Trying to decide? BOLI Preferred Vendor By Brittany Branson discusses live wedding painting vs. guest illustrations, and why you might choose one over the other.
Image by Madeline Collins Photography, courtesy of By Brittany Branson
There’s no doubt that your wedding day will be all about you and your fiancé, but let’s be honest – you’ll also want to throw an unforgettable party for your guests.
Many brides search for that reception “wow” factor, a distinctive and memorable experience that friends and family will cherish for a lifetime. Live wedding painting and live guest illustrations are two options that are both entertaining and unique, leaving either the couple or their guests with a beautiful and creative keepsake.
But when it comes to live wedding painting vs. guest illustrations, which is a better choice for your wedding? Live artist Brittany Branson, of BOLI Preferred Vendor By Brittany Branson, breaks down the differences and benefits of both, and how to decide between them.
MORE: By Brittany Branson captures your day with creativity and passion
The benefits of live wedding painting
For Brittany, there are two big reasons why you’d want to choose a live wedding painting. “One, the artist provides an amazing non-musical form of entertainment to wow friends and family, and two, the experience provides couples with a tangible item that they can keep forever and was created live on their wedding day,” she explained. “There aren’t too many physical things that survive long after the big day, but a live wedding painting is truly an heirloom that can be passed down.”
Brittany also pointed out that while your photographer may be limited in certain aspects, your live painter can create whatever you envision. “Many of my couples request unique compositions,” she said. “For example, capturing their first dance pose but within their ceremony space or location. Or, using the painting as an opportunity to honor pets – our family members who are not always able to physically attend the big day – as well as loved ones who have passed on. The rules of ‘capturing reality’ don’t apply to a painting.”
Image by Perry Vaile Photography, courtesy of By Brittany Branson
Why you might skip a live wedding painting
With all the benefits of a live wedding painting, why would you decide against it? “A live wedding painting experience may simply not be right for every couple, or their friends and family,” Brittany described.
“I personally take great pride in the entertainment aspect of the experience,” she continued. “However, a couple knows their friends and families best. If they have a feeling their people may simply not ‘get’ or find much interest in the experience, it may be best to go in a different direction.”
She also stressed the importance of confirming your live wedding painting details with your entire wedding day team. “In very rare cases, some venues may not permit paint.”
MORE: 39 Questions to Ask When Touring a Venue
Image by The Walkers Photography, courtesy of By Brittany Branson
The benefits of guest illustrations
If you’ve been on the hunt for a wedding favor that your guests won’t leave behind, guest illustrations could be your answer.
“The primary benefit of a guest illustration experience is that it provides your VIP friends and family with custom works of art they can keep forever,” Brittany detailed. “It’s the ultimate party favor, and one that won’t be thrown in the trash just as soon as they depart.”
Image by Madeline Collins Photography, courtesy of By Brittany Branson
Why you might want to skip live guest illustrations
Unless you hire multiple artists (or have a smaller guest list), some of your guests may have to go home empty handed. “Illustrations can take anywhere between 5-15 minutes per guest or couple, depending on the artist’s style,” Brittany explained. “So, there often simply isn’t enough time to provide every interested guest with [a drawing] by the end of the evening.”
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to miss out on the experience altogether. “Personally, I offer a service option that affords me the opportunity to finish as many guest illustrations at home and mail them back to the happy couple for redistribution,” Brittany mentioned. “But, this still means that many guests will have to wait.”
Image by The Walkers Photography, courtesy of By Brittany Branson
Live wedding painting vs. guest illustrations – which should you choose?
When making your decision, Brittany suggested thinking about what you and your partner really want. “It’s important to determine what would mean the most to you,” she advised. “Is it providing yourself with a much larger, more traditional heirloom painting that YOU get to keep forever? Or is it more important to know that your GUESTS are walking away with smaller heirloom favors?”
Besides, who’s to say you have to choose at all? “It’s always possible to commission BOTH experiences, either via the same artist or two individuals,” Brittany added.
Image by The Beards Photography, courtesy of By Brittany Branson
“It was amazing to watch the entire vendor team come together in the face of such obstacles.”
Whether you decide on live painting, guest illustrations or both, By Brittany Branson can create works of art – under any circumstances.
She recounted a wedding where a tropical storm upended almost all of the couple’s plans. “Of course, the weather ended up forcing the wedding into an indoor space,” she remembered. “The couple originally asked me to capture an outdoor ceremony scene, so the situation forced me to get creative with my composition. I ended up capturing the Bride walking down the makeshift aisle on her Dad’s arm from behind the Groom’s back. Since he was standing under a beautiful floral arch, I used that arch to ‘frame’ the entire composition. It’s now one of my FAVORITE paintings, and a day I’ll certainly never forget!”