Wedding Season As An Live Illustrator
25 Weddings, Happy Tears and One Very Sneaky Surprise. Here's What Happened During Wedding Season As A Live Illustrator
Wedding season is officially over for me, and WOW, do I have a lot to say about it!
This has been the most incredible year of work I've had to date. I've illustrated 25 weddings, painted hundreds and hundreds of wedding guests and experienced some moments that have reminded me exactly why I became an artist in the first place.
I never expected to fall quite so in love with live wedding illustration. I thought it might be stressful, pressurised and exhausting. I worried that the long drives, the pressure of working live and the responsibility of entertaining guests while creating artwork might eventually take the fun out of it.
Quite the opposite, actually.
It's rejuvenated me, given me a new sense of purpose and reignited a passion for art that I didn't even realise needed reigniting. It's reminded me that I'm an artist, that I absolutely love what I do and that I'm incredibly lucky to make a living from it.
And if you're a couple planning your wedding and wondering whether live wedding illustrations are worth adding to your day, let me tell you a little about what I've learnt this year.
Wedding guest illustrations are more than just a wedding favour
I'll be honest. Before I started doing this, I hadn't fully appreciated just how meaningful a little painting could be. I wanted to reflect on weddinging season as a live illustrator and share my highs and lows. Wedding favours can sometimes feel like another thing on a very long wedding checklist. You know the drill: find something lovely, multiply the price by the number of guests, have a little cry at the total and wonder whether anyone will actually take it home or even care about the effort you've made.
We had hand-drawn cookies by myself to save money at our wedding, so I'm certainly not judging! Weddings are expensive, and all those little extras soon add up.
But I've realised that live wedding illustrations can be so much more than a favour to tick off your list. They're a little piece of your wedding day that your guests can take home with them. Something they can put on their wall, keep on their desk or tuck into a frame and enjoy for years to come.
They're also a way of showing your guests how much you appreciate them being there to celebrate with you. There's something rather lovely about seeing yourself as a piece of artwork for the first time.
I don't draw detailed faces in my wedding guest illustrations, yet people regularly recognise themselves immediately. They recognise their outfit, their hair, their posture and all the little things that make them them. I've had guests become genuinely emotional when receiving their paintings. I've even been asked to paint people who have passed away, making the artwork an especially meaningful keepsake for their loved ones.
That's when you realise you're not just producing a pretty picture. You're helping someone take home a memory. Of course, not everyone gets emotional. I've also had a complaint or two! One woman told me I'd made her look like a man. I suspect her height and casual outfit had something to do with that, rather than my artistic interpretation. You can't win them all!
What actually happens when you hire a live wedding illustrator?
One of my favourite things about live wedding illustration is that the experience starts long before someone collects their painting. Guests gather around to watch me work. They spot their friends appearing on paper, point out family members and start chatting to people they might not have spoken to otherwise.
Suddenly, there's a little art gallery developing in the middle of your wedding reception. People are laughing, comparing illustrations and trying to work out who's who. It becomes a talking point, a bit of entertainment and an excuse to mingle.
And the best part? Your guests get to take their artwork home.
Of course, I can't paint every single person at every wedding. My minimum booking is three hours, and some weddings have much larger guest lists than others. The number of illustrations I can complete depends on the time booked, the style of outfit and whether I'm painting individuals, couples or groups.
Sometimes guests are disappointed that they haven't had their turn. I've even had people try to bribe me with their Instagram follower count or explain why they deserve priority because they're the bride's second cousin. No chance honey.
But even when someone doesn't get their own illustration, they can still enjoy watching the artwork develop, recognising friends and family and experiencing something a little different from the usual wedding entertainment.
That's what makes it special. It's not just about the finished painting; it's about everything that happens around it.
25 weddings, hundreds of guests and a lot of stories
This year, I've completed 25 weddings, with bookings ranging from three hours to eight hours. You might be wondering how on earth I can sit and paint for eight hours straight.
Honestly? Quite easily!
Time seems to disappear when I'm painting. I'll look up and realise hours have passed, I've forgotten to stretch and I probably should have taken a wee about three hours ago.
Occupational hazard, apparently.
