LIVE WEDDING PAINTING

LIVE WEDDING PAINTING

Realistic Portraiture Meets Fairytale Impressionism

Serving Virginia, North Carolina - Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Richmond, Charlottesville, Washington D.C., the DMV, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Raleigh, Outer Banks, the Eastern Shore

-Or wherever love takes me!-

Imagine walking into your reception and seeing your love story coming to life on canvas, in real time. Guests are mesmerized, you get a front-row seat to the magic, and by the end of the night, you have the start of a painting that will live in your home forever.

I’m Abby Stachnik, a live wedding oil painter based in Coastal Virginia. My love of wedding painting began with my own love story - when I painted a portrait of my husband and myself for our wedding. Now, every time we see it, we’re transported right back to the joy and romance of that day. I create that same emotional keepsake for couples who want more than just photos, they want art that tells their story.

What sets my work apart:

  • Realism meets Impressionism My style focuses on creating realistic and lifelike portraits that capture your likeness, set against soft painterly backdrops.

  • Lively guest experience Guests love watching the painting unfold and often say it’s a favorite part of the night. I love laughing and engaging with all of the people that I meet, and sharing my passion with them.

  • Fine art + storytelling I don’t just capture what it looked like—I capture how it felt.

Click Here to View My Wedding Portfolio

Or scroll on for more information and pricing details!

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How it Works

1. Reach Out

Once you’ve explored my work here (and on Instagram!), send me a message through the contact form below. I’ll follow up so we can chat about your wedding, personal style, and vision for your one-of-a-kind painting.

2. Secure Your Date

If we’re a great fit, you’ll answer a few planning questions and place a deposit to officially reserve your date. Yay!

3. Pre-Wedding Check-In

Before the big day, we’ll connect by phone to confirm the scene, color palette, key moments, and any special details you’d love to include, like heirlooms, décor, or pets!

Day-Of Experience

Once I’m settled into my painting space, I’ll take in the beautiful details of your venue and get ready to bring your wedding scene to life. After your curated, posed photoshoot during the first look or following the ceremony, I’ll use a reference photo from that session to begin painting, capturing the two of you in a thoughtfully composed moment.

As the celebration unfolds, I’ll continue painting live throughout the reception. Guests love to peek in, ask questions, and watch the artwork come to life before their eyes!

Before the evening comes to a close, I’ll invite you both over for a special reveal moment: a sweet pause in the whirlwind of the day and a first glimpse of your very own wedding painting.

After the wedding, I’ll bring the painting back to my studio for final touches and varnishing. Once it’s complete, I’ll send you photos and arrange safe delivery or shipping so your finished artwork can find its forever home.

PRICING

*Often Paired with Frame Add-On*

THE SILVER PACKAGE

STARTING AT $3850

  • Best for capturing the couple with room for basic background & minimal portrait details

  • 20×24” OIL PAINTING ON LINEN

  • CURATED REFERENCE PHOTO SESSION

  • LIVE PAINTING AT EVENT

  • IN-STUDIO TOUCH-UPS

THE GOLD PACKAGE

STARTING AT $4750

  • More room for luxury & finer detail in clothing, portraiture, & background

  • 22X28” OIL PAINTING ON LINEN

  • CURATED REFERENCE PHOTO SESSION

  • LIVE PAINTING AT EVENT

  • IN-STUDIO TOUCH-UPS

THE PLATINUM PACKAGE

STARTING AT $5450

  • Largest canvas size to capture more depth, detail, and more freedom in choice of composition

  • 24X30” OIL PAINTING ON LINEN

  • CURATED REFERENCE PHOTO SESSION

  • LIVE PAINTING AT EVENT

  • IN-STUDIO TOUCH-UPS

  • INCLUDES HANDMADE ARTISAN FRAME OF YOUR CHOICE

ADD-ONS

ADD ON AN ARTISAN-CRAFTED FRAME FOR $350 OR ASK ABOUT UPGRADING TO AN OVAL-SHAPED CANVAS/FRAME

INCLUDE A PET OR MULTIPLE PETS FOR $400 EACH

INCLUDE PEOPLE OTHER THAN THE COUPLE FOR AN ADDITIONAL PRICE THAT WE CAN DISCUSS AT TIME OF BOOKING

Pricing subject to taxes. Travel Note: For travel beyond 60 miles of my home in Virginia Beach, there will be a fee of $1/mile. An additional fee of $50 will be charged for 3+ hours of travel, and $100 beyond 4+ hours.

FAQ

  • Absolutey! For an event outside of the Hampton Roads area I would be more than happy to discuss logistics of making it work!

  • Of course! Let’s talk!

  • Most likely just a small area to set up my equipment, I will bring everything with me. If there is inclement weather I will require a covered area to work. Oil and water do not mix well!

  • I would love to! If I am currently accepting commissions, I can paint from your wedding photo in-studio.

  • “I cannot recommend Abby enough for all art and wedding painting! We had Abby paint our wedding in June of this year and I am so so thankful that we were able to have her there! We had a bunch of changes the month of our wedding and she was SO flexible and worked with us for everything! Not only all of these things above, but she is so extremely talented!! Our painting is truly incredible and captured everything I wanted about our first kiss! I am still shocked every time I look at it that it is us and this is our painting! It is something I will cherish and will remain a part of our home forever!“

    Holly P.

  • “We absolutely loved our live painting- it was such a highlight of the event, and such a wonderful piece of art we will treasure forever! We cannot recommend Abby more highly!”

    Molly R.

  • “If you choose Abby as your wedding painter you will NOT be disappointed. She painted a wonderful scene of me and my husband’s first kiss and it turned out amazing! She is super kind and gets back to inquiries very quickly. Everyone at my wedding was mesmerized by her work. Many people told me it was their favorite part of the wedding! If you’re looking for a wedding painter local to the Hampton Roads, I highly recommend Abby!”

    Annie W.

  • “Abby is incredible! Her work speaks for itself and you will just want to keep getting more from her! the work she does is simply incredible“

    Jenn D.

Let’s Talk!

abbystachnik@gmail.com

Virginia Beach, Virginia