Harry Potter Meets Pride Wedding at Chester Zoo

June 16, 2026 In blog Chester Zoo
Giraffes wander past the lodge as Marc and Dom watch on the wedding morning at The Reserve.

When Marc and Dom discovered they could get married at Chester Zoo, it felt like a fairy tale. Friends started sharing links to the zoo’s new venue, The Square, in 2022, but when they visited for a wedding fair in June 2023, they walked past The Square and fell in love with The Oakfield instead. The Victorian mansion is the historic heart of the zoo, where founder George Mottershead built his vision of “a zoo without bars.”

For Dom, a veterinary nurse, and Marc, who has childhood memories of the zoo, it was the perfect fit. With a shared love of Harry Potter, a deep commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and a desire to support conservation, the zoo became the story of their day.

How We Met at the Gay Wedding Show in Manchester

I first met Marc and Dom at the Gay Wedding Show in Manchester in 2024. They were looking for a photographer who could capture raw, natural moments and genuine emotion, not posed shots.

After the show, we had a video call and everything clicked. The conversation flowed, it felt relaxed, and from that point they knew I understood their vibe. They said booking me was an easy decision and one they were glad they made.

They also told me afterwards that guests had commented on how relaxed and unobtrusive the photography felt, which was lovely to hear. I also loved working again with Matt Hydes, the DJ, who I’d recommended and who kept the dance floor going with exactly the right mix of music.

Prep at The Reserve

My day started at the newly built Reserve, where Marc and Dom got ready in a lodge facing the giraffe enclosure. On the wedding morning, the giraffes made a few appearances, which made for a pretty magical start to the day.

Marc finishes writing his wedding speech at the lodge table during prep at The Reserve, Chester Zoo.
One of the grooms is handed his shirt by a friend during morning prep at The Reserve.
Putting on shoes before the ceremony during prep at The Reserve lodge.
Dom fastens his cufflinks with a hand from a friend while getting ready.
Dom has his tie sorted as he gets ready at The Reserve.
Marc adjusts his jacket in the mirror, ready for the day ahead.
Dom steps out of the lodge at The Reserve, Chester Zoo's on-site accommodation, with Marc in the doorway behind.
Dom reads a card on the lodge balcony during prep at The Reserve.

Ceremony at The Oakfield

The Oakfield at Chester Zoo, the restored Victorian mansion where Marc and Dom held their wedding.

After prep, we headed to The Oakfield for the ceremony. Marc waited at the front with the best men, while Dom was walked down the aisle by his mum, following his two sisters as groomsmaids.

Dom thought he’d be nervous but ended up enjoying it, even cracking a few small jokes to keep calm. They wrote their own vows and each included the Harry Potter line “Always”.

  • Dom’s entrance: Harry Potter theme tune
  • Signing the register: acoustic versions of “Simply the Best”, “Kiss the Boy”, and “Born This Way”
  • Exit as Mr & Mr: “Proud” by Heather Small

It wasn’t about making a statement for the sake of it. It was about quietly honouring what Pride means to us personally: visibility, love without compromise, and the freedom to celebrate our relationship openly.

Marc waits at the front of the ceremony room at The Oakfield with a best man.
Marc smiles as Dom arrives for the ceremony at The Oakfield.
Dom walks in on his mum's arm for the ceremony at The Oakfield.
Marc and Dom together at the front with Dom's mum as the ceremony begins.
Marc and Dom share a look during their ceremony at The Oakfield.
A funny, emotional moment between Marc and Dom during the ceremony.
Marc, Dom and Dom's mum share a laugh during the ceremony.
Dom smiles across at Marc during the ceremony at The Oakfield.
Marc during the vows at The Oakfield, Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom celebrate at the end of their ceremony.
Guests wave Pride flags instead of confetti as Marc and Dom celebrate at The Oakfield.

