The White Room 2015 Bridal Fashion Show

When you walk in to The White Room, you are overwhelmed with the urge to start planning a wedding wherein you get to don every gorgeous dress they have hanging in the elegant salon. It is such a beautiful studio with the most lavish and dazzling gowns a bride could dream of; not to mention the outstanding women who are devoted to every bride that sashays through their door.

The White Room Bridal Salon is hosting a Bridal Fashion Show on January 23, 2015. Doors open at 6:15pm, and you do not want to miss this. The newest 2015 collections from some of the most prestigious designers on the market will be headlining this event. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. To purchase online please visit: thewhiteroombridalshow2015.eventbrite.com

Foggy, Intimate Engagement Session: Arden Photography

Southern winters are characterized by rain, fog, and long nights. As photographers, this is not such a bad thing. Clearly exemplified by these absolutely beautiful and intimate engagement portraits we shot in Selma, Alabama with Laura and Brooks. This is their family property which is obviously a wonderful setting for photos, but what make these a favorite is the soft, quiet romance so visible between these two - aren't you just daydreaming of cuddling up on a rainy Sunday, coffee in hand, bundled up in a blanket with lake views now? Who better for this stylish couple to be represented by than Mariée Ami Wedding Planning? Maybe rainy winter days aren't the absolute worst after all? 

2014 Year-end Review

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.

Happy Holidays!

Madeline celebrated her one year birthday with a tribute to her favorite man in red - Santa Claus! We may be just as excited as Madeline for the big guy to come to town and to celebrate Christmas in style with our families! We are wishing everyone happy and safe holidays! 

Harrison & Matt: Arden Photography

Harrison and Matt had a gorgeous wedding day, perfect conditions for some of my very favorite wedding photos. St. Mary's Church is architecturally divine, and the ivy crawling up the walls is reminiscent of Oxford. This didn't feel like a Birmingham wedding, but, rather, one fit for the royal family. Mariée Ami Wedding Planning Studio was the perfect choice for such an elegant affair. The reception was held atThe Club with stunning Birmingham city views and an explosive display of fireworks resulting in dazzling images of the newlyweds. Such a rapturous event to be part of! 

Real Wedding: Claire and John

Weddings are celebrations, parties filled with laughter, dancing, and love. Each couple is different though, and they all celebrate in different ways. Claire and John? They were party animals! And wow - was this one fun wedding and reception! There was never any doubt about that though as this couple was one for the books: sweet, kind, and a whole lot of good time! Claire had incorporated many beautiful details from the rich red bouquet, the garland wreath above their nuptials, the deer antlers on the groom's cake, and of course, the glow stick accessories at the reception! DJ CoCo played house music, they inflated a giant whale pool toy, brought out the broomsticks turned make-shift guitars - add it all up, and it makes for one unforgettable wedding! 

Ellen Hunter NYC

Ellen Hunter, designer and creator of Ellen Hunter NYC, specializes in unique one-of-a-kind hair accessories. Reminiscent of ancient Greece, the flexible wreathes, combs, and headbands have become celebrity and fashionista favorites across the globe. Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Nicole Richie, and Nicky Hilton have all been spotted featuring pieces from the collection. Several of our brides here at Arden Photography have displayed the designs as they walked down the aisle.

Ellen Hunter got her start close to our home here, at the University of Alabama where she studied apparel design. She began creating the pieces in her dorm room for friends and family. Upon graduating, Ellen moved to Manhattan to work in the fashion and wedding industry at Nicole Miller. “While I loved what I was doing there, I still felt the need to create,” comments Hunter. She struck out on her own, and Ellen Hunter NYC was born.

Her company has since expanded, and will be offering new products in 2015 featuring jewelry, beaded sashes, and belts. Ellen’s passion of working with clients to create unique and meaningful pieces is on going. She can be spotted at the prestigious retailers where her product is launched in stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Kleinfeld Bridal, and Gus Mayer where we caught up with her to try on the exclusive pieces for ourselves. 

Ellen gave us a one-on-one demonstration and tutorial on how to style her Mollie combs, personal favorites of ours! 

After seeing all the quick and easy ways to style these combs, I had to get them!

Be sure to check out her website www.ellenhunternyc.com - they make for beautiful Christmas gifts or as an addition to your New Year's party dress!

Favorite Wedding Favors

Providing gifts to guests at a wedding has been tradition for centuries and has varied across cultures and populations. Originally related to European wealth and extravagance, the gifts were fashioned of small boxes made of precious metals and gemstones. Other cultures believed the bridegroom to be a coming of good luck, and the gifts were thought to be lucky as they were presented by the couple. 

Today, the wedding favors often extend on the theme of the weddings and vary greatly in what they might be as they are considered a portrayal of the couple's personality. Koozies are common due to their useful nature both at the wedding and afterwards. Take-home sweets and recipes in jars are also gaining in popularity. Personally, I have to say, those succulents are a favorite!