OLAS + The NotWedding – Engagement Shoot!

Posted by (once like a spark) on Jun 8, 2011 in (oncelikeaspark), engagement | 3 comments

We’ll start this very simply: this post has been a long time coming.  Ever since (once like a spark) was approached a few months back about being the photographers for the 2011 NotWedding, we all had the same reaction: “squeeeeeeeeeeeal!!”  The NotWedding, is, basically, the coolest wedding ever thrown.  In Atlanta.  In July.  The most amazing vendors (flowers, food, dresses, paper, photography, favors, etc.) are chosen by a group of phenomenal visionaries in the wedding industry (headed by Callie Murray) to come together and show their stuff for hundreds of brides-to-be.  Instead of a traditional bridal show, the NotWedding really is….a wedding.  Complete with a ceremony, dinner and dancing, brides and other guests get to actually experience the best of what the wedding world has to offer.

OLAS will be gathering in Atlanta in July for this stellar event.  And being the photographers, we had the amazing task of dreaming up a little preview of the incredible NotCouple, Caroline and Drew, in the form of a to-die-for engagement session that told their story in a uniquely OLAS way.

Before Ashley, Leah and I joined forces in Atlanta, we had to envision an engagement session that would make every bride swoon with delight.  Working with inspiration from the ever-talented Abany Tschupp, we created a two-part engagement session: the first part channeling all things vintage (and even a little Tom Sawyer-esque), the second part showcasing a more modern (but still super stylish) take on the engagement session.  We want brides-to-be to see that whichever look they’re going for, it’s incredibly achievable, and SO FUN (today is the vintage look, and later in the week we’ll take a look at a more modern NotCouple )

Most of the ah-mazing props you’ll see are courtesy of Mao from Four Inch Fold, who was so generous with her time and ridiculously beautiful items (we highly suggest to look into Four Inch Fold for your own wedding if you’re in the Atlanta area), and the beyond stunning flowers were created on site (partly because she wanted to get a feel for the shoot and partly because she’s a genius!) by the incredible Amy Osaba (both are vendors for the NotWedding,too!) And we have to take a little credit, too–the outfits and hair were all Lauren, Leah and Ashley, inc.

So, now, darling Caroline and  debonair Drew.  Their story is swoon-worthy in and of itself.  But, as much as we like to talk over here at OLAS, we think the NotWedding describes their first meeting perfectly:

Caroline ventured out last November to capture a few photos of the winter’s first frost. The spot where she went just happened to be one of Drew’s favored inspiration locales – the place he loved to journal and write.

Drew noticed a woman leaning over the edge of the park’s bridge with her eye to the camera – obviously more focused on whatever was beyond her camera lens than the fact that she could at any moment slip on the huge piece of ice that lie beneath her feet. Drew slowly approached her, not wanting to risk startling her and causing her to fall…but as he approached, Caroline began to quickly lose connection to the earth beneath her and began to fall – camera flying through the air.

Drew immediately wrapped his strong arm underneath her, only to barely catch her before she hit the ground. The two watched together as the camera met its furious death – plunging through the icy top layer of the creek below and sinking inches beneath the shallow surface.

The camera had definitely met its icy, frost-bitten end…but their new love was just beginning to see the glimmer of its first spring bloom.

Desiring to celebrate their fateful first meeting, we present to you the theme of The NotWedding 2011 : Frosted Poetry.

Working with Caroline and Drew was truly an amazing experience, and we loved every single minute of it.  They are naturals in front of the camera, not to mention are so incredibly in love our jobs were downright easy capturing the love, light and pure joy shared between the two of them.  We can’t wait to see them say “I Do” on July 21st, but until that time, here are a few (or, OK, a lot) of our favorite shots of the day!

P.S. You may have noticed that I haven’t yet mentioned who is actually responsible for taking these spectacular pictures.  That’s because we’re are so thrilled to announce (with this posting!) that we will be brining on Jen, a new OLAS Southeast photographer really (really) soon!!  We’ll be officially welcoming her to the OLAS family soon, but just in case you couldn’t imagine your life without pictures like the ones you’re about to see, make sure you email us at info@oncelikeaspark.com!

P.P.S. This shoot is also FEATURED today on 100 Layer Cake!!

ENJOY!!! xoxoxo