For this recent commission, I had the pleasure of creating a bespoke pair of illustrations — a menu and an invitation — for a luxury event planner preparing a beautifully detailed, floral-inspired celebration. This project is a perfect example of how illustrated event menus can elevate an event’s visual identity, adding artistry, personality, and cohesion to the entire experience.
Bringing the Event Palette to Life
The brief centred on creating artwork that reflected the decorative palette of the event itself. Soft, elegant florals were woven throughout the design concept, and these motifs became the foundation for the illustrations. I built a series of hand-drawn floral elements to frame each piece, creating a border that feels both organic and intentional — a nod to the floral designs planned for the tablescape and wider décor.
The illustrated floral border is more than decoration — it’s storytelling. It sets the tone before guests even arrive at the event, giving them a preview of the aesthetic, palette and atmosphere. These floral elements were adapted directly from the planner’s design direction, ensuring that the printed pieces fit seamlessly into the wider event scheme.
Handwritten Script for a Personal Touch
To complete each piece, I incorporated hand-drawn scriptive writing to present the invitation copy and full menu details.
This handwritten layer gives the artwork warmth and intimacy, turning practical event collateral into keepsake-worthy pieces. The script was designed to complement the softness of the florals and echo the elegance of the event styling.
Why illustrated Event Menus matter
Bespoke illustration transforms simple printed materials into something memorable. With illustrated event menus, you’re not just sharing information — you’re enhancing the event’s sensory story. Custom artwork creates cohesion across table settings, stationery, and décor, and helps guests feel fully immersed in the aesthetic world of the event. This project beautifully blends craftsmanship with creative vision — a collaboration where illustration becomes part of the event’s design architecture. From colour palettes to florals to the handwritten typography, every detail works together to celebrate the event’s unique identity.
For client privacy, a mock-up of the designed border is visible on this blog, but the information is holding text.