Live Wedding Illustration : A unique and interactive guest experience!

February 2, 2022

Searching for a unique interactive experience for your wedding or special event? A live illustrator will give your guests the VIP treatment, while transforming them into fashion illustrations on the spot. Think photo-booth, but more personalized!

Having live art at an event is such a special way to thank your guests for coming, while celebrating their personal style. Everyone has a lot of fun posing for their sketches and watching them come to life.

As a live illustrator, my role is to sketch people in the beautiful outfits they put together for the event, and to help them create a lasting memory.My sketches are done in inks and markers. Each sketch’s paper is branded with the event name and date, and is the perfect take home piece.

Live event illustration is becoming increasingly popular and is an creative way to give back to your guests, and provide some extra fun and entertainment for them during your reception.

Submit your event request here!

Here are photos from some of the beautiful weddings, bridal showers, and engagement parties I’ve sketched at in 2021!

Tamsen Fadal and Ira Bernstein wedding illustration by Deanna Kei

Tamsen and Ira’s Wedding, 620 Loft & Garden, New York, NY

Paige and Kyle’s Wedding, The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station, NJ

Cindy and Brendan’s Wedding, TPC Jasna Polana, Princeton, NJ

Vanessa’s Bridal Shower, Garden, Long Island, Ny

Brittany’s Bridal Shower, Molos Restaurant, Weehawken, NJ

Jaclyn and Brian’s Engagement Party, Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, NY

Juliet and Ankur’s Wedding, The Imperia, Somerset, NJ

Lauren’s Bridal Shower, Cock and Bull Restaurant, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA

Now booking 2022 & 2023 events!

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations and wedding favors. She’s available to book for live events in NY, NJ, and PA, and is also available for travel upon request. *To book live art for your event contact deannakei@gmail.com , or submit an event request here.

8 Reasons you should book a live Illustrator for your next event!

April 16, 2021

Event illustrators are becoming more and more popular in the US and it’s no surprise! They add an element of excitement to any event: public, corporate, or even private!

A live event illustrator is an artist who creates stylized sketches of guests at an event. Each sketch is drawn in just a few minutes, and comes together right before the guest’s eyes. Attendees have fun watching as the artist brings them and their friends to life on paper.

Live artists are perfect for Brand activations, Experiential marketing events, Product launches, Grand openings, Corporate parties, Employee appreciation events, Weddings, Sweet 16’s, Bridal showers and more. *Live Illustrators can elevate virtual events too!

Here are 8 ways booking a live illustrator will take your event to the next level!

1. Your audience will be entertained.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Tommy x Zendaya Event

This is especially perfect for events where there will be down time. Guests will enjoy being drawn with their friends and will have fun watching themselves be turned into art. There’s always a crowd of spectators around the illustrator’s table.

2. Its an ice breaker.

Guests will have fun showing each other their sketches and striking up conversations!

3. It will give your guests the VIP treatment.

Your guests will feel like a star as they pose for their sketch and are turned into a unique work of art. They can even be drawn onto the red carpet or a custom background you’ve chosen specifically for your event.

4. Your guests will feel connected to your brand or event.

Sketches can be branded with your logo and date. You can even opt to have the illustrations showcase your new product. *For fashion collection launches, consider having guests drawn wearing an item from your new line that they choose! ~ Or at grand openings opt to have your guests drawn with their purchases.

5. Guests will receive their sketch as a take home gift.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Marriott Bonvoy Event

The illustrations double as entertainment and a party favor that they can frame to remember the event. While other marketing materials from your event may be tossed, this is one your guests will cherish.

6. It will set your event apart.

Having live art will really enhance your guest’s experience. Live artists are a unique and interactive addition to any event.

7. A live virtual artist is the perfect compliment to a virtual event.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Pearl Fisher Virtual Event

Your guests can enjoy chatting with each other while watching as the artist silently sketches them in a side window.

8. You’ll surprise your guests.

Hiring a hidden illustrator for your virtual event gives your attendees an fun surprise when the artist reveals portraits of them at the end of the chat!

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations, highlighting each of their personal styles. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events and is available for travel.

Deanna has illustrated for Fashion Week Events, Product launches, PR Events, Conventions, Corporate Parties, and Private parties.

