Mallory + Zach::Chicago Wedding::Part 1::J.Crew And Nature Preserves
One of the things that we’ve learned over the years is that although our clients are all very different, they are all amazingly cool. Seriously – we marvel time after time about how we could not pick better clients if we had the pick of everyone in the whole wide world. In addition to being super cool, we do think there are two things that we do hear from our clients time and time again that they love: J.Crew and nature. Seriously – so many of our brides really dig the natural, relaxed J.Crew wedding style, and we hear time and time again that our clients really want beautiful photos that capture all of the natural beauty of their surroundings and their venues.
Whelp, folks. Today’s wedding is a perfect combo of precisely those two things. Our incredibly talented Roya shot Mal + Zach’s wedding outside of Chicago, and if this wedding looks familiar, it’s because it is currently featured on the J.Crew website (Mal’s dress was one of theirs!) Super cool, huh?! They also got married and had their reception at venues that are also nature preserves, which gave Roya TONS of amazing opportunity for some really beautiful, organic, nature-y kind of shots. 
If you read our post yesterday, you heard about the “first glance”. Mallory and Zach took advantage, and as you’ll see – the result was tons of time for these amazing couples portraits. Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow – it’s up to your eyeballs in DIY wedding inspiration and creative details. You’ll love! PS – Amazing vendor links at the bottom!
Photog: Roya; Ceremony Venue: Fullersburg Woods Nature Center; Florist: Fifty Flowers (online); Dress: J.Crew; Accessories: BHLDN
Best.Week.Ever.
Over here in OLAS world, we’ve had a giddy week. It’s just been a few of those days where we’re all reminded of how much we love what we do and how much joy YOU guys bring to us all each and every day. In case we don’t say it enough, thank you. To all of you. We’re so blessed to consider all of you a member of our (once like a spark) family. We sincerely hope that you feel like you’re a member of our community, because you are. Whether you’re a previous client, a future client, a vendor we’ve worked with, or even a frequent (or occasional!) peruser of our blog/fan page, we value each and every one of you. We are so, so grateful. That being said, it’s been SUCH an exciting week for us, and there is SOOO much to share with you guys – we’re honestly bursting with excitement. It’s kind of over the top. Here’s a few of the many, many things we can’t wait to share with you guys! Keep reading for a sneak peek of the NotWedding, info on our coverage in GetMarried magazine, and a shout-out to our Number 1 Stunna team member – Leah Case.
1. NotWedding Sneak Peek
Most of you probably know by now that we were so honored to be chosen to participate in the NotWedding last week in Atlanta, which is probably the coolest “bridal event” that exists. No, seriously. They are expanding to Orlando and San Diego next….so if you’re in that area, watch out. Anyway – there will be MUCH more on this next week (as in…several posts), but in the meantime, we absolutely had to share a couple of pics shot by our seriously amazing Carla, including our favorite part of the whole event: the bridesmaids outfits. Ya’ll all absolutely MUST check out the newly launched Dress Your Core – a new line of the absolute most amazing bridesmaids wear that we have ever seen. Oh em gee. Stay posted – LOTS more on this next week.
Gorgeous floral design by Amy Osaba Floral Design
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE from Dress Your Core. Accessories from Fine and Fleurie. Flowers from Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio. Hair and Makeup by Claudia Mejerle.
Dress by Laurel and Fife. Accessories from Fine and Fleurie. Flowers from Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio. Hair and Makeup by Claudia Mejerle.Venue: Ambient Plus Studios.
Event design by Brown Linen and Co. Stage by Adorned Event Design. Venue: Ambient Plus Studios.
Dress by Laurel and Fife. Accessories from Fine and Fleurie. Flowers from Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio. Hair and Makeup by Claudia Mejerle. Venue: Ambient Plus Studios.
Dress by Laurel and Fife. Accessories from Fine and Fleurie. Flowers from Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio. Hair and Makeup by Claudia Mejerle. Venue: Ambient Plus Studios.
2.. OLAS Is Featured in Get Married Magazine!
You may remember Sarah and Justin’s to-die for Chicago-themed engagement session, shot by our uber-fab Roya. We’re so excited to announce that one of their photos was featured in the Fall 2011 edition of GetMarried magazine in their article about amazing engagement sessions. Check it out, and be sure to read the text. You may just find some tips from one of your favorite OLAS owners….Ashley Steele.
