Every business has that moment when everything changes. When you realize you’re not just playing the game – you’re rewriting the rules. Some measure it in dollars, others in followers. Me? I measure mine in passport stamps, specifically the one that landed me in Paris for Hannah and Dylan’s wedding.
And while being an LA calligrapher means I get to create custom magic for some pretty incredible clients, getting that call from Société Privée about Bachelor Nation‘s biggest wedding? That’s the kind of plot twist that makes you stop and say ‘is this real life?’
If you’re not familiar with the Barbours, let me catch you up to speed. Hannah Godwin was on season 23 of The Bachelor and her now husband, Dylan Barbour, was on season 15 of The Bachelorette. After not finding their soulmate on either of their original seasons, the two went on to Bachelor in Paradise in 2019
The couple officially tied the knot in August 2023 at the beautiful Chateau de Villette in Condécourt, France. And let me just tell ya… this event was one to remember.
How Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barbour Incorporated Live Event Calligraphy At Their Paris Wedding
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Société Privée multiple times now, so I knew that if they were involved, the event was already going to be insane. Between their vision and the touch of Birch Event Design, it would be absolute perfection.
But the thing that made this specific wedding so amazing from my perspective is that the couple brought me into the process early enough to pitch ideas that fit their vision! That’s when we take things from Pinterest-worthy to absolutely unforgettable.
When I was first connected with the Barbours, they told me they wanted:
- a custom crest to set the tone for their wedding
- personalized wedding favors for their family and friends
- romantic details that enhanced the event design and natural beauty of their venue
I was SO up for the challenge and to this day I’m so honored to have been a part of such an iconic celebration.
As soon as we finished our conversation, my creative brain started running and here’s what we landed on:
Hand Drawn Crest
The hand-drawn crest featuring Hannah and Dylan’s initials served as a major focal point throughout the entire wedding. From the bar, to the signage, to the programs, and more, this personalized crest really worked overtime and created a cohesive look!
Two of my favorite ways that the couples used the crest were printing the crest on espresso martinis at the welcome party (SUCH an Instagrammable idea) and and this ice sculpture from the reception. It was so fun to see the crest come to life in unique ways!
Personalized Tote Bags
Tote bags are another common wedding favor, but I LOVE the way these were personalized to the guest, NOT the couple.
For this item, we printed the crest onto the tote bags and then I hand-lettered a custom name or message for each guest so they could have something unique to them as a welcome party gift! They filled the bags with goodies like French wine, yummy snacks, Ladurée macaroons, and luxe toiletries (hellooo Chanel!).
Engraved Room Sprays
To show their appreciation for their nearest and dearest, Hannah made a room spray called “Meet Me in Paris” and brought me in to engrave them for each guest! This was SUCH a special touch for those traveling abroad and I absolutely love how personal it felt.
Engraved Cuff Links and Bracelets
No boring wedding favors allowed! The Barbours chose customizable bracelets and cuff links as personalized wedding favors. Guests chose between cuff links or bracelets which were customized on-site by an event calligrapher during cocktail hour and the reception.
Personalized Passport Holder
Since guests were traveling abroad for this event, the couple chose another unique and personal gift that could be used well beyond their wedding day. Everyone needs a passport holder and a personalized one is always appreciated!
All Wedding Day Signage and Print Materials
No wedding is complete without signage and I was truly obsessed with the way everything came together throughout the entire event, including the programs, menus, place settings, bar signs, and more!
Sure, you could create all of this on Canva, or buy a template on Minted, but around here I like to keep things classy and cohesive as possible, so we opted for custom calligraphy for each item!
Custom Maid of Honor Gift
Nothing says “thank you” quite like a custom engraved bottle of Chanel No. 5! This was Hannah’s choice for her maid of honor gift and I don’t know about you, but I’d take this over a set of PJ’s any day.
What I love so much about this event is that every single item was chosen based on what the couple wanted and needed for their big day specifically.
Nothing was chosen at random and it all matched the vision that they had in mind.
Through their selections, I was able to recommend the corresponding service that made the most sense, which meant that I was able to incorporate a little bit of everything for this magical day – calligraphy, lettering, hand engraving, and even freehand hot foiling.
IT. WAS. SO. FUN.
And it’s all possible for you too! The best part? You don’t have to be an expert in any of this! It’s my absolute favorite to guide people through the process and I’d love to do the same for you.
The Best Addition To Your Destination Wedding
Just like Hannah and Dylan created a magical destination wedding, you can have that too.
A lot of people tend to think that if they choose a destination wedding, they can’t have certain things due to travel and logistics. But that’s where I say, WRONG!
(No for real – even the different power outlets aren’t a problem!)
If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding that includes a live event artist, I’m your girl. Though I’m based in Southern California, I’m ready to travel at all times.
All it takes is me and a backpack – truly! I come prepared with (almost) everything I need to make your vision come to life.
The only things I need from you are:
- Table and chair
- A place to display or store items to be customized
- Access to power (3-prong outlet) for hot foiling or embossing services
So, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to make your destination a true experience for everyone attending?
Click below to connect for your calligraphy or live engraving needs and we can chat to see which service(s) make the most sense for YOU!
P.S. It’s not everyday that your work gets featured in People – not sure I’ll ever get over this
Vendor Team:
- Venue: Château de Villette
- Planner: Societe Privee
- Design: Birch Event Design
- Florist: Veronique Lorre
- Photographer: Beba Vowels
- Videographer: DK Wedding Film
- Catering and Event Staff: Chakra Events
- Event Calligraphy, Signage, and Stationery: Cat Lauren Calligraphy
- Fireworks: Fete Set Feux
- Dance Floor: Black Stone Weddings EU
