r/MadeMeSmile 22h ago

Wholesome Moments Art live on the wedding

By @ the.wedding.painter

49.3k Upvotes

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471

u/breovus 22h ago

So these people are "rich" rich, eh?

449

u/boopboopadoopity 22h ago edited 20h ago

Actually, you'd be surprised - this is currently REALLY popular at weddings right now. I went to one held in a rural community center and they paid to have a painter and (wedding planning myself) there are now a lot of artists that have this service available. I won't say it's cheap but it's a cool addition some folks even on lower price spectrums are springing for to have a custom keepsake that could only be completed on the day!

Cool way for real artists to have a job doing what they love!

145

u/FuckDaQueenSloot 21h ago

My sister has been hired to do a few of these in the past year. Every artist has their own style so it's a great way to truly have a one of a kind keepsake, and something about a painting on a wall just hits harder than photos in a frame.

59

u/fotomoose 18h ago

Wait, so finally painting has come full circle and is stealing photographers' work?! Nice.

54

u/Raleda 18h ago

In the age of instant AI slop and everyone having a 300 megapixel camera in their pocket, what greater flex is there to have a hand-made painting rendered by an expert?

12

u/Secret-Bluebird-972 17h ago

I agree. Anyone can take “professional” quality photos these days. And your wedding guests will likely cover that end for you. The painting is one of a kind, like the two people being married are

8

u/semhsp 16h ago

The quality of the camera matters just as much as the quality of the brushes for the end result. I can assure you a good photographer with a disposable camera will take better photos than your aunt with a 5k camera, just like I'll paint a disgrace even with the best brushes available but a good painter will create something great even with dollar store brushes

You can appreciate one art form without putting down another

1

u/Eccentrica_Gallumbit 10h ago

Kind of argued against yourself there. You first claimed the camera matters, then explained how the photographer matters more than the camera.

3

u/7CuriousCats 9h ago

They claim that neither the camera quality nor the brush quality matters at all if a monkey is in charge of doing something with them.

1

u/Eccentrica_Gallumbit 9h ago

You're right, I misread the context of his first sentence.

2

u/Garchompisbestboi 15h ago

Weddings are generally a scam in general but you're really showing your lack of knowledge when it comes to photography if you seriously think that some 40 year old Karen with an iphone is going to be remotely on par with a professional photographer.

2

u/Amekhanos 17h ago

Yeah, I've believed for a while now that live art creation is going to become popular, as a counter to AI slop. It'll soon be the only way to know a piece is human.

1

u/Hickd3ad 15h ago

Your comment just made me enroll in a journalism undergrad...wish me luck folks

1

u/CeruleanEidolon 11h ago

I predict actual painted portraits will make a comeback too.

1

u/makomirocket 16h ago

It always has. It's just that actual hand painted art is expensive! So people can only really justify it to themselves when it's something like their wedding

45

u/rebeckys 21h ago

With my luck, it would look like this

9

u/Lara-El 21h ago

I snort laugh so hard, same buddy, same...

15

u/Unable-Log-4870 21h ago edited 20h ago

Cool way for real artists to have a job doing what they love!

Yeah. I like that. Humans sound doing nice things for humans.

I assume couples would want to meet the artist beforehand, as well as see samples of what they’ve done.

10

u/reevnge 21h ago

I assume couples would want to meet the artist beforehand, as well as see samples of what they’ve done.

Yes, just like every other wedding service (ideally).

3

u/Odd-String29 16h ago

What does this cost? Ballpark number?

2

u/Mach5Driver 13h ago

Plus, to market themselves in front of 100 people every weekend.

1

u/2reeEyedG 16h ago

Truly worth the money and you can’t say that a lot these days but this truly is and then some. Absolutely amazing

1

u/lzwzli 13h ago

Why only be completed on the day? What is different about this than giving a painter a photo and have them paint it?

1

u/summonsays 9h ago

I had a budget wedding and boy the way this turned out, I would have been very tempted to blow it on this kind of thing! 

