If you didn’t know this about me already: I love venue paintings! I really do. They’re very close to my heart. I truly believe there is something so special about the location you choose to commit your love to one another. Maybe it’s the positive energy surrounding the space? Maybe it’s something more spiritual and sacred? I’d like to think both! Either or, I believe the perfect way to bottle up that lovely energy and memories is through art…and what better way than a custom wedding venue painting!

I’ve definitely seen a lot of amazing stationery artists begin to incorporate venue paintings into the couple’s wedding invitations. My hubby and I sure did! We hired the lovely ladies of Appleberry Press to create two custom paintings for the inside and outside of our invitations. The first was a painting of Tim proposing to me under the cherry blossoms in Washington, DC. The second was a likeness of the two of us standing on the beach at our gorgeous Chesapeake Bay venue Silver Swan Bayside. Not only did we get to keep the original art, but the invitation themselves told our guests the story of our love journey in just one flip! How cool was that?

A venue painting can definitely serve more purposes than just being featured on the invitations! Here are three ways an amazing venue painting can be incorporated into your big day!

 Use the Venue Painting as a Guestbook

This is one of my absolute favorite ways to incorporate a venue painting into your big day! Not only will it beautify your reception space, but, since it’s a guestbook, it encourages guests to actually interact with the piece (as opposed to just admiring how beautiful it is). When I work with a couple to create a venue guestbook, I often use a vertical canvas. That way, I paint the venue/location towards the bottom, leaving the top or “sky” portion free for signatures. The piece will definitely start a buzz at your reception. But the best part? You can display the painting in your home and re-read your guests’ kind messages every day thereafter!

 Another secret of mine? Before I start painting the piece with more quality acrylic paints, I first coat the canvas in a white craft paint. It dries matte, and is a much better surface for Sharpies!

Hire an Artist to Live Paint Your Venue

It really warms my heart to see the popularity of hiring live painters sky rocketing! But here’s the thing…most live painters (unless asked otherwise) will concentrate on painting the reception! Me, personally? I LOVE live painting the venue/location! Not only does it serve as entertainment for your guests, but your piece will be a wonderful landscape painted plein-air! It will most definitely fit anywhere in your new home. Plus, I always like to paint a tiny likeness of the bride and groom somewhere on the painting just for fun!  

Display the Venue Painting as a Sign or Décor Piece

Why not welcome your guests to your ceremony or reception with a custom piece of art highlighting the lovely venue/location? Consider adding calligraphy text such as “Welcome” or “Celebrate With Us.” It instantly makes your guests feel more at home, as if the venue itself were welcoming them! Drape the painting with foliage and flowers from your amazing florist. An even more amazing idea? I love to coordinate with the florist beforehand to learn what types of flowers he/she will be incorporating into the décor. I then paint those flowers into the piece! Consistency is always pretty!

I hope these ideas have inspired you! Are you interested in commissioning your own custom venue painting to beautify your big day and days thereafter? I would love to bring your vision to life and create a one of a kind keepsake piece!

Create Your Piece