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As a wedding photographer, there are some weddings that truly stick with you for many reasons. They stay with you long after the cameras are packed away and Alexa and Justin’s wedding at the Toledo Zoo was absolutely one of them.
On September 7th, 2024 I traveled from Columbus, Ohio to the Toledo Zoo to photograph one of the most thoughtful, experience-filled weddings I have had the honor of documenting. What started with exchanging vows in the Zoo’s Formal Gardens ended with a private giraffe feeding at sunset. Their celebration was centered on experiences, connection, and presence.
An Intimate Garden Wedding At the Toledo Zoo
Ohio Wedding Photographer
Alexa and Justin were married in the Toledo Zoo’s Formal Gardens, surrounded by lush greenery, September blooms, and the quiet beauty of nature. The setting felt peaceful and intentional–like a hidden garden tucked away from the rest of the world. There was this gorgeous statue of a beautiful woman right where they were getting married, she was such a unique piece of their day.
Rather than focusing on perfection, their ceremony focused on meaning. Gentle glances, hands held tightly during vows, the sweetest giggles, and emotional moments shared with their family that unfolded naturally. These are the moments I’m always chasing as a documentary wedding photographer–the ones that happen when the couples feel safe, present, and fully themselves
What truly set Alexa and Justin’s wedding apart was how they chose to end their celebration.
The ceremony came to an end and the photos with family, the bridal party, and bride and groom portraits were over. The day is starting to settle. The hustle and bustle of the wedding vows, photos, and moments are winding down. While we were documenting Alexa and Justin and their closest loved ones, guests were invited to participate in a private giraffe feeding.
An unforgettable experience that reflected the couple’s love of animals and Alexa’s childhood visits to the zoo. They were adventurous spirits and loved doing things differently, this showed in their day. Laughter, surprise, and pure joy filled the air as everyone shared in a moment that felt once-in-a-lifetime.
It was the perfect reminder that weddings don’t have to follow tradition to be meaningful. When couples choose experiences that reflect who they are, the memories–and the photographs–become even more powerful.
Ending the Evening with a Giraffe Feeding
A Ceremony in the Zoo's Formal Gardens
Photographing Meaningful Wedding Across Ohio & Beyond
Whether it’s an intimate garden wedding at the Toledo Zoo, a celebration closer to home in Columbus, or a destination wedding somewhere entirely new, I believe the most meaningful photographs come from couples who value connection, experience, and authenticity.
If you’re planning a wedding that feels intentional and true to you–and you’re looking for a photographer who will document it honestly–I’d love to hear your story.
All My Love,
Delaney
Based in Columbus, Ohio | Available for wedding worldwide
As a Columbus-based wedding photographer who loves to travel, photographing Alexa and Justin’s wedding was a reminder of why I do this work. They trusted me not just to capture how their day looked, but how it felt–the quiet emotions, the giggles, the shared joy, and the scared meaning woven throughout the day.
From the stillness of the Formal Gardens during their vows to the wonder and excitement of feeding giraffes together at the end of the night, their wedding was filled with real moments that mattered deeply to them and their families
