investment


I have been painting live at weddings for the past five years and portraits for the past fifteen, and during that time, I have developed a personalized and unique approach to wedding painting that is tailored to meet the needs and preferences of each client. My attention to detail and portrait-focused approach is unrivalled in the industry, and I take pride in creating exceptional experiences and artwork that exceed expectations. I understand that every wedding is different, which is why I work closely with you to ensure that your painting is nothing short of amazing.

Although I am painting live at the wedding, I tend to think of my paintings as commissions started at the wedding because so much time is spent after the wedding day to refine the artwork. You want your artwork to be truly complete, and not rushed to completion the night of the wedding - you are investing in both the live experience for your guests and the final artwork - the final artwork will live forever with you, and is the most important of all.

By hiring me, you are investing in a timeless experience that will capture the magic of your wedding day in a way that is both beautiful and unforgettable. It's a tremendous honour to be a part of your special day, and I am grateful for the opportunity to create an experience that both you and your guests will treasure.




professionalism

what to expect

"Her attention to detail in capturing both myself and my husband, as well as the detail she gave our parents makes it without a doubt our favourite wedding memory."

"She just made me feel so comfortable. It felt like I’ve been friends with her my whole life! THAT is the kind of vibe you want from someone you are trusting to creatively capture a beautiful moment in a very special day. You want someone who will understand your vision, trust their creative instincts, and really get to know you so they can genuinely capture your moment. Emily is ALL of that, and some."

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Once your contract is signed and your 20% invoice is paid, your date is secured. 

04.

Your date will be checked, and if available the booking documents will be sent to you. You are able to schedule a call if you have questions prior to signing the documents.

03.

Review the information on this page, and the FAQ section. Fill out the booking form at the bottom of the page.

02.

Review the painting packages and information below to find the best fit for you and your wedding plans.

01.

the process

what to expect 

THE ESSENTIAL

live painting
22x26"

Newlyweds + close surrounding area
portrait (vertical) orientation preferred
5-7 hours of live painting + up to 15 hours of studio time
painted in oils on hand stretched canvas

$2800

the packages

live painting
28x34"

newlyweds + surrounding area/features
portrait or landscape
6-7 hours of live painting +up to 25 hours of studio time
PAINTED IN OILS ON hand stretched canvas

$3300

THE CLASSIC

LIVE PAINTING
32X32"

NEWLYWEDS + others if requested + MORE SURROUND
6-7 HOURS OF LIVE PAINTING +UP TO 30 HOURS OF STUDIO TIME
PAINTED IN OILS ON HAND STRETCHED canvas

$3550

the signature

the prestige

LIVE PAINTING
38x50"

NEWLYWEDS + ADDITIONAL DETAILED GUESTS + SURROUNDING SCENE
portrait or landscape
only available on 1.5" canvas
7-8 HOURS OF LIVE PAINTING
+UP TO 50 HOURS OF STUDIO TIME
PAINTED IN OILS ON hand stretched canvas

$5200



the bespoke

painting from photo
32x32" / 22x28" / 16x20"

wedding painting completed from photo after the wedding
approx 25-45 hours of studio time
PAINTED IN OILS ON hand stretched canvas

$2750/$2100/$1600







essential

LIVE PAINTING
22X26"

NEWLYWEDS + CLOSE SURROUNDING AREA
PORTRAIT (VERTICAL) ORIENTATION preferred
5-7 HOURS OF LIVE PAINTING + UP TO 15 HOURS OF STUDIO TIME
PAINTED IN OILS ON HAND STRETCHED canvas

$2800

classic

signature

bespoke

LIVE PAINTING
28X34"

NEWLYWEDS + SURROUNDING AREA/FEATURES
PORTRAIT OR LANDSCAPE
6-7 HOURS OF LIVE PAINTING +UP TO 25 HOURS OF STUDIO TIME
PAINTED IN OILS ON HAND STRETCHED canvas

$3300

LIVE PAINTING
32X32"

NEWLYWEDS + others if requested + MORE  SURROUND
6-7 HOURS OF LIVE PAINTING +UP TO 30 HOURS OF STUDIO TIME
PAINTED IN OILS ON HAND STRETCHED canvas

$3550

LIVE PAINTING
38X50"

NEWLYWEDS + ADDITIONAL DETAILED GUESTS + SURROUNDING SCENE
PORTRAIT OR LANDSCAPE
ONLY AVAILABLE ON 1.5" CANVAS
7-8 HOURS OF LIVE PAINTING
+UP TO 50 HOURS OF STUDIO TIME
PAINTED IN OILS ON HAND STRETCHED canvas

$5200



prestige

PAINTING FROM PHOTO
32x32" / 22X26" / 16X20"

WEDDING PAINTING COMPLETED FROM PHOTOs AFTER THE WEDDING
APPROX 25-30 HOURS OF STUDIO TIME
PAINTED IN OILS ON HAND STRETCHED canvas

$2750/$2100/$1600



package comparison

painted onsite at the wedding

painted in studio

difference?

sizing and pricing, what is the

The pricing difference between each package relates directly to the size of the canvas. As the size of the canvas increases the size of the portraits and bodies also increases, as well as the area surrounding them. This means that for each size increase more details can be incorporated in the portraits, and more atmosphere from the scene can be surrounding the newlyweds. More studio time is also included with each size increase.

