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Neilson Letters Calligraphy

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Last reviewed: July 31, 2026 | Montreal | Wedding Invitations |

Business status: Active.

Last reviewed: July 31, 2026. Business status: Active.

Last reviewed: July 31, 2026. Neilson Letters Calligraphy is an active Montreal calligraphy and live-personalization studio founded by Erin Neilson. The official website matches the full business name, identifies Montreal as its base and explicitly includes weddings among the settings for its on-site engraving, calligraphy, foiling and painting services.

Couples searching for a Montreal wedding calligrapher may find the studio relevant for live guest personalization or commissioned work prepared in advance. There is an important distinction, however: the current website is primarily written for brands, public-relations agencies and corporate event teams. Weddings are included, but the site does not publish a dedicated wedding collection, wedding invitation package or wedding-specific price list. Couples should therefore treat the documented services as a starting point and confirm how they would be adapted to their celebration.

Services and specialization

Neilson Letters documents both live, on-site personalization and in-studio commissions. Its listed techniques include hand calligraphy, engraving, hot foiling and painting. Examples on the services page include calligraphy on greeting cards, gift tags, packaging and other paper goods; engraving on fragrance bottles, candle jars, metal tumblers and spirit bottles; foiling on leather goods, vegan-leather journals and ribbon; and painting on bottles, jars or packaging.

For paper-based wedding needs, the website specifically mentions place cards as an example of in-studio calligraphy and says that different writing styles are available to view. It does not clearly advertise full invitation-suite design, printing, assembly or mailing. Couples seeking invitations should ask whether they need spot calligraphy or envelope addressing only, or whether another stationer will be required for design and production.

Live and in-studio calligraphy
Hand engraving on suitable glass and metal surfaces
Hot foiling on leather, leather alternatives and selected ribbon
Painting that may be combined with calligraphy or engraving
Place-card and other paper-goods calligraphy

Service area and who it may suit

The official website identifies Neilson Letters as based in Montreal and available across Canada. It also states that travel for live events can be arranged worldwide, with a custom quote required for the specific event. No complete public studio address is provided, so this profile does not reproduce the unverified legacy Verdun address.

The service may suit Montreal-area couples considering an artist working live during their reception, or couples who want selected pieces personalized in the studio beforehand. It may also be relevant when names, short messages or dates are being added to suitable guest gifts. Feasibility will depend on the item, surface, guest count, requested technique and the time available at the event.

Confirmed strengths and practical limitations

A practical, documented feature is the availability of several personalization methods through one studio. The site also says Erin works in both English and French. For live events, Neilson Letters brings the required personalization materials and asks the client to supply a standard-height table, chair and suitable working space.

The services FAQ estimates production at approximately 10 to 30 personalized items per hour, depending on the method. Engraving is described as more time-efficient, while painting takes longer. The booking process includes testing product samples before an event and sending test photographs for approval. These procedures can help establish whether an item is workable before guest-facing production begins.

The main limitation is missing wedding-specific detail. The website does not publish wedding packages, a minimum wedding booking, guest-count guidance, a wedding portfolio category or a complete list of reception items it will accept. It also does not publish a street address or phone number. These are information gaps to resolve directly, not indications that the services are unavailable.

Pricing

Current wedding pricing is not explicitly published. The general services page lists calligraphy and engraving as starting at 250 per hour, and foiling and painting as starting at 300 per hour. The currency is not identified beside these particular hourly figures. The website notes that volume, working surface, materials and travel can increase the price, so couples should request a written wedding quote rather than treating the starting figures as a final total.

For in-studio calligraphy, the site states that a 50% non-refundable payment is required before work begins. Published rush surcharges are 60% for turnaround under 10 business days, 80% for under five business days and 100% for under 24 hours, subject to availability. Couples should confirm whether those terms and deposits apply unchanged to their proposed wedding work.

Contact and booking

The official contact route is the enquiry form on the Neilson Letters website. No current phone number is displayed on the official pages reviewed, so the legacy number should not be relied upon without direct confirmation.

The published process begins with an enquiry describing the project. Neilson Letters says a phone or video conversation normally follows within one to two business days. A detailed quote and contract are then sent after that discussion. For live work, the studio requests product samples for testing before the event. Couples should include their wedding date, venue, approximate guest count, desired technique, item material, quantity and personalization length in the initial message.

Timing and event logistics

The website advises booking live events as early as possible. For in-studio projects, it suggests allowing at least 15 to 20 business days before the delivery date, depending on project size. This is general guidance rather than a wedding deadline, and availability remains unconfirmed until the studio accepts the booking.

For on-site work, the stated process includes arrival at least 30 minutes before the event begins to prepare the work area. Capacity should be discussed against the studio’s approximate rate of 10 to 30 items per hour. Couples planning personalization for every guest should ask how queueing, message length, surface testing and unfinished pieces would be handled.

What couples should confirm

Before signing a contract, confirm that Neilson Letters is accepting private weddings on the requested date and that the chosen technique is appropriate for the proposed item. Glass and metal are identified as preferred surfaces for live engraving; plastic or acrylic may require a sample test. Ask who supplies blank items, how many samples are needed and what happens if a surface cannot be personalized reliably.

Couples should also request a wedding-specific total showing the currency, booked hours, travel, materials, taxes, setup time and any rush fee. Clarify the number of items reasonably achievable, whether names or messages have character limits, and whether in-studio work can be shipped or must be collected. If invitation work is required, establish precisely whether the commission covers hand lettering only or also includes design, printing, assembly and addressing.

Wedding-date availability and private-event eligibility
Exact items, quantities, surfaces and personalization text
Currency and complete quoted cost
Travel, setup and material charges
Expected hourly capacity and queue plan
Sample-testing and approval process
Delivery, collection or shipping arrangements
Scope of any invitation-related work

Continue planning

Frequently asked questions

Does Neilson Letters Calligraphy work at weddings?

Yes. The official homepage explicitly lists weddings among the settings for its on-site engraving, calligraphy, foiling and painting. Because the current website primarily addresses brand and corporate clients, couples should confirm private-wedding availability and obtain a wedding-specific scope.

What can Neilson Letters personalize for a wedding?

The official site documents calligraphy on paper goods, engraving on suitable glass and metal items, foiling on leather or leather alternatives, and painting on bottles, jars and packaging. Place cards are specifically mentioned. Every proposed item and surface should be approved and, where necessary, tested in advance.

How many guest items can be personalized per hour?

Neilson Letters estimates roughly 10 to 30 items per hour, depending on the service. Engraving is described as faster than painting. A couple’s actual capacity will depend on the object, surface and requested message.

Does Neilson Letters publish wedding prices?

No dedicated wedding pricing is published. General starting rates are shown as 250 per hour for calligraphy or engraving and 300 per hour for foiling or painting, without a currency identified beside those figures. Volume, materials, surface and travel may affect the quote.

How far ahead should couples enquire?

The website recommends booking live events as soon as possible. It suggests at least 15 to 20 business days for in-studio projects, depending on size. Couples should enquire earlier for a fixed wedding date because these are guidelines, not guarantees of availability.