Olly & Harriett’s Illustrated Bird Table Plan
For their wedding day, Oliver and Harriett decided on a theme that was both elegant and natural: birds. They envisioned a different species illustrated to represent each of their ten tables, creating a cohesive yet diverse look for their reception.
I was particularly excited to take on this commission for two reasons. First, I have a deep-rooted love for drawing animals. Before wedding stationery became the heart of my business, I curated a range of animal art prints sold online and at craft fairs. Returning to my signature fine liner and watercolor style—typically paired with bold, colorful backgrounds—felt like a wonderful "full circle" moment.
Secondly, the very first illustrated table plan I ever created was also bird-themed! It was a joy to revisit this subject matter and see firsthand how my style and technique have evolved over the years.
The Species List
The couple selected a diverse mix of birds for the ten tables:
Barn Owl
Canada Goose
Green Woodpecker
Grey Heron
House Martin
Kestrel
Peacock
Puffin
Ring-Necked Parakeet
Robin
The Creative Process: Balance & Detail
With any multi-illustration project, the biggest challenge is scale and consistency. I wanted to ensure that no single bird overpowered the others. By carefully managing the poses, patterns, and color palettes, I made sure the illustrations complemented one another as a unified set.
Sketching: I began with pencil sketches before committing to the final outlines in black fine liner. To ensure the proportions were perfect for the day, I sketched each bird on A5 watercolor paper—the exact size the final table signs would be.
Painting: I built up color, tone, and depth using watercolors, using increasingly smaller brushes for the fine details.
A New Approach: Interestingly, unlike much of my other work, I opted not to use colored pencils for additional contrast. I was so pleased with the depth achieved through the paint alone that I let the watercolours speak for themselves.
The Finished Suite
Once the illustrations were complete, I scanned them to create the digital layout for the seating chart. To keep the branding consistent, I paired the illustrations with the same fonts and styling used in Olly and Harriett’s Save the Dates and Invitations.
The final seating chart was a stunning A1 landscape design, mounted on a sturdy 5mm foam board. For the tables themselves, each bird was printed on A5 textured paper stock, matching the premium feel of the rest of their wedding stationery.
The finished digital design files for the bird themed table plan and matching table name signs.