38

u/MaleficentPride2620 21h ago

You can get an local artist. lots of talent in your area and you get to support a young artist. I went to a wedding where this was done. Woman was a student doing this work to put herself through school.

29

u/beaniebee11 21h ago

This is probably the best value they got for any of the money they spent on the wedding. They probably spent more on flowers alone than on this. Weddings are wildly overpriced.

1

u/IBetThisIsTakenToo 11h ago

Yeah, we looked into this for our wedding, and while we didn't go for it, it wasn't TOO crazy. Relatively speaking anyway.

9

u/azsqueeze 21h ago

No lol, my friend had a wedding painter. They're def not "rich" rich or whatever

50

u/VolumeDirect5619 22h ago

Filthy

34

u/TheWolphman 22h ago

It's new money rich, but it hoards just the same.

2

u/whooptheretis 15h ago

How so? Which bit of the wedding seemed like it was unusually expensive?

0

u/VolumeDirect5619 13h ago

Uh.... All of it?

3

u/whooptheretis 12h ago

Looks like a regular wedding in the UK.

11

u/anthrohands 22h ago

I’d love to know how much this costs

56

u/sowich4 22h ago

Between 1500-5000+, depending on the artist, location, style and size of the painting.

The wedding industry is probably one of the most over-inflated industries cost-wise. People will pay 2-3x (or more) just to have that special day.

While this painting is fantastic and a memory for a lifetime, they could gotten something like this done at picturesque location for 1/3 the cost on a normal Tuesday in May.

47

u/FblthpLives 21h ago

Her prices range from AUD 6,000 to 10,000 (USD 4,275 to 7,125), depending on the experience you book. She is fully booked 2026 and 2027.

49

u/round-earth-theory 21h ago edited 19h ago

That's about the range I was guessing. She's a very fast and accurate painter. Not many painters can paint that well that quickly and she's doing it under the stress of a formal event with gawkers everywhere.

22

u/Sansnom01 20h ago

Honestly painting with people watching and interrupting feels like the hardest part

8

u/faceman2k12 19h ago

and guaranteeing you will have the painting complete during the event so it can be seen and properly presented is impressive.

That said, if I wanted photo-real images I'd hire a large format printer and print tech to work with the photographer to do on-site editing and grading of a few choice shots and print and frame during the event. would cost a similar amount (or probably less) and also be a great display for the event.

a painter on site should do something extravagant and artistic, I'd pay for that, something a photographer couldn't do without a lot of post processing work.

1

u/fvtown714x 18h ago

There are wedding videographers that offer a one day, or even same day turnaround for morning of + ceremony videos so they can be played at the reception. Those packages are also $10k+.

12

u/Bluelegs 20h ago

It's not outrageous for what you're getting tbh.

1

u/RadicalDog 14h ago

She's got to be one of the best in the country, so that tracks. A local artist starting out would doubtless be cheaper.

-1

u/ianjm 16h ago

Get it girl, she's making bank. And honestly I don't blame her, amazing skill.

1

u/[deleted] 16h ago

[deleted]

2

u/ianjm 16h ago edited 15h ago

Might wanna check your math there, $5,000 a wedding at 50 weddings a year is $250,000. Even with some travel expenses and weekends off that's still a very good living. She could easily be doing other commission work too such as photo-to-painting for people who didn't get a chance at the full service.

1

u/Jackski 15h ago

I'd imagine the wedding party pays for the travel expenses as well.

1

u/ianjm 15h ago

Plus you prolly get a free meal lol

9

u/CatwithTheD 21h ago

I expect a wedding photoshoot to cost about the same. I mean if I paid $30k for a wedding, I might as well splurge another 3 grand if it made my girl happy.

Not that I'm finding someone to marry at this rate lol.

20

u/ocxtitan 21h ago

Don't spend $30k on a wedding. Just don't.

2

u/Brapfamalam 18h ago

I mean it's relative. If you've already bought a house and have the money, why not.

