OMadden Photography

Wedding Advice from Brides

2009-03-24T08:44:00.001-07:00

Wedding experts can be full of advice, but who better to offer advice for brides than brides who have been there? I interviewed more than 100 couples for Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style. None of them regretted having a small wedding. However, some brides confessed that they would have done a few things differently if they had the chance to do it all over again.

Here’s what these brides had to say about planning their weddings:

1. I would have hired someone like a coordinator for that day to help keep things on schedule. Everything went really well, I just worried too much. I guess I thought it would be simple with a small gathering. I didn’t anticipate all the distractions that you have as a bride. In the end it was hard to stay on top of things. My advice for brides is to hire a wedding coordinator to keep things running smoothly on the day of the wedding.
Linda

2. I would have hired a wedding coordinator. I am not a “planner” by nature so I found the whole process very difficult for me. I didn’t enjoy the planning one bit, which made me very resentful towards my fiancé.
Leila

3. The only thing I would change is that I would have had my then-fiancé help me more with the planning. He has this wacky idea that I was like all those girls who have had their weddings planned forever. It’s really hard to plan something when you don’t care about colors, favors, cake, food, flowers, etc. I might have had a wedding planner if we had more money.
Danielle

4. I would (have planned) it small from the beginning. When we started scouting out reception sites, we found some really one-of-a-kind places that we couldn’t even consider because our numbers were well above what they could accommodate. By the time we really launched into the smaller wedding concept we were under contract with our original reception venue.
Kerry

5. I would have lost more weight before the wedding, and I wouldn’t have stressed out so much. I also would have taken more time off of work before the wedding instead of just the day before. My intimate weddings advice is to take a few days off before the wedding so that you won’t be frazzled trying to put it all together.
Kristen

6. I would have been more careful with the guest list. There were people that didn’t show up and it wasn’t really a surprise. I should have followed my intuition and invited other people that I know would have loved to go. My advice for brides is to invite only the people you really want to invite.
Jennifer

7. I would have printed up a schedule for the day for everyone involved … Just a minor detail, but there was some very small last minute confusion. (A schedule) would have put my mind at ease.
Christine

8. The only thing I would change would be my dress. I had a big ballgown, but felt it was too much for such a small group so I went with a much simpler, understated gown. In the end, the simpler gown made more sense but I still missed the big ballgown. My intimate weddings advice is to choose the dress you really want.
Shannon

~From Intimate Weddings: www.intimateweddings.com

New Website~

2009-03-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

Looking to always keep gropwing we just put together a new website for easy viewing: http://www.omadden.biz

The Value of Wedding Photography

2009-01-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

~It is very hard to put a value on wedding photography or completely understand just how important it is to hire an creative professional on your wedding day. That “value” becomes a harsh reality when you realize you hate your wedding day photos! Or they are just OK! And after it is too late, once of a lifetime moments were missed, you don’t like the way you look….. Where are my family shots? I hear it over and over… The disappointment sets in and the term “you get what you pay for” repeats to you over and over. Why did I not make photography more of a priority and spend a little more?
Looking for a wedding photographer is now harder than ever. Just open any magazine and you will be overwhelmed with just how many choices there are. And to make the decision even harder, most ads and websites look pretty good. A photographers experience and reputation needs to play a huge part when making your decision. Look at other weddings he or she has documented and look for consistency from wedding to wedding from photo to photo. Consistency being a photographers ability to capture and document moments, wedding after wedding with excellent consistent results. You don’t want to hire a photographer that has one good wedding to show you, look at many photos and make sure the photographer you are hiring will produce those “sample” images for you that you have seen in his/her portfolio and albums. Make sure you really look closely at the album design and that the photographs in the album tell a story and you love what you see. You should be able to imagine yourself in those photos. If you don’t, and you are not moved by them, move on and look at another photographer.

Ask how long will it take to get your finished wedding album? Get the terms in writing. Make sure you feel comfortable with the album production timeframe. We get calls all the time, “can you do our wedding album, our photographer has gone out of business, and we don’t have any photos” Referrals are also VERY important, ask around, ask your friends and gauge who was happy and who was not. Hearing a photographer’s name in a positive light over and over again is a good thing! Photographers that work venues several times become familiar with those properties and have the experience to work with the staff. They scout the best locations and creative angles/perspectives for those awesome photos you are looking for. REMEMBER, EXPERIENCE…. IT IS IMPORTANT!

