My 2026 wedding season kicked off with a beautiful afternoon at Hawkstone Hall & Gardens, creating live illustrations for Rhianne & Hayden's guests.
And what a way to start the season.
Hawkstone Hall is one of those venues where you really don't need to look very far for inspiration. Set in the Shropshire countryside, the Grade I listed hall combines historic character with a distinctly luxurious feel, surrounded by extensive grounds and gardens.
A shorter wedding illustration booking
This was a four-hour live illustration booking, making it a lovely example of how you don't necessarily need an illustrator there for the entire wedding day.
A shorter afternoon booking can work particularly well if you'd like to have live illustration during a specific part of your day — for example, your drinks reception or afternoon celebrations.
Rather than having the illustrator there from morning preparations until the evening, you can focus the booking around the part of the day where you want your guests to enjoy the experience.
Live illustration at Hawkstone Hall
Hawkstone Hall has a number of distinctive spaces, from its chapel and ballroom to the Saloon and Winter Garden.
For an illustrator, venues like this are particularly lovely because there are so many beautiful surroundings and details to draw inspiration from.
But the illustrations aren't really about drawing the venue itself.
They're about the people in it.
Guests come over throughout the booking and I create their personalised illustration, usually while they're enjoying the rest of the wedding around them.
It's a relaxed experience that doesn't require everyone to stop what they're doing at the same time.
Why a four-hour package can work
If you're considering live wedding illustration but don't necessarily want a full-day booking, a shorter package can be a great option.
You can concentrate your illustration time around the busiest part of your reception, giving guests something to do while they mingle.
It's also a good option if you're working with a particular wedding budget but still want to include something that feels a little more luxurious and unexpected.
Starting wedding season at Hawkstone
Hawkstone Hall was a brilliant venue to start the 2026 season.
It also reminded me why I love working at different venues - every wedding brings a completely different atmosphere, and every venue has its own character.
If you're planning a wedding at Hawkstone Hall & Gardens and are looking for something personal for your guests, live wedding illustration could be a lovely addition to your day.
