Almost two years ago Cari and Michael were wed at Windwood Equestrian with Arden Photography in tow. Happy EARLY anniversary to you both! We hope these past two years have been filled with love, patience, and happiness; and we wish many more years of the same!
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Lindsay & Blake | Arden Photography
On May 12, 2018, Lindsay and Blake were married at Windwood Equestrian. With that being said, Arden Photography wants to extend a loving, early anniversary wish to this sweet couple. We enjoyed sharing your wedding celebration with us, and we hope you can look back on your special day with fond memories!
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Erin & John | Arden Photography
Happy, happy, early two-year anniversary to Erin and John! This lovely couple celebrated their special day with us on May 6, 2017, and we’re still not over the excitement this day held. Arden Photography wishes you many, many years of love and adventures.
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Lauren & Graham | Arden Photography
Happy EARLY one-year anniversary to Lauren and Graham! Arden Photography was beyond over-joyed to be included in your wedding celebration on April 28 2018, especially at our special place we call home, Windwood Equestrian. I loved being able to relive this beautiful day looking through your photos. You guys are truly a beautiful couple, inside and out, and I wish you so much love for the future.
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Lacey & Carter | Arden Photography
Arden Photography wants to extend a HUGE happy two-year anniversary to Lacey and Carter that got married on this day, April 22nd, in 2017! We are so honored to have been a part of your special day, and we wish you many more years of happiness and love.
Wedding Day: Beauty Essentials Checklist | Arden Photography
It is REALLY easy to get wrapped up in how the big picture of your wedding day is going to look like. We’ve all been in that position of last-minute, impulse packing, and when you arrive at your destination, you realize you have forgotten the tiniest detail that makes all of the difference. So, here’s to you! I made a quick and easy list, beauty edition, for you to check off on your wedding day. Say bye-bye to having to turn that car around or sprinting through a Walgreens, and say hello to a relaxing, stress-free pampering sesh!
Lipstick color of choice
If you have a h&mu team, they’ll most likely have lip colors to use, but it’s always nice to have one of your own to touch up throughout the day and keep your lip color intact and fresh.
Hairspray
A LOT of things can occur right before that special moment of walking down the aisle, especially with your mane. Having a travel-sized hairspray handy can keep those fly-aways out of your face and secure any undesired loose business.
Bobby pins/Hair elastics
As previously stated, hair can be very unpredictable. Having a couple of bobby pins/hair elastics laying around can be useful if hair goes array.
Lash glue
If you wear fake lashes, lash glue is a must! Emotions will be flowing, or at least your allergies might, and watery eyes can lead to lashes falling right off. Lash glue on hand is perfect for fixing up any teary-eyed issues.
Makeup brush
Taking pictures before your ceremony can quickly make anyone get an undesired, “oily” glow. A makeup brush that you’ve used with your personal powder, or even one with no product on it, can blot the oiliness right off of your face.
Teasing comb
Fix fly-aways or add some volume to your locks. Most teasing combs are small in stature, so they’re easy to tote around.
Waterproof mascara
Keep those lashes locked into place and free from worry about happy tears.
Tweezers
Tweezers are never not useful and can be used for a variety of actions like: plucking eyebrows, putting on lashes, fixing jewelry, etc.
Nail polish
Ever have one of those “why do bad things happen to good people” moments? At least that’s my exact thoughts when I chip a nail. Stowing away your nail color will prevent that thought from even starting to run across your mind (and keep the mani fresh for those up-close ring shots).
Water
As funny as it may sound, forgetting to stay hydrated is really easy when you’re getting ready for that smooch of a lifetime. Not only does it keep you from being parched, but drinking a lot of water several weeks before your wedding can help clear up skin and your digestive tract.
Happy Anniversary to Hannah & McKinley | Arden Photography
Happy one-year anniversary to this lovely couple! Hannah and McKinley got married at Windwood Equestrian on April 14, 2018. This couple is so kind-spirited, and I loved being able to spend your wedding day with the both of you. Much love from Arden Photography, and well wishes of happiness in the future.
