Once in Every Life Photography is proud to showcase the wedding of Monique and Lemar, our winners from our 2009 “What’s Your Love Story Contest?”

There’s many things during weddings that lead to ideas for our customized sideshows: everything from a memorable moment to choosing the right music to be the perfect compliment.

But for this pair it was their handwritten words that inspired the music behind this show:  (Taken from their contest entry)

“I truly believe that my fiancé LeMar Shorts was sent from God. He came into my life when so many things were going wrong and spilled blessings upon my life.”

Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning. On December 18th, 2008, two months and a day later after the death of my father, LeMar did something that was totally unexpected and would change my life as I knew it.

He wrote me this letter and put in the refrigerator:

You are truly sent from God to me. Proverbs 18:22 “A man finds a wife, finds what is good and finds favor from the Lord.” Since I have met you, I feel confident that the Lord has shown me favor. You have truly been my backbone, and I can not begin to imagine my life without you. Each day you encourage me, and each day you become more remarkable to me than the day before. I have found true love with you, not only that but I have found a priceless friendship, and an irreplaceable coach. When I told my mother today that I wanted to marry you, her unspoken reaction was the greatest confirmation that I have found the greatest woman on the face of the earth. Women are good judges of character; a mother is the best judge of character. So, not only have you been a blessing to me, but you are a blessing to my family. Thank you for your unchanging love, thank you for your constant care, and most of all thank you for your unfailing friendship. I am reaching out for your hand in marriage, I want to share my love with you tomorrow, forever and always. I feel like the luckiest man that I could possibly be to ask you…….

Marry Me,

LeMar”

A story that reminds us that love is sometimes sent to us at the right time and at the right place and powerful enough to bring walls tumbling down and allowing light to shine through rough waters.

Many blessings

April, Kim & Adam

PS If you think this contest was AWESOME check out alabamadreamweddingcontest.com Entries are now being accepted. Please read contest rules before entering!!!! Spread the word everyone!!

Thank you to all our couples who participated in our Love Story Contest to win Free wedding photography!.  Our contest was definitely a success and we hope to make this an annual event.  We’re pleased to announce that the GRAND PRIZE winner of Once In Every Life Photography’s 2009 What’s YOUR Love Story? contest is … drum roll please……….

Monique and LeMar

2009 Once in Every Life Photography’s Love Story Winners!!!

WOW What a story-One of  love  and of strength. A story that reminds us that love is sometimes sent to us at the right time and at the right place. On August 15,2009 the Team of Once in Every Life  Photography will be at the right place and the right time as we capture Monique and LeMar’s wedding day. Please click the pages below to read their love story. P.S. Don’t forget the Kleenex…. We look forward to working with Monique and LeMar and capturing the emotion of their love through our  photographs.

Here’s what Monique and Lemar won!

• Up to 8 hours of wedding day coverage with us -April, Kim and Adam of Once in Every Life Photography.
• Private online viewing/ordering gallery.
• A High Res CD/DVD of the wedding day images (200-250 fully edited images) with unlimited print release.
• One set of unmarked 4×6 proofs in black presentation box (200-250 images), all other images shot on wedding day will be provided as well via CD/DVD.
• A customized DVD slideshow set to music.-
• An 11×14 mounted print from your wedding.
• An engagement or bridal session with CD and print release.
• A set of 50 custom designed Thank You cards featuring your wedding images by www.craftylilmomma.com owner Jen Harris
• (other prizes may be added without written notice)

Congratulations to our First Runner Up, Josh and Mary Elizabeth who will receive a free engagement session with CD and print release and also $300 off any photography wedding package over $1000.

Also a big Congratulations to Britteny and Vince, our Second Runner Up, who will receive a free engagement session with CD and print release and also $200 off any photography wedding package over $1000.

Winners will need to contact OIELP to claim prizes by March 1, 2009.

We were truly honored that many shared their stories with us! Stay tuned as we  learn more about our Grand Prize Winners,  Monique and Lemar…..

April, Kim and Adam

We have narrowed it down to three wonderful and equally deserving finalists and will be making the final decision tomorrow on the contest winner.

Sincerely,
The Team

Here are the PRIZES!!

We will post our three favorite stories (which will be the three finalists) on our blog on February 14, 2009. The Grand Prize winning couple will receive: up to 8 hours of wedding day coverage with us -April, Kim and Adam of OIELP, private online viewing/ordering gallery, a High Res CD/DVD of the wedding day images (200-250 fully edited images) with unlimited print release, one set of unmarked 4×6 proofs in black presentation box (200-250 images), all other images shot on wedding day will be provided as well via CD/DVD, a customized DVD slideshow set to music, an 11×14 mounted print from your wedding, an engagement or bridal session with CD and print release, a set of 50 custom designed Thank You cards featuring your wedding images by www.craftylilmomma.com owner Jen Harris, other prizes may be added without written notice and the couple will also be featured on our website and blog. First Runner up will receive a free engagement session with CD and print release and also $300 off any photography wedding package over $1000. Second Runner up will receive a free engagement session with CD and print release and also $200 off any photography wedding package over $1000. Winners will need to contact OIELP to claim prizes by March 1, 2009. Contest is open to any engaged couple in the Birmingham Alabama and surrounding areas within 75 miles of travel.

Don’t miss out! Forward this to all your friends and spread the word!

Contest Rules:

-Submissions will be accepted through January 31, 2009 at midnight. Winners will be announced Valentines Day, February 14, 2009 in our blog.
-To qualify, we must be available on your wedding date in 2009/2010.
-Three references must be provided for your love story.
-Wedding must take place in Birmingham, Alabama or within 75 miles of.
-Your story has to be true. Anyone submitting a false story will be disqualified!
-Your entire wedding budget must be under $5k.
-We will verify your love story and budgets of the finalists prior to winners being announced.
-Winners will be chosen by a team of judges and OIELP.
-The couple must be willing to appear on our blog with their story and sign release forms.
-Winners cannot be relatives, friends or acquaintances of Once in Every Life Photography.
- If you are a currently booked/contracted couple you are not eligible to enter or win.

We can’t wait to see where this adventure will take us! We are hoping to make a difference in the lives of a many special couples this year.
Start getting your stories in now!! We can’t wait!
April, Kim and Adam