Live Wedding Painter

A live wedding painting is a one-of-a-kind experience in which a live wedding painter creates a custom watercolor artwork in real time during your celebration. Whether capturing your ceremony, first dance, or the atmosphere of your reception, the finished painting becomes a timeless heirloom that preserves the emotion and beauty of your wedding day.

I currently split my time between two homes—New York City and the Bay Area in Northern California. For simplicity, I calculate travel expenses for live wedding packages based on whichever location is closest to your venue.

Before the event: we will work together to design the vision for your live wedding painting, ensuring that the final artwork reflects your style and all the details that matter most to you.

On the wedding day: as your live painter for weddings, I will arrive a few hours before the event to set up my easel in an unobtrusive location and begin sketching and painting the chosen scene. After the event, I will take the artwork back to my studio to refine the details, complete any finishing touches, professionally frame the painting, and safely ship it to you.

My setup is simple and unobtrusive, allowing me to blend seamlessly into your celebration while requiring minimal space. I can position my easel almost anywhere during your ceremony and am happy to relocate closer to the reception area afterward if needed. The only thing I require on the day of the event is a chair.

I’m happy to be a live painter for any special occasion you’re celebrating, such as birthdays, vow renewals, wedding anniversaries, and more.

Every live wedding painting package includes a fully framed, ready-to-hang watercolor painting of the newlyweds in the scene of their choice, along with portraits of up to two pets. Each painting is professionally framed using museum-quality materials, including a Crescent Select archival mat and acid-free backing board, ensuring your artwork can be enjoyed for generations. Shipping within the United States is also included. Additional upgrades, such as extra portrait subjects, double matting, anti-reflective glass, and fine art prints, are available.

A signed contract and a 25% deposit is required to secure your wedding date.

The remaining balance is due two weeks before the event.

Absolutely! Every live wedding painting is fully customized. During our consultation, we’ll discuss the exact moment, composition, and atmosphere you’d like captured—whether it’s your first kiss, exchanging vows, a romantic portrait with your venue backdrop, or another meaningful moment from your wedding day.

Absolutely! One of the advantages of commissioning a live wedding painting is that loved ones and pets who cannot attend your celebration can still be included in the final artwork. I will simply need clear reference photographs before your wedding day.

Choosing the right size for your live wedding painting depends on where you plan to display the artwork, the number of people you’d like included, and the level of detail you’d like captured.

Here are the sizes I offer:

• 12 x 16 in painting (19 x 23 in framed)

• 16 x 20 in painting (24 x 28 in framed)

• 18 x 24 in painting (26 x 32 in framed)
  

Choosing the Right Size

If you’re unsure about the size, try this tip: measure the area on the wall where you plan to hang the framed painting to get an idea of the overall scale (use the framed dimensions for accuracy).

Smaller sizes, such as 11 x 14 in and 12 x 16 in, make a more subtle and elegant statement. Larger sizes, like 16 x 20 in and 18 x 24 in, are better suited for a more prominent and eye-catching commemoration of your special day.

Detail and Composition Considerations

When selecting a size, it's important to consider the level of detail you’d like included in your painting. While it can be tempting to incorporate every loved one, floral arrangement, and décor element, too many small details can lead to a painting that feels busy or cramped.

To maintain focus on the main subjects (you!) and keep the composition clean and balanced, I recommend choosing one or two focal points for the detailed elements—one of which will naturally be the newlyweds. If you’d like to include the bridal party and/or family in the portrait, a larger size is ideal to provide enough space and ensure the composition remains harmonious and doesn't feel overloaded.

I’m happy to offer personalized recommendations during our consultations to ensure your painting turns out perfectly balanced and depicts your day the way you remember it!

Yes! I am based in both Northern California (Bay Area, Napa, Sonoma) and New York, and I travel throughout the United States and internationally as a live wedding painter. Travel expenses apply for weddings outside my local areas.

Live wedding painting packages start at $1,800 and vary depending on the portrait size, framing and matting selections, number of people included, and travel expenses.

Travel expenses typically include transportation to and from your venue (flight, train, or car rental, depending on the location) and hotel accommodations if required. Travel is calculated from either Northern California or New York—whichever location is closest to your venue.

If overnight accommodations are necessary, I typically include one or two hotel nights located conveniently near the venue to ensure I arrive rested and ready to begin painting.

Absolutely! Let me know if the venue requires any specific wording on the certificate (such as including their name), and I’ll send it to you promptly.

Absolutely! In addition to live wedding painting, I also create custom watercolor wedding portraits from photographs. These heirloom pieces allow you to preserve a favorite memory from your wedding day and make meaningful gifts for newlyweds and their families.

I currently specialize in creating larger-scale live wedding paintings rather than individual guest portraits. However, guests and family members can certainly be incorporated directly into your wedding painting as part of the overall composition.