My brother-in-law and sweet NEW sister-in-law just tied the knot at Hardeman-Sams Estate in their college town of Athens, Georgia, and I was beside myself to get to work on the wedding suite! Taking on a couple of pro-bono jobs a year (usually immediate fam & bffs!) is such a gift to enjoy, and partnering with Lorrin for her wedding invitation calligraphy—y’all, she’s got the brain of a scientist but this crazy-fabulous creative streak—was a blast.

Lorrin, welcome to the Carter clan!

We dreamed up a super Southern magnolia branch covered custom crest, and as Lorrin and Wil can both paint, had some painterly elements thrown in: the suite was embossed on off-white Crane paper in navy ink, but for the envelope calligraphy, the navy ink was a *bit* washed, giving it an old-world look.

Top that off with some vintage stamps and a monogrammed wax seal, and we, mah friends, have us a gorgeous suite worthy of a BEAUTIFUL garden estate wedding! Isn’t the Hardeman-Sams Estate just so elegant?!

A HUGE bonus of this project was that photographer Chelsey Dellinger captured the day—her eye and editing melts me into a puddle.

Chels and I first met in Athens, actually: She’s from my husband Wes’s hometown, and is about 3 years younger than me. I was traveling as a consultant for Alpha Delta Pi sorority and stationed at the University of Georgia chapter, where Chelsey was a member.

I’ll never forget standing in the chapter room with her, telling her how much I liked a guy from her hometown she grew up with named Wes Carter. She’s pretty much seen our whole story unfold!

Chels, bud, you make a calligrapher so happy—thank you for these exquisite detail shots of our work!

If you enjoyed the calligraphy from Lorrin and Wil’s wedding make sure you click here to see more beautiful work from Ashlyn Writes

Photography: Chelsea Dellinger Photography | Calligraphy: Ashlyn Writes