Hiring the right wedding photographer for your wedding day is one on the most important decisions you will make when planning your wedding. You can’t take away the band, the flowers, the food or the venue…but you can take away the memories from one of the most important days of your life. Those memories will be in the hands of the photographer you hire…. choose wisely and remember wedding photography needs to be a priority on your wedding day, it only happens once! ONLY ONCE!....(MK Photo)

OMadden

2008-10-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

We put together a package that fits your unique wedding!

http://www.omadden.biz

15 Bridal Beauty Tips~

2008-10-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

Published by Kate Wood: We've gone straight to the experts to find out their best tips for how to do everything -- and we mean everything -- to get the most out of your wedding hair and makeup. Whether you're planning to look totally natural or all-out glam, here's how to:
1. Fix an eye makeup mishap.
Be extra careful -- once you've already smudged, you don't want to make it worse or you'll have to start all over again from scratch. Scott Miselnicky, executive director of global product development at Clinique, suggests wetting a Q-tip with makeup remover and gently dabbing at the mistake until it's completely gone. Go slowly so you don't take off too much!

2. Avoid Shirley Temple curls.
Pageant-perfect curls are a bride's worst nightmare. For a natural look, wrap a section of hair around the outside of the barrel and hold for three seconds. Release and let cool, then lightly run your fingers through your hair. And don't forget -- vary the size of your curls, and switch up the direction in which you wrap them.

3. Fake a great pair of cheekbones.
"If you're face is roundish, shading lightly can work wonders!" says Lucy Baldock-Sacchi, international makeup artist and founder of Lucy B. Cosmetics. She suggests using a matte bronzer just below your cheekbones, then following up with a pink or peach blush on the apples of your cheeks. To tone it down, skip the bronzer and use a hint of shimmer on the highest point of your cheekbones.

4. Flatter your face.
When it comes to choosing a hairstyle, all of our experts emphasize that your look needs to harmonize with your gown. Also, make sure to choose a style that will bring out your best feature, explains Jamal Hammadi, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hamadi Beauty. "For an updo, placing the style between the top of your ear and the top of your eye (like a high ponytail) will enhance the shape of your eyes, while placing it lower (like a chignon) will put the focus more on your lips and neck," he says.

5. Stave off a breakout.
Right before the wedding is not the time to try out a new skincare regimen. No matter how tired you are, make sure you stick to your cleansing schedule and remove your makeup before you go to bed! If you really need more ammo, try a mask with salicylic acid.

6. Apply perfect foundation.
It only takes two tools to do this right: a quality brush and a makeup sponge. The brush will give you coverage, while the sponge will blend away any streaks or remove excess buildup.

7. Pull off a bold lip color.
Lots of brides like to amp up their look for the reception, and a deeper lip hue is a great way to do it. "Using a brighter lip color will always make your teeth look whiter; a big plus on your wedding day!" says Stila makeup artist Sarah Lucero. Keep all the rest of your face relatively neutral, and your eye makeup soft -- not severe. "Also, make sure your cheek and lip colors are in the same color family," she says.

8. Get voluminous locks.
Even if you're not going with a curly style, a curling iron or rollers should be in your repertoire. "Blow out your hair with a round brush for body, then follow up with a curling iron all over," explains Edward Tricomi, co-owner of Warren-Tricomi Salons.

9. Apply alluring eye shadow.
Eye shadow color trios and quads can be difficult to decode: How do you know where to use each shade? According to Baldock-Sacchi, it's perfectly fine to break the rules and experiment. If you want your eyes to look wider, she recommends using the lightest shade on the inner corner to give your peepers a more open look. Shimmering shades can be used all over and look amazing layered over color. The darker shades should be used for contouring in the crease or the center of the lid.

