🎨 Behind the Scenes: What It’s Like to Be a Live Event Artist at Luxury Weddings Around the World

From candlelit villas in Lake Como to rooftop celebrations in Beverly Hills, one thing is true across every destination wedding: couples want their day to be unforgettable. And in the world of personalised, high-end celebrations, live illustration is fast becoming one of the most sought-after wedding experiences.

As an international live event artist and fashion illustrator, I’ve captured hundreds of love stories and luxury moments in real-time — from Sydney to Santorini — blending timeless artistry with the magic of live sketching. Book here

✈️ A Passport-Ready Artist: Why I Travel for Love

I believe every love story is a work of art — and I’ll travel anywhere to help tell it. Whether you're hosting a private villa wedding on the Amalfi Coast, a fashion-forward elopement in New York, or a celebrity-studded celebration in LA, I’ll be there, brush pens in hand.

Live illustration adds something rare: emotion, elegance and entertainment, all wrapped into one experience your guests will never forget.

🖌 What It’s Like to Work With a Live Illustrator

1. Chic, Seamless Setup

At your wedding or luxury event, I create an elegant, minimal setup — a styled table or corner where guests can sit and be sketched in real time. I blend in with the event’s aesthetic, often working near a champagne bar, lounge area or outdoor terrace.

Guests love watching each illustration come to life — and they walk away with a custom keepsake, beautifully hand-drawn and ready to frame.

2. The Process: Fast, Fashion-Inspired, Flattering

Each portrait is drawn in under 10 minutes — a balance of speed and style, inspired by fashion illustration with a touch of personality. Think Vogue-meets-wedding-magic. It's a live experience, but it’s also high art.

🌍 Destinations I Work In (and Love!)

• Lake Como & Amalfi Coast – Romantic backdrops meet old-world glamour

• Beverly Hills & Los Angeles – For the modern, fashion-forward couple

• Paris & the South of France – Where fashion and fairy-tale weddings meet

• New York & Miami – Stylish city weddings with an edge

• Bali, Queenstown & beyond – Destination weddings with personality and beauty

If you're working with a planner, I’ll liaise directly with your team to coordinate timing, logistics, and location. I’ve worked with international venues and luxury event planners to make the creative side effortless. Book here

💌 Why International Couples Love This Experience

• Entertaining + Elegant: A chic alternative to photo booths or favours

• Truly Bespoke: Every sketch is original and tailored to the guest

• Memorable Takeaways: Artworks guests keep, frame, and talk about

• Instagram-Worthy: Guests love sharing their portraits online

• Luxury Feel: Elevates the tone of your wedding with creative flair

Whether it’s capturing the bride and groom, guests in glamorous looks, or candid cocktail-hour moments, live illustration brings storytelling and soul to your celebration.

Book here

📍 Booking an International Live Event Artist

Working internationally means I plan ahead — from flights to visas, accommodation, materials and timing. You’ll get a seamless booking experience from the first enquiry to the last sketch of the night.

If you're a couple, planner or luxury brand looking for an unforgettable detail, I’d love to be part of your vision — wherever in the world it takes place.

📩 Book here or email: info@madsfrancis.com to check availability for international events, or email me directly to discuss your destination wedding.

🎨 Behind the Scenes: What It’s Like to Be a Live Event Artist

From the outside, live event illustration might look like magic — one minute there’s a blank page, the next, a fully-formed fashion-style portrait. But what really goes into being a live event artist? What’s it like to draw in real time, in heels, surrounded by champagne flutes, speeches, and celebration?

At Mads Francis, I’ve sketched hundreds of guests, brides, and moments at weddings and events across Australia. Here's what it's really like behind the scenes.

☕️ The Morning Of: Calm Before the Sparkle

Every event starts long before I pick up my pen. I carefully prep each illustration surface, pack my materials (think luxury card stock, brush pens, markers, emergency double-sided tape), and do a final check of your colour palette or event aesthetic.

I also research the venue, the couple or brand I’m working with, and tailor my sketching style to fit the tone — whether it’s high-end bridal chic or fun and fashion-forward.

✨ Arrival & Setup: Blending Into the Party

When I arrive at a wedding or event, the goal is to seamlessly blend into the atmosphere. My setup is minimal and stylish — think elegant signage, clean workspace, and often, a front-row view of the action. I introduce myself to the planner or couple, go over the timeline, and get a sense of how the day is unfolding.

🎉 During the Event: Drawing Fast, Feeling Everything

This is where the magic happens. I capture guests in real time — their outfits, their movement, their energy — and sketch each one within 5–10 minutes. It’s not just about drawing, it’s about reading the room: making people feel seen, celebrated, and a little bit fabulous.

