With its classic lines, elegant flourishes, and delicate curves, the centuries-old art of calligraphy -- derived from the Greek word for "beautiful writing" -- has come to be associated with the most romantic of contemporary ceremonies: the wedding.

According to master calligrapher Bernard Maisner, calligraphy does more than add a personal touch to invitations; it serves as the first indicator of the ceremony's tone, giving guests a sense of the event to come and visually communicating a couple's aesthetic. Bernard offers three distinct variations on the Spencerian, or copperplate style, ranging from the understated "standard Spencerian" to a highly ornate, embellished version.

To form the stylized letters, he uses a pointed, flexible crow-quill nib, which, unlike the slanted, fixed-width nibs on many calligraphy pens, forms lines of varying thickness depending on the amount of pressure applied -- a tool that requires an exceptionally controlled touch. To keep the lines of text straight, he uses a ruling sheet as a guide when addressing cards and envelopes.

For couples who want to hire a professional calligrapher for their weddings, Bernard says it's a good idea to start looking up to six months in advance and to book no less than four months before the invitations are scheduled to be sent.

When selecting a calligrapher, ask to look at style sheets (have them mailed, rather than faxed, if a meeting can't be arranged). Although he offers a few basic criteria -- words and letters should be well positioned on the page, for instance -- Bernard says that, ultimately, the choice of a calligrapher is subjective: The lettering should provoke an emotional response.