A Tea Ceremony, Homemade Rings, and Parrots at Cocktail Hour (Yes, Really)
Here’s the thing about Michelle and Devin’s wedding—it was one of those celebrations where every single detail told their story. And when your story involves a shared love of animals, forging your own wedding rings, and having your best friends officiate? Well, you get a day that’s impossible to forget.
The Day Before: A Traditional Tea Ceremony
We started the wedding weekend at Le Bouillon in the Old Market for Michelle and Devin’s traditional Chinese tea ceremony. There’s something incredibly special about taking the time to honor the connection between generations in such a meaningful way. It set the perfect tone for everything that followed.
Getting The Wedding Day Started
When Michelle and Devin told me they were getting married at the Omaha Zoo, I may have gotten a little too excited… my own wedding was at the zoo’s aquarium, so this felt like coming full circle in the best way.
After getting ready and capturing all of their personal details, we kicked off the day with a first look near the elephant enclosure where they were able to share their private vows surrounded by beautiful tall grasses and trees. The genuine emotion? Chef’s kiss. Then we headed to the giraffes for portraits—Michelle’s favorite animal. Watching her light up in front of those beautiful creatures while wearing her wedding dress was absolutely everything.
A Ceremony That Made Everyone Cry (Including Me)
This ceremony was one of the most touching I’ve ever witnessed.
Picture this: a beautiful lawn with sunlight filtering through the trees, incredible florals setting the scene, and then the ceremony itself. Michelle and Devin had their two best friends officiate, both sets of parents gave speeches, passed their rings around to each guest to be “warmed” with well wishes and blessings, and shared vows that had everyone laughing, crying and beaming (including me).
Oh, and their rings? The couple had forged them together themselves and had them inscribed with special meaning. I had never met a couple that made their own wedding rings before. The symbolism of literally creating the symbols of their commitment together? Come on.
Cocktail Hour with Special Guests 🌹🦜🐢💕🍾
During cocktail hour, things moved to the Garden of the Senses, and this is where the day went from beautiful to unforgettable.
Imagine: roses everywhere, live music playing, passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails flowing, a beautiful chmapagne tower, and the best part… animals! Two parrots, a tortoise, and a porcupine joined the party. Guests could interact with and learn about each one, and honestly, as an animal lover myself, I was living my best life right alongside everyone else.
Blue Hour Magic
As the sun started to set at the end of cocktail hour, we captured some of my favorite images of the day around the fountain and rose garden during blue hour, then in front of the event center all lit up at dusk. There’s something about that soft, romantic light that just hits different.
A Reception That Brought the Energy
The reception was everything. Family-style dinner (which was incredible), speeches from all four of Michelle’s sisters and both of Devin’s best friends, parent dances, and then a choreographed first dance that had everyone cheering. Plus, I kept noticing all of the elevated touches they had woven in like illustrations of animals on their programs and seating cards and a ceramic cake topper they made themselves to look like them and their dog. (Even better, the cake was ice cream cake… obsessed.)
Once that dance floor opened? The energy was high. This was genuinely one of the most fun receptions I’ve photographed all year. You know it’s a good party when the photographer doesn’t want it to end.
Michelle and Devin, thank you for letting me be part of your incredible wedding weekend. From the tea ceremony to the last dance, every moment reflected exactly who you are as a couple—thoughtful, creative, fun, and deeply connected to the people (and animals!) you love.
Here’s to a lifetime of adventures together. 🦒💕
Planning a wedding that tells your unique story? Let’s chat about capturing all the moments—big, small, and wonderfully unexpected.
