Can I book you for Guest Portraits as well  as a large Ceremony or Reception Portrait?

While I used to offer the ability to book both, I've found that it disappointed guests who didn't want me to stop painting their portraits. Being pulled in two directions meant the quality of service suffered so I no longer offer both on the same day.

If you are leaning towards booking Guest Portraits, you can always commission a portrait painted from your favorite photo of your wedding day here.

If you are leaning towards booking a Ceremony and/or Reception Portrait, I can paint portraits of all of your guests before the wedding in my art studio. You can use these to create a large escort card display wall or frame them for each place setting. 

 

 

Do you talk to the guests?

Of course! I love connecting with your guests and encourage them to mingle around my table as long as they like. They have fun watching me paint, asking questions, and taking photos & videos of the process. 

If your space & rentals allow, I welcome adding a couple chairs by my table for guests to sit & chat. 

 

 

Can I book the Full Wedding Day Package for an event that is not a wedding?

Definitely, it is available to book for any kind of larger event and includes ten hours for a full day & night of art entertainment. 

 

 

Do you have other artists you can bring with you for larger guest lists?

While I occasionally bring an assistant, I do not employ other artists trained in my style of painting. I am happy to work alongside any other artists you hire.

 

 

Can I book the Community Event Package for a wedding?

Sure you can! There's no 'wedding tax' here. If you have a smaller guest list or a shorter wedding reception so you don't need as much coverage you are welcome to book less time. 

 

 

Can I split the hours up over the day?

The hours booked are consecutive. Once I start painting, I keep painting & only take a single quick meal break after 5-6 hours. 

For instance, I cannot split up a four hour booking to paint from 1-3PM and then 9-11PM since I would still be on site for ten hours. 

 

 

What options do you have for shy guests?

I offer to paint guests' names with flowers or pet portraits when they do not want a watercolor of themselves. These are especially popular at bat & bar mitzvahs!

 

 

Can you paint every single guest during cocktail hour?

While I paint through cocktail hour, all guests cannot be painted in one hour unless it is a very tiny guest list. While I'm not as instant as a photo booth, guests always comment how much better watching me create something from nothing before their eyes is than photo booths they've done so many times.

Pigment & Parchment is guided by a quality over quantity ethos. While at times not every single guest gets a portrait, the people who are excited & really want one always ensure they get one. 

I promise, it's a memorable experience well worth the wait. So many couples tell me after their wedding all their guests would not stop raving about having their portrait painted for the first time in their lives.

Hint: place my table near the bar if possible, guests say they love having entertainment while they wait in line.

 

 

So how do you organize a wait list or line?

I used to have a wait list, then a fancy pager system... but I have found a method to maximize how many portraits I can accomplish per event. Line management is a big deal to me since I want guests to enjoy their time- not to be distracted or miss any of the fun wedding moments, or frustrated waiting for a pager to buzz for an hour. 

Before the ceremony and during cocktail hour is when most people get their photo taken which is what gets them 'in line'. I tell them to come visit me throughout the event as I display finished paintings to collect their treasure. Guests also love spotting other friends' portraits and excitedly ask me if they can deliver it! 

Whenever guests have free time they come to my table to chat & watch me paint, but I am no longer calling them over to me interrupting when their dinner is served or heartfelt speeches are being made. No more loved ones missing seeing your first dance or bouquet tosses because they're sitting with me for their portrait. This also means that during time blocks when guests are all occupied, I can keep on painting without any lull. I'm never waiting around, I spend every adrenaline fueled minute creating as many watercolor portraits as is humanly possible. 

As a lifelong Disneyland lover, I know a thing or two about how a line can make or break a magical experience.

After painting live for over a decade at events, I have found the most seamless way to get the most portraits created while prioritizing smooth sailing for your guests. I even track how many portraits I complete for the time booked at each event to ensure Pigment & Parchment's high standards are being met.

