Custom venue illustrations can be a beautiful addition to wedding invitations, adding a special and unique touch to the design. Handcrafted illustrations possess a certain liveliness and charm that can complement a wide range of design styles, making them a popular choice among couples.

Located in the picturesque town of Coldstream, Victoria, Stones of the Yarra Valley is a stunning wedding venue that boasts a range of reception options and a beautiful on-site chapel. The chapel, with its rough-rendered exterior, tall stained glass windows, and vine-covered walls, exudes a romantic and intimate ambiance that is ideal for wedding ceremonies.

When creating an illustration of this venue, I've worked to capture the unique details that make it so special. In addition to highlighting the beautiful features of the chapel, such as the vine-covered walls, I also incorporate elements of the winery's lush surroundings, including the majestic oak tree and vineyard, to provide context and depth to the illustration. This attention to detail allows me to create custom illustrations that showcases the beauty of the venue.

The Hannah design with the Stones of the Yarra Valley illustration

Creating the illustration

Each of my venue illustrations is meticulously crafted by hand using pen and ink on paper. I begin by sketching the initial outlines with a pencil, after which I work over them with pen to bring out the finer details. My drawing style is characterized by a high degree of detail, and I take great care to create a sense of form and depth in the building and the surrounding scene.

One of the hallmarks of my style is the use of tones to add depth and dimension to the image. This can be seen in the way that I have incorporated the tree and hedges surrounding the building in this particular illustration. I find that incorporating elements of greenery and surroundings into my illustrations adds a sense of context and depth, which helps to ground the building and give it a more realistic feel. I take great pride in my work and strive to create illustrations that are not only beautiful, but also capture the essence of each unique venue.

Creating the original illustration.

Once completed, the drawing was scanned and converted to be suitable to use in the design. The initial ‘proofs’ on the press are always exciting, as this is when the letterpress detail is first revealed.

Using the illustration

For the ‘Hannah’ design style, I’ve incorporated the Stones of the Yarra Valley illustration into the Invitation, Save the date and Wedding Program designs. On the invitation it sits mid-text, while on the Save the date it is placed at the top of the design. Either placement looks great, and this is a matter of personal preference and can be changed.

The illustration used in the Hannah design Save the date.

The illustration used in the Hannah design Invitation.

Drawing edits or changes

The drawing can be edited, for example the drawing can be cropped tighter to ‘zoom’ in a little more, or winter weddings might like to omit the oak tree. Anything goes really! Just get in touch if you’d like to discuss the options in more detail prior to ordering.

Other illustrations

Illustrations can be of your ceremony or reception venue, the view or surrounding landscape, a significant landmark or perhaps even a place of meaning to you as a couple. Anything goes really! I've created drawings of old churches, hillsides, islands, boats and vistas, and all work equally well. Feel free to contact me with your venue details and ideas before requesting a quote to see what might be possible.

Commission a Custom Illustration

A custom illustration can be a beautiful way to personalise your wedding invitations, save the dates, information cards or programs. Custom illustrations can be added to any of our suites, not just those that feature a sample venue illustration. Pricing begins at $60 for a custom venue illustration. To begin, we recommend getting in touch to discuss your illustration ideas and options for your suite as well as to receive a quote. If your subject is suitable, there may be some discussion about the important elements to include or angle you'd like to see in the design. Note that I normally like to capture buildings from oblique angle as this adds depth and form.

We offer a number of invitation suites which feature venue illustrations as an integral part of the design style. However, you can also add a venue illustration to any of our suites. You can also use the illustration on different pieces - Information cards, Save the dates, Custom Maps, Menus, Program Covers - the options are endless. See our Illustrations page for more information and examples.