View her list of clients here.

View her Live event illustration portfolio here.

Contact deannakei@gmail.com for inquiries, booking, and travel requests.

Having or Attending a Wedding soon? Here's what's trending for dresses!

May 13, 2019

Spring is a beautiful time to have a wedding (and a great season to attend one!). Spring 2020 is looking especially promising with it’s gorgeous selection of elegant new Bridal gowns from the top Bridal Designers.

With so many unique options, choosing the perfect dress can become quite the challenge. To help you out in your selection, I’m going to give you a run down of a handful of Spring 20 ‘s top Bridal Gown trends, straight from the New York runways of Bridal Fashion Week. Even if you’re not currently searching for that once-in-a-lifetime dress, you can still take away many of these key trend points that will carry over into wedding guest dresses and even Ready-to-Wear fashion for next Spring!

Ready? Here we go!

Soft Belted A-Line - Oscar De La Renta S2020

This first dress is a delicate romantic look from Oscar De La Renta. The bodice of the dress has a deep V neck with scalloped edges. It has a sashed waist for flattering definition and then it opens up into an A-Line skirt. My favorite part about the design of this dress is the balance between the embellished florals, sequins and beading, and the clean, un-decorated hem. Although the top of the dress is heavily garnished, it blends together well with the simplified bottom for an overall effect that is both light and airy. [Fun note: Brides.com cited this dress as being 280 hours of work!]

Tiered Combo - Zuhair Murad S2020

Elegant lace with a scalloped edge frames the deep V neckline of this Zuhair Murad gown. There’s a sashed waist which acts as a meeting point for the dress’ two moods. Sheer, ruffled tiers of tulle overlay an opulent lace column skirt.

Volume sleeves and Cape - Anne Barge S2020

This Anne Barge dress is the perfect statement gown. It’s off-the-shoulder volume sleeves blend into a floor-length cape. It’s embellished with a floral lace motif and scalloping along the hemline. This dramatic look is somewhat reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s Valentino gown from the 2019 Golden Globes.

Structured Softness - Lela Rose S2020

With its high-neck lace overlay, and sheer lace sleeves, this Lela Rose dress is already quite unique from the others in this trend report. It’s embellished corsetted bodice extends over the hips for a controlled waistline and then relaxes into soft mini-pleats. That’s not even the best part—can you believe this dress actually has pockets?! I haven’t met a bride yet who didn’t wish her gown had pockets.

Draped Minimalism - Oscar De La Renta S2020

I included two Oscar De La Renta gowns in this report because they were both so different yet each beautifully designed. This second dress has a clean, classic, draped silhouette with a high slit and a long train. Again, the waist is defined but the cross over top and asymmetrical skirt give it a ‘mock wrap dress’ look. Although this gown lacks the typical bridal lace or beading, its precise drapery adds the perfect amount of interest for the Bride who wants effortless elegance.

Victorian Romance - Vera Wang S2020

This Vera Wang gown was my favorite to sketch. In fact, I loved Vera’s entire 2020 collection and suggest that you check it out on Vogue. This particular gown has a cream white top with an opaque dusty warm-grey tulle skirt. Vera Wang often strays from the traditional white bridal gown and this ethereal piece is no exception. The tulle skirt is draped and collected at the hip. A pink silk rose adorns it. The right strap if this dress is decorated with soft, grey layers of chiffon. The thin straps drop into a plunging V neck.

Spring 2020 Bridal Trend Summary

In case you gotten too caught up in all of the beautiful dresses, here’s a summary of the main Spring Bridal Trends covered in this report.

Deep, plunging V necks
A delicate balance of opposites:
- Volume & Defined
- Heavily decorated & Clean
Soft floral lace and beading
Sheer layers
Waist definition
- Sashed, bowed, or belted
- Cinched, seaming and corsetting

Do you have a favorite trend? Is there one you’d never wear? Which of these dresses would you try on? —and how much do you love dresses with pockets?!

I’d love to hear! Tell me in the comments or send me an email!

Also, check out my new custom Bridal collection - perfect for the bride-to-be that wants a unique, personalized wedding experience.

Deanna Kei is a NY based Wedding, Fashion and Beauty Illustrator. To commission illustrations for your special day please write to deannakei@gmail.com