3. Leah Case is A Number One Stunna
If you are a previous client, or a future client, or a current client, then you are in love with Leah Case. Am I right, or am I right? Can I get an Amen?! In OLAS world, we are ecstatic this week, because we had the most successful sales week that we’ve ever had in OLAS history. This means that we added more new clients to the OLAS family in the past five days, then we have in any 5 day period, ever. Dang. So here’s a huge ‘ole shout out to Leah Case, who not only encourages us to dream bigger, but who actually MAKES IT HAPPEN. If you love LC like we do, leave her some love!!
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Ashlee + Blake – Wedding
Shot by our amazing Chi-town photographer, Roya, Ashlee + Blake’s wedding is such an exciting post for us, not only because the pictures are GORGEOUS, but also because Ashley (one of the co-owners of OLAS), was Ashlee’s matron of honor!
So, the beautiful and Ashlee + Blake…where shall we start? They are both doctors (impressive, no?); Ashlee is a general surgeon and Blake is an ENT doctor (Ear, Nose and Throat), and they met during Med school in Georgia. According to Ashley, Ashlee + Blake were friends for a while before their relationship really blossomed (but so often, isn’t that the case?), and their wedding was such a beautiful representation of their love for one another (wait until you see the picture of Ashlee walking down the aisle!)
Ashlee + Blake had a semi-destination wedding at Lake Martin in Alabama (where Ashlee’s parents moved after she graduated from college), and their wedding was at a gorgeous white clapboard chapel called Children’s Harbour. And their song? One they actually heard on our OLAS website–it was also Lauren + Jonathan’s song, “Lighthouse” by Ernie Halter And to add to that, there was even a lighthouse at Lake Martin—where Roya got some amazing couples shots!
When I asked Ashley to say a little bit about Ashlee + Blake, she said this:
“Ashlee and Blake are really amazing people. They are some of the most loyal, genuine, intentional people that I know, and this reflects so strongly in every aspect of their life, most of all their relationship with each other.”
Congratulations, Ashlee + Blake! We are so thrilled for the two of you, and are so blessed that we were a part of your wedding day in more ways than one! xoxo
P.S….if you notice a groomsman that looks a lot like Blake, that’s his identical twin brother, Bart! Good think Blake shaved so we could tell them apart
Jill + Rob – Engagement
I think we’re just going to put this out there: we LOVE Jill and Rob. They’re such awesome, caring, fun people, not to mention their “how we met” story is seriously precious. Twenty years ago, Rob saw Jill in their Freshman PE class. A year later, Rob worked up the courage to ask Jill out. And, with one of the many reasons we absolutely adore Jill, she said “I don’t date guys shorter than me.” Fast forward to senior year, where Jill and Rob were supposed to sit next to each other at graduation. Rob was singing at the program, so they didn’t see each other again until their 10 year reunion (be sure to spot their awesome yearbook photos–right next to one another!)
Rob moved to Florida, but they remained friends. Jill would even go to his shows when Rob traveled back up to the East Coast. And of course, when did Jill realized she loved Rob? Their first kiss
Jill and Rob are getting married THIS weekend at Rosemont Manor, a really beautiful and historic B&B in Virginia. They want lots of candid shots that show their fun personalities and how truly in love they are – even though Rob *is* shorter than Jill
In true OLAS rockstar fashion, even though Jill and Rob live on the East Coast, our fabulous Roya (from Chicago) shot these awesome engagement session, and Ashley and Chris (from the West Coast) are flying in to shoot their wedding! Congratulations, Jill and Rob! Have the BEST wedding day, and we can’t wait to hear all about it (and of course see some amazing pictures!) xoxo
Emily + Wesley – Wedding
You may have noticed that this blog posting is under both “Southeast” and “Chicago.” That’s because although Emily and Welsey’s beautiful wedding was in sunny Florida, our amazing Roya traveled down from Chi-town to capture their big day! We love the bright yellows and oranges, Wesley’s little how-to video, spanish moss (oh the spanish moss!) and some really precious and emotional shots that are truly one of a kind. Here are just a few of our favorites, and thank you Emily and Wesley for choosing Roya and (once like a spark) to be a part of your special day! xox
Sarah + Justin’s Swanky Engagement Session
I really believe that the *perfect* word for Sarah and Justin’s shoot with our fabulous Roya is….swanky. From their 50s inspired wardrobe to sharing a malt at the local diner to an appearance at an old, beautiful theater, Sarah and Justin truly had fun with their engagement session…and it shows! We just adore the fact that Sarah and Justin really got into some fun, unique rolls, and treated this shoot more like a movie shoot than an engagement shoot!
We think the Pink Ladies and The T Birds would agree, this is one swell engagement session! And without further ado, some faves…
