:: Pricing ::
A completely handcrafted custom marriage certificate costs between $350. and $400. depending on size, and the particulars of wording, illustration and decoration.
This price is comparable to that charged for high quality ink jet and giclee printed certificates that are customized to your wording.
Once you send in your information you will receive an exact price quote for your certificate. Payment is accepted by check, MasterCard or Visa. Normally a $100. deposit is required before beginning work, with the remainder due only after you have received your certificate.
:: Highest Quality Materials ::
Artist and callligrapher Stewart Thomas produces only original unique certificates. All lettering, design, and illustration is done by hand from start to finish. The certificate is produced on archival 100% rag paper. Watercolours and inks of the highest professional quality are used for the calligraphy and illustration. Gold, silver and other metalic inks and leafing can also be used if you are interested.
:: Time Requirement ::
It is best to allow four to six weeks for production of your marriage certificate. If you are in a rush, however, please contact us as soon as possible. I will let you know immediately if I have the time to get your certificate to you on time.
:: To Order Your Certificate ::
I will need to know some information in order to produce your certificate:
:: Illustration ::
-- Let me know what type of design you are thinking of. It can resemble any of the samples on these pages, or be a completely different idea.
-- Give me as complete an idea of the illustration or design you have in mind: themes, specific items, colours associated with your ceremony, and so on.
:: Wording ::
-- The typical marriage certificate includes the following information:
> Names of bridal couple
> Place and date of ceremony
> Names of parents of bridal couple (optional)
> Home towns of bridal couple (optional)
-- In addition the certificate often includes one or more of the following:
> Vows excanged by the bridal couple
> Blessing or Prayer
> Words of an appropriate song or poem
-- You may create your own wording, or I can assist you in formulating the text of the certificate.
:: Signatures ::
-- Indicate how many people are to sign the certificate; your options are:
> No signatures (this is particularly appropriate for a gift to be given after the ceremony, or for an anniversary certificate)
> Bridal couple only
> Bridal couple and Officiant
> Bridal couple and Officiant and Witnesses
> Bridal couple and Witnesses
The certificate can also include room for the signatures of all those who attend the ceremony; this is oringally a Quaker custom and can be a special reminder of all those who were present at the marriage. Spaces are penciled in for the number of guests expected, with the lines rubbed out after everyone has signed.
:: Dimensions ::
The final size of your certificate depends on several factors, including amount of text, number of signatures, and paper sizes. Once a finished certificate is matted and framed it is much larger! In general I try to make certificates as small as possible and coordinated with standard frame sizes. This makes a huge difference in framing costs. Typical sizes for certificates before framing, in inches, are: 11 x 17, 18 x 22, 18 x 26, etc. Certain designs do not lend themselves to standard frame sizes, for example, the long and narrow Celtic Knot design. If you have a size preference, please let me know in the planning stages. I'll let you know if the size you have in mind is feasible.
Please contact me to discuss your marriage certificate order.
