Calligraphy is often referred to as a stylized, artistic handwriting or lettering and it can be the beautiful touch your wedding needs. If you are looking for a calligrapher, then look no further than Hendrock Handmade Calligraphy. They are a Texas-based, Sister-owned company and we had the opportunity to sit down with Mackenzie Hendrock.
Tell me about your company!
Hendrock Handmade Calligraphy is a wedding signage and custom gifts business. More excitedly, I always like to say that we are a sister-owned business. I am based here in Houston and handle all of our wedding & calligraphy clients and projects. My sister, Corinne, is based in Dallas and she handles the home decor projects.
It is nice having the both of us in the industry while still having our niches within the industry that we are both passionate about. Our company started in a little one-bedroom apartment as a hobby making greeting cards for friends and family so it’s really exciting to see where we are today.
What inspired you to enter the wedding industry?
Our inspiration with the business comes from our Mom. She has always owned a graphic design company which lead to us having a strong appreciation for design, cohesive creativity. Our dive into the wedding industry really didn’t start until early 2019 when I got engaged.
I got married earlier this year so I was a COVID bride who had her 2020 wedding postponed. I really dived into the paper details and wedding signage. I really loved the details and taking my guests on the journey through signage. I can always understand what brides are really going through, as a bride and as a business owner. COVID really taught the value of working with our clients, instead just working for them.
What is the one thing you wish you had know when you began your career?
I love this question because I wished I learned this sooner – that’s not weird to talk about your business, weather it be friends, family, the people at the grocery store. The only way your business is going to grow is if you talk about it. I now tell everyone! I love networking and connecting with other vendors. Do what you love, be passionate it and don’t hold back!
What is the one common myth about your profession that you want to debunk?
It’s typically misunderstood! It also projected to be very expensive. A lot of brides DIY their signage or they don’t think about a calligraphy service when their budgeting their wedding which can sometimes lead to mismatched signage.
Another myth is that a calligraphy service is a nice-to-have, not need-to-have. Like any other vendor, we work with our couples to find what’s most important and deliver on those elements. I always preach that calligraphy is an unique service because it helps educate and inform your guests throughout the events; a unplugged sign to inform your guests to not take photos during your ceremony, a bar signage to keep people moving, or a seating chart and escort cards helps keep people moving and helps you to keep to your wedding day timeline.
What is the best compliment that you have received regarding your work?
I love it when every single couple says that they loved their signage! That really makes a impact on me and it definitely a reason why I do what I do. Once they get to see their signage, it all becomes more real. I always try to give their signage and paper accents to them a week before the wedding so the couple doesn’t have to worry.
How many wedding do you take per year?
We typically only take one wedding per weekend so we can focus all of our attention on the couple. We do suggest that you reach out 3 to 6 months before the wedding to secure the date.
How many would you say you do with a hired Certified Wedding Planner?
75-80%, maybe even more, of our weddings are working with a certified wedding planner which I love because you make our jobs so much easier!
Can you tell me why prefer working weddings when a Certified Wedding Planner is hired by the couple?
You make our jobs easier! There is consistent communication and organization. I love working with our couples to get to know them and their expectations but I always remind myself that this is likely the first time they are planning a wedding so they don’t know how much goes into everything. If you have a wedding planner, it just such a easier and smoother process leading up to one of the biggest days of your lives.
Can you describe a mishap that took place at a wedding where a planner wasn’t hired?
Yes! It’s always the cringiest stories but we all have them. There was this one wedding, a while ago, where the couple didn’t have the budget for a wedding planner nor did they have the budget for me to set up their elements; table numbers, big signage, place cards, etc. There was a lot that went into the setup. One of the bridesmaids was tasked with setting up all of this. She had to go last in hair and makeup, and then rushed through the bridal party photos with the photographer. They actually had to close/end photos early because everyone had to help finish setting up all the different elements, the decor and even the cake table.
This always bums me out because you should always set aside the money to have professionals come in and setup. One would be because you are paying your photographer what is considered to be a good investment to a lot of people but you then had to cut time short! Two, your family and friends could have a few, small tasks (or none at all) on the wedding day but you want to spend that time with them!
Can you describe a situation a Certified Wedding Planner saved the day?
I feel like that every wedding! Wedding planners are the secret magicians, working behind the scenes to make the day happen. Sometimes, the couples aren’t even aware of what went wrong. I love that saying that goes like “Don’t tell the bride! If the bride thinks that everything went perfect, it’s because a wedding planner was behind the scenes making sure everything is perfect!”
There is so many things that planners do leading up to wedding day and on the day itself; working with vendors, dress and veil fluffing before going down the aisle, etc. There are just so many little, tiny moments that may not save the day, but it make s the timeline so more efficient. Making the wedding day feel fun, easy, and carefree is al due to a great wedding planner.
Do you wish all your couples hired a Certified Wedding Planner?
Yes, I do! It is definitely worth it in the long run! Make room in the budget, inquire and reach out to different planners, see what they can do. You will know who will work well with!
Thank you so Mackenzie for chatting with us! We had so much learning about the wedding industry from your perspective. Be sure to follow Hendrock Handmade along on their website and Instagram.
Want to check out the video interview? It’s right here on our Facebook Page!