Live Event Guest Portraits at the Mandarin Oriental
Live ink & watercolor guest portraits with the Boston Planners Dining Club & The Mandarin Oriental Boston to celebrate Chinese New Year
We had the honor of creating live guest portraits for a Chinese New Year–themed celebration hosted by the Boston Planners Dining Club at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston. Set against a backdrop of rich reds, layered textures, and thoughtful cultural details, the evening brought together some of Boston’s leading planners and creatives for an intimate industry gathering. Throughout the event, we created ink and watercolor portraits for guests, offering a refined, interactive element that complemented the festive atmosphere while giving attendees a meaningful keepsake to take home.
Chinese New Year celebrations are grounded in themes of prosperity, renewal, and good fortune, and the design of the evening reflected that symbolism in a refined, intentional way. Incorporating live guest portraits into a Lunar New Year event adds a personal layer to the celebration. As guests gathered and reconnected, their portraits became more than entertainment — each one a custom, hand-drawn work created during the evening itself. For planners organizing elevated holiday parties in Boston, live event portraits offer a thoughtful alternative to photo booths or standard branded favors.
For this event, we customized the portrait paper to reflect both the holiday and the venue. Each piece featured the Mandarin Oriental, Boston logo alongside a tailored red border inspired by traditional Lunar New Year colors. The result was subtle but cohesive — artwork that felt fully integrated into the event design. Incorporating venue branding into live guest portraits transforms them into event-specific keepsakes rather than standalone entertainment. For corporate holiday parties and themed celebrations in Boston, customized portrait details add a level of polish that aligns with a well-designed, luxury setting.
The Creative Team
Venue, Catering & Service: Mandarin Oriental, Boston @mo_boston. Florist: Blush and Bloom @blushandbloomfloraldesign. Photographer: Jill Person Photography @jillpersonphotography. Filmmaker: Adam Gorham Films @adamgorhamfilms. Graphic Designer: Ashley Elizabeth. Designs @aeweddinginvitations. Live Artist: The Live Sketch Co. @thelivesketchco. Dance Floor & Bar Wraps: Shout @gotoshout. Entertainment: Jordan Kahn Orchestra @jordankahnorchestra. Hair & Makeup: Styles by Callie & Sarah. Lord @stylesbycallie @makeupbysarah.lord. Rentals: Peak Event Services @peakeventservices. Content Creator: Big Day Besties @bigdaybesties. Linens: BBJ La Tavola @bbjlatavola. Chairs: Dez Collective @dez.collective. Cookies: By Merla @by.merla. Lighting: Sound Advice @soundadviceri
Planning a Boston Holiday Party or Corporate Event?
If you’re hosting a corporate gathering, industry dinner, or themed celebration in Boston, live ink and watercolor guest portraits offer an elevated alternative to traditional event entertainment. From customized portrait paper featuring venue logos to tailored color borders that reflect your theme, we design each detail to feel cohesive with the overall event aesthetic.
If you’re planning a holiday party at the Mandarin Oriental or another luxury Boston venue, we’d love to collaborate and create a portrait experience tailored to your celebration. Reach out to inquire about availability and custom branding options for your next event.