The Davidson-Lenz Calgary Zoo Wedding Photos

Their Ceremony at the Calgary Zoo Conservatory

We met up with Megan and Justin just before their ceremony at the Calgary Zoo. Everything was set up and ready to go in a little grassy knoll by the Enmax Conservatory. The venue is beautiful, with a sprawling green lawn, a wooden lattice backdrop, and lush foliage all around. As people were getting ready, one of the local peacocks wandered in and mingled with the guests. His appearance was great for photographs and an exciting way to kick off the ceremony!

Even though Calgary has been rainy of late, the stormy weather was holding off for the day. Down the aisle came Megan, looking stunning. Justin shed a few tears, which was something Megan was secretly looking for! The service began, led by their friend Stephanie, who was joined by Susan from Wedding Ceremonies by All Seasons. Stephanie did a fantastic job, reading a beautiful poem and leading an excellent service! Megan and Justin followed their vows with a box ceremony, in which they sealed good tidings from guests. On their fifth anniversary, they will open the box, and read the notes! They found the box in their neighbourhood in Brooklyn, New York, before restoring and repurposing it for their wedding. Once the guests had all contributed, the happy couple pulled out a power drill and sealed the box. They then finished the ceremony by signing their documents. The peacock returned to offer his congratulations.

The Creative Formals in the Conservatory Gardens

After Megan and Justin were pronounced husband and wife, the guests were ushered in for the cocktail hour, and we grabbed the family for photos. About halfway into the shots, the heavens opened, and the rains came. The group popped inside to wait it out, and grabbed some of the tasty hors-d’oeuvres on their way to cocktail hour.

Within ten minutes the deluge had come to a halt, so we headed back outside. Justin wanted a photo of the coordinating socks he’d gifted the men in the family. So, he, his two brothers, his father, and his new father-in-law, lined up in a row to show off their whimsical Gnome socks.

We wrapped up family photos and moved into the creative formals. The wedding party was made up of Megan’s sister and Justin’s three siblings, making them an incredibly fun and close-knit group to work with. Beginning in a green space next to the Enmax Conservatory, we wandered along the sun-dappled pathways of the Zoo’s lush gardens. The grounds were an absolute pleasure to explore. There are many beautiful locations around the conservatory, including the flamingo enclosure, whose bright pink birds brought out the matching pinks in Megan’s bouquet! The newlyweds then climbed into the big red chair and shared a kiss.

For a little more drama, we headed into the atrium, whose lofty glass ceilings and steep angles made for a stunning backdrop. The final shots were in front of a wacky tube man, whose arms swung in the wind. Megan and Justin both laughed and shared a kiss in front of the goofy air dancer, a testament to their great sense of humour and fun-loving attitude.

Their Wedding Reception in the Calgary Zoo Conservatory

The newlyweds kicked off their reception with their first dance, setting the tone for a fun-filled evening. Dinner followed right away, with a delicious array of salads, gnocchi, tender beef, mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies. Dessert was a pyramid of chocolate and vanilla mousse, each with a rosette of solid chocolate and plated on raspberry puree.

Throughout the dinner, several members of the family stood up for their speeches. Justin’s Dad spoke of how easy his son was throughout life, not only as a child but as a man who faces decisions and transitions in his life with ease. Megan’s Dad spoke of the alter-ego she used as a child to perform ballet for visitors, and of how proud he is to have watched her grow from that little girl into the person she is today. The speeches were heartfelt and entertaining, and it was plain to see that this family is a close one. The best man and groom’s brother, Ryan, spoke of how loyal and kind Justin is, and admitted how honoured he was to be a part of his brother’s wedding. The maid of honour, Devon, Megan’s sister, noted how brave it was for Justin to fly from the States to Calgary for Christmas to meet everyone!

After speeches, to weave in a bit of Justin’s Jewish heritage, the couple was hoisted above the crowd in chairs for the Hora. The high-energy evening continued to music by Megan’s friend and DJ Adam with Outright Entertainment, who also served as the emcee. The guests were having a blast, and we left them to dance the night away.

We had a beautiful day with Megan and Justin. They are such a kind and easy-going couple, and we hope they love their images! Congratulations!

Online Gallery

An online gallery of all their images is available for the next 90 days. From the online gallery you are able to favourite images, order prints and share the gallery with your family and friends. The gallery can be accessed via the link below and you can contact the couple directly for their secure password.

The Davidson-Lenz Wedding Day Slideshow

Above you will find the Wedding Slideshow that we created from a selection of the best edited photos that we captured on their special day.

Additional Blog Posts for Megan and Justin

In addition to their incredible wedding day celebration, they also have other blog posts you can enjoy. Click the links below to check out those posts.

We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share this special day with them and all their family and friends. We wish them many years of happiness together.

Want to share in the experience? Contact us today for a free consultation or click here to book a portrait session! We also have a wickedly fun Calgary Photo Booth that is great for any event as well as Corporate and Event Photography for all sorts of events and corporate functions.

Calgary Wedding Photographers – JM Photography © 2018

The Davidson-Lenz Wedding Credits

Date | 6.30.18
Officiant – Susan Haglund with Wedding Ceremonies by All Seasons
Ceremony Location – The Calgary Zoo @thecalgaryzoo
Reception Venue – The Calgary Zoo
Planner – Jennifer Froehlich
Florist – Lissa Boyd
Wedding Ceremony Music – Jason Delaney
DJ – DJ Adam Leavens with Outright Entertainment
Photography by Jeremy Martel & Dan MacDonald

Learn more about our studio

JM Photography offers Calgary brides the very best in wedding photography! Our unique style and best in class experience is one of a kind. Each wedding is treated with the greatest of care and creativity, resulting in breathtaking imagery. We also offer Calgary newborn photography, capture maternity sessions as well as family portraits.

We are one of the top studios in Western Canada, servicing the Calgary area, including but not limited to, Canmore, Banff, Cochrane, Chestermere, Airdrie, Lethbridge, and Red Deer. We also offer coverage in Edmonton, Vancouver and to destinations worldwide.