But one of the greatest privileges of being a live wedding illustrator is getting to know the couples behind the celebrations. I love chatting to couples beforehand, hearing about their plans and finding out what makes their wedding special. Then, on the day, I get to listen to the speeches and hear stories from their friends and family.
I'm a sucker for a good story.
There's something quite surreal about being at a wedding where I know very little about the couple, yet I'm there to capture a small part of their day. I might chat to one of them before the ceremony, then meet the other before they've even seen each other walk down the aisle.
I get these tiny glimpses into moments that are incredibly precious to them. And then, during the speeches, I hear the stories that bring everything together. The embarrassing teenage years, the family in-jokes, the first dates and the little details that explain why everyone is gathered in that room.
It gives me a completely different perspective on the day. I'm not just painting outfits and people; I'm witnessing a little piece of their story.
It's a pretty special job to have.
The most exciting wedding of the year: Operation Secret Illustrator
Right. This one was a proper mission.
A groom booked me as a surprise for his partner, and keeping the whole thing secret turned out to be considerably more stressful than I'd anticipated.
First, the traffic was horrendous. I arrived with barely enough time to start my shift, already feeling the pressure.
Then I realised his partner was standing around chatting to guests and having an interview done practically in front of me. He had absolutely no idea who I was, so I had to do my best impression of someone who worked there.
As more guests were delayed by the traffic, the ceremony started later than planned. That meant I couldn't get set up properly or begin painting when I'd intended. So, naturally, I started sneaking guests over to meet me near the toilets so I could take reference photographs and get going.
Yes, really. The toilets.
I was absolutely shitting my pants in case he spotted what was happening and the surprise was ruined. Eventually, about 20 minutes later, he went into the ceremony and I could finally set up my table properly. I had around an hour to get everything ready before he returned with his new husband.
And then came the moment. He walked over, saw what was happening and the look on his face was priceless. To make things even better, I'd painted three illustrations of them before the wedding, including their family dog. When I explained that I'd already created these paintings, he was completely blown away.
It was one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences of the year, but also one of the most gorgeous. And do you know what nearly made me cry? The groom had put together a little snack pack for me to keep me going throughout my seven-hour shift.
He'd thought about the person he'd hired, not just the service he was receiving. In the middle of all the excitement and wedding chaos, he'd taken the time to make sure I was looked after.
Honestly, he knew the way to a girl's heart. It's little moments like that which remind me how much thought and love goes into a wedding. And being trusted to contribute something special to a day like that is something I don't take for granted.
Is live wedding illustration right for your wedding?
If you're looking for wedding entertainment that's interactive, personal and a little bit different, live wedding illustration could be a lovely addition to your day.
It's particularly suited to drinks receptions and periods when guests are mingling, because people can watch the artwork develop while still enjoying the celebrations.
And unlike entertainment that ends when the music stops, the illustrations can be kept long after the wedding is over.
A few things to consider when planning your booking:
Your guest list: Think about how many people you'd ideally like illustrated and discuss your expectations with your artist.
Your timings: A longer booking gives more guests the opportunity to receive an illustration. Your artist can help you work out what might be realistic.
Your schedule: Drinks receptions and other social periods can work particularly well, as guests can come and go without interrupting the main events.
Your personal touches: If there are particular family members, outfits or pets you'd love included, let your artist know in advance.
Most importantly, choose an artist whose style you genuinely love. These are keepsakes your guests may treasure for years, so you want artwork that feels right for you and your wedding.
One last thing...
As I finish wedding season and look back on those 25 weddings, I'm feeling incredibly grateful. Grateful for the couples who've trusted me with their celebrations, the guests who've made me laugh, the stories I've heard and the unexpected moments that have made this year so memorable.
I started the year wondering whether live painting at weddings would be exhausting. Instead, I've come away feeling more inspired, more connected to my work and more excited about what I can create next.
So, if you're planning your wedding and want to give your guests something a little different, I'd love to hear what you're dreaming up.
Whether you want colourful watercolour illustrations, a little live art gallery at your reception or a surprise for your partner, let's chat about how we could make it happen.
Planning a wedding? You can find out more about my live wedding illustration service and get in touch to discuss your plans.
And if you happen to be a groom planning a surprise, I do accept snack packs as a sign of appreciation.
Just saying.
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