People often hover, watch the process, and chat. Some laugh, some tear up when they see their portraits — it’s incredibly personal, and it’s why I love what I do.

💬 Guest quotes, reactions, and candid moments are all part of the experience.

💌 The Keepsakes: Art That Lives On

Each guest walks away with a high-quality, hand-drawn keepsake. Unlike photo booths or digital snapshots, live illustration has tangible, lasting charm. Guests often frame their sketches, post them online, or gift them to loved ones — turning a moment into art.

For couples or brands, it’s a way to immortalise the vibe of the day in a way nothing else can.

🎨 The Artist’s View: What You Don’t See

Being a live event artist is creative — but also deeply physical and emotional. It means standing for hours, smiling through nerves, drawing under pressure, and navigating all kinds of lighting and chaos. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.

I get a front-row seat to people’s joy. I witness real love, real celebration, and real reactions — and I get to turn all of that into artwork.

👰 Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely — if you love people, fashion, fast-paced work, and storytelling through art. It’s not just about illustration, it’s about connection, emotion, and creating unforgettable moments.

If you're planning a wedding, luxury event, or brand activation, and want something truly unique — live event illustration might be the magic touch you're looking for.

📍 Book Mads Francis for Your Next Event

Whether it’s a Sydney wedding, a Melbourne brand launch, or a luxe hen party, I bring custom, live artwork to events across Australia.

📩 [Contact me here] (insert link) to check availability, or follow along on Instagram at @madsfrancis for behind-the-scenes reels and sketches in action.

In the age of personalised experiences and Instagram-worthy moments, couples are always searching for ways to make their big day stand out. Enter: live wedding illustration — a modern, luxurious, and unforgettable form of entertainment that’s fast becoming a must-have for stylish weddings across Australia and beyond.

Whether it’s capturing guests in their outfits, live-sketching the bride and groom, or adding a creative flair to your event, live illustration is more than a trend — it’s an experience.

✨ What Is Live Wedding Illustration?

Live illustration is exactly what it sounds like: a professional artist attending your wedding or event and sketching scenes, guests, or special moments in real-time. Think of it as a cross between keepsake creation and live entertainment — equal parts elegant and interactive.

At Mads Francis, we specialise in fashion-style live wedding illustrations, blending bold lines, vibrant colours and a signature touch of fun to create one-of-a-kind artwork your guests will literally take home.

💌 Why Couples Are Choosing Live Illustration

1. It’s Personalised and Unique

Every sketch is drawn by hand, on the spot, in response to the people and moments unfolding around us. No filters, no presets — just a truly bespoke piece of art. Whether it’s Grandma tearing up during the vows, or your bestie’s epic reception look, these are the kinds of moments that deserve to be remembered forever.

2. Guests Love It

Live illustration is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Guests love watching their portraits come to life and take home their very own piece of the day. It becomes a talking point — and a beautiful memento that won’t end up in the back of a drawer.

3. It’s Modern Meets Timeless

While live sketching is a throwback to old-world artistry, the results feel fresh, fashion-forward and elevated. At Mads Francis, we combine traditional hand-drawing with a contemporary aesthetic perfect for modern weddings, high-end events and luxe celebrations.

4. Doubles as Entertainment & Gifting

Live illustration does more than capture your day — it adds to the experience. It entertains your guests during cocktail hour, fills quiet moments, and gives them something tangible to remember it by. We like to think of it as art-meets-favour.

📸 Live Illustration vs. Photo Booths

Let’s face it — photo booths have had their time. While fun, they’re often clunky and can feel out of place at a more refined event. Live illustration is the chic alternative: subtle, stylish, and way more personal.

🖌 What We Offer at Mads Francis

• On-the-spot guest portraits

• Couple or ceremony sketches

• Custom stationery or signage art

• Fashion-style keepsakes guests frame forever

We work across weddings, engagements, hen parties and luxury brand events — bringing the signature Mads Francis style to wherever the story is unfolding.

💍 Why It Belongs at Your Wedding

Because your wedding isn’t just a party — it’s your story. And stories deserve to be told creatively, beautifully, and personally. Live illustration adds that extra layer of emotion and magic that your guests will be talking about long after the day is over.

✨ Ready to Make Your Wedding Unforgettable?

If you're planning your dream wedding and want to offer guests a truly personal experience, let’s chat. Mads Francis Live Illustration is based in Australia and available for bookings across the country (and beyond!).

📩 Contact us here or email: info@madsfrancis.com to secure your date — and let’s create something beautiful together.

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