Kaylynn and Brandon’s Summer Wedding at Stillwater Place in the Cleveland Zoo

Couples spend hours poring over potential guest lists before deciding who will officially receive save the dates. Should we invite 200 guests or just 20? Should we allow for plus-ones or keep it to family and friends? Every couple approaches their guest list differently…but how many weddings have you been to where an elephant—yeah, I’m talking a real freaking elephant!—makes the cut?! This was definitely a first for me! But when you plan a zoo wedding celebration, a quirky guest list is just one of the benefits! This wedding celebration thrown by friends, family, and friends-of-friends at  Stillwater Place in the Cleveland Zoo was filled with love, laughter, and wild animals. And I can’t wait to give you a peek at the Cleveland Zoo after hours! So, let’s dive into Kaylynn and Brandon’s one-of-a-kind wedding day!

Dressed in matching pink robes, Kaylynn’s bridesmaids surrounded white-robed Kaylynn while they got wedding day ready. They laughed their way through hair, makeup, and pre-wedding photos, starting the day off perfectly. Then, the bridesmaids left to put on their dark green dresses as Kaylynn slipped into her lace wedding gown. After finishing the look with a silver headband her maid of honor helped her clip in her veil, and they headed off together for a first look with her bridesmaids. You’d think Taylor Swift walked into the room the way they responded! The tears and cheers exploded from Kaylynn’s closest friends, as I clicked my camera at lightning speed.

After sending the groom off to hide, we snuck Kaylynn past the elephants and into the terrace of Stillwater Place. The terrace overlooks a beautiful fountain, which added a tranquil natural soundtrack to the celebration. And as the music began to play, the excited guests filed in, followed by the bridal party. When the flower girl, the daughter of one of the bridesmaids, took her turn down the aisle. She only took a few steps before the attention made her nervous, and she sprinted down the aisle to reunite with her mom. We all couldn’t help but laugh! 

The laughter stilled the instant Kaylynn appeared at the end of the aisle. And for Brandon, that laughter was replaced by tears of joy. In fact, Brandon’s tears flowed through the entire ceremony! His reaction was mirrored by many in the audience…and by the photographer, too. What can I say? Moments like these still get me! 

After their first kiss as man and wife, it was time for portraits. Although the bridal party portraits were cut short by sore feet and the family portraits were complicated by a tug toward cocktail hour, the images that filled their final gallery were perfection! It’s not necessarily about the number of photos in a portrait session; it’s about the love between the people in the photos. With portraits in the rearview, we headed to the reception venue.

Decorated in pink and white flowers with light green accents, you’d never guess the reception space was part of a zoo! The guests waiting inside welcomed the bridal party with raucous cheers, but they absolutely exploded when Kaylynn and Brandon arrived! The high energy continued on through the night, too. Kaylynn’s bouquet toss sent bridesmaids diving and scrambling for the bouquet, or at least what remained of it after the battle. I was totally cheering them on while documenting the commotion! And when Brandon’s fraternity brothers hit the dance floor, the party really kicked into gear. Walking through the zoo after dark was an unforgettable experience, and a perfect day ended with a perfect exit: in a bright red vintage car! As Kaylynn and Brandon sped off into newlywed life, their friends and family cheered them on, and so did I!

So, while “zoo” probably isn’t at the top of your wedding venue list, after photographing this one, I definitely say it should be! If any Cleveland brides are looking for something a little different for their big day—why not get married at Stillwater Place inside the Cleveland Zoo? I have the perfect day for you to pull your inspiration from! Let me know about the party you’re planning on my contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you!