I Know How It Feels When Wedding Favors Get Left Behind
For my own wedding, I spent hours creating handmade origami favors for our guests. Then, at the end of the night, I saw most of them left behind on the tables.
It was deflating. I had put so much time and care into something I hoped our guests would treasure, and that wasn’t how I wanted to end my wedding day.
You might be surprised how often this happens at weddings (ask your wedding planner!)
That experience is one reason I love giving couples personalized wedding favors their guests are genuinely excited to take home. Wedding guests often tell me, “I’m taking this to the car right now so nothing happens to it. I’ll be right back.”
You don’t see that happen with a koozie.
Meet the Wedding Favor
They’ll Actually Want
Your guests have gone out of their way to share this day with you. They’ve blocked off time, traveled, booked hotel rooms, bought something special to wear and chosen a gift because they love you and want to celebrate with you.
What can you give them in return?
Live wedding guest sketches may be the answer. Sometimes called wedding guest portraits or wedding guest illustrations, they are flattering, personalized pieces of art created during your reception.
Most guests tell me they’ve always wanted to have their picture drawn but never had the opportunity. It’s a little bucket-list experience they get to enjoy at your reception, and the result is a flattering, personalized sketch they can take home, frame and cherish.
Every sketch is a one-of-a-kind favor for the people you love, and a memory that will always bring them back to your wedding day.
More Than Just Another
Wedding Favor
Unique Wedding Entertainment
Guests gather around, laugh together and watch the sketches come to life.
Personalized Wedding Favors
Every drawing is created especially for the person taking it home.
Wedding Memories
Your guests leave with original artwork tied forever to your celebration.
One experience gives your guests something to do,
something to talk about and something to keep.
A MORE FLATTERING KIND OF WEDDING CARICATURE
Fast Enough for Your Guests. Flattering Enough to Frame.
Will Everyone Get One?
I draw up to 25–30 guests per hour, so a four-hour reception can provide sketches for approximately 100 guests. This is 2-3x faster than average.
Will There Be a Long Line?
Each face takes only a few minutes. Guests also enjoy watching the drawings and reactions while they wait.
Will My Guests Like How They Look?
I create wedding caricatures that are flattering and recognizable, with just enough whimsy to make them fun. I want your guests to feel good when they see themselves.
Fast. Flattering. Frame-worthy. That’s the difference when you choose me as your live wedding sketch artist.
Wedding Entertainment for Every Generation
Live guest sketches are one of those rare wedding activities for guests that work across generations.
Children, teenagers, parents and grandparents can all enjoy watching the drawings come to life and taking home artwork created especially for them.
And if you’re a mature bride, this experience is every bit as much for you.
Your love story deserves to be celebrated, your guests deserve to have fun and you deserve a flattering wedding portrait you’ll be proud to frame.
Whether someone is eight or eighty, there is something special about seeing their face appear on the page.
Whole Families
Whole families can get drawn together because I use 12 × 18-inch paper, which is larger than the paper used by most wedding sketch artists. Up to eight people can share one drawing, turning a personalized wedding favor into a family keepsake they can frame and enjoy together.Smaller families can be drawn together on one page, turning their wedding guest sketch into a family keepsake. Your paper can also be preprinted with your names, wedding date, hashtag or custom artwork. For her Tybee Island wedding, Rincy wanted the iconic lighthouse in the background of her drawings, so I made it happen for her.
Most guests are drawn live and face-to-face because the interaction is part of the experience. But sometimes little ones simply can’t sit still long enough. When that happens, I can ask a parent for a good photo to use as a quick reference. Parents can relax knowing that even the squirmiest members of the family won’t be left out. The children’s experience matters to me, too!
Intergenerational
Guests of all ages enjoy live wedding guest sketches. Many tell me they’ve always wanted a caricature but were afraid they wouldn’t like how they looked. Once they see my flattering wedding guest portraits, they often change their minds.
I’ve worked with children, tweens, and teens even longer than I’ve been a live artist, so I make sure they enjoy the experience, too. I introduce myself, ask their name and usually start with a fist bump or high five to help them feel comfortable.
I’m also a mother of three, and one of my children has Down syndrome. That makes me especially sensitive to helping guests with special needs feel welcomed, included and comfortable throughout the experience.
