Meet Sophia Otasowie | Calligrapher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophia Otasowie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophia, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
There is this annoying idea called the “wedding tax” circulating. It’s the idea that vendors hear the word “wedding” and just automatically charge more than if it were for another type of event or celebration without reason. First of all, most wedding vendors professionals are female entrepreneurs and small business owners with no intention of creating arbitrary pricing because they think weddings are some kind of cash cow. So, before people get too caught up in that rhetoric, I think it would be helpful to know some of the reasons you might see a difference in price.

1. Most clients would not be satisfied to just send an email and expect their vendor to know all their wishes for their wedding. There is so much more communication you require and that you expect from vendors for your wedding than you would for another event. So, it takes up more time.

2. Since most clients don’t want a copy-and-paste wedding, there are more time and resources required to create something custom to your story and your desires for the wedding. The workflow goes from “Create – deliver” to “call – email – create – proof 1 – edit – proof 2 – call – final version I promise – deliver”. The more custom, the higher the cost.

And in combination both of these things is the fact that the stakes are higher. This is (in theory) a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. You are more emotionally invested. There is more pressure, little room for error, and more planning needed to deliver as close to perfection as we can. So, rest easy knowing there is no big, bad wedding industry out to get

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Most people know SophScript Co. for calligraphy for weddings and events. I love getting to write out vows. I like engraving perfume for some of the most amazing fragrance brands. And I am thrilled when someone a beautiful painting or gift in mind, and I get to make it happen.

But the truth is, I’ll never stop doing this work because one of my greatest joys—and clearest callings—is making things beautiful. Beautiful moments. Beautiful gifts. Beautiful spaces.

I don’t just want to create something that feels like “it’s the thought that counts”—I want to create things that make people feel honored, seen, and celebrated. I love the details that come from really, really knowing someone.

I have created Jeopardy and Family Feud games to celebrate birthdays with trivia about their quirks and inside jokes. I’ve done an HGTV-style room makeover with purchases and amazing thrift finds over the course of months. Yes, there was a grand reveal and everything! And I’m currently planning a drive to Las Vegas just to pick up a bouquet from Maui that doesn’t ship to California.

I genuinely believe one of the things God put me on this earth to do is make things beautiful. And I want people to get to experience that—whether it’s a handwritten note, a table beautifully set, or a gift perfectly personalized. That makes me excited; that makes me proud. I’ve stood in some of the most impressive rooms — in academics, with global systems, and in the wedding industry — but the thing that gives me peace is knowing I’m not working to earn love, recognition, or a spot on anyone’s “top vendor” list. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). I can focus on loving the person in front of me and drowning out fear or comparison.

That is the value I want to bring into all my work. SophScript Co. is a brand deeply rooted in making events beautiful for you, and through our giving, making life beautiful for others. I believe in leaving people speechless. I believe in “I can’t believe you remembered”. And I believe in picking the fun way every single time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a friend was coming to visit, and we weren’t doing all the fun, tourist things, I’d just keep things super relaxed.

We’d start with breakfast at Bodega on Broadway and get their avocado toast (very California of me, I know) and enjoy soaking in a warm morning.

We’d end up walking and talking on the beach path here in Santa Monica. We’d look at the ocean and daydream our next vacation.

Or we’d sit at the Culver steps with ice cream from Salt & Straw or Ginger’s Divine Ice Cream (especially if their milk and cereal flavor is back).

Westfield Century City is an experience of its own that we can’t skip.

Dinner would be at Red O Cantina because everyone needs to taste the ceviche. And they’d probably hang out and meet my friends in one of our living rooms. Really there would be no big plans, just good company and good conversation. And I would eventually suggest that we need a late night sweet treat, and a Whole Foods tres leches cake just sounds right to me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Every art piece I created, my dad saved. He was always adamant that I sign and date each piece everything so that one day they could be authenticated, and he could sell them for $1 million.

I have family who makes me feel like I can do impossible things. When my mom first founded her nonprofit, my artwork was on the walls. When my sister was graduating from college, and she needed a graduation cap that would help her stand out in the crowd, she asked me to paint it. When I said I wanted to use the funds to help kids in other countries, they applauded. And when I realized that I didn’t want to wait until I finished a real job to create art, and I looked for opportunities to put beautiful things in other people’s hands, they trusted me.

I booked my first wedding because I wrote the thank-you notes my mom was sending out for her business and someone loved my writing. So, credit where credit is due– I don’t think I’d be doing this without them.

Website: https://sophscriptco.com

Instagram: @sophscriptco

Image Credits
Alyssa Lizarraga

Timi Oshin
Timi Oshin
Timi Oshin
Sophia Otasowie
Katelyn Rose Weddings
Sophia Otasowie
Aurelia Damore Photography