—Shayla Spalding Studio—
what is a live wedding painting?
A live wedding painting is painted at your ceremony or reception in real time, capturing a special moment from the event. Guests can watch the painting come to life as they enjoy your wedding day, or even get involved in the process by adding their own brushstroke.
the process
reserving your date—
Submit the live wedding painting enquiry form. I’ll be in touch with you within 7 business days to confirm if your date is available. We’ll have an introductory meeting over email or phone call to discuss your vision for the painting and your wedding day, and I’ll tailor a live wedding painting contract to your event. A non-refundable deposit of $1000 and a signed contract are required to secure your date. The deposit will be applied towards the total cost, which will be due 1 week prior to your wedding date.
capturing the vision—
During a full consultation call 4 to 6 weeks before your wedding date, we’ll confirm the details and create a full plan for your day. We will complete my “wedding checklist” to make sure everything runs smoothly. I can paint any moment you’d like to see captured, from a scene at the altar, to a posed portrait, to your first dance. If you’re unsure, we can work together to pick the perfect moment for you.
at the event—
I will arrive up to 2 hours early to your venue (ceremony or reception depending on the moment to be painted) to set up my workspace and begin painting the background. I will personally capture a few photos of the background and the moment you want to be painted. Guests can then watch your painting come to life as they enjoy your wedding day.
finishing touches—
At the end of the event, I’ll take the painting back to my studio for the finishing touches. A photo of the painting will be sent to you for one round of feedback and approval, and then the finished painting will be sealed with varnish and wired for easy hanging. Within 6 to 12 weeks, the painting will be ready to be shipped to your location. Shipping costs within Canada are covered— additional shipping fees will apply for international shipping.
My painting style
Your live wedding painting will be created in my painting style. I aim to capture the likeness of the newlyweds- I love capturing the sparkle of a dress, the little details in their accessories, and the looks of joy on their faces.
When painting backgrounds, I use a looser painting style and colourful brushstrokes to bring out the magical quality of the day. I take inspiration from multiple photos of the newlyweds and the venue to create an enchanting composition.
A few considerations…
- Moving between locations: Due to the amount of time it takes to set up, I can only move my painting set-up one time during your event. If there is a gap of three hours or more between the end of your ceremony and start of the reception, I will only be able to paint during one or the other.
- How long I can paint at your wedding: I can paint at your wedding for up to 6 hours. This includes approximately one hour of painting the background before the start of your event.
- Painting the ceremony: I am happy to paint quietly during your ceremony if you’d like to have me painting during this time. I am unable to paint live during ceremonies in a church. If you want part of your church ceremony to be captured in your painting, I am happy to work off of photos during the reception.
- Painting evening receptions: I am available to paint during evening events until 11pm at the latest.
- Requirements from your venue: Your venue will just need to provide a small painting area for me to set up. I’ll also need access to a nearby outlet, running water, and somewhere I can dump paint water. If setting up outdoors during extreme weather conditions, I will need access to a covered area to paint.