Hiring live painter Renée for your wedding — how it works, step by step
Hi! I’m Dutch live painter Renée. My style is romantic and realistic. I am specialised in detailed portrait artworks of couples, painted right there, live, during their wedding day.
You surely don’t get married every day (or don’t plan a wedding every day for your bestie), so I can very well imagine you’ve never hired a (live) artist before. In this blog, I go over how I work, and what you can expect — in 10 steps.
Before the wedding day
The ten steps are cut into three chronological parts: before, during and after the wedding day.
- You fill out the form for an availability check.
I will respond within two business days. If I’m not available, please consider an afterpaint — a commission painting, based on a wedding photo, made afterwards in the studio.
2. During a videocall, we meet, go through the options and wishes together. It’s important that it’s a match from both sides. At that moment, you really don’t need to have dotted all your I’s in terms of wedding planning; we can go through the choices you’ve already made, and sometimes I can include several packages in the same offer.
Sometimes, people ask me, whether they can prepare something for our conversation, but that’s not necessary. But here are two things you could check on beforehand, in case you would like to:
- View my portfolio and choose your favourite two or three paintings, what appeals to you most?
- Collect whatever information about your day you already have (venue, preliminary timeline, other vendors locked in)
I will draw up an offer afterwards, which is valid for one week. You’ve accepted and paid the retainer? Congrats, your booking is confirmed!
To avoid disappointments: don’t wait too long. If I don’t hear from you, your option expires.
3. About two weeks before your day, we get back in touch to finalise details and practical matters. We go over things like:
- The final timeline
- Are we going for a vertically or horizontally orientated painting?
- At arrival, where do I check in / who do I greet?
- Photographer (and optional videographer) contact details
During the wedding
4. I will arrive well in time, preferably 1–2 hours before the chosen moment, to set up my workspace and paint the first layers.
5. Enjoy! Be in the moment, experience your special day worry-free. I know which family member or wedding planner I can tap on their shoulder if I have a question.
When the chosen moment is here, I take photos and videos to base the painting on, for example:
- your entrance
- exchanging the rings
- cutting the cake
A mini-photoshoot to take reference material, tailored to your vision, is also an option. If your camera professional agrees, I’d happily join the loveshoot.
Will there be a photographer and/or videographer? I’d really like to check in with them on beforehand, so that we can work together.
During the day, you are welcome to come and take a peek, or maybe you’d prefer a big surprise later on?
6. At the end of the day I will present your live wedding painting! Will you note this moment in your planning? With the Same day-package, the artwork will be handed over and left at the venue, unvarnished. For example, next to other gifts, or safely wrapped in a box and put away in the wedding couple’s bedroom.
After the wedding
7. With the premium package, I put extra love and time into all the tiny details. The package includes a round of feedback after the day itself (‘can our dog be added?’) and a feedback round for the final small details once I’ve rendered the painting (‘can you remove that cloud?’). I send a photo at completion as a final check.
8. A premium artwork gets two protective varnish layers. If you live (somewhat) nearby, I prefer to come over to deliver the painting personally. Otherwise, the painting will be sent to you well-packaged as a registered, insured parcel.
9. Afterwards I will edit the montage video (if I’ve had the opportunity to record the process). This will be sent to you as a digital file. A nice way to look back!
Since more and more people are finding my work on Tiktok and Instagram, I’d love to share your painting there as well. But you can always see the montage video first, to check if it’s okay, before I post it online. Videos and photos of children are only published after specific permission.
10. Within a week after the date, you will receive the final invoice for the remaining balance. You will receive the certificate of authenticity afterwards as well.
Hope this helps! Would you like to see more info about my live wedding painting packages, prices, canvas sizes, maybe explore examples from my portfolio? Be sure to visit my page about live painting.
