June is, of course, one of the popular months for weddings. Venue sites, wedding planners, caterers, deejays, floral arrangers, videographers and photographers comprise your traditional group of entertainment and service pros whose contributions to the event are critical to its success...and to the bride's ultimate satisfaction and happiness.

What isn't traditional at a wedding is what yours truly provides as an undervalued, value-added element: Caricatures.

Not that you never see a caricature artist at a wedding. It's just not the first form of entertainment that comes to mind. By either the bride or wedding planner.

But let's address any misgivings one might have about this uniquely customized takeaway for guests and the wedding party alike. It's too "honkey-tonk,," it's too "casual," it's too "frivolous," it's not "becoming" for a wedding...it all might dismissively be said.

Check out the video, above though...and note the sample reactions of guests and bridal party drawn on that particular evening at the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte.

Then, consider how caricaturing might apply along each of what I call the five "chapters" in the wedding process.

Start with, what else, the proposal.

Such as the assignment, below: to meet this couple in an urban park, where I arranged with the groom-to-be to surprise his fiance by drawing them...and then have him simultaneously propose to her as I drew him on one knee presenting an engagement ring to her.

P.S. She said "Yes."

The next use for caricature might be the Save The Date card that goes out to folks months before the wedding to let them know they're invited. Here are two I did -- one for a young couple, the other middle aged, celebrating their love a little later in life.

Next "chapter" is the celebratory gathering, usually weeks prior to the wedding where close friends and family honor one member of the couple with gift giving and well wishes. Such as at this bridal shower where the bride-to-be (in white) and one of her guests gathered at Cafe Monte for lunch.

Chapter 4 might be, such as at the wedding reception, a sign-in board. Below, two couples display a whimsical take on themselves with art that is generally mounted on an easel with an oversized, surrounding matte frame that allows guests to write their sentiments and well wishes. For posterity and a wonderful reminder for the couple to view and reflect upon that special day once they're "settled in," caricature art is a unique gift that keeps on giving.

Below, the couple, in color, are "first-timers;" the black & white couple renewed their vows, then displayed the art at their second reception go-around.

What's next is caricatures drawn of the guests, "live" at the reception. You can't beat the smiling faces everyone will exhibit when they take home their very own, individualized work of art. After all, you can't frame a slice of wedding cake...

Years later, there may be opportunity to have a "veteran" marriage re-acknowledged in the form of a caricature. Such as these two couples, below -- a later-in-life nuptials and the one with the cutting of the anniversary cake signifying 65 years of wedded bliss.

For more wedding caricatures and info, see the weddings page on my website.