Page 1 - The Wedding Certificate Page 2 - Signing Suggestions Page 3 - Ordering Information

A Wedding is a very special event in the lives of the bride and groom as well as that of their family and friends.
Here is a beautiful way to add to that joy and create a token of remembrance that they can share and enjoy.
A Wedding Certificate becomes a reminder of that special day and of all the people who lovingly shared it with them.

The Wedding Certificate is a tradition in many cultures and is steadily becoming part of the modern marriage ceremony. In the Quaker tradition the couple write their own vows and present them to the congregation. Those present at the wedding then sign this certificate as witnesses. In the Jewish tradition, a Ketubah is created with the vows written both in English and in Hebrew. Many people are writing their own vows and this is a great way to have a visual reminder of their wedding day.

The Certificates

There are a number of options available for the structure of the certificate. You are not limited to these choices. Designs can be created to fit any situation. The pieces can be as simple or elaborate as you desire. Hand made books for signing can also be created. For very large weddings, an extra sheet can be provided for signing. Prices are for matted certificates.

To view larger versions of these certificates, go to the Signing Suggestions Page.

CERTIFICATE A:
This Certificate has the bride and groom's names, the date, the location, with spaces for the guests to sign their names. This certificate does not include vows nor the couple's signatures.
The size depends on the length of the text and any embellishments. It may include the borders shown or be a design specific to the couple. These can be very simple in format to very elaborate.

Prices: No border or simple, but elegant flourishes at top and bottom- $100 to $200
With Border A, B, C, D - $200 to $400
With borders E, F, G, H, I - $175 to $375
The price depends on the size of the finished certificate.

CERTIFICATE B:
This certificate has the Marriage Vows, written out, with the bride and groom's names, the date and location of the wedding. There are no allotted space for guests or the couple to sign.
This makes a very nice anniversary gift.
The size depends on the length of the text and any embellishments This may include the borders shown or be a design specific to the couple.

Prices: No border or simple, but elegant flourishes at top and bottom- $150 to $300
With Border A, B, C, D - $225 to $400
With borders E, F, G, H, I - $200 to $3 75
The price depends on the length of the text and illumination.

CERTIFICATE C:
This certificate has the Marriage Vows with the bride and groom's names, the date, the location, with spaces for the couple, attendants and presiding official to sign. No spaces for guests to sign. The Finished size depends on the length of the text.

Prices: No border or simple, but elegant flourishes at top and bottom- $150 to $300
With Border A, B, C, D - $225 to$400
With borders E, F, G, H, I - $200 to $375
The price depends on the amount of text and the size of the finished certificate.

CERTIFICATE D:
This certificate has the Marriage Vows with the bride and groom's names, the date and the location, with spaces for the guests to sign their names.
The finished size depends on the number of guests and the length of the text.

Prices: No border or simple, but elegant flourishes at top and bottom- $250 to $300
With Border A, B, C, D - $250 $500
With borders E, F, G, H, I - $200 to $400
The price depends on the amount of text and the size of the finished certificate.

CERTIFICATE E:
This certificate has the Marriage Vows with the bride and groom's names,
the date, the location, with spaces for the couple to sign,
and with spaces for the guests to sign their names. It could also have spaces for those
officiating to sign.

The finished size depends on the number of guests and the length of the text.
Prices: No border or simple, but elegant flourishes at top and bottom- $250 to $300
With Border A, B, C, D - $225 to $500
With borders E, F, G, H, I - $200 to $450
The price depends on the size of the finished certificate.

Option F: A Hand Made Book for guests to sign - designed specifically for the bride and groom . There are a number of design possibilities available. Contact us to discuss options, designs, and prices.

Options G:
These certificates can be designed to fit any theme. Watercolor painting of scenes, or objects can be utilized in the layout to personalize them even more.

