A Personal, NY Mountaintop Micro Wedding
You don’t need to have a big wedding to prioritize guest experience. In fact, sometimes small weddings are the most memorable because you can be more intentional about creating a unique experience for your friends and family! That was certainly the case for Dana and Nick’s NY micro wedding. I had the pleasure of providing live guest illustrations at their small wedding in upstate New York, and the deeply personal celebration has lived rent-free in my mind ever since.
A Small Summertime Micro Wedding overlooking the Hudson River
Dana and Nick knew they wanted to keep their nuptials small. They were very selective about who they invited, ending up with a guest list of about 60 people. Instead of hosting their wedding at a traditional venue, the couple found an adorable privately owned venue/Airbnb in the mountains of Upstate New York. They got ready inside, hosted the ceremony outside in the garden, transitioned to cocktail hour on the stone patio, and went back inside for dinner and dancing! The space was perfect for the small celebration, and each area provided a different view of the Hudson River and surrounding areas.
Because the ceremony took place on the top of a literal mountain, we had to take the wind into consideration. But besides that, the weather was incredible. Dana and Nick really wanted the wedding to feel relaxed and experiential, so they poured their time and energy into creating a wonderful atmosphere. Live musicians set the mood during cocktail hour, where guests enjoyed fun drinks, a branded selfie mirror, and—my personal favorite—the cutest parasols to keep the sun out of their eyes! The bride made the escort wall out of lace and florals in bright pastels that complemented the light pink satin bridesmaids dresses.
Then, of course, came the reception. As a live illustrator, I’ve gotten to hear many, many speeches. But there was something so special about the maid of honor and best man speeches at this wedding! I learned so much about Dana, Nick, and their relationship by hearing the stories from their childhoods. It became so clear to me that they are absolutely perfect for each other, and that their wedding was just the first chapter in a long and happy life together.
Live Illustration to Elevate Every Guest Experience
Because Dana and Nick opted for a smaller celebration, they were able to invest in some truly unique experiences for their guests—like live illustration! I provided live sketches for five hours, with five overtime sketches included in their package. They kept their illustrations simple, just adding their names and the wedding date in the top corner of the paper. Anyone who wanted a sketch could get one, and guests loved receiving a custom keepsake. This interactive experience was the icing on the cake for this beautiful, intimate NY micro wedding.
Whether you’re having an all-out bash or a simple, meaningful celebration, live illustrations are the perfect way to honor your guests and thank them for celebrating with you. My live illustration packages are completely customizable, meaning you can adjust them to best suit your event. Learn more about how live illustration works here, or inquire to chat directly with me! I can’t wait to hear about your celebration.
