Wedding Policies & FAQs

Booking & Date Reservations

A signed agreement and a 30% booking retainer reserve your wedding date for live wedding painting and guest portrait services. Your date is not reserved until both have been received and confirmed in writing. Dates are reserved on a first-confirmed, first-served basis.

The retainer is applied toward your total price and is nonrefundable if you cancel.

Studio commissions and mini wedding paintings are confirmed according to the payment and production terms in your individual quote.

Payments

For live wedding services, the remaining 70% is due 30 days before your wedding. Bookings made within 30 days of the event require payment in full at confirmation.

If the balance is not received by the due date, I’ll send one written reminder. If it remains unpaid 14 days before the wedding, the date may be released and the retainer retained.

Additional artwork, upgrades, personalization, extended hours, or other approved expenses are invoiced separately. Prices do not include New Jersey sales tax, which is added to taxable artwork where required.

Pricing & Quotes

Quotes are based on the services, artwork specifications, event details, and travel provided at inquiry. Pricing may change until your booking is confirmed; once your agreement is signed and the retainer received, the quoted price is honored for the services listed. Changes to scope may require a revised quote.

Changes to Your Booking

Please let me know as soon as possible if your date, venue, schedule, guest count, or artwork details change. I’ll do my best to accommodate changes, subject to availability and any additional costs. All changes must be confirmed in writing.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel, please notify me in writing. The 30% retainer is nonrefundable. Any additional payments are handled according to your agreement, the work already completed, expenses incurred, and the timing of the cancellation. For custom artwork already in production, charges apply for completed work and materials purchased for your order.

Postponements & Date Changes

One date transfer may be accommodated, subject to availability and mutual agreement. Additional travel, production costs, or pricing adjustments may apply. If I’m unavailable on your new date, the booking is handled under the cancellation terms above.

Artist Cancellation

If illness, an emergency, or another circumstance prevents me from providing your scheduled service, I’ll notify you as soon as reasonably possible. We may discuss an alternative, including a mutually approved replacement artist or a studio commission. No substitute will be arranged without your approval. If no alternative is accepted, payments for the unprovided service are refunded.

Unforeseen Circumstances

Severe weather, natural disasters, government restrictions, venue closures, travel disruptions, and other events beyond either party’s reasonable control may affect arrangements. If they arise, we’ll communicate promptly and explore reasonable alternatives, including rescheduling or modifying the service. Resulting payment or refund arrangements follow your signed agreement.

Inclusivity & Respect

Drawn to Her proudly welcomes LGBTQIA+ couples and celebrates love in all its forms. I welcome people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, religions, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, and family structures. Every couple and guest deserves to feel seen, respected, and celebrated. Names, pronouns, personal boundaries, and individual preferences are always respected.

I’m happy to discuss accessibility needs and reasonable accommodations for couples and guests with disabilities, mobility limitations, or other individual needs, and any cultural or religious traditions that should shape your artwork. Please share specific requirements in advance so we can plan accordingly.

Venue Approval, Insurance & Deadlines

Live painting and guest portrait services require permission from your venue and a suitable workspace. You are responsible for confirming venue approval and coordinating workspace, setup requirements, vendor policies, and restrictions. I’ll provide the relevant details about my setup and service requirements.

Some venues require a Certificate of Insurance (COI), proof of liability coverage, or a signed vendor agreement. I carry general liability insurance and can provide a COI on request, subject to my insurer’s ability to issue the requested certificate or endorsement. Additional venue-specific costs or requirements will be discussed before acceptance.

Please confirm venue approval and any COI or vendor-agreement requirements at least 60 days before your wedding, or before booking confirmation for events booked within 60 days. If the venue declines live services, we’ll discuss alternatives such as beginning at the reception or creating the artwork from reference photographs afterward.

Ceremony & Religious Venue Restrictions

If you’d like your ceremony painted live, permission must be obtained from the ceremony location. Churches and other religious venues may restrict where artists work, whether they may move during the service, or whether painting is permitted at all. You are responsible for confirming the applicable rules and obtaining permission in advance.

Workspace, Setup & Safety

A safe, accessible workspace with appropriate lighting is required. Live wedding painting needs approximately 4×6 feet of working space, depending on canvas size and venue layout. Guest portrait services need a drawing station with room for materials, reference photography, and guest circulation. Access to electricity, water, or additional lighting may be needed depending on the service and location.

Outdoor setups must be protected from rain, excessive wind, direct sunlight, and other conditions that could damage artwork or materials. If conditions present a significant risk to people, artwork, or equipment, adjustments to the workspace or schedule may be required. Threatening, abusive, or unsafe behavior may result in suspension of services while the situation is addressed.

