Helene Cornell Photography

Money Saving Tips for the Fashion Forward Bride

helene — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:26:43 +0000

When you’re planning a wedding, the costs just seem to pile up and that can become quite stressful. So, what’s a great way to save money? Consider buying your dress slightly used. A recent wedding I photographed had a budget savvy bride who did exactly that, and I would love to encourage future clients and friends to investigate the option of buying used. There are too many perks to name- besides being eco-friendly, it’s cost effective and the style options are from high fashion to retro.

Here are a couple of websites for you to consider when searching for your perfect dress:

www.preownedweddingdresses.com – a listing service that connects buyers and sellers of new, sample and used wedding dresses.
www.oncewed.com/used-wedding-dresses – Launched by Emily Newman in March 2008 as the only free listing service for wedding dresses.
www.recycledbride.com – a free online marketplace for buying and selling wedding dresses, accessories, decor, and more.
www.encorebridal.com – an upscale e-Boutique that offers a well edited selection of new, sample, and nearly-new wedding dresses from today’s most sought after designers.

Or perhaps you want to rent your dress?

www.onenightaffair.com – Opened in 1986 by Sharon Gilchrist, a former model who made trades for fancy designer gowns that she realized she would only wear once and leave hanging in her closet. Gilchrist realized what a fabulous idea it would be to rent out top designer gowns to ladies attending all of the award ceremonies and charity events around L.A., these ladies could rent a gown for a fraction of the retail price, wear it once and return the gown.
www.thepaperbagprincess.com – Vintage couture offered by Elizabeth Mason includes clothing owned by celebrities and from today’s fashion designers such as Alaia, Yves St. Laurent, Gucci, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, Balenciaga, Valentino, Rick Owens, Chanel, Courregé Dior, Galliano, Hermé Jill Sander, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Brian Atwood to mention only a few, as well as exquisite vintage couture pieces from important design houses such as Chanel, Dior, Charles James, Vionet, Fortuny, Adrian, Helen Rose, Irene, Howard Greer, Ceil Chapman, Galanos, Trigere, Beene, and Kamali, with a focus on primarily the 1930s to the early 1990s.

I was recently fortunate enough to photograph the beautiful wedding of friends Breanne and Adrian. They wed at Balboa Park Zoro Gardens. (Want another money saving tip? A lot of parks will let you have ceremonies on their lawns for a super cheap permit fee!) They cut out catering costs with a reception at their favorite dinner spot, Bleu Boheme in Kensington. They have the best style, which is reflected in their images above! Here is some info on her fab gown, it was so refreshing to see something different

Bought at? Sparrow Bridal in La Mesa
Why did Breanne choose this store? It’s a great little boutique specializing in newer (pre-owned) designs and vintage dresses (for sale and consignment).
THE dress: Was a vintage piece from Grermany (circa 1930). Breanne was there on whim, saw it and loved the design. The dress overall was a bit outdated with the high collar and long sleeves, so she had it updated a bit by Sew What Tailors (also in La Mesa).
Background History on the Dress: The dress was worn in a wedding about 80 years ago and the couple was happily married for 65 years before the husband passed away. Breanne was thrilled to wear a dress with such an exciting/happy history.
Recommendation to others: “If your mom or grandmother has a beautiful, well-kept, gown… try to picture it “re-designed” and find a great tailor… they can work magic and save you hundreds. Not to mentioned you end up with something one-of-a-kind .” -Breanne

Hollywood Wedding with Humorous touches

helene — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:32:53 +0000

Carmen and John were married on January 21, 2012 at the historic Hollywood American Legion in Los Angles, CA. Since they are both actors and music lovers, the couple wanted to include many performances in their special day. Their bridal party danced down the aisle with purple flower-wrapped red tambourines, a guitar and a cowbell to a live Flute Trio playing “Love, Love, Love.” The Bride walked to the brilliant guitarist James Weston and talented cellist Jeness Johnson playing “In My Life.” The wedding ceremony included comedy with singing in Latin by the couple and the Officiant Ted Ott as well as live commentating by host Jeric Wilhelmsen. The Bride and Groom then exchanged their rings which they hand-made for each other at a private all-day Wedding Ring Workshop at Whaley Studios in San Diego. They fired and milled their rings from pieces of Platinum and specially designed them to have both of their birthstones surrounding a diamond on each ring. The couple and their party happily recessed back up the aisle to a bright favorite, “Here Comes the Sun.”

