lIVE wedding PAINTING

your wedding IS A UNIQUE work of art.

Through live guest portraits and illustrated details, Carol McQuaid creates a bespoke Heirloom Wedding Sketchbook that captures the people, atmosphere, and story of your celebration.

Guests are painted live during the celebration, and the artwork is thoughtfully assembled afterward into an heirloom sketchbook that becomes a lasting record of the day.

WEDDING PACKAGES

Below are three of our popular live wedding painting packages to consider for your wedding celebration. Customized packages can be arranged in discussion with Carol.

‘THE CELEBRATION’ LIVE ART WEDDING Package

A refined art experience designed for intimate celebrations.

32 to 40 guests - 4 hours of live painting includes:

  • Live watercolor guest portrait painting during your event for 4 hours

  • Elegant artist setup designed to complement your celebration

  • Guests receive their original portraits

  • Professional scanning of all artwork created during the event displayed on a private online gallery with ordering link for guests

  • Additional portraits beyond 40 guests can be painted from photographs taken at the wedding and may be commissioned at:

    • $25 per individual portrait

    • $40 per couple portrait

Investment $1,200

‘THE SIGNATURE’ SKETCHBOOK package

MOST POPULAR

SIGNATURE

An illustrated experience that captures the full story of your wedding day in a bespoke hand bound Heirloom Sketchbook.

32 to 40 guests — 4 hours of live painting includes everything in The Celebration Package plus:

  • Pre-event engagement couple portrait painted from your favourite photo

  • Venue watercolour portrait

  • Wedding day watercolour portrait of the couple

  • Watercolour vignettes of bouquet and cake

  • Handbound bespoke Signature Heirloom Sketchbook printed with archival inks on 300gsm watercolor paper that includes all above artwork as priceless keepsake.

  • Additional Signature Heirloom Sketchbooks can be purchased for $100 per copy

  • Additional portraits beyond 40 guests may be commissioned from photographs you send to Carol for:

    • $25 per individual portrait

    • $40 per couple portrait

Investment $2,500

‘The ULTIMATE’ WEDDING Collection

The most comprehensive illustrated wedding experience, designed for larger celebrations with additional Heirloom Sketchbooks included.

48 to 60 guests painted live — 6 hours of live painting includes everything in The Celebration and The Signature Sketchbook Packages, plus:

  • Two additional hours of live guest portrait painting at the event

  • 16 to 20 additional guests painted live at the event

  • Additional painted guest portraits included from photographs you submit are included for a total of up to 100 guests painted

  • Includes three Ultimate Heirloom Wedding Sketchbooks

  • Additional Ultimate Heirloom Sketchbooks can be ordered for $150 per copy

  • Additional portraits beyond 100 guests may be commissioned from photographs you send to Carol for:

    • $25 per individual portrait

    • $40 per couple portrait

Investment $4,800

Live painting is completed in real time throughout your event. While I typically paint 8 to 10 guests per hour, final coverage and capturing of guests depends on:

  • Guest participation

  • Outfit detail and complexity

  • Event flow and timeline

  • Lighting and location

During your booked hours, I will complete as many guest portraits as possible. If your guest list exceeds the number allocated for the event, additional portraits may be created from photographs within three days of the receiving the photos you want painted.

These post-event portraits are completed in the same watercolour style and included in your final scanned gallery and, and in your wedding sketchbook.

ADDITIONAL WEDDING PORTRAITS & HEIRLOOM SKETCH BOOKS CAN BE ORDERED

‘Signature’ Heirloom Sketchbooks $100 per copy

‘Ultimate’ Heirloom Sketchbooks $150 per copy*

*Ultimate Sketchbooks have more pages so this increases cost.

Additional portraits beyond your allowed guest count may be commissioned from photographs you send to Carol for:

  • $25 per individual portrait

  • $40 per couple portrait

ILLUSTRATED & BESPOKE INVITATION OR THANK YOU CARDS

Custom Invitation or Thank You Cards can be created from your Wedding Live Painting Package.

INVITATION CARDS:

Option #1: Engagement photo painting featured on one side, with personalized invitation details printed note on the backside.

Option #2: Venue or other piece of artwork commissioned on one side with with personalized invitation details printed note on the backside.

THANK YOU CARDS:

Option #1: guests individual painting featured on one side, with a blank side for you to handwrite, or personalized printed note on the backside.

Option #2: feature one piece of artwork from your wedding sketchbook (ie Wedding Couple) on one side with a blank side for you to handwrite, or personalized printed note on the backside.

optional add ons & THINGS TO NOTE

Get Started

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Reserve Your Date

  • Submit an inquiry through the website.

  • A Zoom meeting or call is set up.

  • Once availability is confirmed, a signed agreement and a retainer secure your booking.

2. Pre-Event Planning

  • For Signature and Heirloom packages, engagement and venue photographs are provided in advance.

  • We will also confirm timeline placement for live painting during your reception or cocktail hour.

3. Live Painting at Your Event

  • I arrive with my elegant sketch booth and paint guests in real time throughout your booked hours.

  • Guests receive their original portrait as a keepsake.

4. After the Celebration

  • All artwork is professionally scanned.

  • Sketchbooks are designed and delivered.

  • A private gallery link is shared for viewing and optional ordering.

  • A modern heirloom, created from your day.

Let's Get Started

  • On average, 8 to 10 guests per hour. Final totals depend on guest participation, outfit detail, event flow, and lighting. During your booked hours, I complete as many portraits as possible.

  • If your guest list exceeds the number completed during the event, additional portraits may be created from photographs within three days of the celebration.

    Additional portraits are $30 per guest and included in your final gallery and sketchbook where applicable.

  • Most couples schedule live painting during cocktail hour and the first portion of the reception. This creates steady flow while allowing guests time to mingle.

  • Yes. Each guest receives their original watercolour portrait at the event.

    The artwork is scanned beforehand so it can also be included in your digital gallery and sketchbook design.

  • Yes. Based in the South Okanagan and available throughout British Columbia and destination locations. Travel fees may apply depending on distance.

  • Wedding dates typically book several months in advance, especially during peak season. Early inquiry is recommended to secure your date.

  • A 25% retainer is required at booking to reserve your date.

    • A second payment of 25% is required at time of pre-event preparation.

    • A third payment of 25% is due one month prior to the wedding.

    • Final payment of 25% is due on the day of the wedding.

    • Any additional requests for more portraits can be added after the event.

    All payments are non-refundable.

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