10. Keep your lipstick on your lips.
Miselnicky suggests applying a small amount of vaseline on to your teeth to keep lipstick from winding up on your teeth. "Also, gently blot your lipstick with a tissue after you have applied it to remove any excess," he says. "Believe me, the groom will be happy!"

11. Fight the frizzies.
"Always try to wash and rinse your hair with cool water, which will help maintain its natural moisture and prevent your hair from drying out," Hammadi says. Follow it up with a frizz-fighting product that will boost your protection level.

12. Make mascara run-proof.
Waterproof mascara is a wedding day must-have. "I use waterproof on everyone involved in the wedding party because you never know who will tear up!" Lucero says. For lower lashes, she recommends applying mascara with a flat eyeliner brush rather than the mascara wand. "This trick prevents smearing under your eyes, which can make you look tired," she explains.

13. Boast a beautiful decolletage.
You want your chest and shoulders to have clear, glowing skin -- especially if you're wearing a strapless gown. Debbie D'Aquino, vice president of global product development at Clinique, recommends wearing clothing that breathes and keeps perspiration from building up on your skin (this goes double for workout wear). Cleanse with a treatment that includes salicylic acid. We love ones that come in spray bottles because it's so much easier to apply to the back.

14. Prevent dark under-eye circles.
It might be tough, but Diane Berson, M.D., says it's key that you get plenty of sleep (and not just the night before the wedding). "Sleep with your head elevated on a pillow to reduce puffiness, and try not to rub your eyes," she says. It's also a good idea to use an eye cream that brightens as well as hydrates.

15. Touch up your makeup.
You may not have time to redo your makeup before the reception starts, but you should give yourself a quick once-over in order to make sure you stay looking great (after all, nearly every second of the reception will be photographed!). Makeup expert Francis Roman of Butterfly Studio says to skip blush (which should last just fine) and your eyelids (too risky). Instead, apply another layer of lip color, and blot your T-zone with an oil-removing paper. Then run a makeup sponge or a Q-tip beneath your lower lashes to remove any mascara or eye shadow that may have smudged or fallen beneath them, and you're good to go.

Photo: Sandi Fellman

© 2008 The Knot Inc. All rights reserved.

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The Secret to You ::: Windows Media Video ::: Visualization Tool ::: Official Web Site of The Secret Movie

2008-09-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

The Secret to You ::: Windows Media Video ::: Visualization Tool ::: Official Web Site of The Secret Movie: "http://thesecret.tv/secret-to-you/wmv.html" (CLICK ON LINK TO VIEW)

Hair Tip

2008-07-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

If your considering getting your hair permed or colored, have it done well in advance of your wedding day so you have time to decide if you like it or not.

www.weddingtoolbox.com

Our Pleasure to Serve You

2008-07-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Your wedding only lasts one day, but you’ll want to hold onto the pictures forever. A wedding is an amazing event.OMadden Photography understands your expectations. We can shoot a combination of traditional or photojournalism that will perfectly capture the events at your wedding.You decide the style.Our style is candid,relaxed, natural wedding photography for your Wedding Day. We allow the wedding to flow in a natural way, capturing the planned events. It is an honor to be a part of your special day. Our work is extensive, contemporary and always professional.We work for you and with you. Coverage from the Bride getting ready until the throwing of the bouquet. We will work with you to create beautiful images that reflect the happiness of your special day.
http://www.omadden.com

Be Yourself

2008-07-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

Don't try to look like someone else;just aim for a healthy,radiant version of yourself.

(http:www.bridaltoolbox.com)

Enjoy the Day

2008-06-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Again, I honestly think the most important thing is to just enjoy your wedding. Don't worry about the schedule. Hug and kiss people without regard to your dress or makeup. Don't worry about the small stuff! The pictures will be great because they will reflect a person who is really celebrating her wedding and having a fantastic day. The photographer will have a blast watching you have a fabulous time, and you'll get some absolutely great pictures.~Claire Lewis Photography

Wedding photography advice~

2008-06-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

Forget about the photographer and enjoy your wedding. The pictures that people really love twenty years after their wedding are the ones that show people relaxing, having fun and not in any way dealing with or relating to the photographer. You will look beautiful on your wedding day because happiness is beautiful.~Claire Lewis Photography

