Questions to ask the live painter for your destination wedding (in Europe)
Planning your destination in a vineyard in the French countryside, or in an ancient castle in Germany? Considering a live painter? For the newlyweds that like to be prepared and have a checklist ready, I got you. Some of the info below might be featured on the painter’s website or social media, some might have to be discussed during a personal (video) call. And to help you get started, some short answers from me.
If you’re American, it might feel a bit odd to you that we Europeans so easily travel abroad. Especially coming from quite a small country (the Netherlands), I was brought up near two borders: Germany was about 150 meters away, and Belgium about 5 kilometers. Yes, most of us can be in several different countries within a few hours.
First, please consider:
- What style are you looking for, what’s your taste?
Would your emphasis be on the live performance element of would you prefer a certain end result? Are you looking for a photo realistic painting, an expressive impressionistic artwork or a graphic urban visual?
My painting style is romantic and realistic. I prefer to focus on detailed portraits (can’t help it, also a courtoom sketch artist) — about half of my bookings are with a package that includes lots of studio touch-ups for a realistic end result. While I make sure it’s fun for guests to watch (and that I keep my workspace at the venue clean), I’m not the most extravagant performer. Children are welcome to add a few marks (under my guidance).
- Would you be willing to bring a live painter along / have someone with the style of your choice travel a bit, or would you prefer a local painter which might not 100% be your style?
About the painter personally
- Where are you based, how far are you willing to travel?
Some might have young children and don’t like to be away from home for too long. Or one might have a certain country on region on their bucket list, or only work in their own or directly neighbouring countries. Some live painters (or any type of wedding vendor, really) might prefer to work two weddings that are near them, compared to being away an entire weekend to work one weekend abroad (with lots of costs to cover)
I am based in the Netherlands, near Rotterdam. It’s easy for me to cross the borders with Belgium, Germany and France. I work at weddings all over Europe. But if there’s a plane flight required, for example, for Italy or Greece, I will always include bringing along an assistant (which is a necessity for me personally to be able to be and paint there). The further I’d have to travel, the more important it is to inquire early — if another wedding is booked that weekend, I usually can’t combine it with a destination wedding abroad.
- What languages do you speak?
I myself speak Dutch (as I’m from the Netherlands) English (fluently) and (decent enough) French and German. I can understand Spanish and Italian but can’t really speak it. Sometimes, with international weddings and a mixed crowd, I put up a little sign in which languages your guests can have a chat with me ;)
About the live wedding painting
- What canvas sizes are possible?
This depends on both the standard sizes the live painter offers in their packages, but also the way they might be travelling to your destination. Flying with a canvas (or shipping one to your venue) might require some contingency plans.
- When will it be finished, how do you work?
The more impressionistic, expressive paintings can often be finished and handed over at the end of the night. The more detailed and realistic ones will usually take additional studio touch-ups afterwards, so the painter will take it back with them. Or maybe they offer an option in between, where they finish it the day after.
Even if the painter has finished the painting right there on location, it might be wise to discuss the option of them shipping or bringing it to you afterwards, just so it’s handled professionally and takes some logistical issues off your plate.
- What shipping / insurance company will you use in case you ship it afterwards?
It’s an original artwork, and you’d like to know that it’s wrapped and transported safely. Even though there is always a (small) risk of the painting getting lost in transfer (please don’t blame the artist, it’s our worst nightmare too and we’re not liable), or slightly damaged (that might be fixable).
Practical things
- How will you be travelling?
You can discuss with the live painter: when will you arrive, will you have your own car/transport or would you need to hire one? Does your way of travelling imply that you won’t be able to bring certain things that the venue might need to provide for? (like having a table ready, or being open to receive a canvas by parcel a few days before the wedding).
- Visa / work permit stuff
Your live wedding painter might have to go through customs depending on where they’re coming from and what they bring along. They might need to provide extra info on the materials they are bringing along on their flight (paint tubes and mediums). They might required vaccinations.
European residents (like myself) are free to travel and work within other EU countries.
- Would you book accomodation yourself or would you like to be part of our accomodation?
Some wedding couples rent out an entire castle or hotel, for exclusive use. Or arrange a bus service to have their guests (even the drunken ones) transported safely. Some vendors might always want to book rooms and travel on their own, to make sure it fits them and their needs. It lets us be in control of situations where the check-in doesn’t work or when there needs to be changed something last-minute due to delays.
I usually prefer to book for myself, but I am open to hotel suggestions.
- What will we do in case of force majeur?
For example, illness before or after the travelling, delayed flights, an accident on the road, extreme weather conditions, Covid-measurements.
I for one always make sure I have travel insurance, and the further I have to travel, the earlier I want to be there (bigger margin). If all else fails, I offer a painting from photo(s) at a 15% discounted package price.
- Would you need to hire a car / do you have your own driver’s license?
I have a driver’s license; if the wedding venue is within a few hours of travel, I usually prefer to take my own car. If a plane flight is required, then a rental car is usually needed.
A few final tips
- If there are certain cultural elements that come into play, please mention those to the painter. Especially if something is a bit sensitive or very specific to your people and the painter does not belong to the same heritage or social group. There might be moments that it’s inappropiate to take photo references or when a specific dresscode is required, for example.
- Same with same-sex and queer couples: while most of us are happy to serve all newlyweds, some might have a bit more conservative approach and we would not want you to get hurt in the planning of your big day. Look for things like mentioned pronouns, inclusive language, examples of queer lovers in their portfolio, and mentioning elements like ‘LGBTQI+ friendly’.
- If you’re eloping, depending on the personal opinion of the live painter of course, but for me, it’s usually not the most practical. You will likely be taking lots of photos in the neighbourhood — with an elopement, you usually don’t stay at one and the same venue the entire time. While the pictures might be gorgeous, and yes our easles are collapsible, we can’t travel along with you, paint for 30 minutes, move everyhing to the next location, paint another 20 minutes, and so on. I would instead recommend hiring a painter to work from one or two wedding photos afterwards.
Hope this helps, giving you some information to consider in terms of hiring a live painter for your destination wedding! Feel free to check out my page about live wedding painting. In the brochure, I mention price indications for several European countries.
