A Day in the Life of a Live Wedding Painter
A cozy table setup with a finished wedding portrait, an artist’s watercolor palette, pens, and polaroids illuminated by a warm desk lamp.
Ever wondered what it’s like to have an artist painting at your wedding? From early mornings to the final reveal, here’s a look into what my Saturdays are like as a live wedding painter—and why it’s one of the most joyful parts of what I do.
Two women smiling at a live wedding painting booth, seated behind a table covered with colorful paint palettes, portraits, and a custom tablecloth.
The Journey Begins
My wedding days usually start with coffee and a packed car. Sometimes it’s just a short drive, other times it’s 6+ hours on the road, but the excitement is always the same. With my easel, brushes, paints, and canvas in tow, I’m ready to capture a love story on site.
Early Arrival & Setup
I always arrive early so I can get settled before guests arrive. That means setting up my easel, table, and chairs in the perfect spot—somewhere visible but comfortable. For weddings with more than 100 guests, I’ll bring along an assistant who helps with portraits, paints backgrounds, answers questions, and keeps everything running smoothly.
Bride in a white gown and groom in a green suit smile together, holding a colorful bouquet under ribbon and light decorations.
Meeting the Couple
Before the celebration begins, I make sure to greet the bride and groom. I congratulate them, take reference photos, and get a sense of their vision for the day. That connection helps me capture not just their look, but their joy and energy, in the final portrait.
A close-up of the artist’s hands sketching a wedding portrait on a small piece of paper, surrounded by pens and art supplies.
Cocktail Hour Portraits
During cocktail hour, the fun really starts. Guests sit down for their mini portraits—usually in groups of 2–4. Each one takes me about 10–15 minutes to paint, while my assistant helps organize, number portraits, and hand out finished pieces. On site, I usually complete around 30 portraits, and if more are requested, I finish them later in my studio. Many couples love including those with their thank-you notes as a special surprise.
A framed live guest portrait of two men in suits, both smiling and flashing peace signs, held up against a warm, twinkling light backdrop.
Reception & The Final Reveal
As the evening unfolds, I balance guest portraits with work on the couple’s centerpiece painting. This final piece is always the highlight of the night. When I reveal it to the bride and groom, the reactions are priceless—tears, laughter, hugs. It’s a moment that never gets old.
Why I Love What I Do
The best part of live wedding painting is the people. I love seeing guests light up when they receive their portraits, watching couples’ reactions at their reveal, and capturing moments that will live on forever. Every wedding is unique, and every painting tells its own story.
A hand holds a framed watercolor-style wedding guest portrait of a smiling couple, with string lights softly glowing in the background.
Bring Live Painting to Your Wedding
Want to bring this experience to your wedding? Book a call with me here.
Watch my “Day in the Life” video below to see how the magic happens!
As I continue blogging, I’ll be sharing more fun ways couples have used live painting at their weddings—because every event brings something new and inspiring.
Watch Me Paint Live
Scan to see behind-the-scenes moments from weddings and events I paint at.
