A few times a year, we begin photography at a local spa. The great thing about these locations is that, by their nature, they’re very calm places. We like that. :)

So we started the day with a very calm Kim and about 30 minutes into the day, we realize one of our past brides is working at the front desk! And I don’t mean we shot her wedding 4 months ago, it was more like 4 years! There’s no photo, unfortunately, but it was nice to see you Lea!

A little bit of hide-the-bride in the nursery and down the aisle we go!

I don’t remember his name, but their pastor was amazing. :) When Nate remembers something that was said, you know it was good!

If you follow us on Twitter at all, you might remember something about a zoo wedding in November. This was it! In our ~6 years of weddings, we’ve never had an opportunity quite like this. Thank you, Kim and Mike!! :)

As any blog reader knows, I’m a big proponent of the first look. It usually helps smooth out the wedding day timeline. But then there are days like this where we have over 90 minutes for portraits before the reception! While we took Kim and Mike around for photos, their guests got to explore the zoo. So cool!

Kim was a dream to work with all day- Light rain didn’t phase her at all when we arrived at the Brevard Zoo, and when she suggested we go into the aviary for photos in her wedding gown, my jaw dropped!

In the back of my head, I’m thinking, “You know what birds do, right?!”  Those of you that know me well know that birds and I don’t exactly get along. As in, Nate would probably have to escort me out after 15 seconds, and there would have been tears, screams, and blood. Hello, haven’t you seen The Birds?! Oh, and no photos would have been taken.

I gladly passed off my camera to Nate and went to play TinyTower on a bench. ;)

Luckily, no one else in the wedding party must have seen Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, or they were incredibly brave, because I love these photos Nate got!

FAVORITE!

Brushing the bird off her shoulder like it was nothing. Kim, you’re amazing!

Pretending to feed the giraffes since they never showed up. :(

Love me some Baobab trees!

During the first half of the cocktail hour, this little guy was brought out to entertain the guests. For the second half, a sloth came out to… do slothy things. 

“Helloooo, we’re married people now!” I can only assume this is what most couples internally chant as they’re being introduced.

Just as first looks have increased exponentially because our brides are reading the blog, so have private last dances! While all the guests are outside preparing for their sendoff, the couple spends one last romantic dance together in an empty room.

Kim and Mike, thank y’all for being such a dream to photograph! AND FOR THE ICE CREAM!!! :)