Some wedding days have a beauty all their own, and Ben and Emily’s rainy May wedding at Shepherd’s Run in South Kingstown, Rhode Island was certainly one of them.
I had the pleasure of creating their live wedding painting as a very special gift from Ben’s parents. From the beautiful historic architecture of Shepherd’s Run to the soft light of a rainy spring day, there was such a romantic feeling surrounding this wedding.
In the video above, you can see some of the wonderful moments from their celebration and the process of bringing their wedding painting to life.
A Rainy Wedding Day at Shepherd’s Run
Rain may not have been part of the original plan, but sometimes a change in plans creates its own kind of magic.
Ben and Emily’s ceremony was moved indoors, and the beautiful spaces at Shepherd’s Run provided such a warm and intimate setting for them to exchange their vows. Later, guests gathered under the tent for the reception, with the clear protective sides keeping everyone comfortable while still allowing them to enjoy the surrounding property.
Rather than taking away from the day, I thought the rain added to the romance of it.
There was a softness to the light and a coziness to the celebration that felt perfectly suited to this beautiful old manor.
Capturing the Architecture of Shepherd’s Run
One of Ben and Emily’s wishes for their painting was to capture as much of the exterior architecture of Shepherd’s Run as possible—and I completely understood why.
The venue has so much character.
I loved the beautiful stonework, the steep rooflines, the turret and the warm windows tucked beneath the roof. The mature trees and gardens surrounding the manor give it an almost storybook quality.
For the painting, I placed Ben and Emily together in the foreground beneath the large tree, surrounded by the greenery and flowers, with the manor stretching across the background.
I especially loved the contrast between Emily’s beautiful white gown and the soft greens and grays of the rainy landscape. The warm glow coming from the windows helped give the painting that feeling of a wedding celebration continuing inside—a little bit of warmth against the cool May afternoon.
It became not only a portrait of Ben and Emily, but also a portrait of this beautiful place where they began their married life together.
From Live Wedding Painting to Finished Heirloom
I begin my wedding paintings live on location, capturing the atmosphere, colors and feeling of the day while everything is happening around me.
After the wedding, I bring the painting back to my studio where I continue working on it, refining the couple, architecture, landscape and all of the details that bring the finished piece together.
I think this is where a live wedding painting becomes something more than simply a record of one moment.
It becomes an heirloom.
Once framed and hanging in their home, Ben and Emily’s painting will always hold a piece of their wedding day—the beautiful manor, the rainy May afternoon, Emily’s dress, the gardens and, most importantly, the two of them beginning their life together.
A Wedding Gift That Lasts Beyond the Wedding Day
Ben and Emily’s painting was commissioned as a wedding gift from the groom’s parents, and I especially love when parents choose to give a live wedding painting to their children.
There is something incredibly meaningful about that gift.
To me, it says, “This day matters. Your marriage matters. And we want you to have something that will always remind you of where it began.”
Long after the wedding day has passed, the painting remains in their home and hopefully, someday, becomes part of their family’s story.
It was such a pleasure creating this live wedding painting at Shepherd’s Run in South Kingstown, RI, and preserving a little piece of Ben and Emily’s beautiful wedding day on canvas.
Are You Considering a Live Wedding Painting?
If you are planning a wedding at Shepherd’s Run, elsewhere in Rhode Island, or throughout New England, I would love to hear about your wedding plans.
Each live wedding painting I create is completely unique to the couple. Together, we can choose the scene, architecture, people and meaningful details that will tell the story of your day.
Your painting is begun live at your wedding and then thoughtfully refined in my studio to create a one-of-a-kind heirloom made to be enjoyed for a lifetime—and passed down for generations.
If you’re thinking about a live wedding painting, please reach out through my website and fill out my inquiry form. I would be happy to connect with you, hear about your vision and explore how we can bring your wedding day to life on canvas.
— Linda Marino
Live Wedding & Event Painter