Couples and Singles
Couples love being drawn together because it feels romantic and gives them a keepsake of the two of them. Sometimes one person is much more excited about it than the other, and I can usually tell right away. I pay attention to their personality and, if it feels right, make a little joke to help them relax. I also take special care to make both people look flattering so they leave happy they did it.
Of course, I draw couples, friends and families, but I also draw plenty of guests on their own. Sitting alone can take a little more courage because there’s no one beside them to take some of the attention. I always tell them they’re the brave ones, which usually earns a smile and helps break the ice. That’s also especially important with shy guests, so I keep the conversation going and work a little harder to help them relax and enjoy their moment in the chair.
VIP's
The mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and favorite aunties and great unlcesare VIP guests, too. I give them a little extra attention and do everything I can to make their wedding sketches flattering and their experience special.
Your bridesmaids and groomsmen have stood beside you through it all, so I give your wedding party a little extra time and attention to make the experience fun and their sketches especially memorable.
The smallest members of the wedding party deserve their own moment in the spotlight. I make the experience fun for them, and if they are too wiggly to sit, I can use a parent’s phone photo as a quick reference so they are never left out.
And then, of course, there are the two most important people in the room…
The Bride and Groom
The bride and groom receive the royal treatment: you skip the line, your portrait is drawn live in color and it is protected in a special sleeve. If you want your wedding portrait, I make sure you get it, even if that means staying a little late.
Wedding Sketches
Ezell House
Mobile, AL
Wedding Sketches
Three Rivers Fish Camp
Covington, LA
Mature bride and groom enjoying flattering live wedding guest sketches
Wedding Caricatures
The Red Carpet Venue
Mobile, AL
The Oaks Venue, Ponchatoula LA
Wedding Caricatures
Little Point Clear
Fairhope, AL
Live Wedding Illustrations
The Chimneys Restaurant
Gulfport, MS
Digital Wedding Caricatures
The Athelstan Club
Mobile, AL
Live Wedding Illustrations
Jerusalem Shriners
Destrehan, LA
Live Wedding Illustrations
The Oaks
Ponchatoula, LA
Wedding Caricatures
Ursuline Convent Museum
New Orleans, LA
Wedding Caricatures
Angler's Restaurant
Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Wedding Caricatures
Backyard Wedding celebration
Pensacola Beach, FL
I’ve drawn at more than 100 weddings, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure your wedding entertainment has its own happily ever after.
FROM COUPLES AND THEIR GUESTS
The Reviews Say It Best
“Everyone was raving about their experience with Kathy, and it gave all my guests a unique favor to remember the event. She was the highlight of the day!”
Chelsea B.
“You will be talked about for years to come and were such an important part of our wedding weekend.”
Brooke Schuster
“It’s the talk of our wedding! This lady did an amazing job.”
Shaea & Ledell Eackles
Wedding Guest Portraits They Really Do Take Home
“Finally got them framed!!!”
Morgan sent me this on Valentine’s Day. She and her husband, Matt, had gotten married that summer, and she had all of their drawings framed as her Valentine’s Day gift for him.
The Wedding Favor
This Family Will Never Forget
A TRUE WEDDING STORY
Three days before Christmas, I was drawing caricatures at David and Deja’s wedding. The line was steady but not too long, and the band was on the other side of the room. I could hear and talk to my guests and take my time. It was perfect.
I had just finished a drawing when someone pulled one of my chairs away. I didn’t understand why until I turned around. An older couple was waiting to be drawn. The gentleman was standing beside his wife, who was in a wheelchair. He pulled her into the space where the chair had been, and that was when I realized she couldn’t hold her head up. I worried. How was I going to draw her?
Then her husband gently took his wife’s chin in his hands and held her head up for me. She smiled, and I could see that she was actually quite beautiful. I drew her quickly so they wouldn’t have to stay in that position for long. As I worked, her husband carefully wiped her mouth with a napkin from his pocket. Then he whispered something in her ear, and she smiled even bigger.
The love between these two was so touching that I found it hard to draw. There must have been something in my eye.
When I finished drawing her, I told her husband he could let her rest. He sat beside his wife while I drew him, and her head drooped down onto her chest again. She was tired. That had been a lot of effort.
Finally, I was ready for the reveal. Would they like it?
They loved it!
