What Is a Wedding Illustration Commission? (And Why It's So Much More Than a Portrait)

If you've stumbled across the phrase wedding illustration commission and found yourself wondering what on earth it actually means, you're not alone.

Most of us know what a wedding photographer does. We know what a videographer does. But commissioning an illustration? That's still a wonderfully unique way to celebrate your wedding day.

For me, a bespoke wedding illustration isn't about replacing your photographs. It's about creating a piece of artwork that captures the feeling, personality and style of your wedding in a way that no photograph ever could.

That's exactly why I created my Absolute Beginners package.

Whether you're planning your wedding, celebrating your first anniversary or simply looking for something beautifully different to hang in your home, here's everything you need to know.

Meet Absolute Beginners : My Bespoke Wedding Illustration Commission

Absolute Beginners is my bespoke wedding illustration package, designed for couples who want something completely personal and unlike anything anyone else owns.

It can be commissioned before your wedding, after your wedding, or even as a thoughtful first wedding anniversary gift. (After all, the first anniversary is traditionally paper – and what could be more fitting than an personalised wedding anniversary illustration?)

Unlike live guest illustration, Absolute Beginners doesn't require another supplier on your wedding day, making it a more budget-friendly way to invest in bespoke artwork. It also gives us complete creative freedom because we're not limited to a single moment captured during the celebrations.

This isn't about recreating a photograph stroke for stroke.

It's about celebrating your story.

How Absolute Beginners Began as a Wedding illustration Commission

Like many of my favourite ideas, this one began with a conversation, in my friends front room, one Friday evening, whilst listening to music.

A friend of mine was searching for the perfect first wedding anniversary gift for her husband, who happens to be completely music obsessed.

One of their weddings songs was David Bowie’s Life on Mars so I was inspired to name this after another Bowie song Absolute Beginners (bit of a Bowie geek here!) but the lyrics if you listen to them are just perfect for a couple in love as Bowie sings “But if my love is your love. We're certain to succeed.” Perfect.

Inspired by a First Dance Song

At the time I was creating a series of illustrations inspired by disco songs, (I’m a disco geek too) and she asked whether I could create a piece inspired by their first dance song.

Of course I said yes.

As I worked on the illustration, something clicked.

I realised this wasn't just a lovely anniversary present for one couple. It could become something incredibly special for so many others.

Every couple has songs that define them. Memories that only they understand. Little details that deserve to be celebrated.

That's where Absolute Beginners was born.

Why choose a Wedding Illustration Instead of Another Wedding Photograph

Don't get me wrong—I love wedding photography.

Wedding photographs capture moments

 Sure, you'll treasure them forever, and I'd never suggest replacing them, but enhance them with a custom wedding illustration.

As photographs and illustrations tell stories in completely different ways.

There are only so many wedding photographs that can be taken.

An illustration has endless possibilities.

Wedding Illustrations Capture Your Story

Want your handmade tiara to become the star of the artwork? Let's do it.

Want to include your fur-babies, a meaningful landscape, your favourite flowers or even a unicorn because that's perfectly you? Absolutely.

An unique wedding artwork gives us permission to celebrate your imagination as much as your memories.

Rather than documenting exactly what happened, it captures the essence of who you are.

How My Wedding Illustration Commission Process Works

One of the questions I'm asked most is whether couples need to know exactly what they want before getting in touch.

The answer is no.

Getting to know you

Every commission begins with a relaxed chat.

I want to hear about your wedding day, but more importantly, I want to hear about you.

What made your day feel special?

Which details mattered most?

Is there something about your outfit that made you feel amazing?

One bride told me her sparkly boots were her absolute favourite part of her outfit, so naturally they became a real feature within her illustration.

Those little details often tell the biggest stories, and should form a part of your wedding keepsakes.

Choosing the Right Photographs

This is something I hear all the time.

"I've got hundreds...how do I choose?"

My answer?

Don't.

Send them over. (At this point I would like to add that I do delete all photos after your wedding illustration from your photos is complete and I never ever share anything publicly without your permission.)