 

 

Will you be able to paint every single guest?

It depends on your guest count & which portrait option you choose.

The math equation needs to know how many hours you would like to book, your portrait option selection, and your guest count for us to sort out the best fit for you!

Also, know that there are always a handful of guests who decline a portrait favor so that gives us some wiggle room. 

 

 

What are these portrait options I get to pick from?

Essentially, the more time you allot per guest portrait, the more detail I can paint. It's your choice which aesthetic & timing suits you best.

The 6 & 10 minute portrait options are painted in the full sprectrum of colors (including metallics & glitter) to match true to life colors. 

The 3 minute option is quicker because it is painted in a limited palette of one or two colors. You can select colors that coordinate with your event's theme or opt for something more neutral that you think would look best framed & displayed in more guests' homes.

Here are some samples, though you can pick any color/s you'd like (including glitters & metallics)! 

Is it possible for you to move locations throughout the day?

Absolutely, guests enjoy having me follow them throughout the celebration. It usually takes 5-10 minutes for me to pack up & set up at a new location.

To avoid it cutting more into painting time, I suggest having a table & chair already set up for me at each next spot. 

 

 

What do you need for the day?

All I require is a table and one chair.

A four to six foot table and sturdy chair with a back is preferred. A small round cocktail table & bar stool is not ideal as it can slow down my process.

I do not have any dietary restrictions for vendor meals, and do not require one if I am only booked for 4 hours. I only take a single quick meal break after 5-6 hours of painting.

 

Do you need to be near a power outlet?

No, I bring battery operated lights to use sparingly when the ambience's lighting becomes too dark to paint. 

 

What do we do about linens?

The first option is using the same linens as the rest of the event. Paint splatters will get on it, but watercolor washes out so I've never had an issue with rental companies feeing my clients.

A second option is I have a gold sequined table cloth that covers six foot tables draped to the floor. If you would like me to bring it just let me know! 

 

 

Can I ensure VIP people get their portraits?

Unless instructed otherwise, I allow people in the immediate family and bridal party to 'cut the line' to ensure they get their portraits done first. They essentially get a FastPass.

Sometimes I am able to see them before the ceremony so I can get theirs started before cocktail hour. Planners' assistants even text me their photos to get started on if they are in a suite getting ready no where near where I am set up!

Hint: Let your VIPs know to tell me their VIP status since sometimes I cannot tell who is in the wedding or immediate family. 

 

 

How does the happy couple get their portrait?

So there is one less thing to do on your big day, you can simply email me your favorite photo of the two of you any time before the week of your wedding.

I will paint & frame an 8x10 of it to display on my table at the event & will leave it with you at the end of the night! 

If your event isn't a wedding, I absolutely still offer this to hosts of any kind of celebration or corporate event as well for hosts or honorees.

 

 

What about guests asking for multiple portraits?

I let them know I want to ensure all guests get their first portrait before I allow anyone ask for seconds.

If multiple guests want copies of the same portrait (a common request from friend groups who get painted together) I let them know they have my permission to take it into a FedEx to have it scanned & prints made easily in minutes.

 

 

Can you focus on their fashion more than their faces?

Yes, I can highlight their outfits by adding color scheme swatches if you select a 6 minute portrait option like these:

Or I can do full body watercolor fashion illustration sketches if you select a 10 minute portrait option like so:

 

What size are the watercolor guest portraits?

For people being painted solo, the portraits are 6x9 inches.

For people being painted in a couple or group, the portraits are 9x12 inches. 

 

 

How are they packaged for guests to take them home?

I seal the paintings in clear cello sealed bags with backing boards once it has dried.

This keeps their precious portraits protected from being dented, smeared or spilled on as guests party & travel home. 

 

 

Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) to my venue?

Definitely! Have your event planner or venue coordinator email ro@pigmentandparchment.com with the venue company's name & address how they would like it to appear on the proof of insurance/COI.