Sydney + Chris:Wedding:Part 2:California
If you missed Part 1 of Sydney + Chris’ gorgeous California wedding, head back over and check it out before you dive into Part 2. Today’s post is absolutely scrumptious, if we do say so ourselves. We start out with a series of absolutely magnificent couples portraits taken on the property at Strawberry Farms, where Sydney + Chris held their reception. Seriously, these two are just so beautiful, and we could have picked tons and tons more couples shots to show you, but we wanted to save room for their KILLER reception. After such an emotional ceremony, Sydney + Chris wanted to throw the party of the century, and they picked the perfect place to do it. The barn at Strawberry Farms was the absolutely perfect backdrop – we love the way they incorporated a whimsy feel into the whole reception…particularly loving the huge yellow tissue poms, the seating card display (ADORABLE), and the animal crackers at the kids table. Our favorite detail of all, however, was the surprise that Sydney + Chris organized for their guests….but you’ll have to scroll down to see that. From the very initial moment that we began shooting with Sydney + Chris, it was apparent that these two love deeply and live passionately, and their entire wedding day was such a showcase of that. Thanks you two, for letting us be a part of your big day! xoxo
Ceremony: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church; Reception/Portraits: Strawberry Farms Golf Course; Florist: Nisie’s Enchanted Florist; Officiant: Father Tom Pado; Dress:Romona Keveza; Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender; Hair/Makeup: The W Salon; Cake: Beverly’s Best Bakery; DJ: Extreme DJ – Angel; Photobooth: Sparkle Photobooth
Sydney + Chris:Wedding:Part 1:California
Happy New Year, OLAS fam! We’re hopeful you took some time this holiday season to slow down, breathe, and rejuvenate for 2012…it’s gonna be a good one. We know we have to do our (once like a spark) family right, so we wanted to kick off the new year with you with Part 1 of this gorgeous, gorgeous California wedding. When Sydney and Chris first found (once like a spark), they told us they wanted classically beautiful photographs that would stand the test of time, with a little bit of whimsy thrown in. Check and check – that’s just what we do best! These two live in the Bay Area (where we shot their engagement session), but got married in Southern California. Our entire team loved getting to know Sydney and Chris – they’re a really, really laid back couple, and they talked a lot about how they were making their family, friends, and community the main focus of their wedding day. Sometimes brides getting married in a church ceremony will talk with us about their concern that they won’t love their photos from the ceremony as much as someone getting married outside….we think Sydney and Chris’ wedding is an amazing example of just how powerful these photos can be. The entire ceremony was rich with emotion and significance, and the result is just beautiful. Check out Part 1 of Sydney and Chris’ wedding below, and be sure not to miss the first kiss photo (so.many.cameras!) and the adorable flower girls and ring bearers. Come back for Part 2 tomorrow…KILLER couples shots and a big surprise at the reception!
Ceremony: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church; Reception/Portraits: Strawberry Farms Golf Course; Florist: Nisie’s Enchanted Florist; Officiant: Father Tom Pado; Dress: Romona Keveza; Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender; Hair/Makeup: The W Salon
Read MoreSarah + Mark – Engagement
Meet Sarah and Mark – an adorable couple that spent the afternoon with our awesome West Coast team in Bernal Heights (a really gorgeous neighborhood in San Fran) for their engagement shoot. These two love birds are incredibly fun and laid back, and they want their wedding in August (at the Ritz Carlton in Lake Tahoe – swoon) to just be a huge, fun party for all their family and friends (we can’t wait!)
We absolutely loved working with Sarah throughout her booking process, because she is seriously HILARIOUS, and she and Mark are one of the most fun couples we’ve worked with! When Sarah received their pictures, she sent us the sweetest email, and here are a few of our favorite parts:
“The photos are incredible. Thank you so much, everyone! We are more excited than ever to work with you for our wedding. I’ve sent the slideshow to friends and family, and we are getting a great response. Tears, in fact. So thank you again for putting together such a beautiful set of photos. We are so grateful for your excellent work.”
We must say, tears of joy are ALWAYS a goal of ours with our pictures, and reading Sarah’s sweet words really mean so much to us 
Here are just a few of our faves, and we can’t wait to share what we know will be some phenomenal wedding pictures!
Congratulations, Sarah and Mark! We’re so happy to be a part of such an exciting time in your lives! xo
Karen + Al – Engagement
Being that I’m on cup #4 of coffee this morning, I can’t help but love newly-engaged Karen and Al that much more. This seriously precious pair spent the day with our phenomenal West Coast team to capture and celebrate the fact that in a short while, they’ll be sharing morning coffee as husband and wife From a coffee shop, to downtown San Fran, to a really gorgeous pier, Karen and Al were so comfortable in front of the camera, they made our jobs downright easy. Here are just a few of our favorites, and be sure to check out the full slideshow at http://oncelikeaspark.com!
Meet the lovely Karen, her gorg ring, and a steamy cup of joe.
Is anyone else humming Landon Pigg’s “Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop?”
He actually wrote the song for Karen and Al.
No, he didn’t. But he *could* have!
Precious, precious. Loving the blue wall and the blue jeans.
Al opted for the more intense caffeine option, espresso. Love it!
And now to downtown San Fran, where the passing rain storm help to create some really beautiful shots.
Love how you can see the clouds reflected in the glass, and Karen’s adorable new hat!
The Pier. Oh, the perfect pier.