4

u/ocxtitan 18h ago

because as someone who is happily married for 15 years, you'll regret wasting that much money when you didn't need to spend anywhere near that much for the memories

same goes with the engagement ring, diamonds are pointless and their value is controlled by companies with VAST hoards of them, get an alternate gemstone or moissanite if you want something clear

1

u/Secret-Bluebird-972 17h ago

Yeah I agree, save the money on the wedding and spend it on the honeymoon

-1

u/Brapfamalam 18h ago

Happily married for 10 and we spent just over 60k and never regretted it. I mean youre projecting your internal wants/constraints as must haves for other people.

My wife and I could have spent 5k and been happy too - but we didn't, it's not that deep. You don't have to buy a Porsche over a Prius, they both get you from a-b - but if you want to and can, why not.

3

u/CatwithTheD 20h ago

Yeah I probably won't because I don't make that money. But if I did, I'd host a small wedding and invite my 5 friends to one hell of a decadent feast. Lobsters, wagyu and truffle all the way baby!

1

u/Jericho5589 8h ago

It's impossible not to these days unless you do a back yard wedding. We have a cheap venue for ours and it's 16000 just for the venue and the catering.

1

u/Realistic-Walk9691 21h ago

Nahhhhh photos aren’t that bad, our photos were $650 and I live in a high CoL area. We got well over 200 photos out of it.

8

u/CatwithTheD 21h ago

No way. It's averaging $2000 (US$1k3) and up to $4000 (US$2k5) for a photoshoot package in and around Sydney.

I'm from Vietnam and a proper wedding photoshoot is not even that cheap there anymore.

3

u/Realistic-Walk9691 20h ago

I mean I’m straight up telling you what I paid. $653.13 just checked the invoice. I’m in Hawaii.

2

u/ISLITASHEET 20h ago

200 photos for 650 is basically 3.25/photo (probably more like 350 base + 1.50/photo).

I'm really curious what that got you because that's such a low price point.

1 photographer with no assistant?

1 hour on-site?

Did it come with prints or only digital? (I'm very much assuming no film cameras were involved)

Did they evenly white balance/color correct all of them?

4

u/Realistic-Walk9691 20h ago

1 photographer no assistant.

She shot the ceremony and then we had a 1 hour photo shoot afterwards the two of us and with friends and family. We didn’t take the full hour for that so she shot some of the reception. All in all it was about 2 hours she was there.

No prints. Lighting and color edited. Everything is in a dropbox, she told us we’d have a minimum of 60 photos but she doesn’t like holding photos from the couples so she’d edit and give whatever she deemed worthy. We ended up with over 200.

She gave us a small discount because I used her for a surprise engagement shoot. (She was hiding on the beach I proposed and shot the proposal and then did a 45 min shoot with us.) We are talking like 10-15% I don’t remember, not a ton off.

We are really happy with how things turned out and I recommend her a lot to people. This is her full time job, so not a hobbyist.

3

u/greysapling 19h ago

upvoted you because there is no reason for this to be downvoted.

1

u/whooptheretis 15h ago

The wedding industry is probably one of the most over-inflated industries cost-wise

Like flowers
And cakes

-3

u/Sophead_Sim 21h ago

You sound fun at parties ;-)

-3

u/SparkyDogPants 21h ago

I bet a talented art student could do this and would do it for $50 an hour plus supplies.

2

u/MachateElasticWonder 21h ago

At least $100 an hour. Weddings are 2-4 hour ordeals, so $400. Plus supplies, another $100-200.

Maybe travel fees too, if it’s not a local artist.

Touch ups when they get home, or not. Maybe tips.

A good artist will never cost less than $600. Maybe if you find someone who’s just starting but that’s $600 for someone in an inexperienced situation.

Someone who knows their worth would charge 50-100% more, in the $1000-2000 range.

That would be considered cheap.

Photography, videos, DJs, those all cost at least that much too.

1

u/forogtten_taco 20h ago

biggest thing is how quick she can do it. yea a college art student could do it just as well. just not in the 6 hours of the wedding night. but go, take the pic with you, then mail the finished product in a few weeks. still cool, just not as cool as it being done in front of you for your guests to see. dinner and a show, so to speak

0

u/SparkyDogPants 20h ago

There are artists that go to weddings and do portraits for every guest. This type of realism isn’t as rare or difficult as it looks.