A Confetti Shot, Chester Zoo Style

After the ceremony, Marc and Dom wanted a confetti shot, but Chester Zoo doesn’t allow confetti. They first considered bubbles, then decided on Pride flags instead. Guests waved them as the grooms walked back down the aisle as Mr & Mr, and again for their confetti moment, which felt personal, joyful, and completely in keeping with the day.

Marc and Dom walk through a guard of Pride flags outside at Chester Zoo.
Marc hugs a guest during the drinks reception.
A guest embraces Marc during the congratulations after the ceremony.
Guests laugh over one of the couple's "Wanted Witch" posters at the drinks reception.

Portraits Around Chester Zoo

During the drinks reception, we took a quick walk around the zoo for some relaxed portraits. We stopped by the penguins and flamingos, keeping it short since the whole group was heading off on a ranger tour soon after.

Marc and Dom walk the boardwalk past the flamingos at Chester Zoo.
A flock of flamingos frames Marc and Dom during their portraits at Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom pause by a painted enclosure sign on their walk around Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom watch a penguin swim past the glass during portraits at Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom hand in hand in front of the penguin pool at Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom walk hand in hand through the grounds at Chester Zoo.

The Ranger Tour and the Black Rhino

Instead of traditional wedding favours, Marc and Dom gave their guests something far more memorable: a guided ranger tour. Guests spent around an hour seeing chimpanzees, jaguars, rhinos, and more, while the rangers shared fascinating insights along the way.

We did a lot of walking that day, probably my highest step count for a wedding, but it was absolutely worth it. We met some of Dom and Marc’s favourite animals, including the black rhino, which was a genuine must for Dom.

He’d have been a happy groom just with that.

A Chester Zoo ranger leads the guided tour the couple gave their guests in place of favours.
Wedding guests gather for a private ranger tour at Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom watch a chimpanzee on the ranger tour at Chester Zoo.
A chimpanzee at Chester Zoo, seen on the ranger tour.
A chimpanzee in the spring sunshine at Chester Zoo.
An okapi at Chester Zoo, spotted during the ranger tour.
Dom photographs a jaguar through the glass, with Marc, on the ranger tour.
A jaguar on the move at Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom watch a greater one-horned rhino on the ranger tour at Chester Zoo.
A greater one-horned rhino at the feeder at Chester Zoo.
Dom is moved at the Eastern black rhino habitat, the animal he most wanted to see, with Marc beside him.

Harry Potter Details

Personalisation was at the heart of the wedding, and Harry Potter ran through the whole celebration in a way that felt fun, thoughtful, and very much them. They also brought in touches of Fantastic Beasts to tie everything back to the zoo setting.

Each table had a Harry Potter Lego “Sorting Ceremony” set for guests to build and take part in, and every single one was opened and used. They also created “Wanted Witch/Wizard” posters for each table, featuring guests in funny or slightly embarrassing photos, which turned into a real talking point during the meal.

Table names

  • Niffler
  • Grindylow
  • Bowtruckle
  • House-elf
  • Werewolf
  • Hippogriff
  • Thestral
  • Basilisk
  • Phoenix

Incorporating Pride was just as important, but in a way that felt genuine rather than tokenistic. Marc created a floral arrangement with six vases of individual-coloured flowers to represent the Pride flag, alongside matching buttonholes and bouquets.

The Bowtruckle card, one of the couple's Harry Potter table names at The Oakfield.
Harry Potter Lego sets used as decorations on the wedding tables.
One of the "Wanted Wizard" posters featuring a guest, beside a Harry Potter Lego set.
The Niffler table name card on a set table, with Harry Potter Lego and a Wanted poster.
The Hippogriff table name card at The Oakfield.

The Cake

The cake was easily one of the biggest talking points of the day, and honestly one of the most intricate wedding cakes I’ve ever seen. Gerry, their cake maker, kept the design a complete secret until the wedding morning, which made the reveal even better.

