Wedding Photographer Limburg: On Wedding Safari at Gaia Zoo Kerkrade
The first full wedding day for me as a second photographer in training This day promised to be different. I felt it in the morning already, up in the bride's room. While Shirley captured the emotions, I listened to the stories. The deep friendship between the bride and her best friend had led us to be here today. Through that friendship, the bride gained a family in her life, with sisters who would all be present on her wedding day. It was a bonus that one of the sisters is a makeup artist and came to do the bridal makeup. And through that friendship, she had met her husband. It was inevitable that the best friend would also be a witness today.
While I photographed in the living room, capturing the moments of the gentlemen helping each other pin on the boutonnieres, Shirley was upstairs when the wedding dress was being buttoned up.
Getting married in Kerkrade: an exotic wedding ceremony in the African Lodge of Gaia Zoo
If you Google "wedding," you'll be a bit dizzy from all the possibilities. From understated and intimate to wedding extravaganzas abroad and true wedding events that last the entire weekend. This wedding had a bit of both: an exotic wedding ceremony in the African Lodge of Gaia Zoo. To the right, white rhinos lounged in the sand, to the left, pink flamingos splashed in shallow water, and in the middle, the bride and groom exchanged vows in the presence of their loved ones. The wooden hut with its draped beige curtains felt natural, secure, and warm. Just like the connection between the newlyweds, their family, and friends. They also chose Gaia Zoo because this wedding venue is accessible and accommodated the couple's modest wishes without fuss.
Taking a breather with a piece of cake and a glass of bubbly, and then wedding photos with the Giraffes
The real safari feeling was yet to come. The newlyweds took a moment to relax with a piece of cake and a glass of bubbly. After that, the couple got to feed the giraffes, and we, the photographers, got to join in! So close to these beautiful creatures that I could almost count the hairs of their long, beautiful eyelashes. After the romantic photo session of the couple among the visitors and the rest of the animal kingdom in the zoo, the train of the wedding dress was no longer so white.
Immediate wedding photos on a large screen at the start of the evening reception
While I rested and enjoyed the summer afternoon lying on a wooden bench, Shirley was busy selecting wedding photos of the day to project on the screen. "Ohhh" and "Ahhh" echoed through the room as the guests entered the banquet hall and saw the images on the big screen. The slideshow turned out to be the perfect backdrop for the festivities and the conga lines that followed.
Uncomplicated, that's how I would describe my first wedding as a second shooter. Not because everything went as I wanted, but because these lovely people were so hospitable.
FAQ Wedding
Why should I get married in a zoo? If you love the outdoors, wild animals, and nature, and you prefer a somewhat informal wedding, it's a super fun idea to get married in a zoo.
In which zoo in Limburg can you get married? Gaia Zoo in Kerkrade is an official wedding venue. In the courtyard of Gaia, you can have lunch, dinner, cut your wedding cake, use the outdoor terrace, and organize your celebration. Additionally, there are various beautiful spots overlooking, among other things, the flamingos, where you can organize your wedding ceremony.
Which animals can I take photos with if I get married in Gaia Zoo? If you choose Gaia Zoo as your wedding venue, you can feed the giraffes in the afternoon. You go to the edge of the enclosure with the caregivers and get to feed the animals up close. Your guests can watch from the terrace as you feed the giraffes.
At which animal enclosures can I have my wedding ceremony? You can get married with a view of the flamingos (covered but outdoors) and in the Sheeta Shelter (this is an indoor wedding venue at Gaia Zoo).
Can I really take photos among the animals? A photoshoot among the animals is not allowed. However, you can walk through the park and take wedding photos at various beautiful spots.
