Calligraphy on Shells: A Beachy Wedding Dream Come True
Some projects just stick with you—in the best way.
This one? Literal shells. For a wedding. Obsessed.
When this bride reached out and mentioned she had hand-painted a collection of beachy white shells to use as wedding place cards, I knew instantly this was going to be something special. I’m a sucker for all things beachy, so getting to do calligraphy on actual seashells? YES, please.
The Setup
The bride personally dropped off the shells—each one painted a soft neutral white, creating the perfect canvas for ink. Once I had them, I cleared my workspace, put on some calming music (definitely something along the lines of hawaiian-reggae, moody, and ocean-y, let’s be real), opened up my laptop, and got into the flow.
I used my go-to marker pen (link here) for this project—smooth, reliable, and the ink held beautifully on the shell’s surface. I’ll include a photo of my overhead setup so you can see how I work behind the scenes. It's honestly one of my favorite ways to zone out creatively.
How the Process Worked
The guest names came in via Google Sheets, which made it super easy to keep track—though pro tip for anyone ordering custom calligraphy: always double-check your list before sending! Autocorrect has no chill when it comes to unique or cultural names. (Trust me, I’ve seen a few too many accidental typos slip through!)
Once I had the list, I hand-lettered each name onto the shells, one by one. The surface had a lovely texture to it that made each stroke feel intentional. No two shells were alike, and I think that’s what made the final set so beautiful—perfectly imperfect, just like nature.
Why I Loved This Project So Much
There’s something about blending natural elements with personal touches that makes a wedding feel so grounded and memorable. Shells as place cards? Iconic. Reusable. Beautiful. And if you're having a destination or coastal wedding, they double as thoughtful favors your guests will actually want to keep.
This project reminded me why I love what I do—not just the art of it, but being part of someone’s big day in this small, meaningful way.
Thinking About Custom Calligraphy for Your Wedding?
If you’re planning your wedding and want to elevate your guest experience with custom place cards—shells, tiles, acrylic, fruit, you name it—I’m always down to collaborate. Whether it’s day-of personalization or pre-written items like these, I’d love to bring your vision to life.
You can reach out to book custom work here.
And if you're curious about the exact pen I used, I’ve linked it below—it's perfect for writing on non-porous surfaces like shells, glass, and more.
🖊️ My Favorite Marker Pen for Calligraphy on Shells
Shop it here (Affiliate Link)
