To Frame or Not to Frame?
Our Top 5 Questions on Framing Your Live Wedding Painting
One of the most common questions we hear after every live wedding painting is: Should I style my painting with a canvas floater frame, or leave it unframed? It’s a great question, and the answer ultimately comes down to personal style. A live wedding painting is a unique, cherished piece of art that captures the magic of your special day, and whether or not to frame it is a decision that depends on your aesthetic preferences and practical considerations. Let’s dive into some key questions to help you decide, exploring the beauty of both framed and unframed options.
Question 1: Can a Live Wedding Painting Look Beautiful Styled Without a Frame?
Absolutely, yes! Our live wedding paintings, created by Ben, are designed to shine with or without a frame. The canvas Ben has chosen is a deeper canvas that he meticulously paints around the edges of the canvas with a solid color, giving each piece a clean, polished finish. This technique ensures the painting looks complete and professional, even when displayed unframed. The painted edges create a seamless transition from the artwork to your wall, making it a stunning standalone piece. Whether you hang it in a modern, minimalist space or a cozy, traditional room, an unframed painting can feel intentional and elegant.
Choosing to go frameless is also a practical option for those who prefer a clean, contemporary look or want to showcase the painting’s vibrant details without any visual distraction. This is also a great option if you are purchasing a home or moving and unsure about your interiors. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly choice, allowing you to invest in the artwork itself while still achieving a gallery-quality presentation. At the end of the (wedding!) day, a live wedding painting frame is completely optional.
Question 2: Ben’s Favorite Frame Choice for Live Wedding Paintings: The Canvas Floater Frame
While unframed paintings are beautiful, our favorite way to elevate a live wedding painting is with a canvas floater frame. A floater frame is a sleek, modern frame style that “floats” the canvas within it, leaving a small gap between the canvas edge and the frame. Unlike a traditional picture frame with glass, which covers the edges of the canvas, a floater frame showcases the painted edges, preserving the artwork’s full design. This design highlights every detail of your wedding moment while adding a touch of sophistication. Ben loves that a floater frame is like tying a bow on top—the perfect finish to make your painting feel complete and polished.
Floater frames are versatile and complement a variety of interior styles, from contemporary to classic. They add depth and dimension, making the painting appear to hover on your wall—a perfect way to draw attention to your one-of-a-kind artwork. Available in various finishes (more on that below), floater frames are our top recommendation for couples who want to give their painting a refined, gallery-like presentation.
Question 3: Choosing a Frame Finish Color for Your Live Wedding Painting
If you opt for a canvas floater frame, selecting the right finish color is key to complementing your painting and your home’s decor. Typically, our clients select the frame finish once the painting is complete to determine which will style best. Popular finishes include black, white, gold, silver, or natural wood tones. Here are a few tips to guide your choice:
- Black: A bold, timeless choice that adds contrast and works well in modern or industrial spaces.
- White: Clean and airy, white frames blend seamlessly with minimalist or coastal decor.
- Gold: These metallic finishes add a touch of elegance, perfect for glamorous or traditional settings. Our most popular frame, and it styles beautifully with almost every live wedding painting.
- Natural Wood: For a warm, organic feel, wood tones pair beautifully with rustic or bohemian interiors.
Consider the color palette of your painting and the room where it will be displayed. For example, if your wedding painting features soft pastels, a white or gold frame might enhance its delicate tones. If the painting has bold, vibrant hues, a black or silver frame could create a striking contrast. Ultimately, choose a finish that feels cohesive with your personal style and home interiors.
Question 4: What If I Don’t Frame It Now, Can I Decide to Later?
One of the best things about a live wedding painting is its versatility. If you choose to display your painting unframed initially, you can absolutely decide to add a frame later. The painted edges ensure the artwork looks complete from day one, giving you the flexibility to enjoy it while you consider framing options. Whether it’s months or years down the line, you can work with a professional framer to select a floater frame (or another traditional style) that suits your evolving taste or decor.
If you’re unsure about framing right away, we recommend hanging the painting in your space to see how it feels. You might love the unframed look, or you may decide a frame would enhance its presence. Either way, the option to frame later is always available, making it easy to adapt as your style or home changes.
For our client’s that have their heart set on a more ornate or custom frame, we highly recommend shopping at your local frame shop.
If you’re based in the Charleston, South Carolina area, we highly recommend Havens Fine Framing. This frame shop is the best of the best, located conveniently in Mount Pleasant. The entire team is incredible, but we say ask for Kristen Chandler – she’s our favorite to work with and has been framing for over a decade with Havens.
Question 5: Shipping Your Framed Live Wedding Painting: Is It Safe?
We understand that safety is a top concern when shipping a framed live wedding painting. The good news is that with proper care, shipping a framed painting is perfectly safe. When we ship framed paintings, we use high-quality, protective packaging designed to safeguard both the canvas and the frame during transit. This includes sturdy boxes, foam padding, and corner protectors to prevent damage.
If you’re considering a canvas floater frame, its sleek design adds minimal bulk, making it easier to ship securely compared to bulkier traditional frames. Rest assured, we take every precaution to ensure your painting arrives in pristine condition, ready to be displayed in your home.
It’s All About Your Style
At the end of the day, choosing whether to style your live wedding painting with or without a canvas floater frame is a matter of personal preference. An unframed painting, with its beautifully painted edges, offers a clean, modern look that’s ready to hang as-is. A floater frame, on the other hand, adds a touch of elegance and structure, enhancing the artwork’s presence in your space. Both options are stunning, and the flexibility to frame later gives you time to decide what feels right for you.
Take your time, consider your home’s decor, and choose the option that makes your heart sing every time you see your wedding day captured on canvas. If you have more questions or need help choosing a frame, we’re here to guide you every step of the way! A frame can be added to your painting order any time before delivery! And of course, Ben is more than happy to recommend a frame finish that styles beautifully with your finished live wedding painting.
