Is wedding guest illustration really worth it? - Pros & Cons from a Melbourne Live Guest Illustrator
Is Wedding Guest Illustration Worth It? Pros & Cons to Consider
If you’re planning your wedding and looking for unique entertainment or a memorable guest experience, you might be wondering, “Is wedding guest illustration worth it?” Live guest illustration is becoming a popular choice, offering a personal touch that stands out from traditional wedding favours. But is it the right fit for your big day? Let’s break down the pros and cons.
"Is it worth the investment?"
"Depends on the artist you picked, the sketches might increase in price in the future, who knows :P "
Pros of Wedding Guest Illustration
✔️ An Unique & Elegant Guest Experience
Live illustration adds an artistic and interactive element to your wedding. Guests love watching their portraits come to life, and it creates a beautiful experience.
✔️ A Wedding Favour Guests Will Actually Keep
Unlike traditional wedding favours that might get left behind, a custom hand-drawn portrait is something guests will treasure for a loooooooong time
✔️ More Personal Than a Photo Booth
While photo booths are fun and quick, illustrated portraits feel more meaningful and timeless. Each sketch captures the guest’s personality in a way that feels special and handcrafted.
✔️ Enhances the Wedding Aesthetic
Live sketching naturally complements elegant and creative wedding themes. Whether your wedding is modern, rustic, or classic, it adds a refined artistic touch. If you appreciate art, one of you is artistic or a crafty person, or .... let me go straight to the point, if you are cultured, then it would totally fit your wedding :)
✔️ Creates Lasting Memories
Apart from getting the physical portrait, the experience itself becomes a cherished memory for your guests. It’s a conversation starter and something they’ll talk about long after the wedding.
Cons of Wedding Guest Illustration
⚡ Not Every Guest Get One
Depending on the number of guests and the illustrator’s speed, not everyone will receive a portrait. Some couples choose to have sketches completed in the artist's studio for an additional cost so everyone gets one.
⚡ Requires Space & Cost to Hire the table & Chair
Live illustration does need a dedicated space, as in a large table, where guests can come around, have a look, and display the finished illustrations. It’s worth considering whether your venue has enough space.
⚡ Cost Can Be Higher Than Standard Favors
Since illustrations are hand drawn, they come at a higher price point compared to bulk-ordered or factory made wedding favours. However, many couples find the uniqueness and guest experience make it worth the investment. Depends on the artist you picked, the artwork might increase in price in the future, who knows :P
⚡ Guests Need More Patience
Illustrations take 5-7 minutes per guest, so there may be short wait times. Some guests might need to wait after the wedding. Finding an artist that is efficient and have a shorter turnaround time for the after wedding illustrations would be a better option. Worth the wait...I would say.
Still considering?
I will let my lovely couples tell you their experiences first hand:
"Candy’s work is phenomenal! She is so professional, responsive and talented. We had Candy as a live illustrator at our wedding and she added the best element of surprise and fun to the reception. Our guests absolutely loved her; and one week on we are still receiving messages of ‘wow’ and ‘thanks’ from our guests talking about how special it was to be able to take away a personalised memento of the night. We’d recommend Candy a thousand times over!"
"Oh my goodness, Candy's talent is absolutely unreal. We had Candy at our wedding at The Hotel Windsor, and we had almost every guest compliment Candy, how much of a thoughtful memoir her illustrations were and how incredibly happy they were with them!
We would recommend Candy always, and look forward to having her at events in the future."
"I found Candy on instagram and we had her at our wedding at Coombe in the Yarra Valley in February to draw illustrations of our guests. It was such a hit and everyone loved it!! She even sent us a drawing after the wedding too and we will frame it. She was super lovely, easy to communicate with - we would highly recommend her for your special event."
"We hired Candy as an illustrator at our wedding. Everyone loved her illustrations and it was a very special and unique experience to have at a wedding. My only regret is that our wedding didn't run for longer as there was such a high demand for her drawings, although Candy was gracious enough to take some photos home and continue pumping out illustrations in the proceeding week. Would highly recommend."
"We had a small intimate garden party wedding and Candy was the biggest surprise for our guests, who were left amazed and some even in tears of excitement. Candy brought the most calming and intimate energy to our wedding. She captured the most special memories and we now have momentums of these special memories forever. We have such gratitude for Candy and would highly recommend her for any couple seeking to add a little something extra to their wedding 🩷 Her speed and creativity of drawing was exceptional. We had a lot of guests traveling from interstate and overseas so personalized illustrations were the perfect gift for them to travel home with. Thank you once again!"
If you’re looking for a live event & wedding illustrator in Melbourne, I’d love to help you create something special for your guests. I’ve illustrated for weddings, corporate, brand activations and worked with over 30 luxury brands and I’d love to add a creative spark to your next special event. >>> LEARN MORE