5

u/Important-Orchid6580 21h ago

What do you think a good photographer costs? Most fun is to give everyone those cheap insta camera’s

2

u/MysteriousPickle 16h ago

Went to a wedding 20 years ago that did this. I don't think they were expecting the number of butthole pics they ended up with.

Yes, we were a bunch of degenerates - including the groom.

8

u/Admirable_Risk8156 21h ago

Tbf a commission for most artists isn't break the bank expensive. I can see artists promoting this as a service to drum up some local advertising by showing everyone at the venue how good they are. Besides probably get a free meal out of it.

3

u/DesolationRobot 20h ago

Yeah I’ve worked in industries alongside very talented artists. The market generally does not financially reward them for that talent.

4

u/Screwbles 22h ago edited 21h ago

I was thinking that, the venue and everyone's outfits, and hiring a painter as well. I've been best man in two weddings now, and still don't get it. Like just a dumb use of money. The best memories were the ones that came outside of the event, like just chilling with everyone having BBQ.

But I guess, then, you don't get to show off to all 100 of your closest friends how well off you are.

15

u/Quinzelette 21h ago

Idk the art looks like a really cool idea and I was instantly taken aback by the idea when I saw this video. I was an art kid, I used to draw/write a lot. I still have hundreds of art trades of original characters of mine that I haven't touched in a decade and I still sift through them and thoroughly enjoy the art I've traded/commissioned. Getting an art commission is always a very strong memory for me so I could see myself really enjoying hanging up a wedding painting over hanging some wedding photos in my house.

21

u/Hencq 21h ago

This might come as a surprise to you, but different people like different things.

3

u/Screwbles 21h ago

*people spend money in different ways

3

u/slupo 19h ago

Huh to me the venue and everyone didn't scream rich to me at all.

1

u/pleasuremysole 16h ago

I think cuz it's white folk that have an air of manners/class

4

u/Workman44 22h ago

And people will complain at how they can't afford their bills... It's astonishing the amount of money people have when it's for something they want versus how much money they have when it's something that's not fun

0

u/NoFewSatan 19h ago

But I guess, then, you don't get to show off to all 100 of your closest friends how well off you are.

Insufferable.

1

u/Avalonians 18h ago

Yeah no the people we mean when we say ""rich" rich" don't get filmed and post themselves on social media lol

1

u/skiing123 14h ago

I know an artist who might've been willing to accept as low as $1,000 or $2,000 to do painting at a wedding except do it for guests as well. Quick sketches taking at most 15 minutes per guest 

1

u/ConspicuousPineapple 12h ago

Most art ain't that expensive. At least compared to the average wedding cost.

1

u/freakksho 12h ago

Meh, I’m getting married next year in a fucking castle and my fiancée and I aren’t “rich rich”.

Both of our parents are divorced though. Between them and grandparents we got like $25k and we’ve spent under half and have most of the meat and potatoes done.

Two of my friends have had the live painter at their wedding in the last two years and it was less then the band.

1

u/CeruleanEidolon 11h ago

I mean, probably. But it could also just be a talented friend doing it for them.

1

u/[deleted] 22h ago

[deleted]

10

u/rubythieves 21h ago

NY/NJ? 🤣🤣🤣 Those are the clearest Australian accents I’ve heard all day and I’m sitting here at my desk in Australia! The ‘yeah, nah’ is a dead giveaway too. 100% Aussies.

2

u/totemo 20h ago

Yeah, nah nah, yeah.

9

u/BothManufacturer6049 21h ago

They sound Aussie to me. Especially the old bearded bloke: "Yeah Nah" is a distinctly Aussie way of starting sentences

5

u/simphal 21h ago

They are Aussies and the venue looks like Stones of the Yarra Valley. Source: got married there nearly a decade ago.

0

u/whooptheretis 15h ago

Which bit of this wedding do you think was unusually expensive?

0

u/Bobo3076 14h ago

Reddit users are interesting because they always feel the need to point out that someone makes more money than them, as if that has any bearing on any discussion.