Halle and Shawn’s Wedding at Stillwater Place at the Zoo

Before Halle and Shawn’s ceremony, I made a quick stop at Halle’s house to photograph a champagne pop with her and her bridesmaids. It was a fun and energetic way to kick off the day.

Halle and Shawn’s wedding ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Church in Chardon. This church is always a pleasure to photograph thanks to its open layout and beautiful natural light.

From start to finish, Halle and Shawn were all smiles throughout the ceremony. As they walked down the aisle as newlyweds, they surprised everyone with a dramatic dip and kiss, and I happened to be in the perfect spot to capture the moment.

The reception followed at Stillwater Place at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The zoo is such a unique reception venue and always creates a memorable experience for guests.

Halle and Shawn rode in a trolley that transported the wedding party to different locations around the zoo for photos. It was a fun and efficient way to move around the property. Their first stop was the giraffe exhibit, where they even had the chance to feed lettuce to the giraffes.

During cocktail hour, a zoo staff member introduced a porcupine to guests and shared an educational presentation while everyone watched and even fed the animal. It was a really cool and unexpected experience.

Stillwater Place itself is a beautiful venue. It is large and open and perfect for a packed dance floor. Halle and Shawn had energetic introductions, heartfelt speeches and a night full of dancing. They also staged a faux sparkler exit shortly before I left. Afterward, we spent about ten minutes capturing a few additional nighttime photos.

Overall, it was an incredible wedding filled with fun moments and unique experiences from start to finish.