Lindsday & Jesse's Brookfield Zoo Wedding

Chicago Wedding Photographer

The sun was shining and the birds were singing, making it a perfect day for a wedding at Brookfield Zoo.  I showed up early to take another walk around the zoo.  If you have never been to Brookfield Zoo, just a few miles outside city limits, it is a great place for families and for weddings.  Working a wedding at Brookfield Zoo is a photographers dream because of the endless photo opportunities.

Lindsay arrived at the Brookfield Zoo Discovery Center to get ready for her big day.  She had spent the morning having hair and makeup done at a local salon, so it was time to put on her dress.  With the help of her mother and bridesmaids Lindsay was ready for the big reveal, meeting Jesse at the sit of their first look.

Jesse was patiently waiting for Lindsay's arrival.  Some grooms are nervous as they wait, but Jesse just wanted to see his beautiful bride.

These two were nothing but smiles as they saw each other for the first time.  Love and happiness oozed from these two!  Our next step was exploring the zoo and all of its incredible photo opportunities.  If felt like everywhere we turned, there was another great spot to capture the fun Lindsay and Jesse were having on their wedding day.

Of course we had to stop by the giraffes!

And the dolphins!

After we explored the zoo it was time for family portraits.  We met the family and bridal party just north of Roosevelt Fountain.

Then it was time for the ceremony!  Jesse was all smiles as his parents walked him up the aisle in front of family and friends on the south end of the Roosevelt Fountain at Brookfield Zoo.  Lindsay glowed as she took her father's arm to meet Jesse to say their vows.

One of Brookfield Zoo's resident peacocks decided to join in and celebrate with the happy couple.

Lindsay and Jesse exchanged vows with and had their hands bound as part of their commitment to spend their lives together.

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After the vows were exchanged they could hardly wait for their first kiss.

We all headed over to the Great Bear Wilderness Trail on the zoo's trams.  It was a quick ride, but fun for all of the guests.

The bears decided to show up as guests for Lindsay and Jesse's cocktail hour.

After cocktail hour, the guests made their way back to the Brookfield Zoo Discovery Center where they were greeted by a mariachi band.

The happy couple, Lindsay and Jesse, are big corn hole fans so they started their reception with a one on one game.

Lindsay, Jesse and their family were so fun to work; with constant smiles all day, it makes my job easy!

Wedding photographed with Carlos Ortiz Weddings.