View rehearsal dinner photos here.

Special thanks to my 2nd shooter Michelle for coming into town from Tucson to help me out! Some of these images are hers.

The morning of this wedding, I was driving around town, running errands and all, and heard that there was an expected high of 102 degrees. Ugh. Very different from the hints of fall in SoCal.

A unique Zoo wedding is pretty much the only thing I will brave 102 degrees in Sept for.

We started the wedding day with a bridal presentation.

I LOVE when couples see each other before the ceremony. Every couple needs to discuss and make their own decision about this because it is very personal.
But I LOVE it. For many reasons.

1. Because it usually allows more time for portraits
2. Because for night weddings it allows better light for portraits.
3. Because then I don’t have to cut into party/reception time for photos. That’s not fun for anyone and usually gets rushed portraits.
4. Most importantly (for me), it allows the couple pretty much the only ‘alone’ time of the day. In my experience, it is much more memorable and intimate to see each other for the first time in a planned and private way than it is to see each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle.

And that is exactly what I got with Matt and Abriel.

Check out Abriel’s FANTASTIC dress … love love love.

We did the bridal presentation, and then they had rented the ‘Safari Train’ to shuttle the wedding party and family all around the zoo (we were there after hours) for photos before the ceremony.

All over the park …

Ok, I know you can’t actually see Matt’s face in this one … but I love it anyway.

ahhh. ….sisters.

This zebra was pretty much the only cooperative zoo animal who could be in photos … and even he was questionable …

Check back in a couple days for ceremony images.