There’s a lot to love about Marianne and Patrick’s Elmwood Park Zoo wedding, and it’s not just the giraffes!
It’s how from dress to details, their day was an extension of them. That personal, love-filled vibe shines in every photo. Just read what Marianne said when we asked her, “What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?”
“I think the biggest thing we’ve learned from one another is the importance of vulnerability. We’ve been able to get through a lot of struggle by just being open and honest with each other, and receiving that honesty with compassion and empathy.”
Beautiful, right?
When Marianne first went dress shopping, she was planning on an all-green wedding dress. Until her mom convinced her to try a white wedding dress and then incorporate green at Page Six…it’s haute. “When I tried on the gown I ended up choosing, what really stood out for me was the skirt—I loved the floral pattern on the sheer skirt, I thought it was such an interesting detail. Maureen, at the Page Six…it’s haute! boutique grabbed a green dress and held it under the skirt for me to show me what it would look like, and I loved it! It really made the floral pattern stand out and added just the touch of color I was looking for.”
wedding dress: customized Lea-Ann Belter Sofia gown via Page Six…it’s haute | photographer: Elaine Zebeley Photography | scroll down for full vendor list
Their choice of venue was personal, too. Marianne had grown up going to Elmwood Park Zoo, and the family continues to visit. Plus, who wouldn’t want to feed a giraffe? From there, Marianne and Patrick layered in all kinds of sweet, meaningful elements, including a cake topper featuring their kitties! “There were so many little details that reflected us as a couple. Our cake topper was a model of our cats, Henry and Pizza. We love trying new tea flavors, so we gave away samples of chai as our favors. Our guest book featured a vinyl record, to reflect our own vinyl collection and Pat’s love of searching through record stores. My mom created a display of childhood photos of us that hung behind our sweetheart table. Also our band, the West Philly Orchestra. Pat has been a fan of them for a while, and always thought they would be great for a wedding band. And they were phenomenal, playing for us throughout the whole day, including learning “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to play as our processional music. The Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie!”
Read more about Marianne and Patrick’s story and day from our lovely bride below:
How did the two of you meet?
“We matched on Hinge! It was late 2020, and we had our first meeting over Zoom. We talked and got to know each other for about two hours. Then, we had our first in-person date at an open-air restaurant in Philly along the water.”
How did you know each other was “the one”?
“Pat mentioned in his vows he knew for sure when he saw me holding our nephew, Charlie. For me, it was a collection of moments that made me realize I was totally comfortable being myself when I was around Pat and could be totally open and vulnerable to him without fear.”
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
“We made sure that we had photos of our grandparents that are no longer with us. Also, I had a penny in my shoe, which is a family tradition, and my mom wrapped the handkerchief around my bouquet that she carried on her wedding day.”
Tell us about your outfits! How did you choose your gown?
“Originally I wanted to wear an entirely green dress. Green is my favorite color, and I really liked the idea of being non-traditional. My mom convinced me to try on a white gown and figure out how we could incorporate green into the look. When I tried on the gown I ended up choosing, what really stood out for me was the skirt—I loved the floral pattern on the sheer skirt, I thought it was such an interesting detail. Maureen, at the Page Six…it’s haute! boutique actually grabbed a green dress and held it under the skirt for me to show me what it would look like and I loved it! It really made the floral pattern stand out and added just the touch of color I was looking for. Pat wanted to do a neutral suit (he settled on dark gray) and add purple accessories (purple is his favorite color). He found the paisley patterned tie and pocket square on Tie Bar and they were just the pizzazz he needed. The groom deserves to look special on the big day, too!”
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
“The Elmwood Park Zoo is in my hometown, Norristown, PA. My mom suggested it as an option, and lucky for us they had a Saturday in October available! I grew up going to that zoo, and my mom still takes our nieces and nephew there. It had sentimental value, as well as just being a really fun venue with unique options for our guests to enjoy, like giraffe feeding and getting to meet an armadillo!”
What was the funniest moment of your day?
“Definitely when our nephew Charlie ran up to his dad (Pat’s brother Shawn, also the best man) during his speech. Shawn picked him right up and rolled with it! Also, when the cake cutting began and all the kids at the reception just appeared out of nowhere and swarmed the cake table! I’m so glad we decided to have a kid-friendly wedding. Don’t get me wrong—a no-kids wedding is a totally valid and reasonable choice. But seeing all the joy from the little ones in our life with the animals, or on the carousel and the dance floor, was really special.”
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
“Definitely the ceremony and the vows. Pat and I worked with our officiant, Stephen Workman, to create a ceremony that felt really personal to us, reflected our values, and said what we wanted to say about our marriage and our future. We wrote our own vows and didn’t read them to each other beforehand, and hearing Pat’s words on that day is a memory I will always cherish.”
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
“Charleston, South Carolina! We spent a week there and had an amazing time eating great food and taking in all of the history and charm the city has to offer.”
Any tips for couples getting married?
“Making a physical timeline/schedule of what tasks needed to be completed and when, and being able to go through it and cross things off was so helpful for us as far as planning. And I think it’s important to remember two things when it starts to get stressful—make sure this day is about the two of you and a reflection of the things that you want (ignore trends and unsolicited opinions!), and that while it can be extremely anxiety inducing, at the end of it you’ll be married to your person, and nothing is more important than that.”
Marianne + Patrick’s Elmwood Park Zoo Wedding Vendors
wedding dress: customized Lea-Ann Belter Sofia gown via Page Six…it’s haute | photographer: Elaine Zebeley Photography | venue + catering: Elmwood Park Zoo | alterations: Sue’s Custom Dressmaking and Tailor Shop | wedding planner: Becky at the Elmwood Park Zoo | bridesmaid dresses: Christina Wu via Love it at Stella’s | menswear: Awareness by Kenneth Cole via Men’s Warehouse | groom’s tie and pocket square: The Tie Bar | hair + makeup: Jessica Lopez at Bella Persona Salon | florals: Something Borrowed Blooms | invitations: Minted | music: West Philly Orchestra | cake: Bredenbeck’s | favors: DIY–Tea was from Premium Steep | officiant: Stephen Workman of Journey’s of The Heart
