Zoo Wedding

I haven't but a friend used to coordinate events, including weddings, at our local zoo. He said you would find all kinds of couples with some that preferred to play off the animal theme, and some that had more "traditional" wedding set-ups but in the zoo location that really wanted. Your possibilities are endless and your pictures should be incredible!

I went to a wedding at the Santa Barbra Zoo. It was really fun. One of the cool things was that you could feed the giraffes, you usually have to wait in a long line and pay to feed them. The color scheme was hot pink and orange, not my taste but it suited the couple. Their favors were the frosted animal crackers so it went with the theme. The only down side was that the party ended promptly at 9:50 because of the noise ordinance (outdoors). There was also a fair bit of walking to park, get into the zoo gates and walk to the ceremony/reception area.

We went to a formal event (not a wedding) at the Columbus zoo! Were you thinking of water's edge or the Africa event center? I will say the stations-based food had lots of lines and we had to sit down, eat from one station, go to another, sit down, eat that food, etc so that was a bit awkward. Also I loved the animals they brought out for us to see and in the Africa center (where I was) the Savannah setting with the animals was an incredible backdrop. I also loved the decor and the way the lights covered the ceiling. So I guess there are pros and cons! If you have any other specific questions, I'm happy to answer them!

I would love to go to a zoo wedding! It was one of the options I looked into. It seems very doable.

We're definitely thinking of having it in the African event center! We toured there on Saturday and my fiance just fell in love with the place.

We don't like the idea of buffets or the tasting stations so we're probably going to have plated meals. I liked the thought of tasting stations, but after reading your comment, I think I'll pass haha

What animals did they all bring for you? When we toured they said it just depends on the animals, but they bring anywhere from 3 to 5!

I feel like my fiance and I are leaning more towards an elegant look? When we toured the venue the couple went all out with animal print: the groomsmen all had suspenders in animal print, the aisle floral pieces were tied onto the chairs with animal printed ribbon, their cake was animal themed, etc. I feel like we might do some animal touches, but keep is classy? On my internet searches I've come across gold animal figurines to hold the place cards or elegant animal wedding cake toppers.

Oh neat!! I don't know how I feel of pink and orange, but that's awesome you got to feed the giraffes!

The venue we looked at luckily is private from the zoo and has it's own parking lot so no long walks for guests and the wedding can go on until 11!

Did you think the animal crackers as a favor was tacky or cute? Just wondering because I thought of a similar idea but didn't know if it was come across as cheap or cheesy.

It's doable, but pricey haha which was one of the reasons my fiance was on the fence about it. I honestly don't think he realized how much current weddings actually cost! But in my opinion, it's so worth it because it will be such a unique wedding! The venue we saw provides tables and chairs, does the set up and clean up, provides linens with other 20 choices of color!, etc. We really would only have to get a DJ or band because everything else is included

I thought they were cute! The only problem was that they were at every seat when you sat down and food wasn't served right away so people started digging into the favors, ate them all, then left the little favor bags all over.

That sounds beautiful!!! There are plenty of ways to do a theme without doing everything that theme. I really like the idea of gold animal place card holders. Centerpieces could slyly incorporate an animal theme with feathers too.

Yes of the two I really would recommend the Africa Event Center! Plated Meals would probably be so much smoother! I'm glad I could help--it was just so awkward because everyone at our table kept getting up to get a different station's food so we never really got to sit and eat and catch up with everyone.

I've been there two different times for events and they did the giraffe feedings, and brought out a porcupine, baby kangaroo, penguins!, eurasion lynx, and a bear cat!