A DIY Wedding at the Zoo With Animals Galore!

Kaylee and Maya married at Florida‘s Brevard Zoo's event space Nyami Nyami River Lodge and their seamlessly merged the venue space with the foliage surrounding the zoo in a beautiful woodland-themed wedding that the brides DIY‘d themselves.

So many aspects of their wedding were imbued with personal stories and sentiment, including the unique termite-patterned wood found in their parents’ yard, and the wine favors made by Kaylee’s dad. Even the rugby ball “garter” toss, because they both play rugby.

Of course, getting married at a zoo does have its perks, as rhinoceroses made an unexpected appearance in the background of their ceremony, and animal handlers brought furry and feathered friends to their cocktail hour to safely interact with guests. “Animal wellness is the most important thing we do here at Brevard Zoo. The animals that participate at any of our events are only our ambassador animals, animals which have been handled and introduced to different people since they were born or very young,” a rep from the zoo tells us. “None of our animals are forced to participate in any activity if they don’t want to so we never guarantee a particular animal because it is up to them to participate.”

But even though they had wildlife surrounding them, it was their pup Arya who grabbed everyone's attention in her little dog dress.