Unveiling the Enchanting Live Wedding Painting Process

Wedding

May 29, 2023

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picasso, the million dollar napkin and live painting
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I create timeless heirloom paintings for couples looking for an original and intentional way to capture their wedding day, and I do it live.

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i'M COURTNEY KIBBY

Captivating Artistry: The Live Wedding Painting Process

Get ready for an exclusive glimpse into the enchanting world of live painting.

Join me on a BTS adventure as I unravel the captivating live wedding painting process from tailored beginning to breathtaking finish.

Prepare for the creative magic, profound emotion, and artistic brilliance that awaits.

Photo by Lauren Beauregard Photography (www.laurenbeauregardphotography.com)

Tailored to your Needs: How a Custom Proposal Works

I meet with each client to hear about their vision for their wedding and their wedding painting.

I take the time to understand my clients’ vision and desires for their wedding day. I tailor my services and aesthetic to reflect their unique theme and preferences while maintaining my signature impressionist style.

Hearing how you all met and fell in love — I love hearing more about your story. All those seemingly little or mundane details you’ve shared a thousand times make my heart go pitter-patter, and give me sweet insights into you all as a couple. Since I only take on a few weddings a year, it’s important to me to establish a connection with my clients during our initial consultation. The whole meeting I’m listening attentively not only to see if we’d be a good fit to work together, but also to offer insights and suggestions on how live wedding painting can beautifully capture their special day.


Once I hear your vision for your wedding and wedding painting, I create a customized proposal that encompasses all the details discussed during the consultation. Each couple and wedding is totally different, and the tailored proposals reflect the differing wants and desires.

I pride myself on being totally upfront with my clients — each proposal includes clear pricing, timeline, and any additional offerings or customization that you might desire. It is not my heart to nickel and dime my clients, so everything is included in the proposal, and no additional fees will be added on. Unless you would like to add something new to the proposal, that’s the cost. The booking process is so easy — I guide clients through signing the angreement and submitting an initial payment.

The Live Wedding Painting Process for Creating Magical Art

It all starts long before your wedding day. First of all, your wedding painter has had years of practice to make this quick painting seem easy and quick. I assure you, it is not either of those things.

Because the process is all about effective communication and ensuring that the artist understands your vision, I will share inspiration photos that ignite your imagination, guide you through the color palette, composition, and overall atmosphere of your wedding painting.

I maintain regular communication with clients and their wedding planner leading up to the wedding day. For local venues, I schedule a site visit or consultation ahead of time to ensure I am well-prepared and familiar with the venue and logistics.

For destination weddings, I arrive 2 days early so I can scout the location the days before, specifically at the time of the wedding to get a good feel for lighting, wand so I have time to get familiar with the venue, area, and create the artist version of B-roll for you (much like the best photographers do!).  This b-roll consists of photos, videos, and small plein air paintings. I love to have extra options for compositions in case of rain, in case the lighting changes, to ensure I’m serving my clients well.I pay close attention to details and am happy to address any specific requests or recommendations.

A Very Good Place to Start: The Beauty of the Initial Sketch

Imagine this: you’re standing at the altar, your heart brimming with love and anticipation. In that moment, an artist (me 🙋🏼‍♀️) begins to compose soft moments, weave her magic, capturing every emotion, every detail, and every flicker of love on the watercolor paper. This, my friend, is the unique beauty of live painting.

Live wedding painter wears Shoshanna rent the runway dress


Before the wedding (30 minutes to a hour or more, to be exact), your artist begins the initial sketch sets the stage for artistic brilliance—

I know how deeply important this day is to you, which is why I treat your wedding like my own.

I ensure I’m not only professional and unobtrusive presence on the wedding day. I am professional, kind, and talkative to guests who would like to chat, but I am well-dressed according to the theme and blend in with the decor. No one wants a painter in outlandish clothes that steals the thunder of the event. I also am absolutely not filming myself. While some artists may share entire timelapses on TikTok, I will never be one of them. That’s part of the quiet luxury process to me, you’re getting a front row seat to my artistic creative process for you and your guests, not the internet. I capture the key moments, emotions, and unique details of the wedding on video so I can use them in your live painting.
My small painting station seamlessly and beautifully integrates into the overall ambiance of the event.

This is your wedding day, and perfection (and a perfect painting) is your birthright.

A Symphony of Brushstrokes: The Mesmerizing Live Wedding Painting Process

Close your eyes and envision the artist’s hand gliding gracefully across the watercolor paper, slowly dipping the brush into water and swirling colors together, each brushstroke infused with love and passion. It’s like a “fantasia” of colors, textures, and emotions coming together to create an artistic masterpiece.

From the first stroke to the last, the artist skillfully weaves your love story onto the paper, capturing the raw emotions and precious moments of your wedding day. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes photos and videos that offer an exclusive glimpse into the captivating world of live painting.

