The wedding font pairing guide
Elegant stationery comes from a few disciplined choices. Use this guide to pair fonts, set sizes and avoid the usual mistakes.
Pairings that work
| Pairing | Best for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Formal script + classic serif | Traditional invitations, programmes | Names about 3x the body size; serif in small capitals |
| Handwritten + spaced sans-serif | Modern and garden weddings | Uppercase sans with generous tracking |
| Calligraphy + minimal serif | Editorial, evening events | One large line, then a sharp size drop |
| Bold display + light sans | Signage, monograms, websites | Display for one word only |
Three reliable palettes
Classic
Ivory, charcoal and antique gold.
Garden
Sage, forest and dusty rose.
Evening
Midnight, cream and brass.
Where to start
Pre-print checklist
- Names are clearly the largest element.
- No more than two fonts, plus one optional accent.
- Script is set in sentence case, never all capitals.
- Small text is a plain serif or sans at a comfortable reading size.
- Ink colour has strong contrast with the paper.
- A printed proof has been checked at actual size.