What to Consider... Bridal Hair Tips from Hair Stylist Amanda Sturgis | Arden Photography
Amanda Sturgis is a cosmetologist with a specialization in hair cut & color based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She works at Salon Studios in Northport, Alabama.
With over 25 years under her belt, Amanda has seen it all in the cosmetology world. Bleach fails, the “I thought it was going to turn out this color” plea, & bad cuts galore have yet to deter her from this passion. Rather, she welcomes it with open arms to help get her client’s back to their most comfortable & confident state. Amanda makes it her goal to have her clients not only happy, but also educated so that they know why she may recommend something different from their original hair excursion. Healthy hair is a priority when you sit down in her salon chair.
Primarily a salon hair stylist with a devoted clientele, weddings are far & few between, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had her fair share of preparing lovely brides on their wedding.
Below are a few tips & considerations to make when thinking about YOUR big day’s locks:
Enhance what you’ve been naturally given.
You want to look & feel like the best version of yourself on your wedding day.
The hair style you choose should be dependent on your dress style and the time of day, time of year, & theme of your wedding.
To make everything look cohesive & to feel the most comfortable, you’ll want to be aware of your wedding-day decisions prior to setting your mind onto a hair style.
Soft, natural curls & updos are on trend right now.
Be unique & do what makes you happy. If that’s following trends because you like the style & the way it makes you feel, then go for it. If not, talk it out with your hair stylist to create a style that enhances your beauty the most and makes you feel unique during your celebration.
If styling your hair with elastics and/or bobby pins, make sure they match your hair color or are translucent.
Pesky hair ties/bobby pins can distract from your hair style in pictures and in person. Have your stylist hide them within the hair style or use something similar to your hair color so that they will blend right in.
When using hair spray, make sure it doesn’t leave a film over your hair and that your hair still has movement.
Too many a times people feel that for a hair style to stay, they have to spray a TON of hairspray into their hair, yet if you have a quality hairspray your hair style should stay intact all day long without leaving it looking and feeling crunchy.
Photo by: Kali Sturgis
Makeup Tips from Birmingham H&MU Artist Madeline Hulsey | Arden Photography
Madeline Hulsey is a professional hair & make-up artist based in Birmingham, Alabama. She works at Wildflower Hair and Nail Studio in Mountain Brook, Alabama. Madeline, better known as Maddie, specializes in hair cutting & coloring, & she has been doing hair & makeup as a career since she was 16 years old.
Maddie never meets a stranger. Her kind-hearted, bubbly personality always leaves her customers feeling enlightened & joyous by her radiant character.
Working in the beauty community for several years now, Maddie knows a thing or two when it comes to preparing her brides & bridal parties, albeit she would never admit that herself.
Here are a few quick & easy tips Maddie swears by to leave your wedding day, at least the hair & makeup aspect, a little more stress-free:
Sometimes… less is more. On your wedding day, ensure to enhance your beauty instead of reinventing an entirely new look.
You want people to appreciate the beauty you already have shining within you.
HYDRATE.
Water keeps your skin replenished and gives it that top-notch bridal glow.
Get plenty of rest. You would be surprised with how much a few extra hours of sleep helps on your big day.
More sleep = clear skin, reduced stress, less fatigue, & less bloating.
Skincare is KEY for a refreshed look. Start a stable skincare routine a few months out from your wedding.
By giving yourself enough time in between finding out what skin products work for you & your big celebration, your skin will be thanking you for giving it that little extra attention & time, & you will be feeling unstoppable.
Make sure your in love with your trial run.
If you’re not feeling something during your trial, you most likely won’t be feeling it on your wedding day either. Ask questions or suggest something you want to do. It is YOUR big day after all, we just want to make you feel comfortable & special.
Get a lip color you adore & take it to your trial.
This allows you not to have to worry about pesky touch-ups after the hair & make-up team head out. Some artists give you a complimentary lip color, but that isn’t the case all of the time.
Make sure your hair is freshly colored and shiny for your big day.
Of course, only if you want to. Fresh color and conditioning treatments just give your hair that extra luster you’ll be appreciating looking back at photographs.
Lashes are a MUST!
They make your eyes appear more wide awake & bright, & they pull together the final touches of any makeup look.
