How much are wedding painters?
What is the cost of a wedding painter?
A live wedding painter is one of the few wedding choices that doesn’t get packed away or forgotten. It becomes a piece of your day on your wall, something you’ll walk past for years and feel right back there.
That said, pricing varies a lot. The good news is: most couples can find a fit because artists offer different styles, time commitments, and packages.
Quick guide to pricing (what you’ll typically see)
On TheWeddingPainters, live wedding painters are listed across price bands (Under £500, £500–£1,000, £1,000–£1,500, £1,500–£2,000, £2,000+).
As a general guide, live wedding painting can start from around £650, and premium artists can be £2,500+, depending on demand and complexity.
And if you’re comparing alternatives:
- Wedding illustrators (guest portraits) on the platform currently show “from” prices as low as £350, also across the same price bands.
- Portrait commissions (from a wedding photo) show “from” prices as low as £355, again across the same price bands.
What actually affects the price of a live wedding painter?
If you want a realistic figure in mind before you start messaging artists, these are the five biggest price drivers (and why they matter).
- The artist’s experience level (and demand)
- The artist’s location relative to your wedding venue
- Package type (what you want captured)
- The time the artist spends at your wedding venue
- Optional extras
1) The artist’s experience level (and demand)
Like any craft, experience and demand usually move together. More experienced painters have often:
- refined their process so they can paint faster under pressure
- developed a recognisable style people specifically book for
- built a portfolio of successful live events
That typically shows up in price — not just for the painting, but for the overall experience (confidence, calmness, and consistency on the day).
2) The artist’s location relative to your wedding venue
Distance is one of the most common “hidden” cost variables.
If an artist needs to travel far or stay overnight, you may see additional costs such as:
- mileage (often charged per mile after a free radius ranging from 40-50p per mile)
- accommodation (£100-£150 per night if they can’t reasonably travel back after the event)
- flights/trains for long-distance bookings (plus baggage for materials)
- food/drink allowance if catering isn’t provided (between £0-£50 per day)
Every artist handles this differently so the key is to clarify it early so there are no surprises.
3) Package type (what you want captured)
Packages vary because the workload varies.
For example, these choices can change pricing:
- moment: ceremony kiss vs confetti exit vs first dance
- composition: couple-only vs couple + guests vs full scene + venue detail
- canvas size: larger canvas usually means more time + more materials
- finish level: some artists “finish” in studio after the wedding for a more polished result
A simple way to think about it is the more complex the scene and the bigger the canvas, the more time the artist needs. That’s what you’re paying for.
4) Time spent at the venue
Not all artists charge hourly, but time still matters because it affects:
- how much background can be built on-site
- whether guests get to watch progress through the day
- whether the artwork is close to “presentable” before the artist leaves
Some smaller packages may be time-based, especially if you’re booking an artist for a shorter reception window.
5) Optional extras
Optional extras vary by artist, but common ones include:
- prints (great as gifts for family)
- extra guest portraits (if you want both a main canvas + take-home art)
- framing (either arranged by the artist or recommended locally)
These extras can be a brilliant way to increase the “value” of the booking without changing the core painting.
How to get an accurate quote (without the back-and-forth)
To avoid endless messaging, send a short enquiry to 3–5 artists including:
- Date + venue/location
- Which moment you want captured (ceremony / confetti / first dance / wide scene)
- Preferred style (soft & romantic / bold & modern / sketchy / oil look, etc.)
- Canvas size you’re thinking (or ask for recommendations)
- Any personal touches (pets, a loved one included, background tweaks)
On TheWeddingPainters you can chat directly with independent artists, and it’s built to be easy to manage from your phone, including SMS-style updates so you don’t miss replies.
Want the “wedding art” magic at a different budget?
If you’re torn, here’s the clean decision rule:
- You want the experience + the keepsake: Live wedding painting
- You want guest entertainment + take-home gifts: Illustrators
- You want an heirloom from your favourite photo: Commission