should first off understand what their calligrapher and stationery designer’s style is like and find someone who’s style matches their own. I’ve found that some brides have an idea of what they want their stationery design to look like but may not always find a designer who’s style is in line with their own. This can be frustrating for both the designer and the client.

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As brides choose their invitations, wording, and paper details, do you have any resources that you’d point them to for further education?

There are a multitude of resources online where brides can find information about paper, printing methods and wording. Bella Figura and brides.com are great resources, but nothing beats seeing paper and print methods in person. I always schedule a complimentary consultation with brides where they can see and feel the paper, print methods and design options in person.

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What is the biggest piece of advice you’d give a bride as she selects calligraphy details & wedding stationery?

My biggest piece of advice is to have some design inspiration in mind and draw from various aspects of your life, love story and wedding details. Make sure to choose things that represent the bride and groom and don’t be afraid to think out of the box. Invitations are truly the first part of a wedding that the guests experience so selecting elements that are special to the couple and incorporating your wedding colors helps to convey a couple’s story through paper.

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