Timing and Logistics: The Dance of Creativity and Practicality

Timing and logistics, those two little devils, can make or break a perfect masterpiece.

The entire process takes between 2-6 hours depending on the size of the painting, and I take the painting home after the wedding to add finishing touches and erase pencil marks, while still maintaining the integrity of the impressionist style (even with additional details, the painting will never look like a replica of a photograph.) 

Painting with watercolor is quite different than oil or acrylic. Like acrylic and unlike oil (which takes 6-8 weeks to fully cure), watercolor dries quickly, but cannot be painted over if mistakes are made. For some, watercolor can be difficult because it is unpredictable and unforgiving (Good thing I’m a pro).

However, I truly believe that it is these qualities that give a watercolor painting its undeniable charm. With a watercolor live painting, you are adding the ultimate quiet luxury to your wedding day, and walking away with an heirloom masterpiece you’ll love forever and share with your future grandchildren. 

Setting the Stage: Choosing Your Live Painting Scene

There is so much I could say on this!  First, it’s totally up to my clients. For live painting, i have a few favorites — first kiss, walking back down the aisle with everyone standing and cheering, and the reception with everyone celebrating/dancing. 

While the content of the painting is entirely up to the client, I don’t want to paint myself into a corner by only styling my work one way. I like to show my couples different composition options for what they desire. A composition shows how all the pieces of the painting work together. I use a variety of composition techniques — which mainly centers on the couple and the styles they love. 

For example, when painting a ceremony, many couples want a straight on wide horizontal composition, unless there is a reason to turn the painting vertical (like beautiful vaulted ceilings, high windows, chandeliers, ceiling floral pieces).

I work closely with the planner for inspiration prior to the wedding day; and no matter what composition I use, the painting captures the tone and feeling of the wedding day and feels visually balanced when you look at it.

Choose the perfect moment for you where the artist can work their wonders, capturing the exchange of vows, the first dance, or heartfelt speeches. Embrace your inner wedding coordinator and ensure a seamless integration of the live painting process into your celebration.

The Finished Masterpiece: Love and Beauty Immortalized

Now, fast forward to the grand finale—the finished masterpiece. Imagine standing before a painting that encapsulates the beauty, emotion, and energy of your wedding day. Every brushstroke tells a story, capturing the essence of your love in a way that photography simply cannot.

The live painting becomes a cherished heirloom, evoking memories and emotions for years to come. It’s not just the painting itself, but the entire journey—the collaboration, the shared vision, and the connection forged with the artist. It’s a tangible representation of the love and celebration that surrounded you on your special day.

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Choose the Perfect Artist: Building a Connection

Seek an artist who understands your vision and shares your passion. Choose someone who not only possesses exceptional talent but also brings warmth, laughter, and positive energy to the table. Trust your instincts and find an artist who becomes a part of your wedding day narrative.

Read More on Choosing the Perfect Live Artist…

Embrace the Artistic Journey: Love Unveiled on Paper

The process of live painting is a journey filled with wonder, creativity, and sheer brilliance. It captures the emotions, energy, and unique moments of your wedding day in a way that traditional photography cannot replicate. Dare to be different, embrace the beauty of live painting, and let your love story come alive on canvas.

As you plan your luxury dream wedding, find an artist who can bring your vision to life through skillful brushstrokes. Communicate your desires with clarity and passion, trusting in the process as the artist weaves their magic. Cherish the finished live painting—a timeless masterpiece that encapsulates the love and joy of your magical day.

Cheers to love, artistry, and a wedding day etched in your memories. Embrace the process, embrace the magic, and let your love story unfold on canvas in a way that is uniquely yours. The world of live painting awaits, my friend. Embrace it, and watch the beauty of your wedding day come alive in a masterpiece you will treasure for generations to come.

Join our vibrant community of art enthusiasts and wedding aficionados! Sign up for our newsletter and become a part of Fine Art Friday, where we share captivating stories, insider watercolor tips, and invaluable wedding information. Don’t miss out on the enchantment, inspiration, and creativity that awaits you every week!


And if you’re seeking a live painting experience that goes above and beyond? Look no further. Contact me now and let’s embark on a journey of artistic brilliance, where your wedding becomes my canvas. With a limited number of spots available, don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to have your special day transformed into a timeless masterpiece.

Bringing your wedding day to life, thrilling your guests with a show-stopping live wedding painting experience, and creating a timeless keepsake that honors your sacred bond and will warm your heart every time you look at it – it’s what I do best.

Hey, I'm Courtney.

From behind the easel, I serve timeless brides who still embrace the unexpected by creating heirloom painting experiences that are immersive, one-of-a-kind, and thrilling to watch.

Comments +

  1. […] YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THE LIVE PAINTING PROCESS… […]

  2. […] inundated with digital imagery and fleeting moments, live wedding paintings offer a timeless and personal approach to preserving cherished memories. Through the distinction between oil painting and watercolor […]

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