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F.A.Q
How many live guest portraits can be completed during a wedding?
It depends on the chosen technique and the duration of the service, but also on a specific philosophy: at Laehui Studio, quality comes before quantity. Each face is rendered in detail so that every guest recognizes themselves in their portrait and cherishes it as a wedding keepsake, rather than viewing it as a mass-produced silhouette.For watercolors, allow 8 to 12 minutes per portrait so roughly 5 to 7 portraits per hour. For couples prioritizing a high volume of portraits, monochrome pencil sketches offer a great alternative that is faster and more budget-friendly: around 8 to 15 portraits per hour, still featuring detailed faces but without color.During a full-day service (7 to 8 hours), a significant number of guests are illustrated on-site—the vast majority in pencil. Any remaining portraits can be completed in the studio after the wedding (packages including studio finishing).The choice of technique, the level of detail, the guests' attire, and the wedding schedule all influence the final number of portraits, which varies from event to event.Please note: when a couple is depicted on a single sheet, it counts as two portraits, as each person requires the same amount of time and attention.
What kind of space do you need for the live wedding illustration session?
A table approximately one metre long, a proper-height chair with a back, and a shaded or sheltered spot if the setup is outdoors, ideally by a patio umbrella.
Laehui Studio adapts to every kind of wedding venue: château, vineyard, private garden, beach, reception hall, Provençal farmhouse, destination villa, or tented receptions.
Laury brings all the artist-grade materials, and only needs the space itself (table and chair).
How does the live illustration session unfold on the wedding day?
Laehui Studio arrives 30 to 60 minutes before the start of the session to set up. Your guests come whenever they like throughout the reception, pose briefly for a quick reference photo, then return to the cocktail or the dance floor. The portraits are painted on site and handed over throughout the day, signed and carefully dried. On request, it is possible to work entirely live, without a reference photo. Any portraits that cannot be completed on the day are finalized in the studio and mailed to the couple shortly after the wedding.
Do you travel outside the Basque Country and outside France?
Absolutely. Although based in Biarritz, most of Laury's weddings actually take place outside the Basque Country. She travels throughout France and across Europe as a destination wedding illustrator, with regular engagements in Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Toulouse, Paris, the Dordogne, Provence, Landes, and the Côte d'Azur, as well as internationally in Bilbao, Madrid, Lake Como, Tuscany, Mallorca, and beyond. Travel and accommodation are always included in the personalized quote.
How far in advance should we book a live wedding illustrator?
Laehui Studio strongly recommends booking 6 to 18 months before the wedding, particularly for peak-season weekends (June through September), which are often booked more than a year in advance. A few dates occasionally remain available last minute, so please feel free to reach out to check availability, whether your wedding is next summer or next month.
What is the difference between a live wedding illustrator and a wedding caricaturist?
Live wedding illustration at Laehui Studio stands apart through a fine art approach. Each portrait is treated as an original work of art, accurate, elegant, and true to likeness, rather than humorous caricature. It is a quieter, more considered practice, made for weddings where every detail has been thought through, where the couple cares about the same level of artistry in their entertainment as in their florals and their photography.
When does the live illustration session start ?
Typically before the ceremony or during the cocktail hour. Both options work well and it comes down to personal preference.
Starting during the welcome drink before the ceremony means some portraits are already finished by the time cocktail hour begins, so guests get to discover them right away — it adds an extra layer of excitement to the reception.
Starting at cocktail hour is the more popular choice, and some couples prefer it so that the live illustration comes as a complete surprise for their guests.
Laehui Studio is happy to adapt to whichever timing suits your day best. Some couples also choose to separate a full-day or premium package into two, to cover the farewell brunch for exemple. This is possible for a small additional fees upon request.
How does the detailed couple portrait work, and when will we receive it?
The detailed couple portrait, included in the full-day and premium packages, is created in the studio after the wedding, based on a photograph of your choice. Laury typically works from one of your photographer's images to capture you in your wedding attire, though she can also take her own reference photo on the day.
Once completed, the portrait is shipped directly to you at no additional cost, including international delivery for destination couples. If you prefer, it can also be painted before the wedding from the photo of your choice, and given to you on your special day.
How does Laehui Studio handle guest privacy?
Your guests' comfort and privacy come first. Laury never publishes photos or videos of guests without their consent. Out of respect for their privacy, she also chooses not film the popular "guest reactions" videos for social media. Laehui Studio does reserve the right to share photos of the finished illustrations, in which guests or the couple may be represented. If full discretion is required, Laury is happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Some couples simply ask that nothing identifiable about the wedding be posted, which is always respected.
Can live wedding illustration be given as a wedding gift?
Yes, absolutely. A live illustration session on the wedding day, or a studio illustration created before or after the event from photographs, can both be offered as a wedding gift. Laehui Studio also offers personalized gift vouchers, a thoughtful gesture particularly appreciated by family, wedding party members, and close friends who want to give the couple a truly exceptional keepsake. The amount and terms are defined on a bespoke basis, to match the project, and gift vouchers are sent digitally in a beautifully designed format ready to present.
How do I book a live wedding illustration session with Laehui Studio?
Visit the contact page of the site or write directly to laehuishop@gmail.com. To help Laury prepare a personalized quote as promptly as possible, please include the wedding date (day, month, and year), the venue or at least the name of the city, and the approximate number of guests if you would like to include live portraits. Laury will come back to you within 24 to 48 hours with a detailed proposal tailored to your project. Once the quote is approved, a deposit secures the date in the studio calendar.

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