JAW ON THE FLOOR.

For all the internet scribble scrabble abut a gorgeous custom Dolce and Gabbana dress (I mean, I totallly would’ve picked a dress like that if it hadn’t been 20948304928 degrees in Oklahoma mid-summer), I could not get over the beautiful dress, the magical Nancy-Myers-esque hydrangeas and classic timeless vibe of Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey’s wedding.

SO, like I enjoy doing, I’m going to grab my paintbrush and walk you through how I would paint Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey’s dreamy New England wedding! 🎨👰🤵

Key Elements of This New England-Inspired Painting

A sun-kissed day in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, where love is in the air and the Atlantic Ocean provides the perfect backdrop.

My metaphorical mission? To capture the essence of this classic yet personal celebration in watercolor, a whimsical yet magical medium that I really feel will capture the whole classic, timeless, Nancy Myers vibe of the day.

Let’s paint this romantic scene together!

Painting the Venues

Let me walk you through the process of how I’d CHOOSE what to paint.

Okay, so this dreamy wedding took place at Watch Hill Chapel and Ocean House resort — we’re talking about THE historic Watch Hill Chapel and the stunning Ocean House resort.

What would I do if I painted each of these venues? Let’s see.

For the chapel, I’d use a wider and vertical approach to showcase the beautiful chapel and its history. I’d want to incorporate the architectural details of its 150 year old charm, the beautiful warm colors in the chapel, and Olivia’s dress would really pop. Why might I not want to paint the chapel? it’s a little on the darker side inside, and I prefer to use whimsical yet vibrant colors when possible.

The Ocean House? That’s where I’d let loose a bit. Pinks, purples, and blue hydrangea hues that scream “New England seaside elegance.” I could add touches of blue to hint at the ocean views, show the architecture of Ocean House, and create a dreamy, almost impressionistic backdrop.

Which one fits my own vibe and the “dreamy New England wedding” vibe the couple is going for? I’d say 10/10 Ocean House — and there are some GORGEOUS hydrangeas that we could incorporate, and flowers are my JAM.

Let’s keep going.

Painting the Couple

Now, for the star of the show – our gorgeous bride, Olivia and handsome groom, Christian!

You’re in for a treat because I *could* paint not one, not two, but three stunning Dolce & Gabbana gowns from this gorgeous New England wedding. For the ceremony dress, I’d use delicate, precise strokes to capture the long-sleeve, crewneck crepe ball gown. Lots of *painting the shadows* with purples, blues, and golden tones, because I don’t use masking fluid (a popular way to keep your paper white) — I know it’s not cheating, but it feels like it is. I’d keep going with subtle shadows to show off that voluminous skirt. Don’t forget the 16-foot lace veil – we’ll use the lightest touch to make it look like it’s floating on air/over the ground.

If I painted the reception, I’d switch to softer strokes for Olivia’s off-shoulder chiffon number. Think romantic, flowy lines that seem to dance on the canvas.

And for the after-party? Get ready for some fun! I’d use bolder strokes to capture the silk bodysuit and mini cage skirt, adding pops of color with those handmade organza flowers.

Of course, we can’t forget our dashing groom, Christian. I’d paint him in a classic black tux (obviously), using sharp lines and a touch of shine to show off that NFL player physique. And here’s a fun detail – let’s add a hint of a smile to his face, remembering how excited he is to marry Olivia.

If I was painting the wedding party, I’d continue to use my signature impressionist style. I can just picture the bridesmaids in their custom Dolce & Gabbana dresses, using softer focus and harmonious colors to complement Olivia’s look. I’d add them gazing in her direction, capturing the JOY that they are part of this celebration.

Painting the Details of this New England Wedding

Flowers?! Now we’re talking! I’d be going all out with a lush, garden-style vibe for this New England wedding. For the altar, we’ll use textural brushwork to create masses of white and green blooms. The floral archway? That’s where we’ll really have fun! Picture explosive bursts of color – soft pinks, creamy whites, and vibrant greens for those garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, and oakleaf hydrangeas. I’d continue to use an impressionistic style here, focusing on the overall effect and vibe rather than individual petals.

For the reception decor, we’ll add vintage silver floral vessels and antique garden urns with delicate, detailed brushwork. A touch of shine here and there will make them pop against the softer floral backgrounds.

Let’s not forget those special moments that made this wedding unique. I’d be sure to paint the beautiful crystal chandeliers with delicate, sparkling brushstrokes overhead, with blurred figures on a dance floor below to capture the energy of the celebration.

Now, for the final composition.

This New England Wedding Final Composition

After looking at the gorgeous images from Olivia and Christian’s gorgeous New England wedding, I felt this overhead shot from Ocean House with the hydrangeas fit the dreamy elegant vibe the couple was going for. I’ll place Olivia and Christian roughly in the middle, composing it similarly to Jose Villa’s masterful image., perhaps framed by the chapel doorway or with the Ocean House in the background. The Atlantic Ocean will peek through in the distance, a wash of blue meeting the sky. We’ll frame the scene with those gorgeous floral elements, letting them spill into the foreground for depth.

To capture that “old-school elegance” Olivia mentioned, we’ll use a warm, golden light on her wedding dress highlights, reminiscent of the golden hour. This will bathe everything in a romantic glow, blending the New England charm, highlighting hints of of Italian heritage in the details.

As I step back from this masterpiece, what do we see? A painting that’s both intimate and grand, traditional yet uniquely “Olivia and Christian.” The joy you can feel, the love in the air, the dreamy New England vibes all around – it’s all there on on the paper, a timeless capture of a perfect day.

So there you have it! There are SO MANY thoughts and ideas and details that go into creating a wedding painting (and this one was a study and only 4×6!), so imagine how much more detail goes into a larger painting!

This was simply *brief* step-by-step journey through how I would paint Olivia and Christian’s big day. Whether you’re actually putting brush to canvas or just daydreaming about this fairytale wedding, I hope this little adventure has sparked your creativity.

Now, who’s ready to paint their own happily ever after?