1. Real Weddings

A Nature-Inspired Wedding at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska

When trying to find a venue to host their wedding, Elizabeth Placek (33 and a cardiac nurse) and David Blumin (35 and an accountant) knew that they wa

When trying to find a venue to host their wedding, Elizabeth Placek (33 and a cardiac nurse) and David Blumin (35 and an accountant) knew that they wanted something a little outside-the-box. “We like vineyards, hotels, beaches and country clubs,” says Elizabeth, “but felt that they didn’t represent us well.” Playing off their love of nature and animals, the couple decided to host the event at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb. Not only was the venue totally unexpected and unique, the couple liked knowing that their money would be going towards conservation work. With the venue decided, all of the details fell effortlessly into place. Knowing that they would be exchanging vows outdoors in the zoo’s lush gardens, Elizabeth and David decided to keep the decor fairly simple to avoid detracting attention away from the setting’s natural beauty. To symbolize their union, the couple performed a tree-planting ceremony instead of lighting a unity candle, reflecting both their affinity towards the outdoors and the locale. Cocktail hour and reception were held inside the zoo’s aquarium, which provided endless entertainment for guests. Tables were set up throughout the facility to encourage everyone to explore the many exhibits and Elizabeth and David arranged for a number of animal encounters, having the zoo keepers bring out animals for guests to visit with and learn about, including a large tortoise, a hedgehog and a penguin. Bright colors inspired by the zoo’s gardens lit up the aquarium, while terrarium centerpieces introduced an organic feel to the space. “David and I wanted to create a wedding that truly represented us. It was less about making a ‘dream’ wedding and more about being true to ourselves,” says Elizabeth. “When we did this a great thing happened, our wedding became a dream come true.”

When choosing an engagement ring for Beth, David found an intricate, vintage-inspired setting with dainty diamonds decorating the band. Since the setting was made for a princess cut center stone, David decided to have the ring customized, knowing that Beth preferred the emerald shape. “The detail is so beautiful we decided to skip the wedding band for now,” says Beth.
For Beth and David, choosing their wedding day fashions was one of the easiest parts of the planning process. “We wanted the fashion to reflect the style of the wedding — traditional and elegant, while still feeling approachable and unfussy,” says Beth. She chose a classic A-line gown with a draped, strapless neckline and lace overlay for the day, accessorizing the look with a crystal and bead-embellished belt and bright green shoes.
Playing off the venue’s organic vibe, Beth and David chose a color palette of green, yellow and gray. The couple’s flower choices reflected not only the color palette, but the fresh, untamed feel of the setting. Beth’s bouquet was filled with oversized succulents, billy balls, ranunculuses, hypericum berries, green amaranth and eucalyptus.
For David’s wedding day look, he opted for a sophisticated three-piece gray suit pairing it with a pale green tie to play up the wedding’s natural, outdoor setting. “The green ties were probably the most difficult part of the entire wedding,” says Beth. “I knew the shade of green I wanted, but apparently green is not a popular color for ties. I searched high and low and ended up finding them at Sears. I'm glad I didn't settle on a different shade since the men looked so handsome and perfect!”
Gray Ring Bearer Suits
As guests made their entrance to the ceremony, they were greeted by a welcome table stocked with programs and whimsical ribbons wands to wave at the end of the ceremony after Beth and David exchanged vows. The couple opted to keep the ceremony “unplugged” and asked guests to refrain from using cell phones and cameras in order to keep the focus on the meaning of the moment.
Henry Doorly Zoo Outdoor Ceremony
For the ceremony, Beth and David kept the decor on the more minimal side, not wanting to detract from the beauty of the natural setting. A few floral arrangements were added to the wedding arch as a decorative touch, the cheerful yellow roses and lush green garlands introducing a pop of fresh color to the decor and tying in perfectly with the surroundings. As a nod to the setting, the couple opted to do a tree planting ceremony to symbolize their union instead of lighting a candle or performing a sand ceremony.
Traditional Stomping of the Glass
Playing off both the organic feel of the wedding’s setting, as well as the bridal party’s bouquets, Beth and David decided to skip the traditional floral arrangements, opting instead for terrarium centerpieces. Shallow glass bowls were filled with moss, pebbles, succulents, greenery and a few bright yellow blooms to introduce a fresh, organic note to each tabletop.
Instead of a full-blown wedding cake, Beth and David served up a selection of sweet treats and opted for a small, one-tier confection for the traditional cake cutting. As a nod to their Nebraska and California roots, the couple had Nebraska and California cake toppers made for the affair, each state boasting their first names, as well as the wedding date.
The cocktail hour and reception took place in the Henry Doorly Zoo’s aquarium. Beth and David set up cocktail tables throughout the aquarium to encourage guests to explore all of the different exhibits and arranged different animal encounters with a tortoise, hedgehog and penguin as a unique way to entertain their friends and family.