Lions, and Tigers, and zombies, oh my! When darling young-at-heart and so-in-love Sylva and Lujia decided to throw themselves a big bash of a block party wedding, they knew it would be a strange and wonderful mix of tradition, non-tradition, culture, and wildness. They wanted to have a fun-filled day where their awesomely talented guests could contribute to make it a team effort for all involved. With the old LA zoo as the ceremony site, these two planned a menagerie-inspired outdoor ceremony in which a tandem bike played a huge and messy role, with friends contributing amazing handcrafted wonderment in such awesome ways, from a custom giant rice krispie cake shaped like the Great Wall, to the menagerie coloring book as wedding program to doing all the florals, hair, makeup, and all manner of fabulousness themselves. There were Chinese lion dancers, there were mariachis, there was pizza being slung from a firetruck. Even zombies couldn’t get them down. Being a Los Angeles Wedding Photographer, we see a lot of festive and creative weddings, but this one really takes the cake. Read on to hear more about this wild adventure!
























So, I’m sure you’re wondering about the zombies. Sylva and Lujia have a legit right to claim that zombies ate their wedding. Well, that original ceremony site at the old LA zoo? Turns out that it was somehow double-booked for the Great LA Horror Campout. Complete with fake blood and guts EVERYWHERE that day. You can imagine the surprise and dismay of all parties when they went over to the site less than 24 hours in advance to plan for the decor. But despite the zombies, despite the wrench thrown in, everyone somehow rallied and we hunted to find a spot tucked away just a bit further down the road, a dreamy little grove with giant oak boughs above it, and we made it work. Now I can’t imagine having held the ceremony anywhere but there!
Along a red carpet lined with a gazillion little paper hearts, one talented bridesmaid whisked us into a dreamland singing Nine Million Bicycles in Beijing as the processional commenced. That Chuppah at the head of the aisle and all the flouncy magic around it? All DIYed by their talented cousin and team. I can’t decide if my favorite part of the ceremony was when they got down and dirty and put the wheels on a tandem bicycle (instead of the blending of the wines/sands… clever, no?), or when they had their moms each say a few words and there were all the tears and feels. Oh, my heart. Also, take note of the custom illustrated coloring book as wedding program (by a talented bridesmaid who also illustrated all the stationery of the day). When these two lovebirds literally skipped down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, my heart almost gave out. So much love surrounded by balloons and streamers and all manner of delights. Their friends squaded hard going to the LA flower market to craft the bouquets and flowers, and all friends pitched in spray-painting little animal figurines and folding conical birdseed holders. Basically, it took a village.



























Sylva’s family surprised them with an amazing nod to Lujia’s heritage and culture (as well as keeping with the zoo theme) by inviting ceremonial Chinese lion dancers to perform just after the ceremony to kick off the tea party (instead of a cocktail hour) festivities. There were custom balloon animals being made, boba tea, and so much playful fun.







































The guests then headed to Los Feliz for the block party bonanza where by some miraculous magical power, Sylva managed to get an event permit just barely in time for the event thanks to the kindest neighbors on the planet. Yet more surprises awaited the couple here, including a Mariachi band, a pizza-slinging fire truck converted to food truck (Dang Brother), handmade pies by a friend, and a giant cake replica of the great wall of China made out of rice krispie treats. Sylva’s dad made it. YEAH, I KNOW, I’m amazed, too. Sylva and Lujia and their whole wedding party made a grand entrance coming down the Hoover Stairs with the gorgeous mural by Ricardo Mendoza. Their community cheered on as they danced their playful and silly first dance amazing toasts were made, and wild dancing (and perhaps the greatest limbo I have had the good fortune to witness) stretched deep into the wee hours of the night.























































I’m not quite sure, but I think there may simply be a lack of sufficient words in the English language to describe my joy in the aftermath of this wild day. When Sylva first reached out to me, it was kismet, like a moment out of a dream. I knew I had to be a part of the day, but even I could not have fully appreciated all the wonder of it. But here’s the thing. That wonder wasn’t the endless array of creative and wild ideas, no matter how totally rad they were. Honestly, the wonder came from this whole community truly experiencing an immensity of joy for this couple whose union means so much, this couple who connect these people so significantly, who are endless champions of others, adventurers in the landscape of making others feel wonderful.
I am so lucky to have clients—nay, friends—like these.

TALENT ROLL CALL
Photography: Let’s Frolic Together / Ceremony Venue: The Old LA Zoo in Griffith Park / Event Designer: the bride (Sylva) / Bride’s Dress: Lan Ting / Bridal Hair: Savanna Atlas / Florals: friends, Gillie Francis & Lizzy Trevor / Cake: father of the bride, Lynn Johnson / Succulents: Sunset Nursery / Desserts: Jessica Jurado / Food Truck: Dang Brother Pizza / Ceremony Music: Liz Klein & Liam Kevany / DJ: DJ Tossing T / Mariachi Musicians: Mariachi Fiesta En Jalisco / Balloon Animals: Katie Hughes / Chinese Lion Dancers: Immortals Lion Dance / Officiant: Jacob Jurado / Stationery: Leah Nixon / Accommodations: Los Feliz Lodge / Assistant Photographer: Jessica Schilling
Wow, I looked at this blog and your photos 2 times and even showed my fiance. They are amazing, you captured the essence of this wedding perfectly. I practically felt like I was there! Way to go!!!
Aw, Heather you are so sweet! Thanks so much, this really was one of my faves from last year—such a unique and utterly delightful day. :D
The Mariachi band was called Jalisco Mariachi Band
Thanks, Sally, just fixed that!
I just went through these and teared. I do feel like I was there. I wish I was there. It looks like so much fun and your photos capture it beautifully.
It was an absolute blast! I am also still feeling the feels. :D
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful day. I had the misfortune to be ill and unable to attend. These photos really made me feel like I was there celebrating with the rest of our family.
This wedding is gorgeous and you showed all the highlights like a rockstar! The colors, the feel, the fun and all of the perfect details captured to the nines…great work!
Aw, thanks so much Kristen!
Wow! Looks like they had so much fun. What a beautiful wedding and amazing photos!!
Thanks, Daniela! It was SO much fun!
Holy crap this is such a quirky and unique wedding! I love all the fun personal details that really represent the couple! Home run Jasmine!
Thanks so much, Melissa, they brought sooo much creative fun! <3
Block party wedding? YES! Such a fun wedding and you were the perfect photographer to capture it all.
You are too sweet. Thanks so much Gabrielle!
I’d love to attend a wedding that you shoot someday. I have no idea how to work that one, but I’m just putting it out there in the universe. :)
I would love for you to attend a wedding I shoot! Let’s make that happen! :P
That exit shot … YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally one of my all-time faves! <3
This is easily one of my favorite Let’s Frolic weddings! Each photo is better than the last. The fun and joy is jumping off the screen!!
You are just too much. Thank you SO much Erin!
A block party?! So rad. You captured such great moments as well!
Yeah, what a badass idea, right? Thanks, Hanna!
So absolutely awesome. They must be over the moon happy with these images. You are the best!!
Thanks so much! You are so sweet!
Oh my gosh! What a beautiful wedding! My fiance and I are getting married at the old la zoo, we just cant find anywhere that talks about getting a permit!
Aw, congrats, it’s such an amazing place! It was a dream to shoot there, I am still obsessed. I believe my couple had corresponded with LA parks for the permit! What’s your wedding date?