You can also get them customized with individual lashes so that you can control the lash intensity, volume, & length.
Photo by: Arden Upton
Photo by: Arden Upton
Photo by: Arden Upton
2018 Wedding Bridal Hairstyles | Arden Photography
Hair, or the lack thereof, has always been used as a way to express our personality, our physical state, or even our current favorite color. Looking back on 2018, my brides’ hair varied from extensively braided up-do’s to flowing, loose curls. It complemented their dresses, matched the themes of their weddings, and it was created in a way to accommodate the season for which their celebration took place. A common factor amongst them all that I noticed, was that their hair was done in a way to accentuate and enhance their natural beauty, which is how every bride deserves to feel on their wedding day. Here’s a few bridal hair styles that can give you inspiration for a formal, night out, or even your future special day.
Braided half-up half-downs
Loose curls
Fishtail braids & braided up-do’s
Loose, curled up-do’s
Sleek up-dos
2018 Winter Bouquets | Arden Photography
Fewer amounts of weddings occur during the brisk cold of winter; but those that are able to brave the chill, do not disappoint with their floral decisions. White reminisces that of sparse, but loved, Alabama snow, and periwinkle and sapphire blues detailed these bride’s and bridesmaids’s bouquets to tie the winter-esque theme together. Leafy, jade greenery added extra volume, and baby’s breath provided delicacy and simplicity to these snowy-white bouquets. It might’ve been a cold evening during these celebrations, but the love that was in the air, and the beautiful bouquets in hand, warmed all of our hearts up.
2018 Autumn Bouquets | Arden Photography
Fall, known for: football, pumpkin spice, and Hallmark Halloween movies. Autumn weddings also have their trends. White bouquets will always be a classic go-to, but fall definitely opens bride’s minds up to the richer, jewel tones of the color spectrum. Crimson, plums, and navy were showcased throughout this cooler season, along with looser bouquets that had more hanging greenery compared to the warmer months of the year. Pink still peeked through during this season, but most of the time it was presented in deeper cranberry, fuchsia-esque versions of the typically lighter color found in bridal bouquets.
2018 Summer Bouquets | Arden Photography
The intense warmth of summer fell in suit behind its milder counterpart, spring. Color schemes also followed spring trends of white and rosy pinks. Crisp, all-white bouquets were ever popular providing the classic simplicity that many brides attempt to procure. Peach and corals also made their debut in these summer-y arrangements, while a bouquet of bright, smile-inducing sunflowers took main stage at one wedding celebration. Whether bright or simple, summer is the perfect season to experiment with vivid colors, along with your classic white florals, to bring the fun of summer to any wedding.
2018 Spring Bouquets | Arden Photography
Spring is predominantly characterized by pastels of bubblegum pink, sky blue, and lavender. This year white, with the occasional pop of baby pink, was a staple amongst my bridal and bridesmaid bouquets; yet, I did have some unique and beautiful outliers of fuchsia, orange, periwinkle, and crimson. Traditional or contemporary, these bouquets provided the loveliest visuals and gave that extra element of elegance and class to these bride’s wedding day. Here’s how some of my 2018 brides displayed some spring spunk into their floral arrangements.
The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Laura & Carter | December 15, 2018 | Arden Photography
‘Tis the season of giving, and, oh, how we were gifted with this wedding at Windwood as an early Christmas present. Laura looked undeniably stunning in her long-sleeved lace gown from Ivory & White accessorized by her white rose and periwinkle accented bouquet from Southern Posies. The precious flower girl prepared the aisle for the bride with white rose petals, and when the climax of the ceremony occurred, Carter dipped Laura into, what I would imagine as, an unforgettable kiss that quite literally left everyone happily shocked, especially the flower girl. As the night brought in the chill, Iz and Top Notch Catering provided excellent dining as guests bopped along to the band and fur coats were brought out to ward of the cold. When the newlyweds began to leave, their guests lined the walkway with sparklers and congratulatory shouts as they signed off the day with a goodbye kiss meant as a cheers for their future.
It’s all. in the details.
A little curiosity never hurts any one.
Winter wedding bliss.
It actually got cold enough this evening to pull out the fur coat!
