How to budget for a live wedding painting . . .
Including a live wedding painter like Painting to the People in your celebration is a beautiful way to enhance your guest experience and create an heirloom to cherish forever, but if you're in the thick of budgeting and prioritizing vendors, you may be wondering: How much does a live wedding painter cost—and how can I make it work within my wedding budget?
The good news is that live painting is more attainable (and customizable) than many couples expect. Here’s a guide to help you understand the cost and how to budget smartly for this one-of-a-kind experience.
1. Understand the Price Range
Our base package of a 24” x 36” canvas starts at $5,995 and increases based on:
Canvas size
Travel distance
Add ons like the time-capsule option where your guest drop notes into the back of the painting behind a locked compartment for you to read at a later date.
Shipping of completed painting
2. Decide What Matters Most to You
Like any wedding vendor, it’s important to identify what’s most important. Ask yourself:
Is it the entertainment value for guests that appeals to you—or the finished painting as an heirloom—or both? With Painting to the People, your guests are the live painters, providing a unique, creative experiential activity that is priceless. And you get a beautiful work of art, created by your loved ones.
Clarifying your priorities will help you select the right package for your needs and budget.
3. Ask About Package Options
Many live wedding painters offer tiered packages that help you customize based on both budget and vision. We have different sizes and price ranges for all budgets.
4. Book Early to Secure the Best Rates
Live painters often book months—if not a year—in advance, especially during peak wedding seasons. Booking early not only secures your date but may also give you access to current pricing before rates increase. We are now booking for 2025 and 2026.
5. Consider Shifting Budget from Other Areas
If a live painting is high on your wish list, consider reallocating funds from:
Wedding favors (guests will remember working on your live painting more than a trinket)
Over-the-top florals or rentals
Extra entertainment or cocktail hour add-ons
A painting lasts forever, making it a worthy trade-off for items that are more temporary.
6. Don’t Forget to Budget for Travel
If your chosen artist isn’t local, ask about travel fees. Some may charge a flat rate, while others bill for airfare, hotel, and mileage. Be sure to factor this into your overall wedding budget or choose an artist closer to your venue. At Painting to the People, we’ll provide these as itemized costs on your custom quote.
7. Plan for the Post-Wedding Process
While most of the painting is completed live, artists often add finishing touches in the studio afterward. Our pricing includes up to 20 hours of studio time to complete your painting.
8. Treat It as an Investment in Your Legacy
More than just décor or entertainment, a live wedding painting is an investment in your memories and your future home. It becomes a conversation piece, a family heirloom, and a visual reminder of your love story. When viewed through that lens, it’s not just “one more vendor”—it’s a lasting piece of your legacy.
Final Thoughts
Budgeting for a live wedding painting is all about aligning your vision, values, and spending priorities. Book your free consultation to make this meaningful experience part of your day—and your forever.
