What Does a Live Painter Do When Your Venue is Huge?
Fall weddings are just so magical. I always enjoy painting weddings during this time of year, and this one was no exception.
The couple chose to get married at the Omni Grove Park Inn, in Asheville North Carolina, a beautiful and sought-after venue. I was already familiar with this hotel because of its renowned annual gingerbread house competitions, but as a luxury wedding venue, it has so much more to offer.
When the couple first contacted me I was thrilled with the opportunity to work at this venue, and the two of them had a very particular vision in mind for me to work with. We talked through the setting for their painting, and it was clear that the bride wanted a natural and romantic scene, as though they had just stepped into the woods for their wedding.
They asked me to take a styled photo as my painting reference for their wedding portrait. Taking into account the size of the venue and the number of guests, this plan ensured we would get the details perfect. The bride was very happy with her styled photo and could not wait to see me paint them onto their forest backdrop.
The concept sketch we came up with set them in front of the Blue Ridge Mountains with the fall trees framing them all around, the only signs of human handiwork being the subtle wooden arbor and the natural stone terrace.
And we can't forget man's best friend! This couple's dog, Bow, was not able to make it to the wedding, but he is such a special part of their family that he could not be left out of their wedding portrait. They sent me photos of the dog, and I could tell that he held a special place in their hearts. For several years, I have been offering pet portraits as one of my services, so I loved the idea of incorporating the couple's furry companion in their personalized artwork.
Asheville is stunning, especially in late October. The number of deciduous trees makes it impossible to escape the beauty of the autumn colors. This bride and groom traveled four hours for this backdrop. Everything was perfect, and I was more than ready to start painting.
The only problem… I couldn't find the bride and groom! From the moment I stepped foot into the Grove Park Inn, I was blown away by its size. With a variety of restaurants, vendors, and ceremony locations to choose from, finding the right people can take some time.
After talking with the wedding planner multiple times, several walkie-talkie conversations, multiple elevators, and what felt like miles of walking, I was able to locate the couple! Fortunately, I arrived early enough that I had plenty of time before the ceremony began.
During the reception, the guests were intrigued by the presence of a live painter and had lots of questions. I love speaking with the guests while I’m painting, answering questions, and listening to their stories.
The band, Infinite Soul, played in the background, while I painted a custom portrait for the bride and groom to enjoy. It was a delightful sight for everyone, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement. When the painting was finished the couple was blown away with the result.
If you're planning a North Carolina wedding (or any wedding for that matter) and would love a custom wedding painting of your own, you can get a customized quote in seconds.