From First Kiss To First Dance – Meet ‘The Wedding Painter’

Could this be the next big wedding trend?

In 1998, Comedian and Actor Adam Sandler made everyone stand up and say YES to the nice guy with the most romantic job in the world... “The Wedding Singer.”

Could Alexandra be creating the next big wedding trend with her real-life talent? Meet Alexandra... 'The Wedding Painter.'

A DREAM CAREER COMES TO LIFE

A central Minnesota woman is putting it all on the line and diving headfirst into a dream career that could turn into the next big wedding trend. Instead of singing at your wedding, she paints it, creating a one-of-a-kind piece of art while your big day unfolds around you.

Alexandra is the artist behind ZL Studios. Originally from Rogers, she moved to the Brainerd area a few years ago. Alexandra travels all over for weddings and has been painting for more than 10 years.

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NEW DIRECTIONS

This summer, Alexandra had an idea. She decided it was time to take her passion in a new direction and start focusing on wedding paintings. Just a few days ago, she officially started doing wedding paintings full-time.

A LEAP OF FAITH

Walking away from a full-time job without knowing exactly what comes next can be a pretty scary thing. For Alexandra, it was more than that. It was a desire. It was something she felt she needed to do.

She says her previous job had become a toxic environment, and she had been praying about whether she should stay in a job that made her very unhappy, or leave and hope for greener pastures.

She started praying about it, and then she got her answer. She decided to dive into wedding painting as her full-time work.

SCHEDULING WEDDINGS

Alexandra admits her wedding painting schedule isn't completely full yet, but she's willing to take a chance at something she absolutely loves. She can't wait to see where this new adventure leads her.

“I absolutely adore weddings, love, and painting,” Alexandra told me. “So it fills me with joy that I get to focus on my passion.”

And that's really what makes this story so interesting. She's not simply starting a new business. Alexandra is betting on herself. She's got a unique talent, and not just anyone can paint someone's wedding. It takes a special talent and a desire to be there...in the moment..and capture it with a paintbrush in hand.

Here's where this gets really cool.

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HOW DOES IT WORK?

Alexandra doesn't wait for a couple to send her their wedding photographs so she can paint them months later. She's actually there- at your wedding; in the moment; while you're saying your vows.

She typically arrives about two hours before the ceremony, sets up her painting area and begins working on the background of the painting.

Before the wedding, she has a consultation call with the bride and groom. That's when they decide what moment they want captured.

Maybe it's the first kiss. Maybe it's the first dance. Maybe it's another special moment that means something to the couple.

When that moment arrives, Alexandra takes reference photographs so she can accurately capture the couple and the setting.

She also likes to get another reference photo at some point during the wedding as a backup.

Then...she gets to work. And no, she doesn't finish the painting before the last song plays and the guests head home.

A finished painting takes Alexandra approximately 30 to 40 hours to complete.

She works on as much as she can during the wedding, then takes the canvas back to her studio to finish it.

WATCHING A PAINTING COME TO LIFE

There's another part of this that I think couples and wedding guests will love: watching the painting come to life throughout the ceremony, the meal, and the reception.

Throughout the night, guests can walk up and ask her questions about her process. They can see what the painting looked like earlier in the evening and watch as it continues to take shape.

Instead of just having a painting created from your wedding day, your guests actually get to watch the artist create it.

And eventually, the couple gets a piece of artwork that captures a moment from one of the most important days of their lives. Maybe they even send copies of their wedding painting out as their very first Christmas card, or a Happy New Year postcard of their special day.

HOW DOES WEATHER AFFECT YOUR PAINTING PROCESS?

If you've ever planned an outdoor wedding in Minnesota, you already know that Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate.

I asked Alexandra how she deals with weather situations, whether it's hot and muggy, cold and rainy, or maybe too windy to keep the canvas in place.

Alexandra wasn't able to answer that question yet, as she hasn't had to deal with bad weather at a wedding yet. Hmmm...Maybe just having Alexandra at your wedding is a good luck omen for a great weather day!

Regardless, Alexandra always brings an umbrella with her; not so much to protect her from the rain, but more from strong sunshine. Heat can be an issue because it can make the paint sticky.

Fortunately, most wedding venues are prepared for bad weather, with either a large tent or an indoor space where she can continue painting.

WHAT TYPE OF PAINTINGS ARE THEY?

Alexandra specializes in acrylic painting, which allows her to work on the piece at the wedding, and then continue the detailed work back at her studio.

A PAINTING WITH A STORY

There's something different about a wedding painting. A photograph captures a moment exactly as it happened. A painting captures that moment through an artist's eyes, and Alexandra has added another personal touch to her business.

She's a huge book nerd, so her brand is inspired by books. There are bookish elements throughout her website and even in the way she packages and delivers her work to clients.

It's another little detail that makes her business feel less like a traditional wedding service, and more like a personal experience.

TRENDS

Wedding trends come and go. Photo booths became a thing. Food trucks became a thing. People have tried everything from live musicians to champagne walls to love puzzles, where all the guests write a message on a puzzle piece, put it in a jar, and once the puzzle pieces are all filled out, the couple can actually put the puzzle together, and it creates a picture they can place on their wall.

So why not have a live wedding painter?

Alexandra is certainly hoping more couples discover the idea.

And after more than a decade of painting, she's decided that now is the time to find out if she can turn something she loves into the career she's always wanted. It's a big leap. Sometimes the best things in life start with a little bit of faith and a whole lot of courage.

YOU CAN BE ONE OF THE FIRST

Alexandra is currently filling up her painting schedule, including upcoming dates and weddings further into the future.

Couples interested in learning more about her live wedding painting services can visit ZL Studios and fill out the live wedding inquiry form.

The next time someone asks what kind of entertainment you're having at your wedding, you could always say:

“I'm having a Wedding Painter.”

Now that's something your guests probably haven't seen or heard before.