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!

Expert Advice: The Scent of a Woman

My mother used to say that a real woman needs a signature scent, something she can always be recognized by, a fragrance that will remind people of her, even if someone else is wearing the scent. 

I love this ideology. It is so reminiscent of Old Hollywood, when women never left the house without a good shade of lipstick, their heels, and a beautiful fabric hat. This was the dawning of the era of the celebrity fragrance endorsement. 

No one can forget the infamous words of the iconic Marilyn Monroe when after being asked what she wore to bed, giggled, smiled demurely and whispered in her breathy voice, "Why, only Chanel No. 5 of course!" No doubt that was the chart topping Christmas gift that year. The unforgettable Elizabeth Taylor created the fragrance White Diamonds though it is rumored that her personal signature scent was actually Bal A Versailles by Jean Desprez. 

A few of my favorite scents are Un Jardin en Mediterranée by Hermès, Cleopatra by Tocca and Vintage Gardenia by Jo Malone (click the links to find out more information). 

Tips to Leave Your Scent Lingering: 

Spray your scent on your bed pillows, or your man's so he is reminded of you and will drift to sleep with sweet dreams of the two of you. Spritz any cards, letters, or invites you are sending out. Your friends and family will begin to relate the scent to you without even realizing it! Spray the perfume in your hair when you are getting ready in the morning. The scent will stay with you all day, and will linger in your wake as you walk away! 

Need some help discovering what your signature scent should be? Try this quiz to find out which fragrance tones suit you best: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/best-perfume-scent-quiz

Let Them Eat Cake

As a wedding guest, I cannot wait to try the cake - more so than free alcohol, good catering, and cute groomsmen. Cheesecakes, cupcakes, red velvet, or traditional - I want a piece of each! As a photographer, I cannot wait to see the cake. It gives great insight into the couple and their style. A beautiful wedding cake often imitates a beautiful wedding.

The cake is such an important part of the ceremony and generally draws attention like a prince on a throne. It is part of many different wedding customs, and has been tradition for hundreds of years, dating back to Medieval times. Different from the sugary confections today, fruit cakes or a stack of warm bread buns were favored instead. 

The cake cutting has a long history itself. First, it was an activity the bride herself did to symbolize the loss of her innocence. Now, it is a ritual performed by both bride and groom to represent the first activity as a married couple. It also symbolizes the couple's agreement to provide for one another. 

Cake charms, though not largely popular anymore, have a long history. Charms were once baked into the wedding cake to embody different meanings as well. For example, a horseshoe signifies good luck, an anchor means adventure, a heart is true love, and a wish bone means a wish come true. If you opt to bake charms into your cake be sure to warn your guests before they dive right in!

Another tradition that has really taken hold is that of saving the top tier of the cake in order to eat on the one-year anniversary. If you want to go all out and truly relive the blissful memories of your wedding day, play dress up! Pull out your wedding dress, have your hubby don his suit, and go to town on those last few pieces of wedding cake - be sure to whisper sweet nothings to each other ;) 

We've seen so many variations on wedding cakes. Everything from the "less is more" to the downright extravagant. No matter what the design, as long as the cake is delicious then it is a total wedding win! 

Getting Married in the Rain

You did all your research on the weather for the date of your wedding. You checked forecast trends as far back as 25 years ago to see what the likelihood of precipitation chances are. Your thumbs got blisters from hitting refresh on your phone's weather app, and you sent up tiny prayers for a clear sunny day - but there it is. That first tiny raindrop just hit your cheek, and it might as well be a biblical flood as far as you're concerned. So what's a girl to do?

Dance in the rain! 

Embrace it! A bride and groom huddled together under an umbrella makes for romantic intimate photo magic! Break out those galoshes, wellies, and rain boots (they're the same thing, but I love those words), grab a festive umbrella, layer a rain coat over your dress, and laugh about it! Because those photos are going to be better than you will have ever dreamt! 

Here are a few favorite #tbt images (including photos from mine and William's semi-wet wedding) of rainy wedding days we adore! Tell me - would you cash in on that wedding insurance and reschedule your big day for a sunnier one? Do you think it's always a good idea to have a backup plan - somewhere to move the ceremony indoors, or rental tents just in case? Let me know!

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's Expert Advice: Fall Bridal Makeup

There is something about the deep hues of fall that compliment a woman so beautifully – just look at what happens to Mother Nature this time of year! The rust colored leaves, the golden sunlit rays, the red, ripe berries and apples; it is easy to see how this inspires makeup trends.

For your fall wedding, envision wine-stained lips, classic reds, magenta shadow-swept eyes, and hints of metallic gold and silver. If you aren’t accustomed to wearing a lot of color, incorporate it subtly. Apply just a pop of metallic gold shadow on the inner corner of your lids. You could opt for a bolder burgundy lip color and go for the bare minimum everywhere else. Remember to keep your favorite product on hand for touch-ups, and after quick stolen kisses with the groom ;) 

Check out a few of my brides who opted for a splash of color other than in their floral decor!

I am in love with these beautiful bridal makeup looks! Perfect for the fall bride!

Top left image: www.aubresbridal.com; Top right image: Chris Nicholls; Bottom image: www.rockmywedding.co.uk

If you are a bolder bride who loves trying different makeup trends, be brave, and opt for one of these jaw-dropping palettes! 

Top image: www.thewingedlady.com; Bottom left image: Smashbox.com; Bottom right image: www.thefashionfox.co.za

A few of my favorite fall products are courtesy of Smashbox cosmetics. This makeup line was engineered by photographers - of course I love it! Work a few of these products into your fall beauty regimen and you'll battle Mother Nature for the prettiest colors this season! 

Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow in Riches (click for link)

Always Sharp 3D Liner in Gunmetal (click for link)

Be Legendary Long-wear Lip Lacquer in After Dark (click for link)

No matter what color your lips or eyes are, nothing will be able to compare to that beautiful bridal glow you'll have on the day of your wedding. Now if only we could get someone to bottle that up! 

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. 

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)