(I adore alliteration)
Gorgeous sunset.
Are they not the cutest couple you’ve ever seen??
Even the seagull can’t help but love looking at these two love birds
Congratulations, Karen and Al! Thank you so much for choosing (once like a spark) to spend the day with you and capture these beyond adorable pictures!
Lauren + Tony – Wedding
OLAS people – we’re back from Christmas break and are feeling energized in a mega way! We can’t wait to share the absolutely gorgeous images with you from Lauren and Tony’s wedding, shot by one of our absolutely killer California teams. You guys may remember Lauren and Tony’s engagement session, which we TOTALLY loved. I completely went overboard with images from this wedding, but ya gotta give the people what they want, right? And you guys OBVIOUSLY want gorgeous wedding photos! I’m going to let these photos speak for themselves to tell the beautiful story of Lauren and Tony’s wedding day, with one request. Leave Lauren and Tony (and OLAS) some love! Leave us a comment, or click that you like the post at the top!
We were all swooning over Lauren’s GORG eye makeup.
And..drumroll please….the dress!
Actually getting the dress on is one of the most exciting moments of the wedding day. LOVE these two shots of Lauren as she gets all glamafied!
And, here’s Tony! He’s just such a joyful person. Can’t you hear him laughing?
Love. Love. Love.
All of the gorgeous bridesmaids…can you spy the precious flower girl?
Oh, there she is. She’s totally ready for her close-up.
We are obsessed with this shot. How precious is Lauren?
OK, we LOVE these next two shots. Our photographers spotted some neighbors getting a sneak peek of…..
…Lauren! 
Lauren and Tony had a beautiful, traditional Catholic ceremony. We love this shot as the two are glancing around as their guests all greet each other. 
And, it’s official!
Tony and Lauren had a super-cool vintage town car ready and waiting to sweep them away to the reception. 
Not only was this a really cool touch, but it made for some killer photos. 
Lauren and Tony were swept away for some couples shots that we literally cannot stop looking at. Which one is your fav?
Just presh.
FAV!
And it’s on to the reception…
Lauren and Tony’s reception with game-themed. (Remember their engagement shots?!) From personalized card sets on the table to centerpieces with some of their favorite games, to a perfectly in-theme cake, they pulled this one off perfectly!
The light was gorgeous as the bridal party waited to be introduced into the reception. Some of our fav shots are from these few in-between moments.
Lauren is obviously ready to get the party started, and she does just that. 
Congratulations Lauren and Tony! We love you guys! Leave Lauren and Tony some love in the comments section. xoxo
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Michele + Bob – Wedding
At (once like a spark), here’s how the mention of sweet Michele and Bob (and crew) usually goes:
One of us: “Something something…Michele and Bob…something something…”
Another one of us: “Oh I LOVE Michele and Bob!”
First one of us: “ME TOO!”
This is not a joke. We’ve been lucky enough to work with Michele and Bob and their sweet kids ever since our awesome West Coast photographers, Ashley and Chris, shot their family/engagement session. And now, we are SO excited to show you some of their BEYOND amazing wedding photos.
For blog posts, I usually go through and just choose my absolute faves from the wedding, and that’s what I use for the blog. But when I went through Michele and Bob’s for the first time? I chose OVER 60 images. Needless to say, I don’t know if our blog or facebook can support that many pics, so I had to (painfully) narrow it down to a mere 38 We hope you love these as much as we do, and be sure to check out their slideshow (where lucky for you there are MORE than 40-ish images, and to one of my fave soundtracks ever) at http://oncelikeaspark.com.
So first, we start with the beautiful Michele, and truly I think Coco Chanel herself would have been proud of the elegance of their amazing day!
I LOVE her headpiece–it’s so unique and beautiful.
Yes, I believe the word you are searching for is “etheral.”
Just GORGEOUS.
And now we’re on to the gentlemen, where Bob helps his son with his quite dashing tie.
I LOVE Bob’s face in this one, reading a letter from his bride-to-be.
And this one literally melts my heart: Michele and her son before he walks her down the aisle.
Such handsome guys!
I think this one of Michele and her son just stepping out to the ceremony is so insanely beautiful.
Just LOOK at that face! Priceless and so, so precious and stunning!
What a beautiful ceremony overlooking the water!
Michele and her sweet dad.
Bob looks so in love with Michele…
Now, I’ve only had the pleasure of working with Michele via email, HOWEVER. I want to meet her, not only because she seems amazingly sweet and wonderful, but because you can tell she has the BEST laugh!
Am I right?
This absolutely looks like one of the most loving, meaningful, fun ceremonies we have ever seen!
First kiss as man and wife! Yay!
How can you not just adore Michele and Bob?
And now for some truly epic couples shots…
I’m not sure what that background is, but excellent choice Ashley and Chris!
Definitely one of my favorites (even out of the 38!)
And this one too!
Oh, flowers, you are so perfect and beautiful for this most perfect picture
Family shot!
I love Michele’s bouquet and her daughter’s really beautiful hanging flowers. And the colors are gorgeous!
So cute!
And to end, a few of my fave of Michele and Bob dancing…
Now, I am not kidding when I say there were literally 50 more pictures I wanted to include (so go check out the slideshow!!). THANK YOU Michele and Bob for letting Ashley and Chris and (once like a spark) capture so many amazing memories for you! Congratulations to you are your adorable family!
