A Garden-Party Inspired Wedding Meets The Refinement of Old-World Europe At Cheekwood Historic Estate in Nashville

Some weddings feel like they were extracted straight from a historic romance, and Haley and Ryan's celebration at Cheekwood was exactly this dream. Their special day was a seamless mix of garden-chic in the lush grounds of Cheekwood Historic Estate, jazzy romance, and elevated European sophistication, topped by a dreamy getaway on the New England coast. Every moment felt just like the bride: sophisticated, commanding, dazzling.

Picture this: sipping a fruity cocktail while a fabulous band croons timeless classics in the background. You're laughing with old friends while an artist paints your portrait. And, oh! your portrait is done! And it SCREAMS you-- you' can't wait to frame it. This is a favor you're actually going to keep.

Haley and Ryan chose live guest portraiture to elevate their event and wow their guests-- and wow their guests it did! All night, guests swarmed our table, eager to see if their live portrait was finished yet. With my team of 3 additional artists, we painted all 160 guests, and by 10 pm, every single guest had a portrait to go home, hand-painted that night.

At Rachel Shannon Art, excellence, refinement, and artistry is at the heart of our approach, which was a seamless integration for the Durocher-Baird Wedding. The night sang of fun, glamour, intention, and vibrance.

My favorite part of the evening? Meeting the delightful guests! That's one of the best parts of live guest portraiture; it's an interactive experience between the guests and the artist. Haley's mother was a doll, delivering finished portraits personally to her guests, and a few of the groomsmen mayyy have come for seconds... They can get away with it ;)

Congratulations, Haley and Ryan, on your happily ever after!

Work With Rachel Shannon Art to Create a Memory That Will Last a Lifetime

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s visually stunning and want an extra special touch for your guests, we would love to help bring your vision to life through live art. Inquire here to learn more about our live art experiences and see how we can create a moment that feels uniquely yours.

Live guest portraits: Rachel Shannon Art

Wedding photography: Heather Durham Photography