Hand lettering engagement announcements

Have you ever been told that your handwriting resembles that of a homicidal maniac? I have—and I fully admit it’s not my strongest talent. Yet, despite knowing this, I was determined to hand-address every single engagement announcement we sent.


The logical first step? Learning hand lettering.


I bought books, watched videos, and even practiced for hours… with disastrous results. The fancy strokes and artistic flourishes never quite looked like they did on Pinterest. Instead of elegant curves, my attempts were more like scribbles gone wrong. After accepting that beautiful hand-lettering just wasn’t in my future, I decided to take a different approach.


Technology to the rescue!


I invested in a Cricut, found the perfect font, and began my DIY adventure. Each envelope was meticulously fed into the machine with a flawless gel pen. Then, to add that extra touch of elegance, I traced over the lettering with embossing gel by hand to create a raised-ink effect.


Yes, it was time-consuming. Yes, it required patience (and more gel pens than I care to count).


Could I have done it differently—faster, easier, and with far less effort? Absolutely.


But here’s the truth: Since we’re eloping, I want to pour as many personal touches as possible into every element of our celebration. Hand-crafted details like these help us express our love and appreciation in a way that feels uniquely ours. In lieu of the high-touch moments typical of a traditional wedding—personalized favors, handwritten notes, and intricate place settings—I’ve channeled my energy into making our engagement announcements and wedding website reflect our story and hearts.


The Heart Behind the Craft


For us, it’s not just about the announcements or the website; it’s about creating something meaningful. We want the people we love to feel the warmth, effort, and intention that we’re putting into this special moment. Every swirl of gel pen, every raised letter, every failed attempt at hand-lettering, and every page of this website is infused with the same joy we feel as we embark on this beautiful new chapter together.


Sometimes, the extra effort—and a little help from technology—makes all the difference.


Thank you for sharing in our joy!