HOLLY AND OLLIE | CLEVEDON HALL, SOMERSET | LIVE WEDDING PAINTER
Clevedon Hall Live Wedding Painting
This wedding painting did NOT go according to plan!
Holly and Ollie got married at the stunning Clevedon Hall in Somerset on a summer’s day in August and hired me to be their live wedding painter. But, this is England, so the weather decided not to play ball…
I love live wedding painting at Clevedon Hall. It is big, light and airy while still retaining that Victorian elegance; from its sweeping staircase to its tapestry-covered reception area to the pristine landscaped gardens covered in lavender.
It was in these gardens that Holly and Ollie decided to tie the knot under a gazebo, surrounded by flowers and overlooking the lake. I couldn’t wait to start painting their wedding!
I always arrive at the wedding venue early to set up my easel, meet the venue team and prepare my art supplies for the day.
Boy am I glad I did.
I set up at the back of the ceremony space so I had a full view of the gazebo and so guests could watch me painting as they arrived for the ceremony. My plan was to stay there until after the ceremony and then move into the main reception area so I could paint right up to when the bride and groom exchange vows and the guests could watch me paint all day. The lovely staff helped me set up and even brought me a jug of water and glass for drinking. Perfect. I touched my paintbrush to the canvas and…a big fat raindrop hit my brush. Uh oh.
I kept going, giving the painting the base layer. (I chose a Burnt Sienna colour to provide a fairly warm tone to the greens, browns and grey I would be adding later with the background) No sooner had I finished, than the heavens opened and I had to grab my canvas and pelt to the main house.
The canvas was saved but my other supplies were not, so another mad dash got everything under cover in the nick of time.
This is the part when I feel sorry for the wedding coordinators. It was an hour before the ceremony and she didn’t know whether the bride and groom would be getting married outside or in. Well, the team at Clevedon Hall are seasoned pros and they just set up a Plan B inside just in case and waited until the very last moment to decide where to go. About ten minutes before the ceremony was going to begin, the rain stopped. It was all systems go.
Meanwhile, I had set up my canvas in the main reception area where all the guests were gathering and where they would be milling all day, other than the actual ceremony and the wedding breakfast. This was where I was going to end up anyway, but now I couldn’t paint during the ceremony so I would be running behind. I painted like a woman crazed. (On the inside, on the outside; I was as serene as a monk!) That didn’t mean I didn’t stop when the groom came downstairs, looking very smart in his Navy officer’s uniform, and thanked me for being there. He was very happy as Holly had actually surprised him. He had been given a card from her a few minutes before and a live wedding painting was the bride’s gift to her groom. I love surprises!
It was time for the ceremony. I ditched my paintbrush and headed outside to watch. I took a few sneaky videos and pictures of when the bride and groom said “I do” and snuck away to start painting the moment.
After the ceremony, the guests came up to look at my progress, at that point the gazebo and foliage were coming together, but not much else! A couple of people were standing and watching me paint, others asked questions and chatted, which I love to do and it’s all part of the service.
That rain had held me back though and I was feeling the pressure to get this painting done!
The background was so detailed and complex, which I love, but it was always going to take some time. I stopped for about five mins to wolf down some food, but other than that I was painting for 12 hours straight. I wasn’t sure whether I’d be like Chandler in ‘Friends’ by the end with the “Claw”!
But finally, after the first dance, it was done. I'd even managed to paint a tiny monkey hiding in the bushes by the bride. This was a recurring detail in the wedding decorations and I wanted to include it.
Now it was time to reveal to the happy couple. They adored it. And they loved the monkey! Their guests had so much fun watching it come together throughout the day. My hands may have been cramping, and my head may have been aching, but I didn't care. It’s the best job in the world.
Thank you Holly for surprising your husband with a live wedding painting. It was a special honour to paint your wedding, especially with so many members of the armed forces in attendance. Your wedding was beautiful and so is your love.
Jessica x
VENDORS
Wedding Photographer: Wright Wedding Photography
Wedding Venue: Clevedon Hall
Cake: Cemlyn Cakes
Florist: Berries and Blossom
Wedding Planner: Weddings with Holly
Music: Alun Roberts Music
Makeup: Leanne Oneill Makeup
Hair: Dylan McConnachie
Dress: Aire
