TikTok and the Rise and Rise of the Live Illustrator…

I’ve been working at weddings for a little while now… I think 12 years all up! Certainly at the start of my journey, it wasn’t really a ‘thing’ to have an illustrator at your wedding. I used to spend forever explaining to potential customers what I do and trying to convince them that having a live illustrator at their wedding was going to be the best thing EVER! It was hard to explain without showing it in action.

Then TikTok stepped in… and suddenly sketching live at events was the entertainment du jour. People would walk past me while I sketched and say, “Oh yes, I’ve seen this on TikTok!” (Note: you definitely wouldn’t have seen me — I seem to struggle with TikTok. I feel a bit like I’m speaking a different language!) But it’s great, and TikTok has given our craft a real nudge into the open. It’s a great place to get some FAQs answered on how live wedding illustrations work.

Fast forward to today, and I am just one of many artists offering live illustration services. The landscape has completely changed. It’s excellent news for artists, and I think it shows that while our world evolves into more digital and AI-driven experiences, in our hearts, we still want to see people creating something in real time — something that can’t be faked or enhanced. There’s also an incredible connection that comes from talking to the people you’re drawing. I love meeting guests and hearing great stories in the short time we’re together. It’s great fun.

However, with increased popularity comes a downside. I get so many more enquiries — but many go nowhere. Sometimes people just want to know what a wedding illustrator costs and aren’t really interested in me personally, or they don’t care about the style as long as their guests have the experience. Both are totally fair! But it’s led me to wonder: what is it that makes someone feel I’m the right fit?

So I thought I’d lay out what makes me, me.
 

What I See When I Draw You

What gets me out of bed in the morning is knowing I get to hand over that sketch and see your eyes light up. Yes, your eyes — I’ve probably smoothed over your wrinkles and brought in your waist — but I don’t see that as being reductive. I spend hours looking at faces and bodies and thinking, “Goodness, her hair is amazing,” or “Wow, his smile is just wonderful.” I want you to see yourself the way I do.

I’m a Total Wedding Nerd

I just LOVE weddings! You’ve spent months (or even years) planning, and I notice and appreciate every moment. From your venue selection to the flowers and everything in between, I see all the thought you’ve put in. I literally can’t wait for your wedding speeches — I love every one. I always walk away remembering what was special about you.

You Booked a Fashion Illustrator — and That’s What You’ll Get!

I always dress to suit your guests’ dress code. You’ve gone all out for this beautiful day, and I will too. Dressing up is my personal hobby, and unlike your content creator, videographer or photographer, I get to sit down for most of the evening — so yes, it’s a bit easier to bring the glam!

I’m All In

Once you’ve booked me, I’m all in. I usually arrive early and often sketch extras after the event. That’s my choice — if people expected it, it wouldn’t be a nice surprise. But that’s how I see my role. I just want you to feel like every vendor — not just your guests — poured their heart into making your day the best ever. Sometimes creating packages and sending quotes hides a bit of that magic.

Things You Might Be Judging Us On (and a Few You May Not Think About Yet)

Speed vs Detail

Live illustrations are fun but high pressure. Trust what an illustrator says they can realistically complete in the time — and don’t assume they’ll go faster on the day. The faster the sketch, the less detail you should expect.

Experience vs Marketing

You should absolutely make a decision based on how much you like an artist’s work but consider also how much experience they may have. That one awesome TikTok post - are you going to see the same quality over and over? Can an artist demonstrate that they can maintain consistency across your 300 guest count! Reminder that we are not machines also! But it’s worth understanding our human limitations!

Face or No Face

Some illustrators sketch without faces. It’s a personal preference, so make sure you choose based on what you’d like. Some of us use templating to help add faces — the paper size is small, so even full-featured sketches will still be stylised. We use lots of visual cues — not just lips and eyes — to create likenesses.

Fashion vs Reality

Do you want everyone to look like a supermodel — even Granny? Or do you want something more realistic with all the wonderful imperfections? Artists have a point of view, so just make sure you’re aligned with their style. I lean toward stylised, but I love capturing personality too.

Vibe

Different materials yield different results. Watercolours have a beautiful softness, while markers offer more drama. You may want to choose something that fits the overall vision and feel of your day.

I hope this helps. And if you’re looking for live wedding illustrations, well — you’re already planning a wonderful day, and I know you’ll find the wedding illustrator who’s perfect for you.