A Parisian Love Story: Custom Wedding Table Plans
For their wedding table plan, Gaby & Mitch chose a Paris theme based on the location of their engagement. They wanted a different landmark or memorable moment from their trip there for each of the different tables, iconic places such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Disneyland Paris, as well as more personal memories, such as a bookshop and cafe they visited.
To begin the process I spent time researching the different landmarks they wanted to feature, looking at images online and from photos they shared with me. A key element of a successful table plan like this is ensuring each illustration has a similar size and shape so they fit together perfectly in the final design, maintaining visual consistency.
Starting the process, I first sketched out rough ideas for the best view of each landmark, focusing on how they would look cohesive as a set before agreeing on the final views with Gaby and Mitch. To ensure accurate proportions, I always find it helpful during the planning phase to break down the buildings into simple, clean geometric shapes before adding the unique details. Once satisfied with the pencil work, I moved on to inking in the details and outlines using a thin, minimal line, a deliberate choice knowing I would be reapplying and thickening these lines later to add depth and those essential finer details.
After completing the inking, I start applying the initial watercolour washes. I work through each of the illustrations, ensuring they all have the same amount of colour build up and depth, to make sure that when positioned together within the final design they will again all match, however with some of the lighter buildings that are a similar tone all over, such as Notre Dame and the Arc De Triomphe, I applied more of an all over coating the first couple of washes.
It usually takes 4 to 5 applications of paint and working in the colour details for me to be happy with how the images are looking and it’s at this point that I go back over the outlines in pen. This gives them a lovely crisp line and contrast to the watercolour tones. This also allows me to add in depth and detail by using a variety of different nib thicknesses. It’s at this stage that I think the illustrations really come together and look like the landmarks and scenes they are of.
The final stage of the drawing process is layering coloured pencils over the main areas of the illustrations. The coloured pencils are what truly make the drawing pop by adding contrast and details, but it’s crucial to have built up enough colour with the paints beforehand so the images don't look washed out.
Once the couple were happy with the illustrations, it was time to get them scanned in and used within the design for the table plan and table name signs, matching the fonts and style to the wedding invitation I’d previously created for them, as well as incorporating some of the soft, watercolour flowers to tie everything together.
I was really happy with how everything came together and how the finished illustrations looked within the different designs, telling the story of Gaby & Mitch’s trip to Paris, whilst still fitting in with the style and feel they wanted for their wedding.