That’s right, folks. Taylor and Jeff got married in a deer forest. A dang deer forest. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t squealed and then immediately told Brent I wanted to shoot this wedding when I got the inquiry email from Taylor. I mean, who wouldn’t want to photograph a wedding ceremony at sunset in a forest full of tame deer? I didn’t even know such a thing existed in New England, but apparently it does at Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon, MA.

And it was truly just as magical as you would think. The forest was full of filtered golden light as Taylor and Jeff said their promises to one another in front of their friends and family (and some curious deer who meandered by). We got to take portraits with the deer afterward and I lost my damn mind  – because deer – just frolicking everywhere.

But honestly, more even than the magic of a forest teeming with deer or photographing Taylor and Jeff looking like they just stepped into a real-life Disney movie, what made this wedding so special was how thoughtful Taylor and Jeff were about crafting a celebration that was full of meaning. Jeff is a talented artist and he designed their gorgeous invite suite. They DIYed a lot of their reception décor. Taylor wore her mother’s wedding gown and had it restyled. Her brothers were her attendants, and one of them even performed the ceremony. They also chose to have an intimate wedding and share the day with only those closest to them, and it made the whole thing feel extra cozy.

Then there’s the way Taylor and Jeff just….are together. You can tell that they are just so utterly comfortable with one another – that they support each other and love each other deeply. Taylor and Jeff – it was a pleasure to be there.

And thank you Jess Nadolski for being a boss second shooter and getting just as excited about petting deer as I was.

Jonsi – We Bought a Zoo