Live Painting at the Wedding Showcase at Channels in Chelmsford

Back in September, whilst exhibiting at my first wedding showcase, I approached the general manager, Paul, at Channels, who was also exhibiting, to discuss my live wedding painting services. I was then invited to attend their open day. I was super excited and couldn’t wait to show them how I would fit into their beautiful wedding venue in Chelmsford. I arranged an initial viewing with Paul to explore the space and see if there was room for me to create a live painting for a couple on their wedding day. One thing I have always wanted is to complement a venue, so having these initial discussions beforehand is something I hold a lot of value in.

On the morning of the showcase, I drove the short distance to Channels. The atmosphere was electric, and all the vendors were incredibly welcoming and kind. I was also excited to see Simply Sweet Ice Cream Cart, who had been my neighbours at the main event show in September. I began setting up, and even in the tight space, I managed to create a stand that allowed me to paint live and show couples how special and unique a live wedding painting could be for their day.

The venue was dressed to the nines and looked absolutely stunning. Every vendor pulled out the stops to ensure their stands looked perfect, so when the doors opened shortly after the two-minute silence, there was a huge buzz of excitement from couples and their families. They were so enthusiastic to see how a live wedding artist could add a personal and memorable touch to their celebrations. I began painting the flowers from Kate’s bouquet, making it my mini goal to finish that section during the day. The couples who stopped to chat were amazing, and I loved sharing my story with them and feeling seen. So often, people don’t notice me or what I am achieving, but with live wedding painting, everyone gets it—they see me. I love chatting to couples about one of the biggest days of their lives and discovering the little details that mean so much to them. The excitement from couples about having a live wedding painting as part of their day was really special. Most of the couples I spoke to had already booked their date, with a small handful still searching for their dream wedding venue.

So, what makes Channels a dream venue for couples looking for a wedding venue in Essex? With high beam ceilings and a rustic barn feel, there is ample space to host a stunning Essex wedding all in one place. The staff are incredibly welcoming, kind, and clearly care about their jobs, ensuring every detail is perfect. The Essex Barn is split into two areas, which can accommodate both your wedding breakfast and an indoor ceremony. Though let’s face it, most brides dream of an outdoor ceremony. Well, the large outdoor space, with its church-like look and pew seating for your guests, delivers exactly that.

Inside the Essex Barn, there is a large bar, and one thing I always check as a bride to be is the toilets. They are clean, hygienic, and stylish. It may seem trivial, but we need a place to touch up our makeup and have a proper catch-up with our girls putting the world to right, so clean facilities are a must. Location-wise, Channels is in a quiet area with no through traffic, yet it is still close to main roads for easy access. The recently opened train station makes it even easier for guests to reach. There is ample parking, a hotel for guests to stay the night if needed, and most importantly, the grounds provide gorgeous backdrops for your live painting or wedding photographs. What more could you want from a dream wedding venue in Essex?

Image taken from https://channelschelmsford.co.uk/wedding-venue/

Halfway through the showcase, a lady approached me and said, “I came here to see you!” I was so surprised. Although I have a big following, I don’t expect this, and I usually only announce my presence at large venues because, let’s face it, there are some weirdos around. She then handed me a package, saying she had joined my Patreon channel and followed along with my tutorial to create her first pencil drawing. Honestly, this blew me away. I could hardly believe I was seeing my first in-person tutorial drawing. I have been teaching pencil drawings on Patreon since 2021, and rarely talk about it or advertise it, so seeing her work in person as a wedding artist was incredibly special. She should be so proud of what she created.

At the start of the day vs at the end of the day.

Near the end of the showcase, all the vendors came together, and we finally had a chance to chat about the day and our experiences in the wedding industry. It was lovely to hear such positive comments about my live wedding painting work. One vendor even asked if I was actually painting, as I kept layering the area repeatedly. I explained that the slower you go, the more realism and detail you get.

When it came to packing away, I carefully re-boxed my paintings and said my goodbyes to Paul and all the vendors. It was an amazing showcase, and I left exhausted, which really showed how fantastic the day had been. Couples were so excited about the idea of having a live wedding artist as part of their celebrations, and I felt so grateful to be included in their wedding planning journey.

Thank you, Channels, for allowing me to be part of your showcase. I can’t wait to work with you again in the future. I am now booking live wedding paintings for 2026 and 2027.

For Prices: CLICK HERE For Channels visit CLICK HERE