The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Julie & Chase | December 15, 2018 | Arden Photography
This young couple took classic glam to a whole other level. Fur coats were worn to deter the brisk wind. Vintage vehicles were utilized to emulate a vibe right out of the 40s and 50s. And a reception area decorated with flowing white curtains and fairy lights hung from the ceiling. It’s as if you walked right into an old Hollywood film. After cutting their wedding cake and gracing their guests with their first dance, the newlyweds left with a passionate kiss under a shower of sparklers and an impression to last a lifetime.
Something blue peeking its way through.
Old Hollywood vibe.
On the way to their reception and to make more amazing memories.
Sparkler shower!
The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Amanda & Todd | November 16, 2018 | Arden Photography
Mid-November at Windwood Equestrian was met with this quaint, but intimate wedding. Simple, classic, and timeless is how I would describe this communion of shared love. A bouquet of white and light pink roses surrounded by the daintiness of baby’s breath, an elegant, cap-sleeved gown, and of course photo-ops with the most precious fur-baby as well as our own horses. This couple exuded Old Hollywood glam to the ‘T,’ their love finally being officiated with the simple, but meaningful, words of, “I do.” A couple of engraved champagne glasses and one fur shawl to keep out the chill later, the newlyweds were ready to be on their way to their new beginning.
Simple, classic, timeless.
Fur-babies add a personal and eclectic touch to any photo.
“Just Married!”
They look like a famous Hollywood couple!
The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Ivana & Mitri | November 3, 2018 | Arden Photography
Although it was the beginning of November, this bubbly bride had flowers intertwined in her hair and Henna-adorned hands. This jovial bridal party definitely brought a new take on their version of a wedding to Windwood. The flower girl donned a dress with a train to make any pageant queen jealous, and the ring-bearers sported paperboy-esque attire with cowboy boots. After the ceremony, Happy Catering and Magnificent Cakes left everyone feeling stuffed with contentment, while Blanton Reed performed their own classic rock renditions and dance favorites. During the reception, one of Windwood’s resident miniature horses made his debut, and let me tell you, he was an absolute hit! This sweet couple left for their honeymoon in a cloud of congratulations and well wishes for the future.
Beautiful Henna detailing.
All smiles.
From father to groom.
Our mini-horse made its debut here!
The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Lacey & David | October 27, 2018 | Arden Photography
Just around the corner from Halloween, Windwood celebrated the marriage of Lacey and David. The weather was just beginning to cool down in Alabama, and the day provided the most heavenly wind to keep everyone comfortable in the mid-day warmth. A full bouquet from Stems & Styles decorated the bride’s arms, filled with white roses, fern, and wild field grass. You could see the loving emotions in the couple’s eyes as they exchanged wedding gifts with one another during their first look. Four sweet children gathered around the squatting bride as they curiously prodded at her with only a semblance of what was actually taking place. At the finale of the ceremony, David dipped Lacey low as he kissed her, her veil trailing the ground. The newlyweds completed their wedding traditions of feeding one another their wedding cake from Pen & Pastry and throwing the bouquet into a crowd of young hopefuls as Z and the Party Faktory played dance-inducing music. At the end of their reception, they led their guests outside, hands clasped together, and left, happiness pouring from their faces.
Gazing toward a future filled with loyalty, love, and trust.
So much love for this beautiful bride.
Award for the lowest dip goes to…..
Excitement everywhere!
The Ultimate Wedding Recap | Katie & Steven | October 20, 2018 | Arden Photography
Katie looked absolutely timeless in her blush ballgown from Bella Couture, chic chignon, and makeup that accentuated her hazel eyes. Windwood Equestrian became enlightened with the presence of this stunning bride and bridal party as well as the handsome groom. A flower girl with the clearest blue eyes and white roses atop her head prepared the aisle for the bride and her proud father to make their way to the altar. A finalizing kiss and celebratory arm raise finished the newlyweds ceremony as they made their way to feed each other their wedding cake decorated with white roses from Edgar’s. The beaming married couple left their guests in a slew of glow sticks, raucous laughter, and fond memories.
Classic beauty.
Absolutely adore those blue eyes.
A sweet way to begin a beautiful future.
Pure joy!