Butterflies, Blooms, and a Forever Kiss: Live Wedding Painting at the Beautiful Harmony Estate in Murrieta, California
- Bailey Moser
- Mar 4
- 6 min read
There are moments in life that are so magical and so full of love and emotion that they deserve to be preserved forever. That’s exactly what I set out to do when I painted this stunning live wedding portrait at The Harmony Estate back in October. From the colorful and vibrant floral arrangements to the couple’s breathtaking first kiss, this painting tells a love story in color, light, and brushstrokes.
A Dreamy, Emotional, and Colorful Vision
When I first spoke with Noah and Destinee, they expressed their vision for a painting that was bright, emotional, and dreamy. They wanted a piece that would capture not just the setting, but the feeling of their special day.
After speaking to the couple in our pre-wedding consultation, these were my overall goals for the painting :
• I want to emphasize the vibrant and bold floral tones: oranges, peaches, deep reds, and soft whites. The couple stated that they LOVED color and really wanted to feel the warmth and vibrancy in the painting!
• The couple's first kiss should be the heart of the composition. Although the painting will be bright, bold, and busy, the couple should still be the main focus.
• I want to make sure to capture the uniquness of the bride's dress. The soft highlights and the delicate pearl details on the gown and on the veil
• I will be adding in a few monarch butterflies to honor loved ones who would only be able to attend the event in spirit. I want this butterflies to add to the painting without being distracting or looking out of place.
• I want to embrace the natural beauty of the ceremony location. The Harmony Estate's ceremony space is surrounded by lush greenery. I want to make sure that the natural elements are a prevalent part of the painting.
Bringing the Love Story to Life! A Behind the Scenes Look at How the Day Unfolded
I arrived at the venue a few hours early to set up, start sketching out the elements of the painting, and start on the background. It's always so peaceful in these few hours before things get started! It’s just me, my easel, and the beautiful scenery before me. It truly is the perfect way to start off the wedding day! The California landscape was absolutely stunning, with a gentle waterfall, greenery, and a beautifully decorated wooden arch where the ceremony would take place. I made sure to capture those details early on so I could focus on the couple later in the day! Watching the couple being painted is one of the most exciting parts, so I always make sure to save that for later when guests can watch :)
Setting Up the Perfect Moment
After their first look, I had a chance to meet with the couple and pose them for a reference photo. Destinee and Noah were the sweetest! After talking to them for months before the wedding, I was so excited to finally meet them in person. This moment is always so special. I loved seeing their excitement, their love, and their anticipation for the day ahead. I used this photo that I took after their first look along with real time details from the ceremony to create a painting that felt both authentic and artistic.
Guests Arrive and The Painting Comes to Life
As guests started arriving, I got to chat with them while they watched me paint. I love this aspect of live wedding painting, people are always so fascinated by the process! Some asked about my technique, others tried to guess what scene I was going to create, and a few even shared their own artistic experiences. I was able to have a conversation with a fellow artist who was a relative of the couple. She shared with me a few photos of her own paintings, they were so beautiful! It was so fun to connect with another person who shares the same love and passion for painting!
The Ceremony & A First Kiss Worth Painting
It was finally time time for the big moment! As the couple exchanged vows and promised forever, I painted through the ceremony, soaking in every detail. And then finally, the first kiss!
It was so magical! I wish you all could have been there to see it. The golden October light, the glow of love surrounding them, the way they held each other like nothing else in the world mattered. I felt so lucky it was that moment I was going to capture.
The Reception: Painting Through Dinner & Dancing
After the ceremony, I moved my easel and the painting inside the barn for the reception. While guests enjoyed dinner and danced the night away, I kept painting, adding in the little details that made the piece come to life. The butterflies, the delicate sparkle of the bride’s gown, and the gentle highlights that make the couple the glowing focal point of the painting.
It was so fun to see guests stop by throughout the night to check on my progress. Some were fascinated by how quickly it was coming together, others tried to point out all the changes they noticed from earlier in the day. I love getting to chat with them all and hear their thoughts on the process!
The Big Reveal: A Moment to Remember
By the end of the night, the painting was nearly complete, and it was time for one of the most fun parts of the evening - the big reveal!
The couple came over from the dance floor to see the painting, and their reaction was priceless. Their faces lit up, their eyes filled with happy tears, and they just stood there, soaking it all in. I loved when Destinee spotted the butterflies, it was so touching! Seeing the painting was such a special moment for them, and knowing that I could give them this forever keepsake was incredibly rewarding.
Final Touches & A Forever Keepsake
Even though the painting looked finished by the end of the wedding night, I took it home for some final touch-ups. I do this for all my paintings as it gives me some extra time to refine the little details. I spend some time correcting the colors, blending the brushstrokes, and adding depth to make the painting truly come to life. Once everything was perfect, I was able to finally deliver the painting to the couple! It means so much to me to know that the painting will be cherished for years to come. Here you can see the painting at the end of the night vs what the final painting looked like after touch ups!
This painting is a reflection of a truly magical wedding day. There are so many elements that I will definitely remember forever! The stunning first kiss, the vibrant florals, the warmth of October light, and the love that surrounded this beautiful couple. A heartfelt thank you to Destinee and Noah for trusting me to create this piece! I’m so honored to have been part of your love story! If you would like to see some timelapse videos + bts photos from this wedding, make sure to check out my Instagram! You can also see more by viewing my Instagram highlight dedicated to this wedding.
This stunning wedding wouldn't have been possible without all of the amazing vendors that worked together to bring it to life! If you are interested in checking them out, I will have all their instagram profiles and websites linked below :)
Venue : @theharmonyestate / https://harmonyestate.com
Hair : @jthompsonbeauty
Makeup : @beautyby_terrin / https://terrinthompsonbeauty.com
Dress : @weddingbellesaz / https://weddingbellesaz.com
If you’re dreaming of your own live wedding painting, I’d absolutely love to bring your vision to life and be a part of your big day! Visit https://www.baileymoser.com/contact to send me a message and inquire about availability. I can't wait to hear from you!
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