Episode 26. How to Offer Live Calligraphy & Engraving for Weddings with Kendall Udofia of Cedar Cliff Designs
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In this episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner, we’re diving into the exciting world of live wedding calligraphy and live engraving with special guest Kendall Udofia from Cedar Cliff Designs! If you're a calligrapher who is dreaming of offering live personalization at weddings or corporate events, this episode is packed with actionable tips on how to start, market, and price live calligraphy services like a pro.
Kendall shares her journey from exploring digital products to becoming a sought-after live wedding artist. She walks us through the logistics of setting up for on-site calligraphy, how to create a luxury calligraphy experience for couples, and key differences between working weddings vs. corporate events.
In This Episode, We Cover:
How to Become a Live Event Calligrapher: Kendall’s creative journey and what she learned along the way.
Live Calligraphy at Weddings vs. Corporate Events: How to prepare, set up, and adapt for different types of live events.
Pricing Your Live Calligraphy Services: Strategies to charge premium rates for live event calligraphy and personalized wedding favors.
How to Get Hired for Live Wedding Calligraphy: Proven ways to attract wedding planners, venues, and engaged couples to book your services.
Marketing & Promotion Tips: How to showcase your calligraphy wedding services on social media, at networking events, and through vendor collaborations.
Selling Live Calligraphy Alongside Other Services: How to integrate live engraving and personalization into your existing wedding calligraphy offers.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your wedding calligraphy business, this episode is a must-listen! Grab your notebook (and maybe a sparkling water, because we’re getting fancy) and tune in for all the tips you need to build a high-end live event calligraphy brand.
Hey friend! We're Shaochen and Alane, full-time wedding calligraphers and business mentors who built our dream businesses from scratch. On the Calligraphy Biz Corner podcast, we spill the ink on how you can too! Together, we'll uncover the business that compliments the life YOU desire, and we'll leave the overwhelm and imposter syndrome behind. Whether you're a wedding calligrapher, a live event artist or a creative entrepreneur, there's something here for you! Join us for biweekly business chats, where we guide you through the maze of running a creative business, complete with real-life strategy and mindset magic.
A Calligrapher’s Guide to Booking Live Calligraphy for Weddings
Live event calligraphy and engraving are becoming highly sought-after services for luxury weddings. Couples are looking for unique, interactive experiences that add a personal touch to their special day—and live calligraphy does exactly that. But what does it take to offer live calligraphy at weddings as a calligrapher? How does it differ from corporate and retail events? And what should you charge for this high-end service?
In this episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner, Alane and Shaochen interview Kendall of Cedar Cliff Designs, a calligrapher specializing in on-site wedding calligraphy and engraving. Kendall shares her journey into live wedding calligraphy, how she transitioned from wedding signage to high-paying live events, and the key differences between wedding and corporate calligraphy gigs. Whether you're a calligrapher looking to expand your services or curious about breaking into the wedding industry, this episode is packed with insights to help you succeed.
Meet Kendall from Cedar Cliff Designs
Kendall is the owner of Cedar Cliff Designs, a Phoenix-based business offering live calligraphy and engraving services for brands, businesses, and brides. She started with wedding signage and digital products before discovering her passion for live event calligraphy, which quickly became the focus of her business.
One of the biggest motivators for her shift? Flexibility and income potential. As a mom of three, Kendall needed a way to balance family life while still growing her calligraphy business. She found that live event work allowed her to earn high rates in just a few hours—all while doing something she loved.
Now, she’s booked for high-end weddings and sharing everything she’s learned along the way!
How Kendall Got Started with Live Wedding Calligraphy
Kendall’s journey into live engraving at weddings wasn’t immediate. She originally purchased an engraving tool in 2022 but let it sit unused for over a year. It wasn’t until after having her third child that she took the leap into live events—starting with a corporate brand activation for Anthropologie.
That first gig led to more corporate events, brand partnerships, and eventually wedding bookings. One key takeaway from her experience? Corporate and retail events can be a great stepping stone to wedding calligraphy. They help you:
✔️ Get comfortable working live in front of an audience
✔️ Perfect your workflow under time constraints
✔️ Gain confidence before moving into the high-stakes wedding industry
For calligraphers looking to break into weddings, starting with corporate activations or pop-up events can be an excellent way to build experience and credibility.
Live Wedding Calligraphy vs. Corporate Events: Key Differences
While both corporate events and weddings involve on-site personalization, they have very different dynamics. Kendall breaks down the biggest differences between wedding and corporate calligraphy gigs:
1. The Emotional Investment is Higher at Weddings
Weddings are deeply personal and sentimental—whereas corporate events are more about marketing and brand engagement. Live wedding calligraphy is often a luxury experience for guests, making it even more important to deliver a seamless, memorable service.
2. You Need More Upfront Planning & Coordination
With corporate events, you typically show up, work for a few hours, and leave. But for weddings, there’s:
✅ Pre-event coordination with planners and couples
✅ Timeline management to align with the wedding schedule
✅ Custom guest experiences that require careful execution
3. An Assistant is Non-Negotiable for Wedding Gigs
Unlike corporate events, where things are often straightforward and structured, weddings can involve:
Moving locations during the event (from cocktail hour to reception)
Managing large guest lists (100+ guests needing calligraphy work)
Coordinating with wedding planners to ensure a smooth process
💡 Pro Tip: Always factor in assistant costs when pricing your wedding calligraphy services!
Pricing Live Calligraphy & Engraving for Weddings
One of the biggest shifts Kendall made was moving from hourly pricing to packaged rates for weddings. Here’s why:
✔️ Weddings require more prep time (pre-event emails, timeline planning, sourcing materials)
✔️ You’re providing an elevated, luxury service—not just trading hours for pay
✔️ A package rate ensures you’re paid fairly for the full experience you provide
Factors to Consider in Pricing:
Time on-site (including early setup before the ceremony)
Assistant fees (essential for smooth execution)
Materials & supplies (glassware, inks, foils, etc.)
Travel expenses (gas, mileage, accommodations if necessary)
Pre-event coordination (emails, phone calls, timeline planning)
💰 Starting prices for live wedding calligraphy typically range from $1,000 - $2,500+ for 3-4 hour events, depending on guest count, location, and level of customization.
📌 Related Episode: Listen to Episode 11: Advanced Pricing Strategies for Calligraphers
How to Book Clients for Live Wedding Calligraphy
If you're ready to start booking live engraving at weddings, here’s where to focus your marketing:
1. Partner with Wedding Planners
Many wedding planners aren’t yet familiar with live calligraphy services! Introduce yourself, send a service guide, and showcase the benefits of personalized gifting at weddings.
💡 Pro Tip: Send a custom email pitch to wedding planners with a PDF showcasing your work!
2. Use Instagram & Pinterest to Educate Brides
Most brides discover live calligraphy through social media. Create content that:
Showcases past wedding calligraphy work
Highlights the luxury experience for guests
Uses hashtags like #LuxuryWeddingCalligraphy & #LiveWeddingEngraving
3. Feature Live Wedding Calligraphy on Your Website
If wedding calligraphy is a service you want to book, make sure it’s clearly listed on your website with:
A dedicated service page
Galleries & testimonials from past weddings
An inquiry form specifically for wedding clients
📌 Related Episode: Listen to Episode 24: Top 2025 Wedding Trends with Desirée Adams of Verve Event Co.
Why Live Wedding Calligraphy is Worth Exploring
Live wedding calligraphy is more than just an event gig—it’s an experience-driven luxury service with high-income potential for calligraphers. Whether you’re transitioning from signage or expanding into live events, weddings can be a profitable and fulfilling niche.
