When our client first called our office back in 2010, most of our homeowners didn't want to book that far out, so we turned it into a positive and started a comprehensive search for the perfect estate.
Here is a peak at the estate, wedding and the sweeping LA views.
Henry Chen is super talented photographer, plus he is a really nice person. He sent us these photos within a few weeks and this is not easy, since he is in high demand with photo shoots all over the world.
BTW, our bride loves pink.
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The reveal - Yvonne at Empty Vase designed the dessert wall, so the desserts were placed on suspended clear shelves - including the caterer's homemade Rocky Road - the groom's favorite.
Sweetheart Table with a gorgeous linen.
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Kari Nicole at her studio in Beverly Hills for an amazing facial. She is professional and very knowledgeable about several aspects of her business.
Contact Info:
Contact Info:
Make Up On Location.
Kari Nicole
Here is a short bio and a few of Kari Nicole's favorite photos.
The creator of www.MakeUpOnLocation.com, Kari Nicole is an accomplished makeup artist, medical esthetician, hairstylist and personal fashion stylist with an educational background in nutrition and psychology from UCLA. In other words, one of the best image makers around. Kari has experience from MUD, Georgio Armani, MAC, Chanel, Laura Mercier, Scott Barnes, Darphin & Tracie Martyn Skin Care.
She was mentored by Oprah Winfrey's beauty team, facial expert Tracie Martyn and Emmy award nominated makeup artist Adam Christopher & Felicia Lynsky. Whether a fashion show, wedding or just a night on the town, Kari focuses on maximizing the natural beauty that every woman is born with. Her training and education, along with her affable personality, creates a fun, glamorous and practical experience for all of her clients. Her innate ability to bring out the natural beauty of her subjects, regardless of gender, ethnicity or character portrayal is unparalleled in the makeup industry. Her passion is beauty, both inside and out, which is why her clients love her... and you will too.
GP: What should a bride do to prepare for her make up trial session? Can you connect them to great hair people?
Kari: When preparing for the big wedding day a bride should always test out her make up and hair at least 2-3 months prior to the date. This allows you enough time to find someone you like if the first choice you test out doesn’t work out to your liking.
I recommend using your trial run on a day like the engagement photo session or party, bachelorette party or for a special night on the town with your honey.
I always suggest picking between 3-5 different artists. Before choosing your first choice give them a call and have a one on one chat with them. A bride should ask questions about their artistry skills and style i.e., (natural, flawless, funky, provocative etc.)
A bride needs to ask what kind of make up gigs they have done in the past and ask if they have any photographers, prior clients and references they can connect you with to get the skinny on what their work is really like. Always check out their portfolio and website, but note that sometimes a website can be deceiving. This is why I suggest chatting with them and getting in contact with their references.
I always recommend choosing a make-up artist who has had real industry experience such as “on set” experience for film and TV or high fashion show and print work experience over a “counter makeup artist” at your local department store. Why? Because they are more inclined to working well under pressure versus someone who is just starting out or works at a counter without real industry experience. What might seem like a good job in a department store might not be so good on the big day when your running behind or your dress goes missing, etc.
Seriously consider engaging a professional make-up artist trained in photography make-up to ensure that you appear your best, both on-camera and off. Whether for your wedding a press release, show or photo shoot, being camera-ready will ultimately result in more flattering results, a professional and natural appearance, and - in the case of your wedding - fonder memories of that special day for years to come.
*You don’t have to pay a “celebrity artist” to get the red carpet experience. Just make sure that whom you hire has work experience with quality photographers and clients. And don’t be afraid to talk about pricing with your first choice of vendors. After all we want to help turn your dream wedding into a reality. Most artists will try to accommodate you in a creative and economical way. Voicing your budget makes it a win, win situation for both sides.
A good makeup artist will have hair styling experience and if not they should always have a good referral list. I happen to do both hair and makeup. Meaning I do up do’s and styling not cut & color. For the Beverly Hills area and Newport Beach area I have an extensive list of makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, spray tan artists and hair stylists that I book on location or in studio.
GP: What beauty items should she have with her on her wedding day i.e. lipstick, powder?
Kari: Every bride needs a touch up beauty bag. For my clients I prepare a touch up bag that consists of:
1.) Prefilled make-up remover Q-tips
(erases raccoon eyes from tears of joy)
2.) A small sponge and travel sized tissue box
3.) Always a sheer lip gloss or fully loaded retractable lipstick brush
4.) Concealer for covering up spots or brightening eyes
(I love Yves Saint Laurent touché clot)
5.) A sharpened Lip liner and Eye liner
6.) Powder compact or fully loaded retractable powder brush or blotting papers to help reduce shine
7.) Bronzer blush etc.
8.) A small perfume vile for freshening up after her many dances…
9.) Extra bobi pins, two small safety pins and double stick tape!
GP: Do you have a few beauty tips that you would like to share?