Wedding Shoes Tip

2008-05-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Never buy shoes first thintg in the the morning.Your feet swell throughout the day,so by midday you will be throughly uncomfortable in them.

http://www.bridaltoolbox.com

2008-04-11T08:19:00.001-07:00

More Makeup Tips for Wedding Photography

2008-03-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

One of the goals of your photographer is to create wedding photos will last for generations to cherish throughout the years. To look your best in the photos consider these tips: Be well rested - Don't spend the night before the wedding up late or inbibing heavily. Consider hiring a professional for you and your bridesmaids. A good professional makeup artist already knows the secrets to looking your best and can coordinate the color palette. This will create a more consistent look to your party and may help to compensate for any "makeup-challenged" members of the wedding party. Use waterproof eye makeup. Tears can and do happen, even if you think they won't! Translucent powder will help you to avoid a shine from the photographer’s lights and camera flash. Consider one shade darker (or one shade lighter for women of color) on your lipstick and blush. Emphasize your eyes or lips. Decide which is your best feature and bring that feature out more. Strong makeup in both areas will create a flat and artificial look. Avoid any "trendy" makeup or hair styles. Remember these images will pass from generation to generation; classic styles always outlast the trends. Avoid any new products, although most makeup products are hypoallergenic occasional skin reactions can occur, don't try anything new on the day-of. Avoid Glitter. Glitter will reflect and magnify the light in a way that is unflattering and distracting in a photograph. It also tends to rub-off onto clothing and will accumulate on the grooms men's clothing.
(from article by info@auphot.net)

Makeup for Wedding Photography

2008-03-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Preparing the face:
Wash, exfoliate, tone and moisturize your face before applying make up
Oil control is very important. If you can, use oil free formulated products
Keep hair away from the face
To reduce puffy eyes, use Preparation H
Foundation:
Choose a thicker formulated foundation rather than the sheers ones that are used in daily applications so that all blemishes are covered easily
Blend foundation from chin to neck so that they are of the same colour
Powder:
Use lots of it, and reapply between shots, to create a mat finish look
Concealer:
2 shades lighter than skin to cover blemishes and dark spots; apply before foundation application
Contouring:
Contour cheeks and eyes to create a sculpted look
Use foundation in a shade that is 2 to 3 shades darker than normal skin tone

***This information comes from a post by Noelle Wong of http://www.in-image.com

Compatibility

2008-02-01T08:07:00.000-08:00

One of the key concerns a bride-to-be should look at in hiring a wedding photographer is how well they connect on a personal level.Call it a 'vibe' or chemistry it should be at the top of their list of priorities.
The bride has to feel comfortable with the person to the point where they let down their guard down while posing, which in turn brings out their true personalitiy.
As a photographer, their is nothing worse than trying to coax someone to relax and be themselves while trying to capture those important images.
So besides budget and style ask yourself if you can be yourself around this person you are potentially going to hire.
http://www.omadden.com

OMadden Weddings Slideshow

2008-01-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

Picasa Web Albums - OMadden - OMadden

Some brides and weddings from the past.Looking forward to the images for 2008.A photographer is always looking for the next great shot.

Perfect Weddings?

2008-01-03T16:56:00.000-08:00

Everyone tries to have the perfect wedding,some get close to perfection but their is usually something out of sorts.Being married is a lot like that.We learn to navigate through pitfalls to reach the destinations we seek.
Sometimes, the most stressfull situations can be your greatest triumphs.I recently had a bride who broke her ankle 3 days before the big day.Didn't stop her at all as she made the most of it.Smiled and joked about it throughout the day and rode her horse side saddle when she made her grand entrance.She will tell the story to her grandkids one day and laugh heartily as she recalls her 'perfect day'.
http://www.omadden.com

New Year-New Adventures

2008-01-02T23:43:00.000-08:00

One of the things I like about a new year is that you can wipe the slate clean and focus on what is ahead.I try not to get stuck in the past as it is like driving, using the rearview mirror.It prevents us from seeing what is ahead.Opportunites are abound and it usually just a matter of being open to them.The best to all in this journey through 2008.