Chester Zoo Disney Themed Zoo Wedding

Chester Zoo Disney Themed Zoo Wedding

CRACKING CHESTER ZOO WEDDING
Animal & Disney Theme

PLANNING A CHESTER ZOO WEDDING

Oakfield Chester Zoo wedding  is such a cool novel day, bride and groom and guests can get to explore the zoo between the ceremony and wedding breakfast
For animal-loving couples, it’s the perfect way  to say “I do” at the zoo

Our couple,  so considerate to guests (and photographers!) with a well-planned timeline
Preps took place on-site – we even captured the girls arriving at the zoo with their hair done and ready for makeup

Plenty of time between the 12 Noon ceremony and the wedding breakfast at 4 pm, so nicely paced day for guests to enjoy exploring Chester Zoo
There was time to enjoy canapes after the ceremony, and have some group pics, and whilst the bride and groom had pics around the zoo guests were free to explore the zoo.
It was a bit of an overcast day but a perfect temperature for guys in suits! plus even light for  photography

TIPS FOR YOUR CHESTER ZOO WEDDING

So for a relaxed day please consider your timeline when planning  –  our animal lovers definitely wanted plenty of time to go around part of the zoo
Chester Zoo is huge so prioritise the couple’s favourite animals  – in this wedding Giraffes were top of the list.
Work out a route beforehand and take comfy shoes!
Keep on the good side of the coordinator and make sure to be back in time for the meal.


During preps, a delicious breakfast platter of fruit and croissants was delivered by the zoo – so good to see the girls enjoying and tucking in.

Carl’s pocket watch – a copy of one given to the American president

bridal preperations, dress detailupper room Oakfield Manor Chester Zoo

bride sweeping down stairs to wedding ceremony at Chester Zoo

The New Orangery Oakfield Manor at Chester Zoo

Oakfield Manor at Chester Zoo has undergone a stunning transformation for weddings and events
A beautiful new orangery now graces the front aspect of Oakfileds.  It’s modern and the skylight makes it light and airy for the reception space.
This new space means the gastropub can still function.

Plans for a marquee and event space n the near future will mean more options for weddings at the zoo – watch this space!

The ceremony room is now where the after-ceremony room used to be  Wood panelled and with windows down one side it’s a warm cosy space for ceremonies
After the ceremony guests flow out through the original entrance door through the orangery to collect celebratory drinks and out to the patio beyond.
Groups on the lawn outside and then off to explore the zoo,

For wedding couples, the nearby Japanese gardens, Roman gardens, sunken gardens as well as animals provide multiple photo opportunities.
The lions have been re-housed so lion roars no longer interrupt ceremonies or speeches!

groom nervously awaiting his bride at zoo wedding

Chester Zoo wedding ceremony at Oakfield Manor

Chester Zoo wedding ceremony in Oakfield ceremony room

 ceremony Oakfield Manor Chester Zoo wedding

happy smiles from bride and groom as they exit after their Chester Zoo wedding ceremony

Chester Zoo Chinese gardens bride and groom portrait

sunken garden at Chester Zoo with bride and groom

bride and groom posing with the penguins at Chester Zoo

feeding time for Rothschild giraffes Chester Zoo with newly wed bride and groom looking on

bride and groom looking at elephants after a Chester Zoo wedding

RECEPTION CHESTER ZOO WEDDING

The wedding cake fitted the Disney and Zoo theme perfectly with a Mickey and Mini mouse cake topper.
The elegant 3-tiered cake was decorated with flowers and cute giraffe, lion, and monkey figures at the base.
The tables were all zoo animals featured at Chester Zoo of course with the holder being Mickey mouse.
The table favours included a Mickey bottle opener and the quizzes were accompanied by a Chester Zoo pencil

interior of new orangery set up at Oakfield Manor for a Chester Zoo wedding

giraffe place name for Chester Zoo wedding in the new orangery

bride and groom outside new orangery at Oakfields Chester Zoo

Oakfields Chester Zoo wedding bride and groom portrait in Roman garden

Due to limitations on dancing for this wedding, the Bridesmaids organized a Mr and Mrs game.
Rather than using shoes, our couple personalised by using swim paddles – they had met at swimming at university
You can see the difference in the size of the swim paddles!

This was followed by a Disney Quiz
The story of their meeting in the speeches too was really amusing.

games during speeches at Chester Zoo wedding

weddign games in the new Orangery Oakfields Chester Zoo wedding

cake cut Chester Zoo wedding reception

bride and groom kissing outside orangery of Oakfield Manor afte a Chester Zoo wedding

Bethan and Carl – thank you for organising such a wonderful wedding for yourselves, your guests, and us as photographers.
The day just flowed beautifully, it was the perfect day for you and we wish you much happiness,   Dave & Sandy xx

To plan your Chester Zoo Wedding  Find out more at: www.chesterzoo.org/weddings
Oakfields is a   stunning Grade II listed building, at the heart of the zoo and where it all began.  Check out the historic photos inside.
The surrounding  25 acres of award-winning zoological gardens and over 27,000 of the most amazing animals on earth make for amazing memories to be captured.
The new Orangery can accommodate up to 50 guests.