The Bride wore an all-silk ivory Priscilla’s of Boston dress with Calvin Klein shoes and hand-made jewelry from Etsy. Her makeup was done by professional make-up artist, best friend, and bridesmaid Nickie Tigyer and her hair by stylist and good friend Joanna Serrano. The Groom complemented the Bride’s ensemble with an Ivory jacket and a beautiful sentimental touch with his father’s former golf shoes. The red, black and white wing-tipped patent leather saddle shoes were transformed into epic dancing shoes. Orchids, daisies, roses, hydrangea, lisianthus and delphinium flowers from Norma’s showered the purple and red themed day where most of the guests joined in on the fun and wore the colors too. They hired friend of ten years, Helene Cornell to be their photographer. To view the entire wedding or order photos, click here.

At the reception, the guests enjoyed a Sicilian-Mediterrean style menu from Alex Catering and many raved especially about the chicken and mushrooms. The couple treated the guests to an improvised cake-cutting of a red velvet, chocolate fudge, and cuban-pineapple wedding cake from Porto’s in Glendale with cake toppers hand-painted by the Bride. The couple changed costumes for their first dance of a choreographed story-telling Tango and then later performed a duet with their own lyrics and version of the song “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. The couple and their family and friends then danced the night with music by Dj Preston Swirnoff and early morning away with at least one guest throwing her hip out in the raucous partying.

Erinn V. Maison, Los Angeles Design Store Ready for You to Explore

helene — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 23:57:35 +0000

I had the pleasure of attending my long time friend, Erinn Valencich’s launch of “Erinn V. Maison,” that was hosted by Jaime Pressly.

Erinn Valencich is an up-and-coming designer behind Los Angeles’ newest home design store entitled Erinn V. Maison.

Erinn contacted me to create a photograph for her new interior design showroom and of course I loved to!

We ended up deciding on a dreamy seascape shot on a medium format camera and then dividing it into a square grid. (You can see the photo and the end result on the left!)

It is available for purchase (hint, hint)! I personally think that it compliments her furniture line beautifully, don’t you agree?

The launch party for Erinn V. Maison was absolutely jam-packed with celebrities and friends of ours! It was an extreme honor to be included in such a special night.

“My goal as a designer is not just to create beautiful environments, but to help people enrich their lives through style and to make daily living magical. I love creating a space for my clients that encourages them to entertain, to have people over and to create memories with family and friends.”

Erinn V. Maison and Erinn V Design Group are both home furnishings lines, a retail and trade showroom as well as an interior design firm in Los Angeles. They both specialize in residential and commercial design, remodeling and new construction with a bold signature style, flair of color and pattern. Erinn’s strong passion transforms a space to reflect the style and good taste of its inhabitants.

Under Valencich’s skillful direction, the Los Angeles based Erinn V Design Group continues to evolve and grow and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

Try to connect with her on…

Pinterest: Erinn V Design Group
Facebook: Erinn V

Twitter: @ErinnVStyle

Blog: http://erinnv.com/blog/

Downtown Los Angeles Wedding Photography

helene — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:48:16 +0000

Jen Huston and Olu Davis-Sunday, April 17th, 2011-Los Angeles

Jenifer wore an elegant white ruffled mini dress by Marchesa and stilettos by Badgley Mischka for her unique pop of something blue. Her delicate accessories added a perfect balance of vintage glamor, blending effortlessly with the old Hollywood surroundings of the famous Biltmore Hotel , where the bride and groom prepared for the evenings festivities. Her gems included her something borrowed- a stunning braided necklace from one night affair, and her something new, a modern bcbg bracelet. Olu wore a linen seersucker suit in pale soft colors, with a tie by Robert Talbott Carmel . In our adventurous downtown photo shoot, we danced across street corners in downtown Los Angeles traffic to the encouraging honks of cars boasting congratulatory yelps ( and some racier comments too!) My favorite location was the Broadway bar, where the bride confessed that their first “business” dinner was sealed with a romantic first kiss.The reception was held at the intimate Magnolia lounge where family and friends enjoyed pomegranate mojitos and danced to the tunes of friend and DJ Kaleem. The guests enjoyed the couples favorite comfort foods while Olu’s 18 half brothers and 25 half sisters and 30 real sisters and cousins welcomed the esteemed Jenifer to the new family. My stanky leg performance started briskly at 9pm which was followed by Jenifer’s Aunties teaching the crowd how to get down to traditional Arabic music. A big thank you to Kingsley Osuetta for helping photograph the reception at daring 6400 ISO. If my camera goes missing I know who to call. Love you guys, and Love to my favorite adopted family.

to view all of the photos from Sunday’s event please visit the online gallery where you can see all of the images and order custom prints and enlargements.

http://helenecornell.smugmug.com/Weddings/Jen-and-Olu/

Cake By Buttercake Bakery
Invites By Minted
Flowers By Danny’s Flowers
on site Coordinator Kerri Sullivan of Magnolia Lounge and Amy Gross of awesome friendship land
Catering Magnolia Lounge
Rings By Simon G

San Diego Engagement Pictures, Golden Hill

helene — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:52:27 +0000

It is always so refreshing when a couple not only has a connection with eachother, but some direction for me, the photographer. I loved how Adrian and Breanne had symbolic props they brought to their shoot… They simply staged a blanket outside of their apartment in Golden Hill with things that meant something to them. A chess board, a photo book, a diary. An energetic dog…. It brought up beautiful memories of their courtship and set the stage for a beautiful day. Congratulations on your wedding, neighbors.

