What is your most memorable wedding?
I did live portrait illustrations for the wedding of Isha Ambani - the daughter of the richest man in India, in Mumbai. It was absolutely stunning... like a festival - millions of flowers, animated lit up displays, incredible live bands, a luxury buffet like nothing I've ever seen, dancers in costume, multiple magicians, and guests dressed in every colour of the rainbow, dripping with gold.
What about your business are you most proud of?
I'm self taught and have built my fast live illustration skills up over years of practice into a skill that is almost entirely unique and very hard to mimic.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Book your supplier early, especially if they're unusual! There are very, very few artists who can do live portraits that are both fast and beautiful, for example. Also, the quality and originality of the work is going to be more important in the long run than how local someone is, or saving a couple of hundred quid on their fee. You won't regret spending a little more when your guests frame and treasure their portrait instead of it being a temporary novelty from an amateur.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I find out what kind of illustrations they want - just guest portraits or some live illustration of the day itself too. I'm available to meet up and chat through options if required. Then I take a deposit and secure the date! On the day, I turn up about 90 mins early to get set up, and either illustrate the ceremony or wait for the reception to begin so I can start delighting the guests with live portraits. These become a pop up art gallery, and at the end of the day, guests take their portrait home.