THE SQUARE CHESTER ZOO

UPDATE:  Great news for those wishing for larger numbers at their  Zoo wedding.
From spring 2023 Chester Zoo will have a new reception area using an extension of grade II listed stable block – once home to the Zoo’s first animals.

Called The Square it will have a large private courtyard and huge windows that overlook the Zoo’s botanical gardens.
The main event room is planned to have a 200 capacity and the reception and breakout rooms bring the total capacity of the building to 380.
For those into conservation, it’s good to know that profits from all events will help fund the Zoo’s conservation work to help prevent extinction around the world.

A  Chester Zoo wedding is unique  we love photographing here – find out about our Zoo Wedding Experience Photography Packages

Venue – Chester Zoo Oakfield
Dress – Cherish the Bride
Flowers – Holly Rose Florist
MUA – Jennifer Fletcher
Cake – Moon Bakery West Kirby
Photographer – Pixsmiths Creative Photography
Video – Kevin Joseph Films

 

 

 

Would Have Been Chester Zoo Wedding Day Shoot

Would Have Been Chester Zoo Wedding Day Shoot

 Chester Zoo Pre-Wedding Shoot

Oakfield with its new Orangery at Chester Zoo

So September 19th would have been Chester Zoo Wedding shoot for Bethan and Carl.
They held out as long as they could, even planned downsized numbers to conform to new guidelines.

Restrictions of time though, meaning less time to celebrate and for photos in between the ceremony and meal led to the decision to eventually postpone.
So obviously a disappointment for this couple. but so honoured that having us shoot their Chester Zoo wedding was a major consideration to their decision.

So like a few other pre-wedding shoots this year, we opted to do a Chester Zoo pre-wedding shoot on their original wedding day and capture some beautiful images for them.
Covid 19 is not going to spoil making memories! A wonderful opportunity to walk around the zoo and check out the areas they would like to use on their new day next Spring.

We have shot a couple of Chester Zoo weddings before but there are always new things to see.
The Oakfield Manor is beautifully revamped and a new Orangerie now graces the front of the venue.
It’s going to be an amazing space for their wedding.

The lions have moved to a new home in the zoo – no longer will their roars be heard during the ceremony or reception!

We enjoyed a good wander, the weather was just perfect, although a little bright at times.  Plenty of nooks and crannies can be found
Particularly enjoyed the Japanese and sunken garden areas.  The giraffes and elephants were a big hit too.

After wandering around the Islands we let our couple has some time to themselves before they met up with family for a meal at the new Oakfields.
So thank you for this day at the Zoo Bethan & Carl. So glad you could make the best of what could have been a difficult day.
We look forward to the memories to be created next year.  For now, enjoy the highlights from your Chester Zoo pre-wedding shoot.

Chester Zoo pre-wedding shoot

Wouldd have been Chester Zoo Wedding Day shoot

chester zoo engagement shoot

had to see the meerkats of course, and squealed with delight when we saw the baby ones!

 

Edited to add link to their Disney Themed Zoo wedding

Chester Zoo Disney Themed Zoo Wedding

Engagement Shoot Chester Zoo

Engagement Shoot Chester Zoo

Engagement Shoot Chester Zoo: Jenna and Johnny

A Sunday afternoon a month or so before their Chester Zoo wedding was a perfect time to catch up with Jenna and Johnny and do their engagement shoot.
Not many know that the Zoo can acomodate weddings – ceremonies and receptions.
One of the lovely things about Chester Zoo weddings is that the Zoo allow the couple to bring their photographers in to locate and discuss where they would like their shots taken.
Chester Zoo is so sprawled out now that it needs proper planning to prepare for the day”s events.

so that is just what we did we walked arounfd with Jenna and Johnny to scout out where they wanted their images after their ceremony at Oakfield Manor.
Then we made the most of the afternoon and spent some time have a drink, checking time schedules and going over to the new Island section -really loved it there so colourful and vibrant.
Taking engagement pictures at the Islands will provide a contrast to their wedding day images, as its unlikely we will get this far on the wedding day.
We were delighted to see so many animals out that were normally hiding or sleeping too and look forward to seeing more next month at their weddding and safari tour of Chester Zoo.
Quite appropriate to grab a shot, saying your Island Epedition is over ..but your journety continues!  Well for Jenna and Johnny the journey continues next month!

Below just a few of the images that will be delivered with the wedding images. Hope you enjoy and check back for more next month!

001_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

Oakfield Manor Chester Zoo

015_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

018_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

025_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

035_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

043_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

044_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

063_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

082_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo The Island Chester zoo

066_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

057_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

070_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

077_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

080_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

Lowe PW-001Lowe PW1100_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

105_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

hmmm  pity this wasn’t during the Brexit debate!

107_Lowe_pw_ChesterZoo

Enagagement shoot Chester Zoo

chester Zoo

129_Lowe_pw_ ChesterZoo