Cody and Lauren. I just can’t think of what I want to say. These gorgeous images have been sitting on my computer just screaming to get blogged, but I am just struggling with words. You might guess, but I truly fall head over heels with these love stories, and when I met Lauren and Cody last summer on the west coast of Michigan, I was hooked–on them (ok, you should go check out their engagement session here. I knew that their wedding day was going to be one for the books.
The weather wasn’t perfect for a wedding, but the Tolezo Zoo pretty much is. In fact, it drizzled for just a bit so that we had to have the ceremony inside. But man, I don’t know that I could really imagine the day going any better. Lauren and Cody were surrounded by a tribe of friends and family that just made this wild event seem like an intimate affair, and it went off without a hitch. From first look moments to late evening dancing with a swinging dress, every minute was glorious.
Congratulations, Cody and Lauren! You guys are truly wonderful!
Photography (since ya need three at a party this big): Michele, Maria Loomis, and Janell Traicoff
Venue: The Toledo Zoo
Wedding Planner: Amanda Caig
Florals: Garden View Weddings
Lauren’s Dress: Martina Liana from The Gown Shop in Perrysburg
Makeup: Merle Norman in Perrysburg
Cake: So Sweet Pastries
Music: Decorative Sound
This story. It’s one of many little stories that happened during Lauren and Cody’s wedding day that just makes my heart flutter. Cody was patiently waiting on the other side of these trees and Lauren was going to come up behind him and tap him on the shoulder. There are a few ways to approach a first look, but this ended up pretty sweet. She saw just the slightest glimpse of him through the trees, and it was by far one of the sweetest things captured.
The zoo has one of the most incredible locations for…well, for everything. But it was especially wonderful to enjoy cocktail hour outside and have a chance to feed the giraffes. So many priceless faces on people experiencing such a cool event and being so close to such incredible animals. And one of them reallllly liked Lauren. 🙂
The last part of the evening took place in the Malawi Event Center. This beautiful room has been completely renovated in the last year with a massive aquarium, and man, was it one of the best places to have a party. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.