Hello! Sam here 👋🏼 . As your resident artist, I’m super excited to bring this topic to you so let’s chat beautiful options for your big day!

As we’re all aware, art comes in many styles. This can be more traditional like painting or in the form of food decoration or photography. Whichever is your preferred medium, art is a beautiful way to show self expression and style. Also, as more and more weddings focus on guest experience, this is great way to get creative and wow your guests. So let’s dive in to a few specific ideas:

1. hire a live painter

   This is the most obvious idea, as it concentrates on the traditional idea of “art”. You can hire an artist to come to the wedding and paint a scene from the ceremony, first dance, etc. They usually spend a few hours on it on site and then will finish it up back home in their studio. This is the perfect blend of a memento (for you as the couple) and experience as guests will love seeing this come to life throughout the night.

   Option number two, is a live guest artist. This is what I personally specialize in and guests absolutely LOVE walking away with a custom piece of art created just for them. I have an entire blog post going over how all of this works, so check that out here.

2. custom place cards

Piggy-backing off of the point above, getting custom place “cards” for your guests is another way to gift them something personal. I would say this is a better option for the rehearsal dinner or welcome party as opposed to the wedding, but that really depends on your guest count and budget. These cards or place settings can be anything from custom sketches to mini embroidered hoops to personalized letters. I personally love this option as it acts as the wedding favor as well instead of gifting something generic that they don’t want anyway.

3. Interactive guest book

I will scream this from the rooftops for the rest of eternity: SKIP THE TRADITIONAL GUEST BOOK. The likeliness of you reading it ever again after (maybe) your first anniversary is very low. So, why not have an option that you’ll actually be able to see and admire after the wedding day? Guest “book” ideas can honestly be giving people anything they can write on, but if you want to be able to display this with pride in your home afterwards, signing art is going to be the way to go. Such as: a custom illustration of the two of you with (or without) your date underneath on canvas or oversized paper with plenty of space for guests to sign around it (click here to learn more about this). Or even something special carved out of wood or etched on glass.

We also did a blog post on the many guest book alternatives. Click here to look into more options.

4. portrait photographer

This is a very new option that I am SO excited is starting to trend. Imagine instead of a photo-booth, you had an actual photographer taking family/couples photos in that cute little sitting/backdrop area you already know you’re going to have somewhere (or at cocktail hour!). Because there’s nothing like a professional making sure you look best in photos. Plus, the photographer would gather guests’ info to send them the photos post-wedding. Wins all around.

5. Get literal

For all my fellow creatives, this one’s for you. If you want a little nod to your artsy side, here’s a couple options:

1. Mini easels and canvases as table numbers

2. Pantone cards for your seating chart (or table numbers)

3. Hand-painted veil or dress/outfit

4. Grazing table with food on (unused!) paint palettes

6. Painted food

Don’t worry, it’s still edible! If you want a more “temporary” art direction then go for the cake. Watercolor cakes are absolutely gorgeous and can really bring a non-traditional, romantic vibe to the dessert selection. Not having a cake cutting moment? Get famous paintings replicated on a bunch of mini cakes!

7. get it on paper

When all ideas fail, you really can go all out relying on your paper goods. It’s a great way to kick off your wedding journey as the invite suite will be guests’ first peak into your style. Here’s a few options:

1. Get an illustrated map to introduce guests to your area for the weekend (especially if your weekend activities are split between multiple venues)

2. A watercolor or pencil drawing of your venue for the envelope lining

3. An illustration of the couple for the save the dates or thank you notes

4. Food illustrations for a buffet sign or individual menus

5. A custom drink sign for your signature cocktails

6. Chocolate cards aka a delicious chocolate bar inside a custom decorated card aka the sweetest take home favor for your guests. Shoot me an email to learn more and get a quote!

As I usually end most of my blog posts, I love reminding you that your special weekend or day is just that: YOURS. So make it as unique as your love with your partner and let your personality shine through art. I would love to know, which idea did you like best? Tell us in the comments below!

Happy Planning!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Custom wedding (specifically bride) illustrations were the very first custom offering I ever started created. It’s now grown into all sorts of custom illustration offerings including couples, friends, family, etc and I love offering all sorts of options so everyone can find what they’re looking for! However, when it comes to custom, the process can be a bit more confusing than simply buying an art piece and I get the same common questions over and over so let’s do an official FAQ on how to order a custom wedding illustration:

who are custom sketches for?

Literally anyone and everyone as art should be! The whole point of ordering a custom piece is to have something special that you can connect with before or after the wedding day. And they make great gifts as well because who doesn’t love something custom made for them? Here at SamiaLynn we are inclusive and not here to judge. No matter who you married or who you’re gifting to, everything is an option.

can you sketch [insert your idea here]?

It’s the number one question I receive and my favorite answer this always: “when you can draw, you can draw anything!”. If you have a specific art style in mind, I always ask for example photos so I can let you know whether or not that’s a style I can accomplish. If you love the way I draw already then I can draw you anything you’d like! This is your vision, I’m just here to make it happen

does it have to be an exact photo of what i want?

Absolutely NO! If you do have an exact photo you’d like me to draw, that’s amazing. However, most of my clients want to “build” their custom piece so aside from the people/pets/background you want to be the focal point, feel free to send me any inspiration photos, or photos for specific poses, clothing, scenery, etc. These photos also, by no means, need to be professional, but if you’re getting a sketch of any clothing that has a pattern or embellishment (lace, beading, etc) on it then I will need clear/close up photos. If it’s a wedding dress and you know the designer, you can always let me know and I will look up the gown if you don’t know the exact style number or name.

how does the process work?

Like I mentioned in the previous question, we’re building this piece together and go through it step by step! After you send over photos, descriptions, ideas, etc, I will work on a super rough draft for you to approve the layout. If we’re working through multiple ideas, I will send those over at the same time so you can pick which one you’d like to go with. From there I’ll send you the final lines and you’ll approve it or request changes before I fill it in with color and details.

What if i don’t know what i want?

That’s totally fine! I love bring a vague idea to life! We’ll just go over what you’re generally looking for, who you might be gifting it to, and your “why” behind the order. Talking it out always brings the right answer to the surface.

Can i pick the illustration size?

The default size for custom wedding illustrations are 11x14”, but all sizes are certainly available and are custom quoted so feel free to ask!

What is the turn around time?

For custom illustrations, an approval of the rough draft is required before I will complete the order and ship out. The faster the approval, the faster the completion. Typically, I can ship out within 1 week of the order, however, if I have a number of orders to complete it could take up to 2 weeks. First class USPS domestic US shipping is included in pricing which (depending on where it’s going) takes roughly 3-7 business days. Rush rates for both creation and shipping are available for an extra fee.

where can i buy a custom sketch?

I sell custom illustrations through my website and Etsy. Items available through samialynn.com are only shipping in the USA and Canada right now, but hopefully will go international soon! If you’re not in the US or Canada, or would like to ship elsewhere, you can purchase through my Etsy shop here

how do illustrations ship?

All regular sized illustrations are shipped in a plastic sleeve with chipboard in a non-bendable envelope along with a piece of cardboard for extra sturdiness to ensure the paper stays flat. All custom, non-framed illustrations come wrapped in tissue paper and ribbon. Orders larger than 11x14” are shipped rolled up in a tube. Option to add a free gift message if it’s being sent directly to the recipient!

i have more questions!

I’m always here for you! Just send an email to samantha@samialynn.com and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. Hope to hear from you soon!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn