We are officially obsessed with the idea of a First Anniversary Wedding Painting! Choosing an exciting (and surprising!) Anniversary Gift can sometimes be a challenge, especially after your very First Year of Marriage milestone! (HOW do you top the wedding day!) When Sam reached out to us, we were so excited to hear his idea to gift his sweet wife, Olivia, a surprise First Anniversary Wedding Painting commissioned from their wedding photos! We are so excited to share their finished painting and this really fun, it’s-a-small-world-moment, with you!
I (Jen) so clearly remember when I spoke with Olivia by phone during her wedding planning process. The stars didn’t align for Ben to be available to paint live on the day of the wedding day.
Fast forward a year …
Sam decided a wedding painting would be the perfect First Anniversary Gift!
Sam was so incredibly thoughtful in remembering how much Olivia loved Ben’s wedding paintings. For their First Wedding Anniversary, Sam began searching for a Charleston Painter and “randomly reached out to us!” During our call, I (Jen!) connected that we had actually already spoken with Olivia during their wedding planning! (I still remember exactly where I was when I took her call!) Talk about the most epic, full circle surprise, ever!
Let’s start with the photo inspiration for their wedding painting:
My dear friend from Dana Cubbage Weddings captured all the pretty from their celebration. Sam shared one of Olivia’s favorite wedding photos with Ben as inspiration. The photo is the happiest moment as they shared a kiss surrounded by their wedding party on the steps of the Veranda at Magnolia Plantation.
Rather than having more realistic facial details, Sam opted for a more brushy and impressionistic style on the wedding party faces. Ben actually loves painting this way! Olivia was beyond surprised when she opened the wedding painting on their First Anniversary! It’s the little details, and small world moments, that layer each of these paintings with so much meaning!
What an absolute joy to share Oliva and Sam’s finished wedding painting from photos!
Olivia + Sam
Magnolia Plantation
Charleston, SC
Wedding Painting Commissioned from Photos
Ceremony + Reception Location: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
Photographer: Dana Cubbage Weddings
Wedding Painter: Ben Keys Fine Art, formerly Wed on Canvas
Gown: Hayley Paige
It’s never too late to have a painting created from your wedding photos! If you’re thinking about a wedding painting, click here to view a few more we love!
Jen Keys is the Studio Manager for Live Wedding Painter, Ben Keys Fine Art, coordinating stunning Live Wedding Paintings for couples worldwide. With 15+ years in the wedding industry – including time at luxury bridal designer Modern Trousseau – Jen has helped deliver over 500 custom live wedding painting experiences as the wife and partner of renowned Live Wedding Painter, Ben Keys. Jen’s bubbly personality ensures every commission is personalized and stress-free.
Together with their 3 daughter, Jen and Ben call Charleston, SC home.
Explore more info and examples of Ben’s Live Wedding Paintings at benkeys.com.