Arrival, Schedule & Assistants

I typically arrive approximately one hour before the scheduled start time to set up. The event timeline, working hours, and location are confirmed before your wedding. If your event runs late or the schedule changes, I’ll do my best to accommodate; additional working hours must be agreed upon and may incur an additional charge.

An assistant accompanies me for live wedding services to help with setup, guest coordination, reference photography, and logistics. For guest portraits, my assistant photographs participating guests while I draw. In the rare event my assistant is unavailable due to an emergency, I’ll let you know as soon as possible and adjust the workflow so your service is still delivered.

For extended bookings, suitable vendor meals and reasonable breaks must be arranged for me and my assistant. Please coordinate these with your venue or planner before the event.

Travel & Additional Expenses

Travel within 25 driving miles of Highland Park, New Jersey (most of Central NJ), is included for on-site wedding services. Beyond 25 miles, mileage is charged at $0.80 per mile, round trip, for the distance beyond the included allowance. Tolls and parking are additional.

Venues requiring more than approximately two hours of travel each way may also require overnight accommodations and meals. All travel costs are outlined in your quote before booking. Travel charges apply to on-site services only, not studio commissions.

Artistic Style & Revisions

All wedding artwork is created by hand in my personal style. Reference photographs, venue details, décor, and colors guide the process, but the finished piece is an artistic interpretation, not a photographic reproduction. Every original has its own character, textures, and expressive details.

Before work begins, we’ll agree on composition, subjects, size, colors, and the details that matter most to you. Essential elements must be communicated during planning. Reasonable adjustments may be discussed depending on the stage of completion; substantial changes to an approved composition, added subjects, or requests outside the agreed scope may require additional fees. A request to change an approved artistic interpretation is not a defect.

Live Wedding Paintings

Your painting begins during the scheduled portion of your wedding. Depending on composition and detail, I may continue refining it in my studio afterward. Please allow approximately 2–4 weeks after your wedding for refinement, finishing, and curing before delivery. Acrylic paintings require drying time before protective finishes can be applied.

Live Guest Portraits

Guest portraits are created in my expressive oil pastel style. I focus on gesture, clothing, hairstyles, accessories, and distinguishing characteristics rather than detailed facial features or photo-realistic likenesses. For 5.5×8.5 inch portraits I typically complete 10–12 guests per hour; live quantities are estimates and vary with event conditions, group sizes, and participation.

• Micro Wedding Package: live drawing only; no studio completion.
• Classic Package: live drawing plus studio completion for participating guests within the package limit.
• Deluxe Package: larger portraits, live drawing, plus studio completion for participating guests within the package limit.

Package coverage is counted per person, even when guests share one portrait. Participation is entirely voluntary: portraits are created only for guests who choose to pose for a reference photograph, and guests who decline or are unavailable are not included in studio completion.

Portraits completed live are packaged in protective sleeves for guests to take home. For Classic and Deluxe packages, remaining portraits are finished in my studio from reference photographs and delivered to the designated recipient. Please allow approximately 4–6 weeks for studio completion, or 6–8 weeks for events with 200 or more guests.

Mini Wedding Paintings

Each miniature painting is an original, hand-painted 4×4 inch canvas created in my studio, and every painting includes a wooden easel. The standard minimum order is 40 paintings; smaller orders may be considered by custom quote. Personalized easels with guest names or table numbers are available for an additional fee.

Before production, we’ll discuss your theme, color palette, décor, and preferred designs. A coordinated selection of designs is created for your order, with natural variation between paintings. For personalized easels, you are responsible for providing accurate names, spelling, and table assignments by the agreed deadline; changes after personalization begins may add cost or delay delivery.

A 50% nonrefundable deposit confirms your order and reserves production time; the remaining 50% is due before shipping or pickup. Production begins only once the deposit, final design approval, and all required details have been received. Please allow approximately 6 weeks for production from that point, unless a different schedule is confirmed in writing. Larger quantities or extensive personalization may require more time, so order early enough for production, packaging, and delivery before the wedding.

Studio Commissions & Reference Photographs

Studio commissions include custom paintings, oil pastel drawings, hand-painted glassware, and other personalized artwork. Each is quoted individually based on size, medium, number of subjects, complexity, and detail. Approved reference photographs and agreed specifications are required before production begins; completion estimates and delivery arrangements come with your quote.

Clear, well-lit photographs are recommended. Poor-quality, obstructed, or incomplete photographs limit what can be represented, and I may request alternatives. By supplying photographs, you confirm you have permission to provide them for the agreed artistic use.

Completion, Shipping & Damage

All production and delivery timeframes are estimates unless a guaranteed deadline is expressly agreed in writing. Timeframes begin once all required approvals, photographs, names, and delivery details have been received; delays in providing them may delay delivery. I’ll communicate any significant schedule changes. Finished artwork may be shipped, delivered, or picked up as agreed; shipping costs and packaging are confirmed in advance.

