How calligraphy turns a special poem into artwork and a lifetime of memories

If you’re someone who’s spent days, weeks or months writing a really special poem and you want it to be remembered, I can help.

I write out - in beautiful calligraphy - poems people have written for weddings, anniversaries and special birthdays.

As a calligrapher, I write carefully and slowly. Every letter is crafted, shaped with care, as it emerges from my nib. And writing at this speed makes me appreciate time. Not just the time it takes me to write your poem in calligraphy, but the meaning behind the time you’ve spent writing the poem too.

Images in this blog post are from a 2025 commission: modern calligraphy lettering on parchment effect paper, with purple flower illustrations and 23 carat gold leaf initial letter.

I understand how you’ll have tweaked words right until the last moment - until they sound and feel just right.

I know the process: you’re utterly stumped by one particular line until the solution comes to you suddenly and unexpectedly - in the bath, or somewhere else you don’t have a pen to hand to write it down.

Been there?

It’s a labour of love, and I get it.

So whether your poem is for a wedding, where you’ll read it aloud during the ceremony or speeches - or to celebrate a milestone birthday, to be read to your family after the cake - it should have its moment, and many more.

Longer calligraphy commission, in modern lettering with flourishes | By Moon & Tide Calligraphy

The calligraphy poem I’m writing today has inspired this blog post. It’s a long commission - over 400 words - so I’m taking little breaks away from my calligraphy pen to rest my fingers, in between paragraphs.

The piece on my drawing board is a poem written for a mum ‘by’ her three children. (Although they’re quite little, so their dad actually wrote the poem on their behalf.) And it’s wonderful. It’s a poem full of love, and all about their family - and it captures childhood in a really magical way.

This calligraphy poem will be an anniversary gift - and it’s more than a one-off, to be read, shared, and kept in a drawer.

That’s the beauty of calligraphy. I know once I’ve written this special poem in calligraphy it will be framed and put on display. And as the children of that family grow, they’ll see it, read their favourite parts, and smile at the memories. Over and over again.

So a special poem written for an occasion can outlast the occasion itself.

Hiring a calligrapher to transform your words into a piece of art turns the poem into an heirloom to remember the occasion, the poet, and the memories of how it felt to be loved at that moment in time.

To commission a calligraphy poem, please email me:

• the poem or text you would like written

• the occasion for the gift, and the date you’ll need it by

• any ideas or references for colours or style (I have more examples of my poem calligraphy work here)

From there I can suggest layout ideas, paper colours and finishing touches.

Once we’ve agreed the details for your commission, I’ll reserve time in my studio calendar to create your piece.

Prices start from £75 for up to 75 words in calligraphy, with longer poems like the one I’m writing today costing around £400. Optional extras include 23 carat gold leaf, border illustrations and framing. (Calligraphy poem prices are shown in full on this page.)

Payment is taken at the time of booking, before I begin work on your commission. Most calligraphy poems can be completed within one to three weeks.