If you’ve been on weddingtok lately, you’ve probably seen one or two (or more) live wedding painters making the trend rounds. And I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to scroll past the captivating videos of talented artists turning blank canvases into stunning portraits of happy couples.
Now, while it might seem like the ultimate wedding flex, is hiring a live painter actually worth it? We spoke with three local live wedding painters to give you better insight. We get into the pros, cons, and everything in between to help you decide if this trendy addition is right for your big day.
Live wedding painters offer an extraordinary way to capture your special day. As the artist skillfully transforms a blank canvas into a personalized masterpiece, you and your guests become part of a living, breathing artwork.
“Painting was the first mirror of the people in the past and I do believe it is still the most sophisticated way to mirror an important milestone of a person’s life in this modern day,” shared live wedding painter, Thea Go. “And just like fine artworks, the value of a painting done live on the day of the celebration is one-of-a-kind.”

The painter captures everything–from the setting and the guests to the very emotions of the moment, providing a bespoke piece of art that no other couple will have.
Another live wedding painter, Britney Myisha Dy, agrees with this sentiment, “A painting is the best gift you can give yourselves after all the planning and detailing of your wedding. It lasts for more than centuries so you are actually investing in an heirloom.”
Not to mention, a painting from your wedding can actually be a nice souvenir from your special day; one that you can fondly look at in your new home together as a married couple.
Having a live painter adds an interactive experience for everyone involved. As Krystina Peña of Caricatures by Krystina Bogus puts it, “Initially, there’s a bit of wonder as to how things will look since all they are seeing are blobs and funny sketches.”
She continues, “However, when things start to take form, they would say ‘wow’ and ask about how it transformed from being mere lines and circles to a beautiful painting.” It’s this element of surprise and the gradual unveiling of the painting that keeps guests captivated and on their toes.

“It is new to most people which adds to the excitement and experience. They always get amazed and excited, and take a while to stare and look at every detail of the painting. Along with a lot of compliments, pictures and conversations,” Britney adds.
Thea explains, “The luxury of live painting is the overall artistic and personal experience of such rare excellence in the field of art. Artistic luxury, because we make sure to champion our craft, creating truly beautiful and high-quality artwork from painting the detailed decors to the accurate portraits of the client. We make sure we have the qualities to appeal to a cultivated taste.”
Simply put, it gives your day a high-end feel without the need for extravagant expenditures on decor or more traditional forms of entertainment. We like to think of it as subdued elegance.
We also asked these artists what the most common wedding scenes are that clients usually ask them to paint.

“The ceremony dip kiss is a classic!” according to Britney. But for Krystina, it’s the reception. “Most popular based on my experience would be the side by side pose at the reception area. Couples love to see their faces in full and they also want to have a remembrance of the details of their reception styling,” she shares.
Meanwhile, Thea focuses on the emotive aspects: “Each couple has their own priorities when it comes to their chosen scene for the painting. My couples want me to paint the celebration, the joyous atmosphere, and the sense of motion.” This allows her to create paintings that are vivid, and filled with movement and emotion–something that she enjoys a lot.
Hiring one is a personalized process that varies from artist to artist. For instance, Krystina emphasizes collaboration and preparation in her workflow. She begins by giving couples the opportunity to specify the sentimental moments and details they want immortalized in their painting, including specific poses, backgrounds, or the inclusion of pets.
She explains, “Generally, couples give me artistic freedom regarding their paintings. However, before they give me permission to decide on the details, I do ask them to let me know which moment or pose they’d like me to paint, which background we should use, and if they’d like to add another person or a pet to the painting.”

Krystina goes the extra mile to get to know her clients. Besides the initial chat, she’ll often take a peek at their social media accounts to get a feel for their style. It’s like being a wedding detective, but without the trench coat!
In a similar way, Britney keeps things simple and efficient. She starts with a quick chat to understand the couple’s vision. No fancy stuff, just good old-fashioned conversation about what they’re dreaming of for their big day.
“The process is very quick and easy,” she says. “I start with having a virtual meeting with the client about their painting vision and if they have any requests for adding persons or pets for their painting, they send me a reference ahead of time.”
Britney usually arrives early at the venue to begin sketching. This also helps her plan the composition and piques the interest of arriving guests. She describes her role as an observer, capturing the most emotionally charged and visually striking moments of the wedding.

By the time of the reception, Britney’s focus shifts to enjoying the guests’ reactions to her artwork, so couple’s get that extra layer of satisfaction from her immersive artistic experience.
Well, that’s completely up to you! Having a live painter around is totally cool, but like most things in wedding planning, it’s all about juggling your priorities. Having an artist capture your special day in real-time is an unexpected twist and gives an added element of surprise to your day.
And we can almost guarantee that your guests will be buzzing about it. But more than that, you’ll have this amazing piece of art to remember the day by.
But let’s be real, hiring a live painter can cost a pretty penny. If you’re already juggling a million other wedding expenses, it might not be the top priority. Don’t stress if you have to skip it – your wedding will still be amazing without it. Remember that there are tons of other ways to make your day special and unique.
Artists like Thea, Krystina, and Britney bring their observational skills to bear, choosing moments that hold significant emotional weight. As Thea puts it, “There is so much trust involved. Not just with the finished work, but with their [the couple’s] overall experience. We are all about the couple, and I think that is all we want in our weddings.”

Like we always say, the wedding decisions you make should be yours and yours alone. Bringing a live wedding painter on board is one of those choices that can really make your day stand out. Whether it’s the unique personal touch of seeing your love story come to life on canvas, or the fun of watching a masterpiece unfold, a live painter could be that special something that takes your wedding from great to truly memorable.
And one thing’s for certain, though–art will never go out of style.
So, when you’re hashing out your wedding plans, think about how a live painter might not just capture, but actively enrich, the magic of your day.