For over thirty years master calligrapher and artist S J Thomas has been creating custom designs for certificates. Resisting the trend towards digital creations, pre-made templates, and mass produced certificates that can be 'customized' to your specifications, S J Thomas creates only hand calligraphed, uniquely decorated and illustrated certificates.

You will receive an original piece of artwork that no one else in the world will ever have, and at a price that brings custom work into a truly affordable range.

A marriage certificate makes a wonderful gift. Certificates are also appropriate for anniversary celebrations, retirements, births and other occasions.

Every certificate I have made has been a completely unique work of art reflecting the people who commissioned the piece. Please enjoy the samples shown on these pages, but recognize that the certificate you commission will be the unique product of your intentions and my imagination!

Only the finest archival paper and ink is used to ensure that this treasure will live as long as your love. Each certificate is a unique original, not a print or reproduction. Illustration and calligraphy are completely hand done from start to finish by calligrapher and artist S J Thomas.

The certificate typically contains the names of the wedding couple, their vows or a prayer, and images that are special to them. The certificate can be displayed at the ceremony, or become a part of the ceremony itself.

People of many traditions are now adapting the certificate to their own weddings. In ancient Jewish practice the marriage couple and the officiant sign the ketubah at the close of the ceremony. Muslim weddings customarily include an elaborately calligraphed marriage contract.

The Quakers have everyone who attends the marriage sign the certificate. This is a lovely custom, keeping a permanent record of all who witnessed the ritual.

Matted and framed, the certificate makes a beautiful and meaningful display in your home.

In addition to the samples shown here, I have created countless certificates, many of which had to be rushed off to the ceremony before they could be photographed. I invite you to use your imagination and not be limited by the few samples shown here.

I am open to creating certificates for ceremonies in any tradition -- my experience is broad and I will work with you to create a piece of art that embodies what is important to you.

Certicates can be created in any language that uses Latin script (English, Spanish, French, etc.) or Arabic script (Persian, Urdu, Arabic, etc.). Under special circumstances I can work in other scripts as well--please contact me if you have questions.

To view sample certificates use the menu at left. If you would like to see additional examples of my calligraphy work on its own, start with my calligraphy gallery page.

Click on any image, or on the links at left, to see larger version

Please contact me regarding commissioning your own unique creation