One of the things you're investing in isn't simply an illustration—it's my experience as an artist and my background in fashion design.

Creating Your Artwork Together

I'll look through your images and select the photographs that I know will create the strongest composition.

I'll then send you a selection of sample layouts, usually around four different options, so you can see the possibilities before I even begin the final artwork.

If you love the pose from one sample but the composition from another, we'll combine them.

If something doesn't feel quite right, we'll change it.

It's important to me that throughout the whole process you know you're commissioning something you'll genuinely love. Ami gives a great insight to the commission process in this blog post.

Painting Your Final Illustrations

Once we've refined everything together and you've approved the final composition, I begin creating your finished illustration.

And honestly?

The best part is hearing couples tell me they're blown away because I've noticed beautiful things about them they hadn't even seen themselves.

After many years of happy marriage, one couple said it’s the only wedding related item that still hangs in their home.

What Makes a Bette Love Illustration Different?

My background is in fashion design, and that influences every illustration I create.

For me, your wedding outfit isn't just clothing.

It's one of the most personal style choices you'll ever make.

It's probably one of the biggest investments you'll ever wear.

You've chosen every detail because it says something about who you are.

So why wouldn't we celebrate that?

Rachel aka Bette Love in fashion design studio

My illustrations are created in a fashion illustration style, which means they aren't about photorealism.

They're about movement.

Personality.

Style.

Confidence.

They're about capturing your essence rather than copying a photograph.

Flattery, Yes. Changing You? Never.

This is probably the most important thing you'll ever read about me and my

work.

·       I won't make you thinner.

·       I won't make you taller.

·       I won't add or remover curves

·       I won't change who you are.

Because beauty doesn't come in one shape, one size or one colour.

If your bright green hair makes you feel like yourself, I can't wait to make it shine.

If your tattoos tell your story, let's celebrate them.

If your velvet suit, colourful trainers or dramatic veil made you feel incredible, they're exactly the details I want people to notice.

My job isn't to create someone else.

My job is to celebrate you.

Celebrating Individuality Through Illustration

One of the biggest misconceptions I come across is that fashion illustration is somehow exclusive.

That it's only for celebrities. Models and Luxury brands. People who fit somebody else's idea of beauty.

I couldn't disagree more.

Fashion illustration is for every rocking couple who wants to celebrate their individuality.

It's for couples who don't see themselves represented in traditional wedding artwork.

It's for people who appreciate creativity.

It's for those who know their wedding wasn't about perfection—it was about being unapologetically themselves.

Whether you wore a traditional or colourful outfit, sparkly boots, leather jackets or something entirely your own, your style deserves to be remembered.

More Than Wedding Artwork—It's a Celebration of You

When I imagine one of my illustrations hanging in someone's home ten or twenty years from now, I don't just hope they remember their wedding day.

I hope they remember how they felt.

I hope they walk past it and smile.

I hope they tell friends and family the stories behind it.

I hope it reminds them that, for one incredible day, they stood in front of everyone they loved and celebrated exactly who they were.

And if that illustration also reminds them to carry a little of that confidence into everyday life—whether they're dressing up for a night out or simply heading to the supermarket—then I've done my job.

Because Absolute Beginners isn't just a wedding illustration.

It's a celebration of your story.

Your style.

Your confidence.

And everything that makes you wonderfully, unapologetically you.

Who Is Absolute Beginners Perfect For?

This package might be perfect if you:

• Want artwork that's completely unique to your relationship.

• Love the idea of celebrating your wedding beyond photography.

• Appreciate fashion, style and meaningful details.

• Want an original first wedding anniversary gift.

• Believe your wedding memories deserve to be displayed as art.

• Want an illustration that celebrates who you are—not who someone else thinks you should be.

Ready to Commission Your Own Wedding Illustration?

If that sounds like you, I'd love to hear your story. Every Absolute Beginners commission starts with a friendly chat, and together we'll create a piece of artwork that's every bit as individual as your love story.

I'm so excited to hear all about you, your style, your wedding, your love story.

Rachel x