Live Painting for a December Wedding at Seven Willows Venue
On December 13th, 2025, I was hired to paint one of the most stunning and cozy weddings I’ve ever attended. The bride and groom were getting married at Seven Willows Wedding and Events Venue in Hickman, Nebraska and I tell you what; that place just never disappoints. It was a bone chilling day with the wind making it feel like it was -5 degrees outside, but we were all tucked in toasty tight under the comfort of the beautiful venue.
I arrived around 2pm to set up and take some reference pictures and videos of the space before I began blocking in the composition. The bride had requested the glowing fireplace be the setting for their painting with their florals and the twinkling Christmas trees shining on the sides. Say no more! I couldn’t wait to get started! I painted for around an hour before the guests started to arrive and take their seats. The painting was fully blocked in with full color and minimal detail at this point.
As the ceremony began and the pianist played away, I continued working quickly to get as much detail in before I had to step away to get my reference shot. They had requested to be painted in using a reference picture from the processional after they had shared their first kiss at the altar. I placed myself shoulder to shoulder with the photographer and videographer and got the shot.
The reception began and the hustle and bustle of the guests chatting, eating, and peering over my shoulder commenced. The guests at this wedding were so fun! So many excited people bopped over to have a chat with me about the progress of my painting and were so thrilled to get to witness such a unique event! I love gabbing with my client’s closest friends and family members. It makes me feel so at home.
During this wedding, I was six and a half months pregnant with our second child, and I’ll be honest—I was definitely feeling some fatigue begin to set in by the last two hours of the evening. I pushed through though because I could see just how close I was to finishing the painting and by 8:30pm, I had made my last brush stroke and it was complete! The photographer and bride and groom came over for the big reveal and they loved it! Always such a relief and happy feeling after a long days worth of work. The bride had made the comment of “This is exactly what I had envisioned” and I could feel my little heart smiling. After a few pictures were taken, I began to pack up my things, varnished the painting to be set aside to dry, and I was off. During the drive home, I was so tired and ready for bed but felt and overwhelming sense of peace and happiness about the outcome of the day. I will never get tired of this job!
