When planning live entertainment or guest favors at weddings or upscale events, it’s easy to confuse fashion illustration with caricature art—but they’re actually very different experiences. While both involve drawing your guests live, the style, tone, and end result can vary a lot depending on which you choose.

Okay, real talk: once the big-ticket wedding items are locked in (venue, catering, DJ, photographer, videographer, glam team, and of course—the outfit), some couples are surprised to find they have a little wiggle room left in the budget. If that’s you, first of all, YAY! But now you might be wondering... where should that extra cash go?

This one was something special, my friends. On April 29, 2025, I packed up my brushes and joined an insanely fun styled shoot at The Venue at Pelican Brewing in Pacific City, Oregon. The theme? Orchard in Bloom. Think rainbow fruit, breezy florals, and a splash of coastal charm—all inspired by those colorful Lenox plates you might've seen on your grandma’s fancy shelf (but make it modern wedding).

March 9th was one for the books—a wedding filled with love, laughter, and live artistry as I had the absolute joy of painting live watercolor guest portraits for Julia and Jesse’s big day. Their venue? The breathtaking Epping Forest Yacht Club in Jacksonville, a place so enchanting it felt like a cross between a fairy tale castle and The Princess Diaries mansion.

The event was a volunteer recognition night hosted by ASPET (American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics) in Portland’s Pearl District. I had my little watercolor station all set up at Hunt & Gather Catering, ready to create portraits.

Weddings are about love, celebration, and—let’s be real—making unforgettable memories. But beyond the gorgeous florals and delicious food, what makes a wedding truly stand out? The experience. Couples today aren’t just looking for a beautiful event; they want their guests to have a unique, interactive, and meaningful time. That’s where live art and personalization come in.

Choosing the perfect spot for live watercolor guest portraits can make a big difference in creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for your guests. In this blog post, I’ll tell you how to select the ideal location at your venue to ensure your live portrait station is a hit!

Fashion illustration is a cool and creative way to show off clothes and accessories. Unlike real-life drawings, fashion illustrations often exaggerate features to make everything look more stylish and exciting. That’s why I think I love it so much and how it lends itself to weddings and events! Let's dive into the world of fashion illustration and see how it's different from realistic proportions.

After spending over 1.5 years trying to figure out the business side of wedding calligraphy, Monstera Gold’s Pro Wedding Calligrapher Course was the game changer I needed to turn my passion into a successful business, all while balancing my 9-to-5 job and family life.

Ever wondered what goes into creating those stunning live watercolor guest portraits you see at weddings and parties? Well, in today’s blog I’ll be giving you a behind the scenes look. Let's take a peek behind the curtain to uncover the magic and artistry involved in bringing these unique keepsakes to life—obviously from my point of view!

Okay, so imagine the sun setting over Napa Valley’s beautiful vineyards, the air filled with the sweet scent of grapes, and the happy sounds of your loved ones celebrating your special day. Napa is already a dreamy place for a wedding, but what if you could add something truly special that your guests won’t ever possibly forget? Enter live portraits – a unique and personal touch that your guests will remember.

Let’s talk about live watercolor guest portraits, one of the hottest and most popular trends hitting the wedding industry in 2024! What are live watercolor guest portraits? In short, an artist—like myself—shows up to your wedding to create small pieces of art, using your guests as the subjects of said art! The artist will sketch and paint your guest’s likeness in real-time throughout the night so that they can leave your event with a piece of art to frame and cherish.