Larger sizes also include the room to add other guests without compromising composition.

frequently asked questions

When searching for wedding painters in ontario we are finding very different pricing and packages, why is this?

Art is very subjective, and every artist is different. some may price their work based on 'market rate' and some may price work based on what they believe the value to be.

 My paintings are priced based on the following:
1.  My years of experience (15 years of portraiture, 5 years of exclusively live weddings)

2.  Likeness and overall artistic skill (the ability for the portrait to be realistic with accurate colours, atmosphere, lighting, and compositions that are dynamic);

3. my reputation as a sought after artist who is highly recommended by both clients and fellow wedding professionals (as noted by my wedding date waitlists, and multiple preferred vendors titles with venues throughout ontario);

4. and the quality of my work and the materials used to create the paintings.

do you offer a discount for cash payments? do I have to pay sales tax?

Harmonized Sales Tax (HST at 13%) is charged in addition to the pricing above for all paintings - regardless of how you decide to pay. I accept cash, e-transfer, and credit cards. I do not offer discounts for any type of payment, as the work to be completed is the same.

how do you decide which scene to paint?

The scene is primarily decided by you. during our consultation we will go over your day-of timeline and ideas for the painting. most scenes are possible to be painted during ceremony + reception style timelines.

how does the bespoke package compare to the live paintings?

The bespoke package is the perfect option if your wedding date is already booked, or you are working within a lower budget. You can put down a deposit before the wedding, and once you receive your wedding photos you can send me the full gallery with permission of your photographers, from that gallery i will piece together different elements into a painting from a scene of your choice. This is currently the only style of commission I offer and as such, there are a limited number of openings for the bespoke package each month, especially during peak wedding season.

how do you paint the scene? Are you using photos or painting from life?

during the moment to be painted, I record video and take my own photos. from the footage i select the best moments and bits from here and there and combine them to use as my reference for the painting. if the scene to be painted is where i am set up i will also paint from life for certain elements.

do you frame the artwork?

I do not frame the paintings, but UPON REQUEST I CAN ADD A HANGING WIRE TO THE ARTWORK once it's completed. this is because professional framers will do the best job to ensure your painting is housed to last a lifetime. They will also guide you on selecting framing and matting that best complements the artwork. I recommend reaching out to your local framing shop for information on their process.

i see that some sizes/packages are portrait recommended - what does this mean?

portrait and landscape are the orientation of the canvas. portrait means the longest edge of the canvas is on the side, and landscape means the longest edge is at the bottom/top. the smaller sized canvases are recommended for portrait, this is so that the newlyweds have a large enough size to create the level of detail in their faces. when painted in landscape the newlyweds are always shorter.

How far out should I book?

my best suggestion is as soon as you have decided i am the artist for you, reach out. i am only one person and can only attend one event per day, as such, dates do fill up quickly.
at this time i am only booking remaining available 2023 dates and 2024 dates.

Is the painting finished at the wedding? When do we receive it?

Paintings are approximately 80-85% completed at the wedding, and often they look finished by the end of the night. they always come back to my studio where additional refining begins to ensure every detail is captured. the timeline is heavily dependant on the time of year, in the spring and winter months paintings can be completed in approximately 3-4 weeks, while in peak wedding seasons it could be 8-16 weeks. updates are always provided along the way to newlyweds.

have you ever painted a wedding with my religion or culture?

I have painted over 120 different weddings with a wide variety of cultural norms and traditions so it's possible i have! if you have specific questions, please do ask me - it is my job to create a beautiful painting of your day and I will always do so respectfully.

I would like to gift the wedding painting as a surprise, how would this work?

Surprises are so fun to be a part of, the process of this is almost identical to a non-surprise wedding painting. If the engaged couple is working with a wedding planner i would suggest contacting them to be involved in the surprise. you would secure the date with the contract and 20% retainer and 4-6 weeks before the wedding we would have a consultation looping in the planner, to plan the best moment to paint and to maintain the surprise for as much of the day as possible.

we're a group and want to coordinate this as a group gift, how would that work?

the process would be the same as a standard booking! i suggest that one person coordinate with the group aspect and also coordinate with me. the contract and invoice will be issued only to one individual, whoever that may be within the group. the 4-6 week consultation can involve everyone in a zoom call, 

we've never planned a wedding before, is there anything specific we should know about live wedding paintings?

I am always happy to answer any questions you may have as quickly as i can, wedding planning can be overwhelming and i try to make everything as easy as possible. from a vendor standpoint, i am probably the easiest - i do not require anything from the venue, i arrive based on your timeline, and i coordinate ahead of time with your other vendors and am in contact with you following the wedding regarding all your painting updates! you may find the live painting page helpful for general information, or the reviews helpful for what your experience will be like.

I've never purchased original artwork before, is there anything I should know?

