This week, I’m throwing back to an amazing 2017 Greensboro Science Center wedding. Courtney & Ben are so unique and creative and I love that this wedding captured that. Their ceremony was held under the stars in the Omnisphere (not quite a planetarium, but really, really cool), the bridal party got chased by dinosaurs, and we took some couple portraits in a yellow submarine.

PERFECTION.

They even had sharks and penguins crashing the reception, which took place in the aquarium wing of the Greensboro Science Center. Without further ado:

 

 

As Courtney looks ahead to the ceremony, let’s take a quick jump back for some of my favorites from her bridal portraits at the Bicentennial Gardens in Greensboro and the Biltmore Greensboro…

 

Back to the wedding day itself – I love when you can tell a bridal party is having fun. Do you think Ben’s groomsmen were enjoying themselves?

 

And the ceremony. Y’all this ceremony was AMAZING. It was pitch black in the Omnisphere, aside from the “stars” and a spotlight on Courtney & Ben. Needless to say, it was challenging from a photography perspective (especially trying to get some photos with the wedding party lit as well as the couple). But we did it and I LOVED it. I think having a planetarium wedding ceremony is such a wonderful idea and makes for some crazy beautiful wedding photos. A first kiss under a nebula? Yes yes yes.

 

For wedding party portraits we went to the Greensboro Science Center’s dinosaur exhibit (since Courtney & Ben’s wedding, the GSC has updated the dinosaur section, and it is even cooler now, if that’s possible), and did some couple portraits outside the Omnisphere, in a submarine, and in front of the aquarium’s shark tank.

 

Onto the reception. How adorable is this cake, complete with loving otters? Ben’s mom made it!!! And check out the penguin friend coming over to try to sign the guest book. He even put on a nice tuxedo for the occasion (ba dum cha, I’ll see myself out).

Courtney greeted the swimming guests, everyone enjoyed the Photo Booth, and the playlist kept the dancing going.

 

One of my favorite features at the Greensboro Science Center is the little bubble that pops up into the otter enclosure. Courtney & Ben snuck in for a kiss in the bubble toward the end of the night, but it was past the otters’ bedtime, so they didn’t come over to say hi 😔 Lazy Otters!

 

Complete the night with a bubble exit, a dip, and a kiss!! Perfection

 

Isn’t this one of the coolest weddings you’ve ever seen? 

 

P.S. While I’ve got you, please send prayers and love to this amazing couple. They’d been married for less than a month when Courtney got some devastating health news, so they are facing challenges that no one ever wants to deal with, let alone in your first year of marriage. 

 

The vendor team:

Venue & Coordination: Greensboro Science Center (coordinator – Jessica)

Officiant: Spencer Brown (Bride’s brother)

Catering: Pepper Moon Catering

Music: Given the volume restrictions in the aquarium (gotta keep those animals safe), the couple opted to put together a Spotify playlist, and the bridal party took turns emcee-ing

Photo Booth: Triad Photo Booth Rental