  • A Hogwarts acceptance letter and Hogwarts Express train ticket
  • A Niffler and a Thunderbird appearing to hold up the top tier
  • A rainbow sponge layer on the bottom tier
  • Their two dogs as the cake topper, Jacob with the Sorting Hat and Monty with the Elder Wand

They had also considered serving the cake themselves, thinking it would be a great chance to chat with their evening guests and make that part of the day feel even more personal.

Marc and Dom's three-tier Harry Potter wedding cake at The Oakfield, with cascading edible books and a rainbow layer.
Cake detail: a Niffler and edible Harry Potter books cascading down the tiers.
The cake topper: the couple's two dogs, one wearing a Sorting Hat.

Suits, Speeches and the Rest of the Day

The original plan had been a tweed, 1930s-inspired look with a bit of Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore energy, but their tailor suggested flannel instead, which turned out to be the right call. Marc wore navy, Dom wore stone, and the lighter fabric worked perfectly for one of the hottest days of the year so far.

The wedding breakfast menu included parsley and lovage soup with ham hock tortellini, Cheshire chicken with bacon and mash, and treacle tart for dessert. Speeches were kept sincere and relaxed, with a joint speech that reflected their story, their guests, and the people who had supported them along the way.

Guests build one of the Harry Potter Lego sorting sets during the wedding breakfast.
One of the grooms' fathers having fun with the Harry Potter photo booth props.
Dom delivers the couple's joint speech while Marc laughs beside him.
Marc cheers during the couple's joint speech at The Oakfield.
A light moment during the speeches at The Oakfield.
Dom and Marc during their joint speech.
Marc shares an emotional embrace with Dom's dad during the speeches.
Marc and Dom walk hand in hand through a sparkler send-off in the evening light at The Oakfield.

One More Animal Encounter

Before the first dance, Marc and Dom wanted one more animal encounter and hoped we might spot the red pandas and snow leopards, both of which are near the venue. We had success with the red pandas, but the snow leopards kept their distance.

A red panda comes close as Marc and Dom look on from the railing at Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom watch a red panda before the first dance at Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom look out over the snow leopard enclosure at Chester Zoo.
A snow leopard keeps its distance at Chester Zoo.
Marc and Dom cut their Harry Potter wedding cake at The Oakfield.
The rainbow sponge is revealed as Marc and Dom cut the first slice.
Marc and Dom feed each other a piece of cake.

First Dance

For their first dance, Marc and Dom chose “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman. It was a song that reflected their journey together, especially the feeling that their timing had taken a while to line up before everything finally fell into place.

Six years later, it truly feels like we’ve rewritten our future.

Marc and Dom take to the floor for their first dance as guests cheer at The Oakfield.
Marc and Dom during their first dance at The Oakfield.
Marc and Dom share their first dance.
Dom on the dance floor as the evening party gets going.
Dom celebrates with glow sticks on the dance floor.
Marc and Dom laughing together on the dance floor.
Dom dances with guests as the DJ keeps the floor going.
Dom cheering with a glow stick at the evening party.
Guests enjoy the glow sticks on the dance floor at The Oakfield.
Guests fighting Dom with glow sticks on the dance floor.
Marc, Dom and friends down a round of shots at the bar.
The grooms and their friends raise a toast at the bar.
Marc and Dom serve cake to their evening guests at The Oakfield.

Why Chester Zoo Meant So Much

Marc and Dom’s wedding took place at The Oakfield at Chester Zoo, a beautifully restored Victorian mansion at the historic heart of the zoo. The Oakfield was the part of the zoo that felt most personal to them and suited the atmosphere they wanted for the day.

With Dom working as a veterinary nurse, Marc’s childhood connection to the zoo, and the fact that the venue supports Chester Zoo’s wider conservation work, it felt meaningful on more than one level. It was a wedding that felt personal from start to finish.

Thinking of Getting Married at Chester Zoo?

If you’re planning a wedding at Chester Zoo or another unique venue and want documentary-style photography that captures real moments, emotion, and the full story of your day, I’d love to hear from you.

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