The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Lauren & Graham | April 28, 2018 | Arden Photography

Smiles and giggles were floating everywhere on this beautiful day at Windwood Equestrian -- perfect for family members and loved ones to celebrate the love this charming couple share. Emotions of love, gratefulness, and excitement were ever present, especially in these darling moments I was able to capture. The sweetest blue-eyed flower girl prepared the aisle for the bride to make her grand entrance. You could physically feel the butterflies intensify as the bridal march chords began playing. A gentle kiss was shared at the climax of the ceremony, and a shy, but meaningful first dance at the reception followed as their audience gazed on. The couple sealed their wedding celebration with a quick peck in the back of their get-away vehicle on the way to their honeymoon location. Congratulations from Arden Photography; we are so grateful we were able to be a part of such a fond memory!

Loving and emotional moments shared with family.

Smiles everywhere, especially from this sweet little one.

A beautiful wedding party complimented this beautiful spring day!

A season of new beginnings coming to a close.

The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Hannah & McKinley | April 14, 2018 | Arden Photography

Hannah is one of the kindest brides I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. This warm day in April presented itself with crinkled eyes, joy-filled tears, and a rebirth of this sweet couple’s love as characterized by the spring season. After the ceremony, the newlyweds were constantly grinning cheek to cheek at each other, so much so that I feel that was all I was able to capture. No complaints from here, though! Happiness and laughter is always welcome at Windwood Equestrian. Tummies were kept filled to the brim with yummy foods from Happy Catering and a beautiful white wedding cake with delicate rose detailing from Barb’s Cakes. The lovely couple were sent off with well wishes and a light show of multi-colored glowsticks waving them off to their next destination.

The sweetest bride!

First looks manifest an array of emotions.

A love we wish will forever bloom.

Simultaneous firsts and lasts in every one of these special moments.

The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Jamie & Alex | April 7, 2018 | Arden Photography

The beginning of April was met with this sweet bride that brought free-spirited laughter and eye-smiles to everyone at Windwood Equestrian in her wake. Jamie exuded timeless class and enthusiasm throughout her wedding day, as expected of a former Miss Alabama. The flowers from Bloom & Petal chosen for this special day exemplified her kind and bright demeanor that brought smiles to even the most stubborn of faces as she made her way down the aisle. People are wise when they say true beauty is created from the inside out and thus radiates to others. Loving kisses were shared from the final moments of their ceremony, in front of their wedding cake with a non-traditional drip design from Joe’s Italian, and up until the newlyweds departed. Arden Photography extends a huge congratulations to Jamie and Alex for not only allowing us to share these precious moments with them, but also bringing joy to our hearts throughout the day.

The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Ashley & Adam | March 24, 2018 | Arden Photography

The end of March was approaching for Windwood Weddings, but this precious couple was beginning their lifelong journey of love and happiness. Bouquets filled with white and light pink roses complimented the bridesmaid’s dresses and the blushing cheeks of the soon-to-be Mrs. Harris. Nervous giggles and wandering eyes were continuously present during their first look. I’ll let you in on a little known fact of Windwood: our Lady Bank roses that bloom during the last week in March to the middle of April make for the perfect backdrop for wedding photos i.e. the arbor the wedding party is standing in front of for pre-ceremony pictures, especially to capture the springtime feel on your special day. When the, what felt like, long-awaited ceremony occurred, a collective sigh of contentment was ebbing from the newlyweds. This contentment grew to pure joy as the couple serenaded the crowd with their first dance and shared tastes of their wedding cake. The night ended as if your favorite sports team just won with shaking poms lined across the walkway as the Harris’s were off to their honeymoon destination.

Twirling into spring!

We’re blushing at this sweet couple (and these precious bridesmaid dresses).

Waving hello to the soon-to-be married couple!

Grinning for a new beginning.

Dancing the night away into a pom-filled exit.

The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Jeannie & Ryan | March 18, 2018 | Arden Photography

Jeannie and Ryan were wed on a lovely day in March. The Spring sun warmed our backs as the love we witnessed between them warmed our hearts. Each wedding we photograph has an element of tradition and elements that make them personalized to the couple. We loved the Alabama Cake from “Cakes by Jan” even though this wasn’t our favorite Tuscaloosa team’s year at National Championship we all love a diehard fan. Nothing says fan like eating Alabama Cake. All the guest’s belly’s were as full as there heart’s because Happy Catering knows how to feed a crowd. As guests enjoyed the evening and danced into the night with music by Feel the Beat Entertainment, our sweet friend Danny Brewer, we all enjoyed ourselves and this first Spring 2018 wedding for Windwood Weddings and Arden Photography.

A beautiful start to Jeannie and Ryan’s wedding day.

Lots of love for all during the traditional vows and who doesn’t love a precious flower girl photo?

Roll Tide and let’s eat cake!

Happily Ever After!

Thank You Kimberly and Olivia!

Olivia’s mother, Kimberly, emailed me not too long ago to inquire about my Equus collection prints. She told me that her 11-year-old daughter is part of the hippotherapy program, Horse Ability, in New York where they live. Olivia is special needs with a rare genetic deletion that requires special attention and daily forms of therapy. She loves horses. Kimberly told me that Olivia is so happy when she is riding.  As a board member of Special Equestrians, it is these stories that truly touch my heart.

I hope you love the print of L’ami Noir – it is one of my favorites! Thank you for reaching out and sharing your story with me. Keep riding, Olivia!

If you have any questions about hippotherapy, please click the link to learn more. Programs like Special Equestrians are unique in their aim to provide therapy for persons with special needs. 

11-year-old Olivia. Thank you for the photos, Kimberly!

Arden Ward Upton: Alabama's Finest "Artist of the Year"

Gadsden Museum of Art has chosen Arden Ward Upton as the 2014 Artist of the Year. Her Equus collection will debut December 7, 2014 and will hang in the museum until January 20, 2015. In the gallery collection will be a few new editions to her ever-growing Equus fine art including the release of the Italy "Snow Polo" images. Please be sure to click the link to visit the Gadsden Museum of Art website for any additional information. The grand opening of the Equus gallery will be Dec. 7, 2014 from 2-4pm. 

Windwood Horse Show: Arden Photography

The annual Windwood Horse Show took place in August. It showcased riders of the Windwood Equestrian school as they confidently rode in on their valiant steeds. They galloped, they jumped hurdles, they tossed their long, silky manes in the summer heat - the horses, not the riders! Spectators had a great time also, exploring the Windwood grounds and meeting Phoenix - the miniature horse mascot. Be sure to visit the Windwood Equestrian website to learn more about the riding school and other events: http://windwoodequestrian.com