Kari:
- Match your skin tone correctly.
- Reduce redness with a green/yellow undertone not pink or brown!
- Reduce dark under eye circles, bruises, purple & blue tones by using
a cover up with pink or orange undertones.
- Blend, Blend, Blend!
- Less is more.
- Avoid harsh edges, colors and don’t be too heavy handed.
- Lavender is a great “eye popping” color for the majority of brides.
- Eggplant/purple mascara enhances green eyes
-Colbolt blue liner/mascara minimizes red in the eyes
- For a flawless complexion think of your face as a perfect oval.
To brighten and add definition one must highlight the center of the face with a shade lighter than your skin tone. Apply highlights in the t-zone. Outline the outside of your face in an oval with a shade darker or the same skin tone as yours and then blend underneath the chin around the hairline and blend the light to dark foundation consistently together from light to dark.
- To apply the makeup base use a soft blending foundation brush or damp sponge and stipple your foundation by lifting up and patting the foundation into skin. Repeat this movement consistently all over the face and don’t forget to make at least 3 passes by consistently patting the whole face.
My favorite foundations to use are: Chanel Lumiere for dewy moist skin, Georgio Armani & Sissly for powdery soft matt skin, Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for light natural looks, for almost bare flawless skin tryout the drug store brand Garnier BB cream, For darker complexions and ethnic skin try Bobbi Brown foundation sticks, for full coverage try air brush make up or Mac studio fix.
- Use a lip stain before applying lip-gloss or lipstick for long lasting color.
- Waterproof mascara is the bride’s best bet.
- False strip lashes create dramatic eyes
- Individual lashes enhance eyes
- Duo glue is industry standard for applying lashes
- For the bride who is at the 30’s+ age range avoid frosted eye shadows and lipsticks the frosted/metallic look enhances fine lines.
(Cream eye shadow when blended looks best)
-Use a cream or gel blush over powder
-Slightly powder t-zone or use blotting papers instead of full coverage powder
-To smooth thin crepe skin under eyes tap a drop of cortisone cream into skin
-Avoid dark colors and neon pinks, try warm neutral colors to create a halo effect
-Be subtle with glitter
-Use liquid eyeliner pens for a drop shadow under the outer rim of eyes instead of powder liner or pencil liner. It stays in place longer and does not add to under eye circles.
-Before make up application use a collagen eye mask to reduce puffiness and hydrate with eye cream under eyes.
GP: Some brides decide to go on diets to get into the special dress - any words of wisdom, so they don't hurt their bodies?
Kari: Dieting is such a tricky thing. It is important to consult a nutritionist or weight loss expert, physical trainer and your doctor before attempting to take drastic measures in your own hands. I also feel that it is important to set a realistic weight loss goal.
Any of these quick fix weight loss diets or pills can be harmful to your body, heart and mind. The best solution is to prepare a good six to eight months in advance for your weight loss goal. Burning fat and keeping it off takes patience and hard work. To truly get your body into a “Fat Burning” mode versus a “Fat Storing” mode one must trick the body by a physical and biological change.
Gianna's picks of the week:
Tips of the Week:
Once you confirm your budget, then you can hone in on your guest list. Having a guest list established will help you find the venue (needs to accommodate your guest count comfortably and your budget).
A few factors will play into who will be on the list - whomever is paying will have a lot of input and if the wedding is taking place in the bride or groom's hometown.
I always advise our brides and grooms that they should first create their "A" list - these are the must haves - family and important VIPs , then the "B" and "C" lists.
Sending out save the dates will help weed out some of the "A" list guests who won't be able to make it. After the RSVP "A" list replies arrive, then you can invite some of your B list.
Contingency Plans:
We start checking the weather 10 days out. This helps us to confirm the rental order (do we need more heaters) and or do we need to add a tent. Your planner should be able to help you with contingency plans when you select your venue so there are no surprises right before the wedding.
Wedding Timeline:
We recommend keeping the wedding formalities moving so if your guests want to leave after four hours they don't miss out on important toasts, dances, etc.
Cash Bar -
I never recommend doing this under any circumstance. If your guests are traveling, they will need to pay for their flights, hotel accommodations, gift, wedding attire, rental car and your local guests will be spending money on your gift, etc. Guests don't expect to pay for their drinks at a wedding and may not have cash on hand. A couple solutions - serve beer, wine and champagne or invite less people, so you can throw a nicer wedding.
Estate Weddings -
For those on a strict budget, we do not recommend having an estate wedding, since everything must be brought in from rentals, lighting, decor, valet and/or shuttle, generator, catering and wait staff to name a few expenses.
Plus, if the weather turns cold or rainy, the contingency plan could get expensive. Please make sure the property can handle a contingency plan before you sign on the dotted line. We recommend not spending more than 20% of your overall budget on the venue as a guideline.
Have a great day!
