Kelly & Michael
Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon, Massachusetts (Ceremony & Reception)
September 14th, 2024
I don’t typically get jealous of other wedding photographers but I have to be honest: For years, I’ve seen my friends and other photographers shooting weddings at Southwick’s Zoo and thought “Why haven’t I been there yet?”
For whatever reason, despite shooting well over 350 weddings in my career, not one couple prior to this season has taken me to the super popular zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts. So, you can imagine my delight when I first met Kelly and Michael and landed an opportunity to see them tie the knot at the location for what promised to be a beautiful early fall wedding.
Looking back on it, I’m convinced Kelly and Michael were meant to be my first wedding at the venue because, honestly, I’m not sure I could have picked a better couple or a better day to showcase how lovely this zoo is.
And that’s BEFORE I saw a herd of deer passing by during their ceremony …
My coverage of Kelly and Michael's big day began with one of the most stressful bridal preps I've had in quite some time ... and I mean that in a good way.
Even though I'm a photojournalist and try my hardest to capture real life as it happens, I felt a little extra pressure to make sure everything went just right for Kelly as this bride really had a specific vision for her day and spent a LOT of time making sure to soak up every moment.
I never mind couples like this. To me, that means you care and having worked with Kelly, I could tell she wanted everything to go perfectly because, quite frankly, it was set to be the perfect day to get married.
From the beautiful weather that felt like the perfect mix of summer and fall to a venue that couldn't be topped, I loved everything about Kelly and Michael's wedding and I could tell they did to.
It helps, of course, that the groom was eager to get the day rolling as well and within moments of his arrival, we knocked out some quick groom prep photos so I could run back upstairs and capture the last moments of Kelly getting ready. Was it a bit of a busy morning? Sure. But I would have it no other way.
To her credit, Kelly never let the stress of the day's events get her down and she kept a cool and calm demeanor as she finished her bridal prep.
I could tell she was ready to walk down the aisle long before she and Michael shared a first touch together in the bridal prep suite but that moment made it clear just much this day meant to both the bride and groom as we made our way down to the ceremony site.
I've shot a lot of cool wedding ceremonies at non-traditional venues but, I have to be honest: Kelly and Michael's September morning ceremony at Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts is one of the only ones that has made me stop in the MIDDLE of shooting photos to take a moment to soak it all in.
After all, it's not often you're in the middle of a literal zoo to see a bride and groom say “I do” but that's exactly where we were on this lovely fall morning and I couldn't have asked for a better ceremony.
Whether it was watching Michael bite his lip while trying not to cry as Kelly walked down the aisle or the two got incredibly excited when they saw a deer pass by, this was one ceremony that even the beauty of Mother Nature in peak from couldn't upstage.
I mean, seriously. Look at these colors.
I don't think Kelly and Michael could have chosen a better day or a better place to tie the knot and you can see they both realized it as they held hands and officially became husband and wife.
With their wedding ceremony in the books, it was time for Kelly and Michael's formal photos and after a bit of time with their family members right next to the spot where they had just gotten married, it was time for Kelly, Michael and I to put together some memorable bride and groom portraits that captured their energy and essence.
The hardest part of this process, by far, was deciding WHERE to shoot Kelly and Michael's photos and while I could have spent hours with them at Southwick's Zoo, we agreed to keep things to three locations before heading to the reception hall: The main ceremony location, another popular spot in the park and the always beloved carousel.
I don't know which spot I liked the best but I do know I adore these photos and this couple.
Following Kelly and Michael's first round of formal photos (more on that later), it was time for me to capture all the little details that they no doubt spent a LOT of time putting together.
For a bride who was clearly well researched and knew exactly what she wanted, I was actually surprised by how traditional the details were for Kelly and Michael's reception. Everything the pair picked out for their sweetheart table, guest tables and decorations fit a nice and simple theme with lots of gold and red and I thought it all popped beautifully in a surprisingly nice ballroom area at the zoo.
Kelly and Michael weren't big on having a ton of formalities for their wedding reception but I'm thankful for the ones they did have as it was delightful to see them receive a warm welcome during their introduction and their first dance song, set to "Making Memories of Us" by Keith Urban, may well be my favorite part of their whole day.
Following their first dance, the only formality Kelly and Michael had was a cake cutting. It was a simple, easy afternoon ... just the way the newlyweds wanted.
Looking back on it, I think a big part of the reason Kelly and Michael chose not to have a ton of formalities at their reception was their eagerness to get to the dancing part of their big day.
I've seen a lot of Saturday morning/early afternoon weddings. Kelly and Michael's was unlike the majority of them because, sunshine or no sunshine, their friends and family members were here to party like it was nearly midnight.
Kelly and Michael's dance floor was packed from their first song to the final song but I just couldn't shake the nagging feeling that we didn't spend enough time in the zoo itself grabbing formal photos of the pair so, the moment I saw an opportunity to take them outside for a couple extra minutes of portraits, I jumped at it.
And I'm glad I did as these were some of my favorite photos of the two of them all day long.
My only concern with taking Kelly and Michael out for another brief round of formal photos was the possibility that their disappearance would give guests an excuse to dip out early from the reception. So you can imagine my relief when we walked back into the ballroom and the dance floor was STILL packed.
Kelly and Michael spent the rest of their wedding reception partying with friends and family members and having a blast and I loved that for them so much.
As my time with Kelly and Michael came to an end, it felt weird to be heading home while the sun was still shining bright but there's no part of me that felt these newlyweds missed out on anything by having an early wedding instead of a late one.
I can think of no greater complement for Kelly and Michael's big day and I know the newlyweds left their wedding feeling like everything was beyond perfect. So thank you Kelly and Michael for allowing me to share this journey with you and I wish you all the best as you begin this next chapter of your lives together as husband and wife. :)
-Paul J. Spetrini
