Frequently Asked Questions

Step 1: Fill out this contact form to contact me

I try my best to respond within 24 - 48 hours and to schedule a consultation call with you.

Step 2: Schedule a Consultation Call

The consultation call is one of the most critical steps in the booking process! We’ll discuss your overall vision, go over any questions, chat locations, timelines, etc. Another purpose of this call is to ensure we’re a great fit. We’ll be spending a lot of time together throughout the day, so it’s important that we vibe on a personal and professional level.

Please see my cancellation policy below at the end of FAQ section.

Step 3: Choose a package that works best for you

Explore the wedding packages. While I'll offer my professional recommendation during our call, the ultimate decision on the extent of coverage and deliverables lies with you and your partner. Whatever decision you make, I am happy to support you!

Step 4: Pay the Deposit & Sign the Contract

The last step to booking me as your wedding live illustrator is to pay the $100 deposit and sign the contract. Until these two final steps are complete, your date is not secured! 

As a retainer, I require a $100 deposit of your total package cost. The rest of the payment plus the travel expenses (if applicable) is to be paid at least two weeks before your wedding. I’ll send you a confirmation email and that’s it. You’re officially booked! 

Accepted payment methods

Venmo, Zelle, PayPal

Arrival:

I will arrive at least an hour before the event begins to allow me time to familiarize myself with the venue.

Sketching:

Throughout the event, I'll be sketching live, with occasional short breaks. I can sketch while sitting or standing, and I prefer to maintain a bit of distance. Moving around to find the best subjects, I'll ensure not to obstruct the proceedings. Feel free to approach, ask questions, and observe, as it adds to the overall experience and helps me capture the essence of your guests. Some sketches may be completed later from photos taken during the day to ensure a thoughtful and detailed result.

What Subjects Do I Draw?

Unless specified otherwise, I capture various elements, including the bride and groom, guests, cake, decorations, and the venue. Subjects are drawn without the need for them to stay still, allowing for genuine moments to be captured. The longer I observe, the more accurate the representation.

My Technique:

Using pen and watercolor, I create simple, lively sketches that aim to complement rather than replace wedding photos. The sketches are not photorealistic but seek to capture moments. Faces are not detailed extensively due to the live setting. I use quality watercolor paper and artist-grade watercolor paints for lasting results, limiting the format to 5" x 7.5". Each sketch is unique, considering the conditions and speed of execution. Post-event, I review and may enhance sketches, adding color and backgrounds if needed.

Illustrated Wedding Visual Journal

Your sketches will be mailed out to you 1-2 weeks out from the event through USPS Priority.

Guest Portraits:

While I don't exclusively offer individual guest portraits, every guest becomes an integral part of the collective paintings. Their presence contributes to the overall vibrancy of the painting, as it reflects the joy and warmth of your special celebration. In addition to receiving the original paintings, all paintings will be scanned and shared to you through an online sketch gallery. 

I am based in Santa Cruz, California, and glad to serve the Monterey Bay, Big Sur, Bay Area, and Central Coast areas. I will add on a travel fee as follows:

• 1 hr included

• 2 hr $75

• 3 hr $150

• 4 hr $225

• 5 hr $300

• 6 hr $500 + overnight cost of accommodation 

• Outside of California (Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, etc) email to consult for pricing

Sketches offer a unique and dynamic way to complement your wedding photos, providing a distinct perspective on capturing the essence of your special day. Sketches aim to express the overall feel, energy, and atmosphere, adding a touch of fun to the visual narrative.

My sketches are done using pen and watercolor and happen very quickly. They are not portraits but rather I aim to capture memorable moments and stories in a fun and interesting way, with lively outlines and a splash of color. Some of the sketches are done live during the event and some are added later. I only use quality watercolor paper that will last and artist-grade watercolors that won’t fade to ensure a lasting and vivid representation of your cherished memories.

Sketching has experienced a surge in popularity, notably through movements like urban sketching, where artists capture life's scenes spontaneously. Although you "draw" when you sketch, sketching and drawing are not the same thing. Historically, sketching was used as preliminary work for later drawings are paintings, but it is now seen as its own form of artwork, celebrated for its ability to capture energy and movement uniquely.

When you sketch, precision takes a back seat to freedom and expression. It's about quickly capturing the essence of your subject, emphasizing the most crucial aspects while leaving out unnecessary details. Despite its apparent spontaneity, sketching requires skill and a lot of practice as it requires an understanding of perspective and human anatomy.

Drawing, in contrast, unfolds at a slower pace, offering a more refined and detailed approach. You can turn a sketch into a full-blown drawing or painting, you can lose the spontaneity of the initial sketch. However, drawing necessarily equate to photorealism; there is still plenty of room for expression, interpretation, and stylistic choices. Generally, drawing is a lot more precise and it’s meant to be very accurate.

In choosing sketches, you embrace a lively and expressive way of capturing your wedding day's unique moments, preserving them with a touch of artistry that complements traditional photography.

Cancellation by the Client

• The booking fee is non-refundable if the event is canceled by the Client.

• Cancellation less than 2 weeks before the wedding – the Client will receive a 50% refund of the total price minus the booking fee.

• Any cancellation needs to be made in writing.

Cancellation by me (the artist)

• The client will get a full refund of the money he already paid for the Services, 100% guaranteed. I will not cancel a booking unless there are very serious reasons to do so.