Zookeeper’s Recycled DIY Wedding by Teresa K Photography

DIY
Summer

A recycled, DIY wedding in Sacramento, CA

Chelsea and John’s July wedding at the Sacramento Grand Ballroom portrayed their personalities perfectly: John’s the conservative research scientist, and Chelsea’s the passionate zookeeper with a bit of a wild streak! Her job at the Oakland Zoo and a deep love for animals shines through in every DIY and recycled detail, not to mention the four-legged member of the bridal party. The bride’s brother carved wood blocks and then hand stamped the invitation suite. The place cards, seating chart, reserved signs and table signs were all hand lettered. The board for the seating chart was recovered from the side of a road. Chelsea’s father hand cut all of the letters for the various signs. All of the paper was banana paper, which is paper manufactured from the plant waste produced during banana production.

Chelsea hand drew animals with markers on sheets from Goodwill (the borders were painted with sumi ink) for all of the tables. The photo booth back drop was a sheet from Goodwill with animal masks for the guests. Photo booth images were taken with the Polaroid 300, and the guest book was a journal found on Etsy. Recycled sticks and the material for the newspaper flowers were all collected from the zoo. After the wedding they were returned to the zoo (the chimps and squirrel monkeys had a blast with them)! Chelsea’s brother made the place cards, which doubled as favors: rosemary and mint-scented soaps. The bride and her stepmom made the cake with layers of Ghirardelli brownies and store bought frosting, while cookies, tartlets and fudge were made by a family friend.

Chelsea and her grandfather grew some of the flowers to use in the bouquets and boutonnieres, and the table arrangements were flowers purchased at the farmers’ market, and the foliage arrangements were from plants cut at the zoo. All in all, Chelsea and John had a spectacularly personal wedding thanks to the creativity and support of family and friends, and Teresa K photography captured every moment!