My first destination wedding—what a ride! When Daniel and Lewis booked me for their big day at Château de Lerse, I couldn’t believe it. I’d only started Woo Illustrations a couple of months earlier, so when the booking came through, I was literally jumping up and down on the sofa, screaming, “We’re going to France!” My partner’s mum joined into the celebration too—it was that exciting.
Fast forward to the trip, and we decided to hire a car to explore the French countryside. Driving through those little villages was like something out of a rom-com—so picturesque and peaceful. But let me tell you, it wasn’t without its drama. My partner had a bit of a meltdown navigating one-way streets (yes, the wrong way) and adjusting to the whole “wrong side of the road” thing. Meanwhile, I was living my best life, snacking on baguettes and laughing from the passenger seat.
On the morning of the wedding, we arrived at the château, and wow—it was stunning. Think sunflower fields, vineyards, and the kind of place you’d dream of having on your Pinterest board. The vibe was amazing, and over 120 guests had gathered to celebrate. I set up my illustration station and got straight to work, drawing live portraits for the guests. Watching their faces light up when they saw their illustrations was honestly the best feeling ever. It made me so proud to know I was creating something they’d keep forever.
The day flew by in a whirlwind of speeches, music, and love. Plus, I got to work alongside some insanely talented creatives. Jo at Visual Love Story captured every moment with her beautiful photography, and YSD Media filmed the day so perfectly. Seeing them do their thing was so inspiring—it reminded me how lucky I am to work in this industry.
joannejacobs.co.uk - Photos
Of course, no trip is complete without a bit of chaos, and ours came in the form of The Beetle Incident. On our last day, as we were packing up in the cutest little house, a massive flying alien beetle-thing (seriously, it looked like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie) zoomed in through the window. Cue 20 minutes of total mayhem—screaming, shouting, and frantically trying to get it out. Eventually, I managed to shoo it outside, only for it to fly right back in seconds later. Classic. We survived, but it’s now one of those stories we’ll laugh about forever.
Before heading home, we took one last drive through the sunflower fields, soaking up the peacefulness of the French countryside. It was the perfect moment to reflect on what an incredible experience this had been—both for me personally and for Woo Illustrations. I felt so grateful to be part of such a beautiful celebration and to bring something unique to Daniel and Lewis’s day.
If you’re after something a little different for your wedding—a unique guest experience and personal keepsakes for everyone—I’d love to chat about how live illustration could be the perfect fit. Check out some highlights from this trip over on my Instagram!
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