A Calligrapher at Your Wedding

Last updated 22 October 2026.

A wedding calligrapher's table on an open arched terrace in the UAE: reed pens in a brass holder, an inkwell and gold-edged place cards
The calligrapher's table at a wedding reception: each guest's name written by hand, in front of them.

A wedding calligrapher from MASHQ writes each guest's name in Arabic calligraphy at your wedding or engagement, anywhere in the UAE. Place cards, favour tags and envelopes are written with a reed pen in Diwani, Thuluth, Ruq'ah, Naskh or Kufic: before the doors open from your guest list, and live at a writing table as guests arrive. Book from 2 to 8 hours; a written quote reaches you within one working day.

Ask for a wedding quoteAsk on WhatsApp

  • 2 to 8 hThe reception, the zaffa evening or the engagement dinner
  • Arabic lettersEvery name in Arabic calligraphy; a foreign name written in Arabic letters
  • Your guest listCards written before the doors open, spelling checked
  • 1 working dayA written quote; the date held once paid

What a wedding calligrapher writes

  • Place cards and the seating planEach guest's name at their seat, table by table from your list
  • Favour tagsThe guest's name on the tag of the favour box, the dates or the perfume
  • Envelopes and thank-you cardsA name and a line of blessing, ready to hand over
  • The couple's namesOn the favour boxes, the cake card or the guest book's first page
  • Live at the writing tableGuests who arrive watch their own name written and take it home
  • Your stationery or oursCream cards and tags from us, or your printed set (a sample tried first)

Which script for a wedding

  1. Diwani is the script of celebration: rounded, flowing letters with flourishes. A longer name in Diwani takes two to three minutes, so it suits place cards written before the doors open.
  2. Thuluth is the script of ceremony: tall, upright letters for the couple's names and the cards at the top table.
  3. Ruq'ah and Naskh are quick and clear: about a minute a name, the right hand for a busy live table where guests queue.
  4. Kufic is geometric and modern, for couples whose stationery is minimal. Want to see your names in each script first? Type them in Mashq Studio, free.

How many hours for your wedding

Send the guest list in advance and the place cards are written before the day, so the live hours go to the guests who want to watch. At the writing table, a calligrapher writes about 40 to 60 first names an hour in Ruq'ah or Naskh, and 20 to 30 in Diwani. Two to three hours cover the arrival and the first part of most receptions; a long evening or two halls is a longer booking. The planner's guide to live calligraphy works the hours out by guest flow.

What the venue prepares

A wedding guest receives a cream favour tag with a gold tassel from the calligrapher

Included in the quote

  • A professional calligrapher for the booked hours
  • Reed pens, inks and gold ink; the writing table dressed
  • Cards, tags or envelopes, ours or yours
  • Every name's spelling checked before the pen touches the card
  • Travel within the UAE, shown on the quote by venue

From the venue or your planner

  • A table and a chair where guests pass: the entrance, beside the favour table, or in the hall where the guests are seated
  • Good light on the table; a lamp in the evening
  • The guest list, when the cards are to be ready before the doors open
  • Your favours or printed stationery, if we write on them: send a photo first and we confirm what the surface allows

Weddings in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE

Hotel ballrooms and wedding halls in Dubai and Sharjah carry no travel line on the quote; Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah carry a stated one. Nothing is added on the day. The wedding season fills its weekends early: two weeks ahead is comfortable, more for the peak months.

Wedding keepsakes made before the day

The live cards pair with pieces made to order in Sharjah: a dates box with the couple's or guest's name on the lid, AED 215, a name framed, A3 from AED 185, the wedding gifts collection, wedding favours by the dozen (boxes, jars and napkin holders at volume prices) and our guide to Arabic wedding gifts in the UAE. For a corporate dinner, a stand or a launch, see live calligraphy at events and calligraphy for brand activations.

Questions couples ask

Can our non-Arab guests have their names written?

Yes, in Arabic letters. The calligrapher writes Arabic script only; a name from another language is spelled in Arabic with the guest first, so it reads as it sounds. For a mixed guest list, send the names as they are spelled and we prepare the Arabic spellings with you before the day.

Can the cards be written before the wedding?

Yes. Send the final guest list and the cards are written in advance and arranged by table; the live hours then go to the arrival, the favours and anyone added on the day.

Do you write on our printed place cards or favour tags?

Usually, yes: card, paper and kraft take ink well. Coated, foiled or glossy cards depend on the finish, so send a sample at least five working days before the wedding and we test it.

How far ahead should we book?

Two weeks is comfortable; the busiest wedding weekends go earlier. A quote is sent within one working day, and the date is held once it is paid.

How is the price set?

Each wedding is quoted in writing from the hours, the number of guests, the venue and its travel, the materials and the scripts. Payment is in full in advance, by bank transfer or a card link, and the invoice is issued on payment.

The scenes on this page are illustrations of the service. Photographs of your wedding stay yours; we publish none without your written consent.