The wife was all smiles as her husband carefully and gently unlocked her wheels and took her away. I wiped my eyes and kept going. The show must go on.
Later that evening, I was talking with the father and mother of the bride in the kitchen.
“When my daughter said she was hiring a caricature artist for her wedding, I said, ‘A WHAT?’”
her father told me. Then he said, “But you’ve been the best thing here tonight. People were lined up all night long.” His wife nodded. “Everyone was talking about it.”
“And you know those folks with the wheelchair?” he continued. “They don’t ever get pictures taken. Anywhere. Neither of them. But they got one with you.” He took another bite of the ham slider he was eating and said, almost as an afterthought, “That was my mom and dad.”
I caught my breath. Those were the grandparents of the bride.
“You made their day,” his wife said.
“I’m so glad,” I answered, and again, I had something in my eye.
I wrote up the story and posted it,
and Deja gave me this review:
Months later, Deja contacted me and sent me this photograph of herself with her grandparents, below.
“My sweet grandmother went to be with Jesus in May after a long battle with ALS. I’m so thankful my grandparents were able to be there and have this sweet memory forever.”
What began as entertainment at a wedding had become something their family could never replace.
This is why I do what I do, making a difference one drawing at a time.
Hi, I’m Kathy
Moments like the one I shared with Deja’s family are why I chose to make weddings the heart of my work.
I’ve been drawing professionally for 27 years, including ten years in Las Vegas. I’ve entertained guests at events for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Samsung at CES, AT&T at the PGA and even Cirque du Soleil behind the scenes.
When I moved from Las Vegas to the Gulf Coast, I was ready to bring that experience to work that felt more personal and meaningful. I intentionally began focusing on weddings, and I have now drawn at more than 100 weddings.
I know the drawing is only part of what your guests will remember. I genuinely love people, and I care about making each person feel comfortable and givingthem a great experience.
That means chatting with excited children children, reassuring the shy ones, keeping the line moving and staying calm when something unexpected happens.
Your wedding deserves an artist who can create beautiful keepsakes while also taking good care of the people you love.
Your Wedding Is Too Important to Leave to Chance
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Trusted at more than 100 weddings
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27 years of professional experience
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Ten years drawing professionally in Las Vegas
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Clear written booking agreement
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Licensed and fully insured
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Only one wedding booked per day
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100% show-up guarantee
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Arrive one hour early and fully prepared
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Never missed an event in 27 years
Learn more about Digital Caricatures
HOW IT WORKS
From “Yes!” to Your Wedding Day
1. Check Your Date
Tell me your wedding date, location and approximate guest count.
2. Choose Your Wedding Sketch Experience
We’ll choose the package that gives your guests the best opportunity to be drawn.
3. Reserve Your Wedding
A signed booking agreement and 50% retainer officially reserve your date.
4. Enjoy the Celebration
I arrive one hour early with everything I need. Your guests watch their sketches come to life and take their personalized artwork home that night.
And YOU get to rest easy knowing that the entertainment and favors portion of your wedding are handled by a pro.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
A Contract. A Guarantee. Peace of Mind.
When you reserve your wedding, you’ll receive a clear written agreement covering your date, location, drawing time, services and payment details.
A signed agreement and 50% retainer officially secure your date.
Your contract also includes my 100% show-up guarantee. If I fail to appear for any reason, every dollar you paid me will be refunded. That has never happened in 27 years, but the guarantee is included in writing for your peace of mind.
I also understand that unexpected things can happen on your end. If you need to move your celebration, your retainer may be applied to a new date, provided I am available.
You deserve to feel confident about your investment before your wedding day ever arrives.
CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Wedding Sketch Packages
Each package combines personalized wedding favors and live entertainment in one experience. The investment is comparable to many 360 photo booths, but every guest receives something much more personal: original artwork created especially for them.
With up to 100 guests drawn during the Signature Experience, that works out to about $15 per guest.
That includes the entertainment of watching the sketches come to life, your live color couple’s portrait, personalized paper and the reveal photos I take with each guest’s permission and send to you after the wedding.
The guest numbers below represent the maximum for each package. If your guest list is smaller, we can spend more time on each drawing and add color, themed bodies, or both. I don't charge anything more for either.
Intimate Celebration
3 Hours | Up to 60 Guests
Perfect for smaller weddings, rehearsal dinners and intimate celebrations.
