​May. Mountains. Magnificence. That is what I was primed for when I was invited as a live wedding painter to Canmore, Alberta by nearlyweds Courtney and Jamie. They had chosen the breathtaking Canmore Ranch for their ceremony location and the timeless Cornerstone Theatre for their reception.

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There was only one minor issue. The weather forecast was not looking promising.

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All week, it had been predicting rain for Saturday, and I had spent that week hoping and praying it would hold off. I even wore a belt decorated with little suns, hoping it might bring some good weather luck. But there we were, driving into Canmore, being taunted by the dark, heavy storm clouds that greeted us over the hill. My heart sank. I paint with oils, and oil and water don’t mix. If oil paint gets wet, it simply won’t stick to the canvas.

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Although I cannot influence the weather, my clients can rest knowing they won’t have to manage me on their wedding day. I had left Edmonton that morning, planning to arrive long before guests were expected, with all I needed for the worst of the forecast: an umbrella, jacket, and a change of clothes—a necessary item because I will always prioritize keeping a painting dry over myself.

 

Though rain wasn’t falling upon my arrival at Canmore Ranch, it was incredibly chilly. This didn’t affect my set up process, though I did note a tent set for the string quartet and decided that if the weather turned, I would make a run for it and shelter the painting there. Remember how I said my clients won’t need to manage me? Once I'm at a venue, I take care of everything. For this special event, I introduced myself to the photographer and videographer, explained what I would be doing, and let them know I'd also be taking reference photos and videos of the couple. Since Courtney and Jamie wanted their first kiss captured in the painting, I coordinated with these film artists to gather the references I needed while staying out of their way.

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Courtney had sent me inspiration photos and described the vision she wanted for the painting, so I had a good idea of where I was headed before the day even began. The couple wanted their first kiss painted beneath a sunset sky, with the Three Sisters mountains and their ceremony arch included in the background. Her vision exhilarated me, and it allowed me to quickly sketch out the composition and imagine how everything would come together.

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The ceremony location itself was stunning. Canmore Ranch offers remarkable views of the Three Sisters mountains. The chosen flowers featured gorgeous hues of reds and creams, and the dramatic, stormy clouds lingering around the mountains created a deeply romantic atmosphere.

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As guests arrived, they were able to watch the painting develop. The first thing they saw was the sky being painted. Then I brought out my palette knives, Bob Ross style, and began painting the mountains. This was especially exciting for me because I hadn't had the opportunity to paint mountains in a live wedding painting before. I love painting mountains, and it was so much fun getting to put all those hours of watching Bob Ross to good use.

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Then, the best thing happened—the clouds started to break apart! The sun came out, the temperature warmed, and I could relax knowing the painting would be safe.

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Courtney and Jamie’s ceremony was delightful. There's something special about seeing a groom's expression when he sees his bride, and Jamie did not disappoint. He beamed! The couple’s joy, their adorable toddling son, and the string quartet playing against the backdrop of bubbles and mountains made for a romantic, joyful, and whimsical ceremony.

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Afterwards, with the guests mingling and the threat of rain officially off the radar, I packed up my set and moved to the reception venue.

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The Cornerstone Theatre was gorgeous with its warm, wood interior and stringed lights. The luxurious reds, smooth whites, and velvet blacks of the décor, enhanced by the rich glow of the surrounding candles, exuded timeless sophistication.

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I choose oils as my medium for live wedding painting because they magnificently capture the brilliance in scenes like this. An oil painting has a unique quality, credited to its layered construction. As more layers are added, light travels through the paint and reflects back through the different transparent glazes, creating a depth and luminosity that gives the finished piece a realistic, glowing quality. What guests see at the end of the night is only the foundation of the painting. This is why I don’t sign the painting at the event. The painting becomes richer, more detailed, and more lifelike as I refine it in the studio.

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Because an oil painting comes to life in stages, there are always moments where parts are blocked in, details aren't finished, and the final vision isn't obvious yet. Guests become invested, with some even taking photos of the progress and returning to see what's changed. Talking about the painting process and watching guests engage with it is one of my favourite parts about being a live wedding painter. Courtney and Jamie’s friends and family were so kind and welcoming, and I had many wonderful conversations throughout the evening.

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One woman came up to me and said, "I have to apologize." She confessed that earlier, when the painting had a large pink area in the middle, she had absolutely no idea where it was going. Then she laughed and said that once the couple was painted in, everything suddenly clicked. She couldn't stop talking about how much she loved it and how incredible it looked.

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Another notable interaction was when one of the groomsmen's daughters came up to my easel with paint or marker all over her hands. I asked if she was an artist too, and she proudly told me she had been doing some art. I showed her my own paint-covered hands and said, "Look, mine have paint on them too." It was a priceless moment. Her dad snapped a photo of us together, and I hope it continues to inspire her. I love encouraging kids to create art and showing them what's possible.

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The best reaction of the night was the look on Courtney’s and Jamie's faces when they took in their wedding painting at the end of the event. The romance in their eyes as they looked at the painting and glanced at each other made the hours of painting worth every second!

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I cannot wait to deliver Courtney and Jamie's finished painting once all the studio work is complete. It's going to be spectacular.

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A painted wedding portrait becomes a family heirloom. For Courtney and Jamie, it's something they can enjoy every day, something their children can grow up seeing on the wall, and something that may be passed down through generations. More than anything, I hope that every time they look at it, they're reminded of how they felt on their wedding day—the love, the excitement, and the joy of that moment. I wish them nothing but happiness.

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In a world increasingly shaped by technology and AI, there is something incredibly meaningful about preserving a wedding day through a handcrafted piece of art. Live wedding painting is one of the most timeless and personal ways to capture a love story. It's an experience, a piece of entertainment for guests, and ultimately a one-of-a-kind work of art that celebrates a couple's relationship in a deeply meaningful way.