Miriam & Khaled | 19th April 2026
A Beautiful Walima Celebration at Ottimo House: Miriam and Khaled’s Live Guest Illustration Experience
There are some weddings that stay with you long after the day has ended, and Miriam’s wedding at Ottimo House, Denham Court was truly one of them.
This celebration was such a special milestone for Navia Mae Studio. It was our first big wedding in Australia this year, and what made it even more meaningful was how quickly everything came together. Miriam booked us just two weeks before the wedding, and from the very beginning, she was so warm, kind, and trusting with the whole process.
For her wedding, Miriam booked our Grand live illustration experience, which included 3 artists and 1 assistant/host. The booking was for 150 guest illustrations at Ottimo House, with a soft and elegant white and light green wedding theme, such a beautiful palette for a timeless celebration.
Our First Big Muslim Wedding Experience in Australia
Miriam’s wedding was also incredibly special because it was our first time attending and painting at a Muslim wedding as a full team. I had personally attended a Muslim wedding before, but for the rest of the team, this was a new and beautiful experience.
From the ceremony to the reception, everything felt so heartfelt, family-centred, and full of love. There was such a strong sense of community, celebration, and elegance throughout the day. It reminded us again why live illustration is so meaningful, it is not just about painting outfits or portraits, but about capturing people during moments where they feel happy, dressed up, present, and loved.
136 Guests Painted Live
On the day, our team painted 136 guests exactly.
With three artists working together and one host helping with the flow, guest photos, organisation, and interaction, we were able to keep everything smooth and enjoyable. For a large wedding like this, having a host makes such a difference because it allows the artists to focus on creating while guests are guided and looked after.
Each guest illustration became a little keepsake from the wedding, something personal, thoughtful, and beautifully tied to the atmosphere of the day.
The Couple’s Painting:
Alongside the guest portraits, we also created a special illustration of the couple.
Because I wanted to give their painting the time and attention it deserved, I brought the couple’s artwork back to the studio to finish it properly. After adding the final details and soft touches, I posted it to them two days after the wedding.
For me, the couple’s painting is always one of the most sentimental pieces. It becomes more than just an illustration — it becomes a memory of the day, the outfits, the emotion, and the beginning of their marriage.
The Sweetest Bride
Miriam is honestly one of the sweetest brides I have ever worked with.
She was so kind, appreciative, and genuinely loved my art style from the beginning. That kind of trust means so much as an artist. When a bride gives you the space to create and believes in your work, it makes the whole experience even more special.
Her wedding will always be remembered by our team as a beautiful first, our first big Australian wedding of the year, our first Muslim wedding together as a team, and one of the warmest celebrations we have had the honour of painting.
The Artists Behind the Wedding
For Miriam’s wedding, I was so lucky to have two beautiful Sydney-based artists with me: Jo and Danica.
Danica has been with me since last year, from one of our weddings held in Jamberoo, and she has grown into my senior artist. She understands my style, my standards, and the kind of guest experience I always want to create at weddings.
Jo is our newest artist and has been in Australia for eight years now, but honestly, she has been so impressive. She is incredibly fast to learn, calm on the day, and picked up the flow of a big wedding so quickly. For such a large event, having artists who are not only talented but also kind, focused, and easy to work with made such a difference.
Together with our assistant and host, Dale, who has been in Australia for three years, we were able to keep the guest illustration experience smooth, organised, and enjoyable throughout the wedding.
And the sweetest part, all of us are Filipinos, which made the whole experience feel even more special and close to home. 🤍
Thank you so much, Miriam, for trusting Navia Mae Studio to be part of such a meaningful day. It was truly such a joy to paint for you, your husband, and your beautiful guests.
With love,
Navia Mae Studio 🤍
