Today, we decided we'd add a little brightness to our Monday by looking back at a few of the grooms we've had this year for a man crush Monday. With the focus usually on the bride, it was time our groom's had some time in the spotlight. Their personalities make their bride's and everyone else smile! With patience and a helping hand, they always make sure the day goes smoothly. Thanks for a Monday boost guys!
Something Exciting: Arden Photography
Guess what arrived in the studio today? We're so excited about our new USB drives! Thank you to USB Memory Direct for designing these amazing drives for Arden Photography. We know our clients will be thrilled and we cant wait to share them with our brides!
A Look Back at 2014: Arden Photography
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
2014 was a big, big year for Arden Photography; so many exciting things, beautiful weddings, the Equus collection. It was filled over with such gorgeous imagery, smiling couples, close friends, and new chapters that we are beyond excited for the new beginnings in 2015. We are so very lucky to have such a wonderful and embracing community and many friendships. We hope you are as ecstatic about 2015 as we are! We cannot wait to take you along for the ride next to us, and to allow us to capture all of your beautiful memories and stories for 2015! In the meantime, here is a look-back at a few of our personal favorite images from 2014.
Surviving the Ceremony: Emergency Wedding Kit
*Read with Australian accent for authenticity*
On today’s episode of “Surviving the Ceremony”, we take a look at how to make it out alive on the biggest day of your life! Torn dress hem!? Run in your stockings!? Fainting bridesmaids!? We can teach you how to solve all that, and still have a good time! Grab onto your veils mates, it’s going to be a wild wedding survival!
Every bride has an idea of what she thinks she might need on the big day. We are here to tell you there are things you’ll probably forget, things you will need, and things you might want to have just in case. Compose a list, gather everything together, and place it all in a handy-dandy case that can easily be accessed at any point in time. Small tackle boxes are great for this kind of thing (if you love being crafty, you could even decorate it with glitter or spray paint in your wedding colors!). Baby diaper bags are also a great option – lots of pockets. You could even gift your bridesmaids with clutches that come pre-stocked with a few of these items, so that you’ll be ready for anything at any moment’s notice.
Essentials::
- Aspirin or pain reliever of choice
- Mini first-aid kit – extra band aids
- Mini sewing kit
- Tape – every kind imaginable (duct tape, scotch tape, double-sided tape)
- Safety pins
- Bobby pins/hair ties
- Eye drops
- Tissues
- Dental floss
- Nail file
- Touch-up nail polish
- Tweezers
- Baby powder
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton balls
- Lint roller
- Sunblock
- Scissors
Just-In-Case::
- Chalk – use to cover minor stains or smudges on your dress
- Clear nail polish – use to prevent runs in stockings/tights
- Super glue – you will use this for something (jewelry, décor, etc.)
- Smelling salts – remind your wedding party not to lock their knees!
- Bleach pen
- Allergy medicine
- White sheet – for bride to sit on if necessary
- Medicated pads – typically found with the hemorrhoid creams, great for swollen/puffy eyes if tears have been shed!
- Extra undergarments – you never know!
- Cell phone charger
- Extension cords
- Tums/Pepto
Not to be Over-looked::
- Umbrella
- Pen/Notebook – secret notes for the groom
- Makeup
- Hair spray
- Breath mints/spray
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Q-tips – use with a little lotion to remove mascara runs!
- Cash – don’t forget to tip your hair stylist/makeup artist/bartender
- Tampons – just in case!
- Straws – to prevent lipstick smudging when hydrating
- Razors
Yes, this seems like a lot of stuff, but the good Girl Scout knows to always be prepared. Think small – travel size, divide up certain things. You’ll be amazed at what you do actually use and will need - and the things you don’t use: well you’ll be incredibly grateful it was there either way.
Now you are ready to venture into the wild, a beautiful bride with all the tools to… SURVIVE THE CEREMONY!
Pinch Provisions Minimergency© Kit (click for link)
Minimergency© Bridesmaids Kit (click for link)
Arden Ward Upton's Expert Advice: Face It
Love is more than just a pretty face, but let’s be honest - on your wedding day, we all want that picture-perfect smile! Seems easy enough, right? Then suddenly, you are flipping through your photos, and *gasp* there it is – that dreaded double chin! Now, you could spend an entire week binge watching Tyra Banks on America’s Next Top Model give girls coaching on how to thrust that chin forward, or you could read on below and save that time for addressing your wedding invitations!
Secret #1: Pull your shoulders back, push your chest out slightly, and gently extend your head forward. This is a great way to avoid that double chin. It may feel a bit awkward and weird, but Tyra says that makes for the prettiest pictures anyway. It also helps to accentuate your collarbone, allowing your shoulders and neck to look thinner.
Secret #2: Angle your face. Try to avoid direct head-on shots as these can sometimes result in an absence of shadows, and this can make your face appear wider. Instead, turn your head just slightly to the right or left, tilt your chin outwards and downwards and look at something just above your natural line of sight. This has the added bonus of emanating a soft and demure pose.
Secret #3: This one may also seem a little strange at first, but you’ll swear by its results! Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth while smiling. This draws very subtle tension into your jawline – an effective way to avoid the double chin, and also aids to elongate your neck.
Bonus Tip: “Look Away Trick” – this one takes practice, but is easy enough to do in the privacy of your own house (something I suggest since it could look a bit strange to anyone who might be watching – trust me). Instead of freezing your smile in place for a hundred photos, try looking away from the camera and look back with a big smile just before the snap of the shutter. Your smile will be more genuine and fresh, lighting up your eyes, and making for a gorgeous shot!
Tyra’s Bonus Tip: “The Smize” – Tyra loves this word, a mash-up of her most-used phrase on ANTM, “Smile with your eyes.” If you don’t like to show off those pearly whites, this is a great tip for you. Take a second to relax your face, open your mouth just slightly, and allow your lower lip to match the curve of your upper teeth. Tilt your chin just barely down, look up at the camera with your eyes, and faintly lower your lids – be sure to channel all the happiness of your big day to shine through!
Image Credit @Fanpop.com
So let’s face it, maybe you didn’t lose that last five pounds before lacing up your gown, but who’s going to notice when you’ve got a face like Tyra Banks?