Live Wedding Painting
An heirloom canvas, painted as it happens.
An artist sets up at your ceremony, first dance, or reception and paints the chosen moment in real time. Guests watch the brushstrokes appear throughout the day; you take home a finished oil painting a few weeks later — a keepsake no photograph replaces.
How it works
A painting unfolds with the day
01
Coordinate
A consultation call to choose the moment, palette, and venue setup.
02
Block in
Arriving 30–60 minutes early to lay in the venue, the light, and the architecture.
03
Paint live
Capturing the chosen moment — figures, faces, and atmosphere — as it happens, usually 4–7 hours on location.
04
Finish & deliver
Studio finishing in the days after; the canvas ships to you approximately 2–4 weeks after the wedding.
A glimpse of the magic
Real weddings, real canvases
A few of the paintings created for real Madison-area weddings — see the complete set, with the full story behind each one, on the gallery.
Grand Staircase Wedding Painting
Historic venue, private staircase
Madison Capitol Steps Wedding Painting
Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison, WI
A Barn Wedding Painting
Barn venue — light and dark, intimate and masculine
50th Anniversary Wedding Painting
Recreated from surviving family photographs
Investment
Canvas sizes & pricing
Painted live on location for approximately 4–6 hours, then finished in oils at the studio — total painting time is usually 15–20 hours. Travel within 30 minutes of Madison and shipping are included.
16″×20″
from $2,000 in-studio / $2,500 on-location
18″×24″
from $2,250 in-studio / $3,000 on-location
22″×30″
from $2,500 in-studio / $3,500 on-location
24″×36″ & 30″×40″
from $4,000–$5,000 on-location
Frequently asked
Common questions
How far in advance should we book?+
Most couples book 8–12 months out. Spring, summer, and early-fall Saturdays go first; mid-week and winter dates often have shorter lead times.
Will the painting be finished by the end of the night?+
The major composition is brought to a near-finished state on the day. Final detail work happens in the studio, and the painting is delivered approximately 2–4 weeks after the wedding.
Do you travel outside Madison?+
Yes. Travel within a 30-minute drive of Madison is included. Anywhere farther is welcome — travel costs are discussed and quoted separately.
Can we choose what's painted?+
Absolutely. The coordination call is where we settle on the moment — first kiss, first dance, processional, vows, or something more unusual. Reference compositions are shared before the day.
A once-in-a-lifetime moment deserves a once-in-a-lifetime keepsake.
Spring and summer dates fill up first. Reach out and we'll confirm availability within 1–2 business days.