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Fast, flattering guest sketches
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A color portrait of you as a couple, drawn live at your wedding
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Professional live entertainment
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Guest reveal photos, taken with permission and sent to you after the wedding
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$997
Limited Saturday availability
Signature Experience
4 Hours | Up to 100 Guests
The best fit for most wedding receptions.
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Fast, flattering guest sketches
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A color portrait of you as a couple, drawn live at your wedding
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Paper personalized with your names and wedding date
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Professional live entertainment
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Guest reveal photos, taken with permission and sent to you after the wedding
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$1,497
MOST POPULAR
Grand Celebration
5 Hours | Up to 120 Guests
More time for larger celebrations and longer receptions.
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Fast, flattering guest sketches
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A color portrait of you as a couple, drawn live at your wedding
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Paper personalized with your names and wedding date
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Professional live entertainment
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Guest reveal photos, taken with permission and sent to you after the wedding
$1,997
The included color couple’s portrait is created live during your booked wedding time. Pre-drawn or separately commissioned couple’s portraits are available as an add-on.
Additional hours are available for $499 per hour.
Travel fees may apply depending on your wedding location, and custom quotes are available for destination weddings. Flexible payment plans are available at no additional cost.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do Our Guests Have to Pay?
You pay me, your guests pay nothing. The sketches are provided as your gift to your guests, making them personalized wedding favors created especially for each person.
Can Couples Be Drawn Together?
Absolutely. Couples, friends and family members can share a drawing, with up to eight people on one page! ( I can even do more if you let me know ahead of time!)
What Size Paper Do You Use?
I usually draw on 12 × 18-inch paper, which gives me room to fit more people on one page. The larger artwork also puts on a better show for guests watching and waiting in line. We can discuss other paper sizes if your celebration calls for something different.
Is a Portrait of the Wedding Couple Included?
Yes. Every wedding package includes a color portrait of the couple drawn live at the wedding. Pre-drawn or separately commissioned portraits are available as an add-on.
Do You Offer Color for Guests?
Yes. Color takes longer, so it works best for more intimate celebrations or smaller guest lists. I use vintage Artstix, which are no longer made. They create beautiful dry color that doesn’t smudge or require space for a drying table.
Can Our Paper Be Personalized?
Yes. Personalized paper with your names and wedding date is included with the Signature and Grand Celebration packages. It can be added to the Intimate Celebration package, turning every wedding guest portrait into a keepsake from your celebration.
What Do You Need From Our Venue?
My setup has a small footprint and requires only enough room for my easel and three chairs. As your live wedding artist, I arrive fully prepared and bring everything else I need.
Can You Draw Outdoors?
Yes, as long as I have complete shade or cover and the temperature remains between 60 and 90 degrees.
Do You Do Themed Weddings?
Yes! I love doing them. Your sketches can complement fairy-tale, beach, Mardi Gras, holiday, movie-inspired and other creative wedding themes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THEMED WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT
What Happens if Our Guest Count Changes?
We’ll confirm your expected guest count before the wedding and make sure you have selected the best amount of drawing time and detail. Additional hours can be added when availability permits.
What Add-Ons Do You Offer?
Several add-ons are available to make your live wedding sketches even more personal. Popular options include additional drawing time, protective sleeves, custom-printed paper, a digital experience with live projection and emailed artwork, and personalized welcome or sign-in boards.
I can also create custom artwork to match your wedding theme or venue. For example, one bride requested the iconic Tybee Island lighthouse as the background for every guest’s drawing.
Do You Travel?
Yes. I travel throughout the Gulf Coast, including Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia, as well as destinations beyond the region. Travel fees may apply, and custom destination-wedding quotes are available.
How Do We Reserve Our Date?
A signed booking agreement and 50% retainer reserve your wedding date. Flexible payment plans are available at no additional cost.
ENTERTAIN THEM. DELIGHT THEM. GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO KEEP.
Give Them a Wedding Favor They’ll Never Forget
A personalized welcome board and sign-in keepsake in one, created for your guests to sign on your wedding day and for you to display in your home afterward.
Personalized artwork. Live entertainment. A piece of your wedding story they can take home.
I book only one wedding per day, and popular dates fill up quickly. Tell me a little about your celebration below, and let’s see if your date is available.
Styles and Pricing