A bespoke poem is more than just words, it’s a personal work of art written just for you.

Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, honouring a loved one, or surprising someone with a heartfelt gift, commissioning a custom poem can capture your emotions in ways that might just surprise you.

If you’ve never hired a poet before, you might be wondering: How does the custom poem process work?

Here’s everything you need to know to confidently commission a poem with I Will Write You a Poem and create a keepsake you’ll treasure forever.

Why commission a poem?

A bespoke poem is perfect for:

• Special occasions: Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations.
• Gifts: For partners, friends, colleagues, family members.
• Memorials or tributes: To honour someone who has passed.
• Personal milestones: Retirements, new jobs, arrival of a first cat.

Unlike generic cards or off-the-shelf gifts, a commissioned poem by I Will Write You a Poem is completely unique, created to reflect your story, emotions and personal connection.

How the custom poem process works

Step 1: Get in touch

To kick things off, fill in this simple form.

It will simply ask you for your name, your email address and to offer up a few notes about who you want the poem for and what you want it to be about.

This might look like:

• “It’s my mum’s 70^th birthday. I’d love a fun poem celebrating her life to put in a frame.”
• “I’m getting married and would like to surprise my husband-to-be and read a soppy poem about him on the big day.”
• “My and my uni mates are turning 40 this year. I’m after a poem that takes the micky out of all of us.”

Step 2: A set of simple questions

Shortly after you’ve submitted the form, I will be in touch via email with a Word document of a few questions to understand more about the subject of the poem.

Depending on who your poem is for, questions may include:

• What are the recipients top 3 best qualities? How about their trickiest quality?
• If you could grant one wish for the recipient, what would it be?
• Do you have any in-jokes, nicknames, or embarrassing stories you’d like included?
• What would they be if they were a sound, smell, taste, animal, book, film?
• What’s your preferred tone — romantic, heartfelt, funny, or formal?

It is totally up to you how many of the questions you answer and in how much depth. But the more answers I receive, the more authentic and deeply personal the poems can become.

Step 3: Draft and review

Once receiving your answers, I will write you a poem! Within a couple of weeks, I will have the first draft ready to share with you. The is your chance to suggest any changes or give the thumbs up to it being finish.

Step 4: Final Delivery

Once agreed that the poem is down, your custom poem is delivered in:

• Print ready pdf: Suitable printing and framing.
• Word Document: In case you wish to resize, reshape, or reformat.
• Audio file: I will record me reading the poem for you to get a sense of the rhythm.

Types for getting the perfect poem

The writer Tim Clare talks about the importance of “crunchy specificity” when writing. Instead “he likes biscuits”, saying “he scoffs custard creams watching the snooker” creates a clearer picture of someone.

When answering your questionnaire about your poem order, it’s important to:

• Be open and honest: The more detail you share, the more personal the poem will feel.
• Communicate your vision: Share examples of tone or style you like.
• Trust the process: I pride myself on translating feelings into surprising poems.

What makes a commissioned poem special

A bespoke poem is:

• One-of-a-kind: Written exclusively for you or your recipient.
• Timeless: A keepsake to revisit for years to come.
• Deeply meaningful: Capturing emotions that everyday gifts can’t.

How long it takes to receive a commissioned poem

Turnaround times vary depending on the complexity, length of the poem, and how many orders I have on the go. But most custom poems take anywhere from one to three weeks. For urgent projects, we can have a chat and see what works.

Ready to commission your poem?

If you’re ready to turn your feelings, memories, or story into something uniquely fun and personal, it’s time to commission your bespoke poem.

Whether it’s for a wedding, a heartfelt tribute, or simply to show someone how much they mean to you, a custom poem will always make the moment unforgettable.

Get started commissioning your poem.