CONGRATULATIONS ON PURCHASING YOUR FIRST ORIGINAL PIECE! When your painting is completed and you have been notified you will also be sent a link to care instructions. This information includes how to transport your painting, clean and dust the painting, and general hanging/care guidance. If you have any questions you are always welcome to ask. 

I am not sure which size painting to select, how can I decide?

Determining the size can be hard, some methods to help you determine the best size for you include:

- deciding where you want to hang the finished artwork, using painters tape or measuring tools you can size the artwork on that wall to help visualize the different sizes.

- how much of the scene do you want to have featured? larger sizes allow for more extensive detail in the surrounding scene. this is particularly notable in interiors with high ceilings and/or outdoor scenes with spanning horizons, or if you would like additional guests featured in the painting.

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what supplies do you use?

my paintings are currently painted on double primed cotton canvas, if you would like to upgrade to a belgian linen it is possible. as of 2025 all paintings will be painted on hand stretched belgian linen.

paintings are created using old holland oil paints, a trusted brand that has been creating top of the line artist materials since 1664 and gamblin oil paints that have been made since 1980 and used in many restorations of classic paintings even by Da vinci and van gogh. paintings are varnished with gamvar in a gloss finish.

what is hand stretched canvas?

Hand stretched canvas is the process by which the canvas (painting support) is created. Canvas can be purchased from art supply stores already stretched over a wooden frame. Hand stretched means that as the artist, i purchase the canvas or linen, along with the wooden stretcher bars and have full control over the canvases creation. 

a major reason for this is to ensure that each canvas is as close to perfect as it can be. the quality of store purchased canvases can vary, but when i stretch my own canvases they are always the correct tautness for painting, with perfectly finished edges, and i know they have been properly and adequately primed for the artwork.

how many weddings do you paint per year? is my date available?

each year i take on a limited number of weddings, this is to ensure that each painting receives the most energy, attention, and studio time for those refining details. 

on a monthly basis, the number of openings is as follows:
Jan - March - up to 4 per month
April - May - up to 5 per month
June - October - up to 6 per month
Nov - december - up to 5 per month

 So although many dates may be 'open' for booking within the calendar once the maximum has been reached the month will be closed entirely.

we have seen other artists painting with acrylic, why do you use oils?

I used to paint using acrylics for live paintings as they dry by evaporation and therefore dry faster - this allowed me to paint over elements as the painting progressed throughout the wedding day when i made changes.

i have always been more comfortable painting in oils (I actually learned to paint using oils!) over the years of live painting I have finessed my process and now plan the full painting before i begin and painting over elements is now quite rare. this is why i have switched to entirely oil paintings.

Oil paints are incredibly long lasting, the colours do not shift as they dry (which as a gripe i had with acrylics!). oils allow for much smoother and softer blending which is crucial when painting portraits and fabrics. 

do the oil paints smell? 

Although oil paints do have a very mild scent, your guests would likely not be able to smell them unless they were holding my palette. i do not use turpentine or any other paint thinners or solvents for my paintings.

do you need anything from the venue?

I do not require anything specific from the venue aside from permission to paint on site. the total space of my set up is approximately 4ft by 5ft and this includes the area where i stand. if there is a location with access to power it is appreciated, but not required. 

our venue requires our vendors to be insured - do you have insurance?

I do! I have a 2m dollar liability insurance policy that I can provide to you, or your venue upon request.

how does payment work?

a 20% invoice will be sent along with the event contract, this 20% is due within 7 days of signing the contract. The balance is due one week before the wedding date. payments are accepted by e-transfer or any major credit cards.

do you travel for weddings?

i currently only paint weddings within canada, if your wedding is outside of canada please consider The Bespoke PAckage as it can be completed in canada and shipped to you once completed. I am based in Ontario but inter-provincial travel may be possible, please contact me to confirm.

do you charge a travel fee or per diem?

up to 100km of driving are included with every wedding painting package. for events further than 100km of driving, a travel quote will be provided along with your booking documents billed at $0.63/km. for events over 200km of driving, a custom travel quote will be provided that accounts for overnight accommodation.

my date is booked in your calendar - what are my options?

im so sorry that i am unavailable for your wedding date, you are welcome to inquire about The Bespoke Package (painting from photo) or add your information to the waitlist. if for any reason your wedding date becomes available i will contact you. If you are set on a live painter please also contact Olga Pankova, a live wedding painter located in the gta.

we are thinking we want a different size, is this possible?

Custom sizes may be available for sizes larger than the listed package sizes. i no longer paint smaller than 22x28" for live paintings. if you are looking for specific dimensions please contact me for a quote.

AFTER RECEIVING THE PAPERWORK, WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS - CAN WE SET UP A CHAT?

OF COURSE! IF YOU PREFER TO HAVE A PHONE CALL PRIOR TO SIGNING YOUR CONTRACT WE CAN SET THAT UP FOR A TIME THAT WORKS FOR YOU.

BOOKING FORM

photography on this page so kindly provided courtesy of everlast photo, goldhouse studios, kat ardnt, hrm photography.