Julia Testa Brings Elegance to a Central Park Zoo Wedding Featured in Vogue
We were honored to be part of a truly extraordinary wedding that took place in one of New York City’s most iconic and unexpected venues—the Central Park Zoo. Featured by Alexandra Macon in Vogue Weddings, "The Grooms Wore Armani, Tom Ford, Versace, and Balmain for Their Wedding in the Central Park Zoo", captured a wedding that was a stunning blend of high fashion, personal meaning, and the beauty of nature.
Fashion stylist Andrew Mukamal and registered nurse Connor Bailey chose the zoo as their venue because of its special place in their relationship. As Andrew shared with Vogue, “[From the start,] we knew we wanted to get married in New York. We were living there at the time and both of our families live on the East Coast in New York and Florida. We had visited the zoo in Central Park several times together—we both love animals—and spent countless hours enjoying the park together since the early days of our relationship.” The venue perfectly symbolized their shared love for animals and the city they called home.
Vogue described the enchanting scene, noting, "The couple was married on August 31, 2024, under a floral arch of white hydrangeas created by Julia Testa in front of the sea lion tank in the Central Park Zoo." This unique backdrop of exotic wildlife combined with the serenity of the zoo’s natural surroundings offered a remarkable and unforgettable setting for their special day.
The Ceremony: A Stunning Floral Arch in a Unique Setting
The ceremony took place in front of the zoo’s sea lion tank, which added a sense of whimsy and playfulness to the romantic moment. We took this opportunity to create a stunning floral arch made entirely of white hydrangeas, adding a touch of classic elegance to this unusual yet captivating venue. The arch served as a perfect focal point, contrasting beautifully with the zoo’s backdrop, while the aisle itself featured a running line of lush hydrangeas. The hydrangea runner was designed to be manicured and hedge-link, not detracting from the overall magic inherent in the venue.
This juxtaposition of the zoo’s wildlife with our elegant floral design made for a truly one-of-a-kind ceremony, where nature and luxury came together in a seamless blend of beauty.
The Reception: A Balance of Elegance, Candlelight, and Natural Beauty
The uniqueness of the venue carried over into the reception, where the space was carefully styled to complement the zoo’s surroundings. The reception was held under a canopy of stars and greenery, allowing the venue’s natural beauty to shine while soft candlelight and luxurious florals created an inviting and intimate atmosphere.
We focused on thoughtful floral arrangements that added dreamy sophistication without taking away from the guests’ ability to see and engage with one another. While basking in the candlelight and elegant floral arrangements, you wouldn’t know the flower count for the project was in the thousands. Featuring 2500 roses, 2000 tulips, 1500 calla lilies, and 1000 dahlia, the blooms were arranged strategically in 250 vases down the center of the table – all artfully complemented lines of candles.
The sweetheart table was elegantly draped with hydrangeas, roses, and orchids, illuminated by candlelight for a romantic glow. The bar arrangement and reception table centerpieces followed the same theme, incorporating soft florals that enhanced the evening's ambiance.
This harmonious mix of lighting, scenery, and flowers transformed the zoo’s enchanting environment into a sophisticated wedding reception, where every detail—both natural and curated—played its part in creating an unforgettable experience.
A Wedding Like No Other
The Central Park Zoo provided the perfect blend of natural wonder and romantic sophistication, and our team was proud to have been a part of it. From the hydrangea arch set against the sea lion tank to the elegant reception florals, we brought the couple's vision to life, adding a touch of classic elegance to this wonderfully unique setting. It was a true honor to see our work featured in Vogue alongside such a magical wedding.
The Vendor Dream Team:
💻Planning: Morton Street Events @mortonstreet_events
🐒Venue: Central Park Zoo @nyzooevents
🪑Rentals: Luxe Event Rentals and Something Different Party Rental @luxeeventrental @sdpr_rentals
📸Photography: Loreto Caceres Photography @loreto_caceres_photography
🎥Videography: Kiss the Bride Films @kissthebridefilms
🌹Florals: Julia Testa @jtesta_designs
💡Lighting: Frost Productions @frostproductionsnyc
🎪Draping: Quest Events @tinamamdesign @quest_events
🕺Dancefloor: Stamford Tent & Event Services @stamford_tent
🪩Photobooth: The Majestic Photobooth Co. @majesticbooths
💋Grooming: Michael Serapiglia for Bisou Beauty Team @bisoubeautyteam
🎶Music: DJ Lisie with Jarrell Entertainment @jarrellentertainment
🍴Catering: Abigail Kirsch @abigailkirschculinary
🎂Cake: Rebecca Gargiulo, Culinary Director at Librae Bakery
💌Stationery: Print Icon @printiconnyc
If you’re looking to create unforgettable florals for a wedding or event that’s as unique as your story, our team at Julia Testa is here to help. Whether your venue is a classic ballroom or an exotic zoo – or a million big dreams in-between, we’ll work with you to bring your vision to life.