Nine reasons to choose a live painting for your wedding
Are you planning your dream wedding and wondering how to make it even more special and memorable? One unique and enchanting option to consider is having a live wedding painter on board. A wedding is filled with priceless, emotional moments, and I capture that special day in a painting. But many people are still unfamiliar with the concept. That’s why I regularly share tips and information here.
In this blog, I’ll list a few reasons why you might consider booking a live wedding painter (though it’s not a necessity, of course, but it’s a lot of fun, in my very objective and independent opinion).
1. Preserving memories
You only get married once. Well, realistically, in today’s society, second or third weddings do happen. But it’s a significant day in your life when you declare your love for each other. It deserves to be preserved.
Every time you look at the painting, you’ll be transported back to your wedding day. It will find a special place in your home, keeping all the beautiful, positive memories of that day alive and well. A cherished, dear memento of the joy and love of your day. I always advise my couples to give the artwork a prominent spot in their home, like above the couch, in the hallway, or in the bedroom. I can certainly take your interior aesthetic into account, making sure the painting seamlessly fits your home in terms of style and size.
2. Entertainment, a unique experience
Live art is an engaging form of entertainment. During a tightly scheduled day, there are calmer moments when wedding guests enjoy taking a look. How’s it coming along? How far has the artist progressed? Some guests come to check for updates every hour. The painting comes to life right there. Art, especially art created live, always sparks enjoyable conversations. I’m used to people looking over my shoulder. I’ve been doing it for years, so my brushstrokes are steady and relaxing to watch.
3. A tangible souvenir right after the day
It’s not just any artwork that’s detached from you and can be found anywhere. It’s custom-made, especially for you. You don’t have to wait for weeks, as you would for a photo album or wedding video. Unless you prefer to have as many details as possible included, in which case you can choose the Premium package, and I’ll take it home to refine it further. The painting is easy to hang at home with the wire I attach to the back. Its originality is secured with a Certificate of Authenticity (an important document in the art world) that I sign and stamp. Perhaps it’s the start of your joint art collection?
4. Different from wedding photos, a bit of direct‘photoshopping’ with paint is possible
It’s not a one-to-one replica of a photo. I can make some adjustments, and I’m more flexible than a camera. For example, I can remove certain unwanted elements (like that not-so-pretty fence) and add other elements, such as pets that couldn’t attend the wedding or loved ones who recently passed away. I can also play with perspective and combine different moments. For instance, if you want the niece (the flower girl) to be in the painting, but she’s already in bed when I’m painting your first dance, I can use reference photos of her from earlier in the day.
5. Involving people close to you
With my medium and premium packages, it’s possible to immortalize more people than just the wedding couple. Children can, under my guidance, paint a few blades of grass, bricks, or flower petals themselves. It fosters interaction and engagement from guests in the process. People like to point at the canvas, take a picture of me painting, and enjoy seeing who and what details they recognise.
After the wedding, you can send thank-you cards to all your wedding guests with the painting on the front (I can arrange this printing for you).
6. You can look back with a video within a few days
A montage of the painting process. Something people enjoy watching, if my engagement on my TikTok account and Instagram is any indication. It’s a kind of behind-the-scenes look, as you have so much to do on your wedding day, with so many people to talk to. You can’t come to check on the progress of the painting at every moment, so this way, you can still see how the painting came to life.
7. Here for the vibes
Live wedding painting is a trend that’s becoming more and more popular. It adds flair and inspiration. It contributes to that special atmosphere, especially because it’s something extraordinary for many people to witness. It reminds them that it’s not just an ordinary day. Your wedding is worth immortalizing. Many people are still unfamiliar with the concept; often, the couples I paint for are trendsetters, and afterward, various family members and friends want their own painting.
8. A live wedding painting makes a great gift idea
Let’s be honest; isn’t it challenging to come up with a good gift for a couple? Simply putting money in an envelope is a dull and impersonal wedding gift. You can let your friends and family know that you’d love to have a painting of your wedding made. This way, they know their contribution will be put to good use. It truly adds something to the day itself, and you can enjoy it for a long time.
Also handy if it no longer fits into your own budget. There’s no limit to how many people can participate, so even those with a smaller budget can contribute when it’s given on behalf of a large group. I got another Medium.com blog for you if you’d like to know what to consider when giving a live wedding painting (maybe even as a surprise).
9. You get me!
This last one is a bit cheeky. I and my terrible sense of humor will be present on your most beautiful day. Everyone can ask me about easels, paint, my work as a courtroom artist, and inquire about funny wedding anecdotes and my sources of inspiration. I’m not the most spontanous and out-going when I’m focused, but I can talk while I paint and share lots of insights.
As an experienced live wedding painter, I always communicate as clearly as possible, I’m familiar with all possible scenarios, and I make sure we’re on the same page so that you don’t have to stress about the painting on your wedding day. Just enjoy!
Curious about my portfolio and packages? Feel free to take a look at the page about live wedding paintings. I am based in the Netherlands, but travel all over Europe (like Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece) for weddings. I speak English, Dutch, German and French.
