USA Live Wedding Painters

Find a live wedding painter near you

Here is where each of our US artists is based. They all travel to weddings across the country, so if no one lives near your venue, message an artist anyway. Choosing someone nearby usually keeps travel costs down.

California and the West Coast

Ryan, San Diego: rich, impressionistic oil paintings that keep the focus on the two of you. From $1,800.

Lauren, Dana Point: classically trained oil painter, inspired by the old masters. From $3,000.

Aeron and Tracy, Yucaipa: a husband and wife team who finish the whole painting at your wedding. From $3,200.

See everyone who covers the West on our West Coast live wedding painters page.

Texas, the Midwest and the South

Hana, San Antonio: fast, romantic and whimsical acrylic paintings that are fun for guests to watch. From $1,800.

Alexandra, The Woodlands: expressive acrylic paintings made as heirloom pieces. From $3,500.

Alexandra, Appleton, Wisconsin: textured, scenic acrylic paintings from an artist with more than 10 years of experience. From $1,500.

Alexandra, Columbus, Ohio: timeless paintings in oil and acrylic. From $2,000.

Johnna, Grove Hill, Alabama: Southern portrait tradition, painted in oil and carefully finished in her studio. From $3,300.

See everyone who covers the middle of the country on our Central USA live wedding painters page.

The East Coast

Rachel, Philadelphia: heirloom-quality paintings, and you can arrange to take yours home the same night. From $1,650.

Anton, Baltimore: oil paintings using techniques learned from leading realist painters. From $5,000.

Mabel, Peabody, Massachusetts: realism-focused acrylic paintings of your day. From $2,600.

See everyone who covers the East on our East Coast live wedding painters page. Getting married in New York or New Jersey? None of our artists live in New York City yet, but Rachel in Philadelphia and Anton in Baltimore are the closest. See our New York and New Jersey pages.

How much does a live wedding painter cost in the USA?

Our 11 US artists start from $1,500 to $5,000 for their smallest package, before travel. Six of them start below $2,800. These are the starting prices on each artist's page, not an average of what couples pay.

Your final quote depends on four things: the size of the canvas, how many people are in the painting, how long the artist is at your wedding, and how far they travel. Most smallest packages use a 16x20 inch canvas, and larger packages go up to 30x40 inches. A bigger canvas costs more, but it gives the artist room for finer detail, your venue and your guests.

Travel is usually added to your quote, plus a hotel if the artist needs one. Some artists include travel up to a set distance. Alexandra in Appleton, for example, includes travel within 50 miles. For a full breakdown with every artist's prices, read our US live wedding painter price guide.

What happens on the day

You choose the moment with your artist before the wedding. The first dance is the most popular choice, because it gives the artist the whole reception to paint. Others choose the ceremony, the first kiss, or a composed scene that brings in people who could not be there, such as a grandparent who has passed away.

Your artist arrives early, sets up where they can see the scene without blocking your guests or your photographer, and usually paints for four to eight hours. Guests drift over to watch, and the easel becomes a natural talking point between the meal, the speeches and the dancing.

How the painting reaches you depends on the artist. Aeron and Tracy finish the whole painting at your wedding. Rachel can arrange for you to take yours home that night. Most other artists reveal the painting in the evening, then add the final details in their studio and ship it to you within one to eight weeks.

Live wedding painting or photography?

You do not have to choose. Almost every couple who books a painter also has a photographer. A photograph records the moment exactly as it was. A painting interprets it: your artist can bring your venue's best features into the frame, leave out the exit sign, and place people where the story works best. Your photos tell the story of the whole day. The painting turns one moment into a piece of art for your home. To help you decide, read is a live wedding painter worth it?

Want portraits for your guests instead?

A guest illustrator draws quick portraits of your guests, and each guest takes one home as a gift. Our US guest illustrators start from $2,500. Browse our US wedding illustrators.

How to book

1. Compare artists. Look at each artist's paintings, style, starting price and where they are based.

2. Send a message. Share your date, your venue and the moment you would love painted.

3. Have a video call. The paintings might be wonderful, but you also need to connect with the person. Your artist will spend hours at your wedding, so a short call is the best way to know they are right for you.

4. Secure your date. Pay your deposit through TheWeddingPainters. Each artist's page shows their deposit and cancellation terms. Your messages and payments all stay in one place.

Popular Saturdays from May to October can book up months ahead, so reach out as soon as you know your date and venue. It costs nothing to ask. Our guide on how far in advance to book a live wedding painter has more tips, and our list of questions to ask before hiring a live wedding painter will help on your first call.

Live wedding painter FAQ

How much does a live wedding painter cost in the USA?

Our 11 US live wedding painters start from $1,500 to $5,000 for their smallest package, before travel. Six of them start below $2,800. Your quote depends on canvas size, how many people are painted, hours at your wedding and travel. We checked these prices on October 12, 2026.

Is there a live wedding painter near me?

Our US artists are based in California, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Massachusetts, and they all travel to weddings across the country. Choosing an artist near your venue usually keeps travel costs down.

Is travel included in the price?

Usually not. Travel, plus a hotel if your artist needs one, is added to your quote. Some artists include travel up to a set distance from home. You will see the full price before you book.

Will the painting be finished on our wedding day?

It depends on the artist. A few finish the whole painting at your wedding, or let you take it home that night. Most reveal it in the evening, then add the final details in their studio and ship it to you within one to eight weeks.

How far in advance should we book?

Popular Saturdays from May to October can book up months ahead. Reach out as soon as you know your date and venue. It costs nothing to ask, and you do not commit until you pay a deposit.

Are you a live wedding painter in the US?

We are growing our American artist community, especially in areas where we do not yet have an artist based, such as New York City. If you paint live at weddings, you can apply to join TheWeddingPainters and reach couples looking for exactly what you do.

Planning a wedding in the UK? Browse our UK live wedding painters.