Live Wedding Illustration in Devon & Cornwall
Beautiful hand-painted portraits of your wedding guests, created live on the day.
Drawn by Kate as your wedding guests mingle.
Characterful sketches in watercolour and ink. A thoughtful keepsake for your guests.
Live Wedding Illustration
Hand-painted portraits, created while your wedding unfolds.
I capture your guests as they celebrate, laugh and mingle.
Based in Devon • Available across the South West & UK
Wedding guest illustration • Live wedding artist • Watercolour wedding portraits
Meet Your Wedding Illustrator
I'm Kate, a Devon-based watercolour artist and illustrator. I love capturing the little details that make people themselves — a favourite dress, a wonderful hat, a particular expression or the way two people stand together.
My approach is quiet and unobtrusive, allowing the illustration to become part of your wedding rather than interrupting it.
With years of experience as a professional illustrator, I bring a traditional, hand-painted approach to every wedding I attend.
A Wedding Favour with a Difference
Entertainment
Guests love watching their portraits appear before their eyes.
Personal
Each illustration captures a real person, on a very special day.
Hand-painted
Every portrait is individually created in your distinctive watercolour style.
A keepsake
Guests take home something they will treasure long after the wedding.
Loose, Characterful Sketches
Light, lively, and full of movement — these sketches are drawn in a loose ink line with a soft wash of watercolour.
Each portrait takes around 6-8 minutes per person, allowing more guests to be included across the day. Guest are usually painted in couples so I can paint about 4 couples an hour.
How it works
Using an iphone, Kate captures photos of your guests and then creates beautiful, hand-painted illustrations on the spot.
You supply a guest list - either all or a few special guests so Kate can check them off as they are photographed.
Guests will love watching their portraits come to life as Kate, a skilled children's illustrator with a flair for capturing personality and fabulous outfits
The finished illustrations are displayed in a pop-up gallery for guests to admire before taking their treasures home.
Wedding Illustration Prices
£50 per hour
Your booking includes live illustration during your agreed hours.
Travel and accommodation may be added where applicable.
The number of guests you can have illustrated depends on the style and length of your booking.
Not sure how many hours you'll need?
Tell me your wedding date, venue and approximate guest numbers and I'll be happy to suggest a suitable option.
What can I say!!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the most special set up yesterday and giving the guests something so unique to take away. It was wonderful to meet you, I’m just so sorry we didn’t chat more.
If you’re down here again, give us a shout, we’d love to take you for a drink. Thank you also so much for the view from Lula’s that you painted , it’s gorgeous!!
Becks
Cornwall
Kate arrived and set up in a perfect spot in the corner of the reception garden. She has a very simple but effective display letting the guests know what she was doing. It was a surprise for the Bride and Groom and when they guests saw what she was doing, their reaction was priceless. Kate took all the time that the wedding party and guests needed, nobody felt rushed. It was fabulous gift for all to take home. I would 100% recommend Kate and her talents to anyone getting married x
Kim
Devon
Thank you so much for yesterday. You were incredible !
Everyone was so happy with your pictures .
Sarah
Gloucestershire
How long will you need me? And how much will it cost?
An example of costs for different numbers of guests and distances from EX21 5QB. Scanning of images can be done at home if you would like digital copies. Calculation assumes all couple portraits at 4 per hour, plus 30 minutes set up time, and approximately 4-5 mins per picture for photos.
I can usually paint for a maximum of 6 hours in one go. If you have a shorter reception time, I can paint some guests at home and send them to you afterwards.
Hours at venue @£50 Hours at home @£30 Mileage @50 per mile
How many guests | Distance | Hours at venue | Accommodation | Hours at home | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | 30 miles each way £30 | 3.5hours - £175 | 0 | 0 | £205 |
40 | 25 miles each way £25 | 5 hours - £250 | 0 | 2 hours £60 | £335 |
40 | 80 miles each way £80 | 7 hours £350 | £120 | 0 | £550 |
60 | 50 miles each way £50 | 6 hours £300 | 0 | 4 hours - £120 | £470 |
Need help deciding how long you will need me?
There is something quietly joyful about watching a portrait appear in a matter of minutes.
Working softly alongside your celebration, I create illustrated guest portraits in a loose, expressive style — each one drawn by hand, never templated, and full of life.
Guests leave not just with a favour, but with a memory made visible.
Wedding Guest Illustration FAQ
Do you offer live wedding illustration in the South West?
Yes — I regularly travel across the South West, including Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.
Working from my studio in Devon, I’m well placed for countryside venues, coastal weddings, and rural celebrations throughout the region.
How far do you travel for weddings?
Most weddings I attend are within the South West of England, though I’m always happy to travel further afield if needed.
I charge a flat rate for the time I am at a wedding (£50 per hour)with travel and expenses on top to keep pricing clear.
How many guests can you draw during a wedding?
This depends on the style you choose and the length of time booked.
Typically 6-8 guests per hour
Often people are painted in family groups - a group of 3 or 4 people takes about 20 minutes.
I’m always happy to help you estimate what will work best for your day.
Do guests need to sit for their portrait?
Not always.
Some guests enjoy sitting for a few minutes, while others are sketched naturally as they chat and move about. I often work from a mix of observation and quick reference photos to keep things flowing gently. That way I can keep painting while the guests are eating or listening to speeches.
Do guests take the artwork home on the day?
Of course.
Many couples choose to prioritise close family, bridesmaids, or special guests, especially when opting for the more detailed style.
If there is not time to paint all the guest on the day, Kate can paint more at home and will just charge for her time.
What if not all guests are drawn?
It’s quite natural that not every guest will be captured during the day.
If you wish, additional portraits can be completed afterwards from photographs, so no one is left out. I charge £30 per hour for portraits painted at home.
Is live illustration suitable for all types of wedding venues?
Yes — from country houses and barns to coastal venues and marquees.
I work quietly with a small, unobtrusive setup, allowing the illustration to become part of the day without interrupting it.
When is the best time during the wedding for guest portraits?
The most natural time is during the drinks reception and into the early part of the evening.
This is when guests are relaxed, mingling, and more likely to enjoy the experience.
How do we book a wedding guest illustrator in Devon or the South West?
Simply get in touch with your wedding date, venue, and approximate guest numbers.
From there, I can guide you through the options and help you choose the style and timing that will suit your day best.
Can I choose which geusts I would like illustrated?
Yes! You can give Kate a list of the guests that you would like Kate to paint, such as special friends or family members.