Artwork is carefully packaged for transport, and tracking is provided when available. Please confirm your shipping address is accurate; additional charges from incorrect addresses or requested redelivery may apply.

If your artwork arrives damaged, defective, or materially different from the agreed specifications, contact me promptly with your order information and photographs of the packaging and artwork. I’ll review the situation and work toward an appropriate resolution, which may include repair, correction, replacement where feasible, or another remedy required by law. Because every piece is custom-made, returns or exchanges for changes of preference are not available once artwork is completed as agreed.

Privacy, Photography & Social Media

I respect the personal nature of weddings and the privacy of couples and guests. Reference photographs are taken by my assistant during live events or supplied by you for studio work, and are used only to create and complete the agreed artwork.

I may share photographs of completed artwork, my creative process, or event displays as examples of my work. If you’d prefer that your artwork, wedding photographs, names, or identifying details remain private, please tell me in writing before your event. Identifiable photographs of guests are not used for promotion simply because they participated in a portrait session.

Surprise wedding paintings are welcome. Let me know before venue or vendor coordination begins so we can agree who may be contacted and what can be shared. I’ll make reasonable efforts to protect the surprise, but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where venue access, safety, or required disclosures make coordination necessary.

Contact details, booking information, delivery addresses, and guest lists are used to coordinate and fulfill your services and may be shared with necessary providers such as payment processors, shipping carriers, and approved event vendors. Information is never sold. Reference photographs are retained for up to 12 months after delivery to complete artwork and address any concerns, then deleted; you may request earlier deletion at any time. Booking, invoice, and tax records are kept for as long as the law requires.

Copyright & Artwork Usage

Once paid for and delivered, the physical artwork belongs to you or your designated recipient. Drawn to Her retains copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the artwork unless a separate written agreement provides otherwise. You’re welcome to display your artwork and share personal photographs of it. Purchasing an original does not transfer commercial reproduction, merchandising, or licensing rights; please contact me if you’d like to reproduce the artwork commercially.

How far in advance should we inquire?
As early as possible. Dates are first-confirmed, first-served, and custom artwork needs planning time. If your wedding is soon, you're still welcome to ask.

Do you travel outside New Jersey?
Yes. I'm based in Central New Jersey and travel to Pennsylvania, New York, and surrounding areas. Travel beyond 25 miles is quoted up front.

Can we choose the moment you paint?
Yes. Popular choices are the ceremony, first kiss, first dance, and cake cutting. We'll decide together what best fits your wedding and the composition you envision.

Can you paint a ceremony that happens somewhere other than the reception?
Usually, with permission from the ceremony location. Some churches and religious venues restrict painting during the service; if so, we can begin at the reception or work from reference photographs afterward.

Can you include our venue's architecture?
Absolutely. Venue details can be a central part of the composition. A larger canvas may be recommended for elaborate settings.

Will our painting be finished during the wedding?
I paint live during your celebration, and final details and finishing are usually completed in my studio over the following 2–4 weeks.

Can we see the painting before it's delivered?
Yes. I'll share a photo of the finished piece before shipping or pickup.

Will the painting look exactly like a photograph?
No. Each piece is an original artistic interpretation in my style, with its own character and texture.

Do guests have to participate in guest portraits?
Not at all. Portraits are created only for guests who choose to pose for a reference photograph. Guests can always decline.

Do you draw detailed faces in guest portraits?
My guest portraits are expressive and gestural. They focus on clothing, hairstyles, accessories, and
recognizable characteristics rather than photo-realistic facial detail.

What if not everyone gets drawn live?
For Classic and Deluxe packages, remaining portraits for participating guests within your package limit are completed in my studio from reference photographs and delivered afterward. The Micro package is live drawing only.

Can couples or families share one portrait?
Yes. Several guests can share one composition; package coverage is still counted per person.

What are mini wedding paintings?
Individually hand-painted 4×4 inch original canvases on wooden easels, used as favors, décor, or personalized place cards. The standard minimum is 40, and designs can match your colors, flowers, décor, and venue.

Can the easels include guest names or table numbers?
Yes, personalized lettering is available for an additional fee. Final names and table assignments are needed by the agreed deadline.

Can you create a painting after our wedding?
Absolutely. Studio paintings and drawings can be created from your favorite wedding photographs, along with hand-painted glassware and other keepsakes.

Can we arrange a painting as a surprise?
Yes. Tell me before planning begins so we can agree on confidentiality and venue coordination.

Will you post our artwork on social media?
I love sharing my work, and I respect privacy requests. Tell me in writing before your event if you'd prefer your artwork or identifying details stay private.

How do we get started?
Reach out with your wedding date, venue, the service you're interested in, and any ideas you'd like to share. We'll talk through your vision and the best approach for your celebration