Mark & Michelle // Santa Barbara Zoo wedding photographers

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Hilton Waterfront Resort Weddin Santa Barbara 0035

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR WEDDING?  //  We really just wanted to have FUN! We chose things that we enjoyed and that represented us. We didn’t want anything traditional or boring, just relaxed and easygoing. We liked the idea of a sunny Sunday afternoon garden vibe, with bright flowers, mason jars, and of course zoo animals. We picked the zoo because we had our first 3 dates at 3 different zoos. The Santa Barbara Zoo was one that Mark visited often as a kid, so it was a special place for him.

WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE/FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY?  //  Having our wedding at the Santa Barbara Zoo was definitely memorable in itself. How often do you get to have the zoo to yourself and feed giraffes?  But I think we both agree that the ceremony was most memorable. My Uncle Brian officiated our wedding with such emotion and love that it really made it personal and unforgettable.

WHY WAS PHOTOGRAPHY IMPORTANT TO YOU & WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SUN & SPARROW?  //  For us, everything was about having fun and being easygoing. We didn’t want traditional photos, because that’s not who we are. We knew it would be a challenge to find a team that we could be ourselves with and that would help capture those quirky moments. When we found the Sun and Sparrow site, we were amazed by the photos and excited by the idea that we too could have a mini video. But once we actually had our engagement session, we knew that we had made the right choice.

DID YOU DO ANY DIY PROJECTS? IF SO, WHAT?  //   We did a bunch of DIY projects!!    http://pinterest.com/sunandsparrow/mark-michelle-51213-sun-sparrow/

1. Mark homemade wine as wedding favors for all our guests, complete with homemade crafty labels. I made redneck wine glasses to go with the wine as well. To complete the favors we made gift bags with a mason jar stamp that tied in with our redneck/backyard wedding theme.

2. We also spray-painted all the plastic zoo animals silver that we used as table decorations.

3. We made redneck tea light votives to decorate the tables as well.

4. We painted wood letters and a heart to make our M ♥ M sign that we strung on twine and had hung from the Bride and Groom chairs at our reception.

5. I saw a corn toss game pinned on Pinterest, when I looked it up it cost about $250.00 to purchase. Luckily my uncle BJ is a contractor and was able to build us a corn toss set using materials he already had. I ordered the Mr and Mrs silhouette decals on Etsy and painted them gray to match our theme. Topped them off with some twine bows and corn toss bags also ordered on Etsy and we were good to go.

6. To keep the game theme going we also saw an oversized wedding Jenga on Etsy that we thought was really neat. We enlisted a third uncle, Colby,  to construct the oversize Jenga and had guests sign the pieces while they played the game to “Help build memories”. Now we not only have a game to play with friends and family, but we can also reminisce about our wedding.

7. Colby’s Mom is an amazing artist and was kind enough to hand draw our guest tree complete with our dog Indie. She also painted the animal canvas that we used as a backdrop for photos.

WHAT WAS YOUR SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED, BLUE?  //  My something old and borrowed was the gorgeous crystal bracelet I wore. It was the same bracelet my aunt wore when she got married.  //  My something blue was my shoes.  //  My something new was my dress!

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR BRIDES WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PLANNING PROCESS?  //   It can get really stressful towards the end. You are always going to want to keep adding, buying, crafting, and so on. But eventually, you run out of time and you need to enjoy what you were able to accomplish and know that less is MORE! Chances are there is so much going on that most of your guests won’t have time to take it all in any way. I didn’t even get to enjoy the little touches that I was so obsessed with until I saw the wedding photos.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING MARRIED NOW?  //  No longer having to plan our wedding! Now we have more time to relax and enjoy each other. ©2013 Sun & Sparrow Photography // Santa Barbara Zoo wedding photographers

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  • TiffaniJuly 12, 2013 - 12:59 pm

    I love your wedding! It’s the best!ReplyCancel

  • Trent GrovesJuly 12, 2013 - 2:02 pm

    The video was incredible….even though I wasn’t there, I could tell that you two had a great wedding and couldn’t be happier for you. Great job and here’s to many years of marital bliss!ReplyCancel

  • JackyJuly 12, 2013 - 2:46 pm

    Great pictures and video! Michelle you looked so happy and beautiful! So happy for you!ReplyCancel

  • MelJuly 12, 2013 - 7:12 pm

    Such beautiful memories… the pics and video really capture what a wonderful event it was. Love you guys.ReplyCancel

  • AmandaJuly 12, 2013 - 7:30 pm

    I’m so sad John and I couldn’t be there! It looks so beautiful and like it was so much fun! Beautiful bride, beautiful day, lovely couple. Best to you both!ReplyCancel

  • EllenJuly 12, 2013 - 9:56 pm

    What a wonderful wedding and fabulous pictures!! I cant wipe the smile off my face!! Congratulations, you two!ReplyCancel

  • SashaJuly 14, 2013 - 10:12 pm

    Seriously most amazing wedding and wedding video ever! Everything looks so amazing and michelle you look gorgeous! Wish I could have been there!ReplyCancel

  • ChristinJuly 15, 2013 - 2:59 pm

    Aw, Michelle!!! This is so absolutely gorgeous. I’m so very happy for you guys and wish we could’ve been there! What a perfect wedding (and excellent photography and video, too!!) 🙂ReplyCancel

  • DJ KamayoJuly 30, 2016 - 2:53 pm

    incredible photos!ReplyCancel