From traditional wedding photos to couples recreating viral Instagram Reels, how weddings are immortalised has wildly changed over the years, especially since social media took over people’s lives. Now, a rising trend—live wedding painting—is shifting focus to the element of performance art at such celebrations.
Live wedding painters capture a specific moment from a wedding celebration on canvas in front of the guests—adding an extra touch of excitement. For many, it is a way of doing something unique for the wedding. US-based software engineer Advani, 28, who opted for a live wedding painting for his destination wedding in Dehradun in March says, “When I came across live wedding painters, it just felt like the right way to go a little above and beyond.”
At Advani’s wedding, New Delhi-based artist Noor caught the newlywed couple entranced by each other in the backdrop of the rugged peaks. The self-taught lawyer turned creative reveals that live wedding paintings are personalised as the couple gets to choose what to add or delete from the scene. “It’s a special moment between the two and while photos capture all of it, the painting turns it into artwork and a keepsake,” she says.
Mumbai-based artists Mitali Chetan Advirkar and her partner Chetan Hemant Advirkar recall actors Vidya Balan and Aditya Roy Kapoor reacting to a live painting they did back in May 2024 with awe. That’s what makes it worth it for them. “It’s a big day and capturing a pivotal moment in just the right manner without a do-over is not easy. It takes about five to seven hours of continuous painting to include all the details,” says Mitali.
For Mitali and Chetan, live wedding painting wasn’t a new concept. While pursuing their Bachelor’s in Fine Arts at Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art in Mumbai, they would often paint live portraits. However, weddings are different because of the range of emotions involved and the crucial role the environment plays in it, Chetan adds. Since 2019, when they decided to pursue this as a profession, the duo have painted about 500 weddings.
Live wedding painters usually arrive at the venue one hour or two before the ceremony begins to understand the set-up. Noor calls this familiarising process the “math” of the painting, which includes deciding on the composition, length, breadth and colour palette. As the guests arrive, the painters usually begin working on the background.
“Usually couples communicate what kind of moment they want me to capture and once that happens, I’ll take photos of it and start painting. The unique part is that sometimes they will ask a pet or a family member who has passed on to be added to the painting—something that photos can’t do,” Noor says.
Sometimes artists ask for pictures of the couples beforehand to understand their face structures. It helps in making the painting as accurate as possible, Chetan says. For the artists, it’s the joy that the paintings bring to the family, especially those who haven’t seen anything like it.
When Advani first looked at his wedding painting, he was surprised to see the intricate details like the embroidery of his partner’s lehenga and the small décor details included in it. “We have hung it up in our house and it’s become a conversation piece,” he adds.
Today, the price of live wedding paintings ranges from ₹45,000 to ₹2,00,000. Although history shows that live paintings aren’t a new concept, their glorious comeback shines a light on how art can be intertwined with celebrations.