It’s one of the most common questions I’m asked — and an important one when you’re trying to figure out how a live wedding painter fits into your day. The honest answer is: it depends on your package. But here’s everything you need to know.

I’m Katie, a live wedding painter based in Birmingham, and I’ve painted weddings across the Midlands for nearly three years. Let me walk you through the timeline.

The Short Answer: Between 6 and 8 Hours on the Day

Most live wedding paintings are created during a 4-8 hour window on your wedding day. During that time, I paint continuously — working through the ceremony, the drinks reception, or the wedding breakfast, depending on what you’ve chosen and which package you’ve booked.

For most couples, I work primarily during the wedding breakfast and into the evening.

My Four Package Options — and What Each Includes

The Cherished Moment — from £649

This is my most accessible canvas package. I paint for approximately six hours, creating a smaller canvas painting that captures the essence of your ceremony or reception scene. A beautiful starting point for couples discovering live wedding painting.

The Love Story — from £949

A slightly larger canvas with more painting time — around six to eight hours. This allows for more detail, a richer scene, and a more fully developed composition. Perfect for couples who want something substantial without the full heirloom commitment.

Grand Love Story — from £1,299

My most popular premium option. A large format canvas, six to eight hours of painting time and then 10 hours post wedding in the studio, and a composition that captures both the couple and the full atmosphere of the room. This is the package I recommend most often to couples who want something truly extraordinary.

Timeless Heirloom — from £2,299

The pinnacle. A large, fully detailed canvas painting created over a full day and finished in my studio over the following week. This is the package for couples who want a genuine fine art investment — a painting that could be mistaken for something hanging in a gallery.

Does the Painting Get Finished on the Day?

For most packages, the painting is 85-95% complete by the end of the evening. Some finishing work — refining details, varnishing, making final adjustments — is completed in my studio over the days that follow.

For the Grand Love Story and Timeless Heirloom package, I continue working on the painting in my studio for up to a week after the wedding, ensuring it meets the highest possible standard before delivery.

You’ll receive progress photos and updates throughout the studio finishing process.

When Is the Reveal?

The reveal — the moment you see the painting for the first time — typically happens towards the end of the wedding breakfast or just before the first dance. I bring the canvas to you (and your guests, if you’d like) and the reaction is always incredible.

I’ve been painting weddings for three years and I have never once got through a reveal without crying. It’s that kind of moment.

How Does This Fit Into a Wedding Day Timeline?

Here’s a rough example of how it might work for a Saturday wedding in Birmingham:

11:00am — I arrive at the venue, set up my easel and canvas, introduce myself to the coordinator

1:00pm — Ceremony begins; I observe and begin laying down the composition

3:00pm — Wedding breakfast begins; I paint continuously as guests dine

7:30pm — Reveal; couple and guests see the finished canvas

8:00pm — I pack up quietly and leave you to your evening

Of course, every wedding is different and I work around your specific schedule. We’ll plan the timeline together during our consultation call.

Want to know which package is right for your wedding? Visit katiebowden.co.uk and get in touch — I’d love to hear about your day.