There's just something about putting a pen to paper -- especially when you leave it to the pros. Calligraphers can turn vows into treasured keepsakes, distinguish your stationery, and embellish everything including favors and the food at your reception. Here are beautiful ways to weave in the art of the written word.

"Ornamental Script" by John DeCollibus of Beyond Words.

They might just be the most important words you ever say to each other. To turn those heartfelt sentiments into heirlooms, have a calligrapher write them on monogrammed paper. Read them during the ceremony, then display them at home. On this page, Flourished Spencerian script by Michael Sull of the Lettering Design Group is finished with an offhand flourish (calligrapher-speak for an ink drawing) of a bird. The stationery is by Cartier (special order at Cartier boutiques).

Rather than having your entire invitation suite hand-calligraphed (cha-ching!), focus on the first thing guests will see, and address to impress. 

Go with hand-lettered names and table numbers to guide guests to their seats in style. 

Call on a professional to adorn the goodies you'll give your guests. Monograms drawn or printed on favor bags, tags for your bridesmaids' gifts ... a well-placed calligraphic element can take your celebration to the next level. 

Atlases are to destination weddings as cocktail umbrellas are to pina coladas. But they're also a nice way to help out-of-towners get acclimated at any nuptials. To showcase your locale, enlist a calligrapher who specializes in mapping. Be sure to request a digital file so you can print multiple copies, then include them in your invitations or tuck them into welcome bags upon arrival. 

When topped off with an intricate monogram, sweet treats are both branded and beautiful. 

Display calligraphed names, grouped according to table, in frames that form a blueprint of the reception. The effect is altogether showstopping.

This suite of sweets by Wendy Kromer features a graphic calligraphy-style motif and words from the classic wedding vows. The designs are incorporated into white-chocolate panels using plastic transfer sheets printed with tinted cocoa butter.

Custom rubber stamps, each bearing a bridesmaid's name in elegant script, let you -- and your attendants -- make a good impression. Ask a calligrapher to pen the women's names, then have a specialty vendor or office-supply store turn them into rubber stamps. Use the stamps to imprint names on pretty box tops; place stamps inside with ink pads nestled in tissue paper.