Number of Guests:
These certificates are designed specifically for each wedding so any combination of information or form is possible. Space is allotted for as few or as many guests as desired.
To help determine the number of spaces to allow for on the certificate, decide whether you will have people sign as couples or as individuals. Signing as iIndividuals will necessitate more lines.
It is advisable to have someone present during the signing to remind people of your preference in signing the certificate.
If the number of guests exceeds 350, it may be necessary to provide two sheets for signing, as the size of the certificate would become unwieldy. At this point, I might suggest a hand made book designed specifically for the couple.

Option:
If there is an area at the bottom of the certificate that is quite large after the signing, I can add a fill in design to complete the look, for a small fee. To avoid this, please be sure that someone oversees the signing, and instructs people about your preferences.

Rough Sketch:
The price quotes include a rough sketch of the certificate. Please allow at least two months prior to the date of the wedding so that a rough sketch can be done. This is to ensure that all the information is correct.

Changes: Minor changes will gladly be made in any design for no extra charge. Major changes may require a small extra fee.

Paper:
The certificate is usually done on a slightly off white paper. The lines upon which the guests sign are on a separate sheet that lies beneath the actual certificate, so that after the signing this sheet may be removed, leaving no obvious lines

A darker paper, or a hand made paper with more color can be used. In this case, the lines for signing would be ruled on to the paper is a very light color that would match the colors chosen for the text.

Paper which has been antiqued or made to look like old parchment can be created for a small fee - this depends on the size. The lines for signing would be very faint brown, or a color of choice. This same effect can be applied to create any color or combination of colors on the page - such as sky and clouds.

Gilding:
Gilding using 24K gold can be added on the names or in border for a charge of $50.
To place gold on the names and in the border add $100 to the price.
In lieu of 24K gold, a gold metallic gouache is used to create a similar affect. This gouache is archival and will not fade or tarnish.

Color Choices:
The Wedding Certificate is done in color. The colors can be any combination. The text is usually done in the darkest color with the couple's names emphasized by using accenting colors. The borders are done in a variety of colors with the colors used in the names and text predominant.
The colors chosen might reflect the colors being used in the wedding or in the home decor planned by the couple.
Some color suggestions: Forest Green and Wine, Wine and Mauve, Teal and Rose, Several shades of Blue, Navy and Wine, rich autumn colors of Rust and Gold and Brown.

TEXT
For legibility, the text is usually done with either a simple Italic or a Gothicized Italic. Another option is to do the entire certificate in Pointed pen or Copperplate style - see Border G.

A. Italic:B. Gothicized Italic:

NAMES of the COUPLE
The couple's names are emphasized by using more elaborate lettering and several colors. These are accented with gold. The gold can be done with gouache, or for an extra fee, 24 K gold gilding. The lettering styles from which to choose are:

A. GothicB. Versals

C. Italic

BORDERS:
The borders can be placed on all four sides, on three sides - leaving the bottom open, or on top and bottom.
The following are the border choices available. In actual size these borders are about 3/4 to an inch wide.
Special borders can be designed for a nominal extra fee.

Border A - Grape Vine Border B - Flora

Border C - DaisyBorder D - Leaves with Small Hearts

Border E - Ivy Border F -Vine with Hearts

Border G - Ist. Corinthians 13: 4 - 7 (Traditional Biblical verse on Love.
Text may be specific to the denomination).
The lettering is done in a Pointed Pen or Copperplate style.

Border H - Marriage Prayer done in Copperplate style (see Border G):
Text: Lord, help us to remember when we first met and the strong love that grew between us. Help us to work that love into practical things so nothing can divide us. We ask for words both kind and loving and hearts always ready to ask forgiveness as well as to forgive. Dear Lord, we put our marriage into your hands. Amen.

Border I - Flourishes - simple but elegant flourishes - with or without dots
of gold or color. These can be just at the top and bottom, or all around the certificate. They can be done in the color of your choice.
View the first image on this page.

Please allow at least 2 months for completion, more would be better.
A rough draft is created first and sent to you for verification of all details.
Rush orders may require an extra fee.

To Order, please go to the Ordering Information Page and email, fax or mail it to me.

Please check out the Signing Suggestions Page.
This page contains a copy of the letter that will accompany the finished certificate, plus a few other samples.