The Newest Trend In Photography

helene — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 08:00:59 +0000

Divorce Shoots!

Forget Trash the Dress, Divorce shoots are the hottest new trend in wedding photography. Tired of seeing over exposed dreamy photos of a pale bride fainting in a forest? Lens flair getting you down? We know the feeling. Here at Helene Cornell Photography, we stay current on what our clients really want. If I see one more suitcase, or DIY craft fair in a corn field, I may retire and bring all those waify etsy brides with me! We are proud to announce our new trend setting portrait shoot, the Divorce Shoot! Didn’t get a prenup? That’s fine by us! We are now offering 50% off on April 1st, just email and mention the code “April Fools”

Indian Wedding Photography, San Diego

helene — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:00:42 +0000

These photos were taken at the Hilton San Diego Bay Front last summer, with beautiful flowers by Classic Creations.

I would have to say that Indian weddings are by far my favorite to photograph as they are filled with beautiful, bright colors and overflowing with rituals. Indian weddings are double the fun. Not only does the bride get to have the day she’s always dreamed about, but there are many events leading up to the big day that are just as fun. The engagement ceremony is one of the first to take place. Here they exchange rings to symbolize the man and woman are now linked together. Gifts are exchanged at the engagement ceremony between families. However, these are not the same gifts one would give during an American wedding engagement. Could you imagine what a bride or her mother would say or the face she would make if she opened up a big cantaloupe? Traditionally families that are part of the Indian weddings exchange sweets, and dry fruits. I wonder if there is a special registry! The bachelorette party would be compared to the sangeet ceremony. This is a party strictly for women to dance to music and let loose! Haven’t you ever wondered why you don’t see many people with Mehndi when they now do it in your local mall? Well this is an application that is done for Indian women called the Mehndi Ceremony. Mehndi is applied to a bride’s hands, arms, feet, and legs. The ceremony is an important time for the family.

With this ring I thee wed… The day of the wedding ceremony garlands, not rings, are exchanged between the bride and groom. This is called the var mala ceremony or is also known as Jaimala. The bride attempts to put her garland around the groom’s neck but is prevented by the groom’s friends, her friends then help her and the exchange takes place. It would be pretty interesting if the groom’s men actually tried doing that with wedding ceremony rings. Different cultures have such intriguing rituals that are fun and add some playful spice to the same old traditions. It is such an honor to be apart of such a unique and special time!

Bulthaup San Diego Luxury Design

helene — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:40:58 +0000

I just had the pleasure of working with the President of bulthaup San Diego, Aleka Kim, to document the installation of a new kitchen in a gorgeous home in San Clemente. Bulthaup’s philosophy is that Kitchens are living areas. The most beautiful have a simple, unfussy design and are perfectly equipped. They are inviting places, offering endless hours entertainment. The space was wonderful to photograph.

For More Information on bulthaup, visit http://www.en.bulthaup.com/

Or better yet, Stop by the San Diego Show room to talk to Aleka herself.

777 J Street
San Diego, CA 92101
p 619 237 5510
f 619 237 5516
www.bulthaup.com

Balboa Park Maternity Pictures

helene — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:52:51 +0000

Just did a fashion maternity shoot in a super cool cactus garden in balboa park. my friend Shannon is 8 1/2 months

hair and makeup my www.beautymarkedbyshannon.com

clothes by pea in the pod, white blouse from nordstoms, hair accesory from urban outfitters, bandeau top from h+m. Shoes by chinese laundry

Introducing Booty Shorts!

kwrks — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:45:55 +0000

Have you ever wanted to be the star in your own sexy music video? Booty Shorts is the latest addition to the fabulous services we provide at Booty Boudoir. We are now offering custom short films, catered to each one of our unique clients. We work together to come up with a creative vision that is unique, sexy and empowering to you. Just watch our “About Booty Shorts” demo video to learn all about how to prepare, then give our team a call to start brainstorming your booty short film!

Email us at photo@bootyboudoir.com

Become a fan on facebook to receive up to date information!

About Booty Shorts

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About the Glam Squad

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About Your Photographer

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Learn more at http://bootyboudoir.com