A Guide to Finding the Right Artist for Your Big Day

If you’ve started planning your wedding and stumbled across live wedding painting, you might be wondering: “How much are live wedding painters?” The short answer is… it depends. But more importantly, the price isn’t the only thing you should be thinking about.

Choosing a live wedding painter is a little like choosing your photographer, florist, or even your dress. It’s not just about the cost. It’s about finding the right fit for your day, your style, and your memories.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what affects pricing, the different styles you’ll come across, and how to choose a painter you’ll genuinely love.

What Is a Live Wedding Painter, Exactly?

A live wedding painter is an artist who captures the magic of your day in real time. We set up our easels at your ceremony or reception and paint as the celebration unfolds. By the end of the night (or shortly after), you’ll have a one-of-a-kind artwork that preserves the energy and emotion of the moment forever.

It’s more than just a painting. It’s an experience. Your guests get to watch a work of art come to life, ask questions, and sometimes even be part of the creative process.

How Much Do Live Wedding Painters Cost?

Across Australia, you’ll see live wedding painting packages anywhere from $2,500 to $8,000+, depending on:

• Experience and demand – Highly sought-after painters may book out 12–18 months ahead and charge premium rates.

• Style and technique – A detailed, realistic painter may take longer and cost more than someone working in a looser, impressionistic style.

• Canvas size – Larger artworks naturally cost more.

• Travel and logistics – Regional or destination weddings may include extra fees.

• Additional services – Some painters include pre-event sketches, framing, or digitised copies.

  
  

Pro Tip: While it’s tempting to compare prices down to the last dollar, your live painting isn’t just a product. It’s an heirloom. This is art made just for you.

Why “Hours Spent” Don’t Really Matter

You might notice some painters break down their pricing by how many preparation or post-production hours are included. Here’s the truth: For most of us, we paint until the piece feels finished. That could mean ten hours, twenty hours, or more. What matters isn’t how long we spend. It’s whether the end result moves you.

If you love a painter’s portfolio, and the size of the canvas feels right, trust their process. The hours don’t matter as much as the magic they create on the canvas.

Different Styles of Live Wedding Painters

Art is wonderfully subjective, and every wedding painter brings their own approach. Not all live wedding paintings look the same. Choosing a painter whose style resonates with you is the single most important decision. Here are a few styles you might come across:

1. Expressive Impressionism (my style at WDP)

Rooted in the traditions of French Impressionism, this style focuses on capturing energy, light, and atmosphere with loose yet confident brushstrokes. In my work, the facial features are painted realistically so you will always recognise yourself, but the rest of the painting flows into a more contemporary, artistic expression.

Think glowing colour, layered textures, and a sense of creativity that makes the final piece feel like a true painting. Unique, alive, and full of movement. If you want something that goes beyond simple likeness to capture the feeling of your day, this is the style for you.

2. Realistic / Traditional

For couples who love traditional art and want every detail faithfully rendered, realism offers a timeless choice. These paintings can look almost photographic, with every petal, fabric fold, and champagne glass painted with meticulous care.

Because this style takes more time to render, it’s often at the higher end of live wedding painter pricing. The result, however, is a detailed keepsake that reflects your day with classic precision and elegance.

3. Illustrative / Stylised

This style leans more towards storytelling and design than strict realism. Faces may be simplified or even left out, while extra creative elements are often added. From glowing lanterns to stylised floral patterns, twinkling lights, hearts or symbolic motifs.

The result feels playful, decorative, and imaginative, almost like stepping into a storybook or a modern graphic illustration. If you’re looking for something whimsical, this style may resonate.

✨When browsing portfolios, pay attention to how each painting makes you feel. The most important thing is that you love the portfolio of the artist you choose. Pricing and hours matter less than finding a painter whose style, personality, and process align with what you want to remember forever.

How to Choose the Right Live Wedding Painter

Beyond the price and the painting style, there are three big things to look for:

1. Connection

You’ll be sharing one of the most important days of your life with this person. Jump on a discovery call and see if you click.

2. Reviews and Testimonials

Look for social proof. What have other couples said about their experience? Were guests engaged and delighted? Did they love the final artwork?

3. Portfolio Alignment

This is everything. If you fall in love with their past work, chances are you’ll adore what they create for you.

My Approach at Wedding Day Painter

I specialise in expressive, contemporary impressionism. My goal is to capture the energy and feeling of your day, the way it really felt to be there. Every painting is unique and I work until it’s exactly where it needs to be. I love chatting with guests, explaining the process, and creating something that’s as much a performance as it is a keepsake.

If you’d like to see what that looks like, explore my portfolio here or book a free discovery call to chat about your wedding.

The Importance of Art in Weddings

Art adds a unique touch to any wedding. It transforms a moment into a lasting memory. Imagine looking back at your wedding day and seeing not just photographs, but a vibrant painting that captures the essence of your celebration. This is what live wedding painting offers. It’s a way to preserve the joy, love, and laughter of your special day.

When you think about your wedding, consider how you want to remember it. A live painting can evoke emotions and transport you back to that moment in time. It’s not just about the visual; it’s about the feelings and connections that come with it.

Final Thoughts

When you search “how much are live wedding painters”, remember, it’s not just about numbers. It’s about choosing someone whose style speaks to you, whose energy feels right, and whose work you’ll treasure for decades. A live painting isn’t just a snapshot of your day. It’s a story told in colour, created right there, as it unfolds.

If that resonates, I’d love to create something unforgettable for you.