Having a custom hand painted wedding jacket is the perfect way to tell your relationship’s love story! Whether that’s including subtle details in the design that just you and your partner know are there, or big bold features that you can show off to your guests, here are a few things to think about to get the design ball rolling…
1. The Meaning of Flowers
A lot of the work that I do revolves around flowers, which I adore-my phone camera feed is basically just photos of flowers from my travels! But if you delve a little deeper, each flower has its own individual meaning. For example, did you know that a red Camelia means ‘you’re aflame in my heart’ or that a dwarf Sunflower symbolises adoration?
How about opting for some flowers which represent yours and your partners personalities or what your relationship means to you?
Hand painted wedding jacket for Freya Rose of Freya Rose London. This design incorporated cherry blossoms: beauty and the passing of time, and pink roses which as well as being Freya’s name sake, are also representative of grace, happiness and gentleness.
2. Meaningful Locations and Destinations
Is there somewhere that’s important to you and your partner? Maybe it’s where you first met, got engaged, or even somewhere exotic that you’re planning a trip to together! I was privileged enough to work with a bride who got engaged in Salcombe in Devon and managed to get married there, against all odds, in 2020! It doesn’t have to be a main feature of the jacket, it could a sleeve detail or a skyline that only you know about as it’s hidden under the collar.
Stunning photography by Clare Kinchin I love that the design here is reflected in the landscape behind the bride.
3. Pet Portraiture
We got a rabbit at the beginning of this year and safe to say, I am OBSESSED. To the point that we even had an illustration of her on our wedding order of service, (sadly she’s too wild to be a ring bearer)! But why not include pet portrait in your wedding jacket design as well? Then even if they can’t be with you on the day you can wear their heart on your sleeve.
4. Wedding Wording
If you’re looking to keep a design quite simple but want to add in those extra special, subtle details, adding wording in a calligraphy or fun typography can be a perfect way to do this. Do you and your partner have a special song that you both love? Or maybe it’s some words from your wedding vows. One of my favourite projects that I have ever worked on included words written by someone incredibly special to the bride who had devastatingly passed on. I studied and copied their handwriting exactly so that she had a small part of them with her on the day.
This design was the ultimate challenge and I am so happy with the result! The bride to be wanted a fusion of Vegas style, 1920s glamour and chinoiserie to match back to her wedding theme. The ‘CRAZY’ has tiny bits of silver sparkle so that when this jacket is under the dance floor lights it’ll glow like a neon sign in Vegas.
5. Symbolism
A really nice way to look at this is to think of any in jokes that you and your partner might have. A good friend of mine always refers to her partner as a pug, and her other half calls her a French bulldog, ever since i’ve known her they’ve consistently bought each other cards/badges/soft toys that are either a pug or a French bulldog, cute I KNOW! So if I was designing for her, I would definitely suggest incorporating this into a jacket, it’s a huge part of their identity as a couple. Symbolism might mean something different for you, it could be crystals or tarot, it could be Harry Potter references or constellations! Being different is what makes love beautiful.
The sleeve detail on Grace’s jacket is two hats-each worn by her and her partner. They both worked for music festivals and that’s what they were wearing when they got engaged. This is a perfect example of making your design completely your own.
So that’s that!
You don’t have to include all or any of these in your jacket design but I think the best designs come from a real and truly meaningful narration of your love story. If you’re interested in any of the above or have any more questions about how to make your design fit in with the aesthetic of your day please do reach out, discussing your ideas is something I continue to cherish and a huge part of why I love what I do so much!