Every now and then we come across someone, or something, really special in the bridal universe. And that’s just how we feel about Jennifer Hancock. The lifelong artist, illustrator and designer, who loved drawing princesses as a child, now makes brides feel like princesses, with her beautiful custom bridal illustrations.
Here’s how it works: You visit Hancock’s Etsy shop, The Illustrated Bride. You “ooh” and “ah” at the lovely bridal gown illustrations, thinking to yourself, “Wow, I would LOVE one of these!” You place your order—which at about $130 a pop is an amazing deal—and Jennifer e-mails you requesting photos of you in your bridal ensemble, either from your wedding day or from a bridal photo session.
She’ll ask you to make sure your photos provide “a clear view of design details such as seams, lace, and intricate beading,” along with accessories like jewelry, footwear and your veil. “The illustrations are completely customizable,” Jennifer explains. “I choose a pose based on the bride’s favorite part of her dress or accessory.” Oh—and while Jennifer’s wedding dress illustrations usually skip the facial features, in the tradition of fashion sketches, if you want more of a “portrait” look, she can add facial features at no extra cost. Turnaround is about two weeks from the time she receives your last photo to the time she ships your finished work. Shortly after that, you receive your beautiful, unique, original, keepsake 8X10 illustration, to display as you wish. Though, for her part, Jennifer says, “I enjoy the thought of an illustration hanging as a conversation piece, or in a child’s room, having been passed down through generations.” Can’t you just picture it?
Got a good friend who’s planning to wed, and access to a few of her bridal photos? Jennifer’s custom illustrations make really amazing gifts, too!
OK, here comes the fun part: One lucky Houston bride will WIN a beautiful custom bridal gown illustration from The Illustrated Bride. To enter just e-mail us your name, fiancé’s name, wedding date and Houston-area wedding venue. Entries must be received by Friday, April 6. Winner will be notified by e-mail and announced on Facebook.
Good luck!
