Introducing… my FIRST EVER styled shoot!!! Omg!!! After 10 years in the business, I finally said YES to a styled shoot. If you don’t know what a styled shoot is, it’s a “fake” wedding! It typically has a theme, style, or concept, and the vision is planned and executed usually by the wedding planner or planner and photographer. Vendors collaborate and pitch in their services for free, and everyone gets photos and video to use for marketing. It’s a collaborative win win, and a great way to network, shoot at venues or spaces that you haven’t before, AND provide couples cool inspiration.
When you think “wedding at the zoo,” you might imagine primary colors, screaming children, balloon animals… but I’m here to tell you that IS NOT THE CASE! Zoo New England now offers micro weddings and elopements at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, and they are luxurious, stunning, and show-stoppingly unique! You’ll definitely wow your guests with a boho zoo wedding, and you may even have some very tall guests, striped guests, feathered guests, or furry guests…
Joe from Contagious Events conceptualized the luxury boho safari theme, and conferred with Gregory from Flou(-e)r to help bring it to life. Joe gave the vendors the theme and basic vision, then let the vendors run with it and showcase what they want to showcase so their creativity was highlighted in the day. SO AMAZING!
Joe had been working with Zoo New England for the past year to help them develop a plan to be able to host weddings. Zoo New England (the parent company that operates Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham) is a nonprofit organization, supported by a board of directors who help guide the zoo in executing its mission of educating and engaging people to protect and sustain the natural world. They are focused on education and many of his conversations with them about animal interactions for photo shoots and weddings always involved a zookeeper who could help us understand animal comfort levels and wellbeing. There is an interesting synergy between the animals and the zoo staff, and one thing he noticed during his initial visits is how much the staff knows about animal personalities.
So!!! Enjoy all the little details each vendor brought to the (literal) table – gold servewear, pampas grass, and dried palm fronds for a desert oasis style for the tables, tasseled menu cards with laser cut animal silhouettes, hanging basket lanterns and woven reed chandeliers, an Old Hollywood safari style glamping campsite, vintage Moroccan rugs, bohemian poufs, a playful carousel, animal cookies for dessert… it was a DREAM.
If you’re loving the idea of a zoo wedding and want to learn more, contact Danishia at Zoo New England and she’ll take good care of you!
Photography: Lena Mirisola | Videography: Lucent Wedding Films | Boston Wedding Venue: Zoo New England – Franklin Park Zoo | Event Planning: Contagious Events | Floral: Flou(-e)r | Bridal Jumpsuit: Adelyn Rae | Groom’s Attire: The Black Tux | Beauty: Alexia Jay | Catering: Johnny Burke Catering | Event Rentals: Party Rental Ltd | Furniture Rentals: Form Creative Services | Lighting: DesignLight | Transportation: Roman Limousine | Stationery: Boxed Wedding Invitations | Published in: Hey Wedding Lady
