Story Of Your Wedding
Imagine having your ceremony and the rest of your day captured in candid illustrations as it happens!
This is the Story of your wedding. It’s a unique and wonderful way of capturing your special day in sketches. I will be there throughout the day, watching and painting, making sure I don’t miss anything that matters to you!
Let me tell your story!
It’s your day, so it’s all about the two of you, surrounded by your family and friends. Whether your wedding is romantic, fun, traditional or unusual, I will match the style! We will have a chat before the wedding, so you can tell me all about what you would like.
Your sketches on display
You and your guest will be able to see all the sketches on my display frame on the day, I add each illustration as I finish it. People love to come back to the display again and again, to see what’s new. It’s exciting to see the paintings of moments that only just happened!
Likeness
My couples and their families always tell me they can recognise everyone in my paintings immediately. Likeness to me is not an option, it’s a guarantee. What would be the point of drawing you if nobody knew it was you? I pride myself on achieving a good likeness in every single illustration.
I add more sketches afterwards
I couldn’t possibly capture all of the special moments and make sure everyone important was included in one day – there are too many precious memories! So I do some of the sketches afterwards from photos I take. You will also have a chance to send me some photos in case I did miss something!
After the wedding, when all the sketches are complete, I will bind the originals into a personalised sketch album. You can also download a high resolution digital version of each sketch and order prints to give to your friends and family. Some couples love to use the sketches on thank you cards, there is no limit!
I sketch live at your event
Your guests enjoy the sketch display
I do more sketches after the wedding
I bind the sketches for you
You can download and share your online gallery
You can order prints for friends and family
HOW IT WORKS
Arrival
I like to get there at least an hour before the start, to familiarise myself with the venue and set up. I respect this is a very special occasion and I always dress accordingly (I won’t turn up in jeans and flip-flops nor will I be wearing a smock…)
Sketching
I can sketch throughout the whole day, the number of sketches I do live will depend on the situation and how complicated the subject is. I don’t sit a the table, I will be moving around to find the best subjects but I always try not to be in the way. My sketching is not messy in any way.
I don’t mind at all when people come and look and ask me questions, it’s all part of it. It helps me to get more of a feel of who everyone is as well.
I enjoy creating this illustrated story of your special day and people enjoy watching me, so it’s a win/win!
Some sketches will also be done later from photos (I take a lot of photos during the day). I don’t like rushing the drawing just for the same of it, I prefer to give you the best illustrations.
Binding Your Sketch Album
After the event I finish the sketches that need to be finished and bind them into a beautiful, professionally bound and personalised sketchbook. I now offer two different options, please have a look at my Sketchbook page for details
You may also choose to have all or some of the sketches separately, so you can frame them or give them to your loved ones. As part of the package you will get a high resolution scanned images which you may print or share with friends and family, or on social media.
The original sketch album in a short video
ABOUT THE SKETCH ALBUM
INCLUDED IN PRICE
Your sketches will be hand-bound into a beautiful, personalised album.
I developed this album especially for this purpose, it’s easy to flip through it and your sketches are well protected, easy way of showing them to your friends and family! You won’t get empty pages, like you would with ready made albums and you can choose which sketches you want to go in there.
Hand bound on a professional level, your illustrated album is made to last.
A Display
I can display the sketches for your guests at the venue on an illuminated sketch display for no extra costs. Your sketches will be added to a fairy light string on my display trellis or a display frame, one by one as they are created, so your guests can enjoy them throughout the day. The trellis or frame is usually decorated with flowers, leaves or any appropriate decorations, depending on the style and colours of your wedding.
What Subjects Do I Draw?
Unless we agree otherwise, I would tend to sketch a bit of everything, the bride and groom (of course), some of the guests at different occasions, the cake, first dance, the venue… This is all entirely up to you, I always ask what you would like me to concentrate on. Some couples prefer sketches that are mostly of them and their close family, other couples leave it up to me. In the end, it’s your day, your say 🙂
One thing I don’t recommend for these candid sketches are posed groups of people, as it’s meant to capture your story, not a group of people looking into the camera with fixed smiles (you will most likely have lots of these in your photos). I always try to have some movement and life in my illustrations, so they feel natural.
If you would like posed photos of your guests I recommend my guest portrait packages rather than the Story of your day.
My Technique
I do simple little sketches in ink and watercolour. My sketches are not meant to be photorealistic and replace your wedding photos, but rather to complement them. I do, however, consider it essential to achieve a good likeness. I like capturing a movement and a story, rather than people posing for me. If you would prefer to have posed portraits please see my guest portraits page.
Some sketches will be drawn from photographs, specially for moments that happen quickly. I always ask my clients if there is anything particular they would like adding and I am happy to add any moment or person from a photo sent by the couple.
Would you like to know more or have a chat about the options?
OTHER SERVICES
All Day Packages
Book me for the whole day and get some extra treats! I have several options for expanding the Story of Your Wedding package – have a look a choose what would be the best for your wedding! If you are unsure just give me a shout, we can discuss the options and you can ask me any question you may have.
Guest Portraits
If you would like to have me draw your guests only, that’s an option too! Please bear in mind that if you have a large number of guests it’s very unlikely I will be able to do all of them. Even though sketches are typically quick, they do still take some time. Please talk to me if you would like to find out about what’s possible and see if this would be the best option for you. I do try to be flexible but there are limits to what is realistic. Find more information about guests portraits here.
TESTIMONIALS
Jana is fabulous! She quietly captured moments throughout our wedding day and our guests loved seeing her sketches as they were being done! Everyone commented on how beautiful they were and how unique. Huge thanks to Jana for joining us on our special day, I will be recommending her to anyone who’ll listen!