Jenn and Clark’s Wild Wedding at The Haven in Chittenango, NY
Some weddings remind you exactly why you love what you do. Jenn and Clark’s wedding was one of those days, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of it.
From a love story that began at a Syracuse University game to a celebration at one of Central New York’s newest and most distinctive wedding venues, their wedding was filled with personality, laughter, and unforgettable moments. The weather was perfect, the dance floor was packed, Uptown Groove kept the party going, and a very special guest made an appearance: Otto the Orange!
Add giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and the opportunity for guests to feed giraffes during cocktail hour, and you have a wedding that was truly one of a kind.
As a Syracuse wedding photographer and videographer with Select Photo + Film, I love documenting celebrations that reflect the couples themselves. Jenn and Clark’s wedding at The Haven in Chittenango, NY, was a perfect example of how personal touches and a beautiful setting can come together to create an incredible day.
A Love Story That Started at Syracuse University
Every great wedding has a story, and Jenn and Clark’s begins with something many Central New Yorkers can appreciate: an SU game!
The two met at a Syracuse University game, where their story together began. What started at a Syracuse game eventually led to a beautiful relationship, a wonderful family, and a wedding day surrounded by the people they love most.
With two awesome children and a beautiful family, Jenn and Clark had so much to celebrate. Their wedding wasn't just about two people getting married. It was an opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate the life they've built and the future ahead of them.
Knowing how their story began made one particular part of the wedding even more special. But we'll get to that in a moment!
The Haven Wedding in Chittenango, NY: A Truly Unique Venue
One of the highlights of Jenn and Clark’s wedding was the venue itself: The Haven in Chittenango, New York.
As a wedding photographer working throughout Syracuse and Central New York, I love discovering venues that offer something different, and The Haven has quickly become one of my favorites.
If you're searching for unique wedding venues near Syracuse, NY, The Haven deserves a spot on your list. It's unlike a traditional ballroom or barn venue, offering a beautiful setting with an experience your guests won't soon forget.
What makes it so special? The animals!
The Haven is home to giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and other incredible animals, making it a truly distinctive location for a wedding celebration. The combination of the beautiful surroundings and the opportunity to interact with these amazing animals gives couples a chance to create a wedding experience that goes well beyond the ordinary.
For couples considering a wedding at The Haven in Chittenango, NY, it's a setting that offers something genuinely different.
Feeding Giraffes
One of the coolest parts of Jenn and Clark’s wedding was watching guests feed the giraffes carrots during cocktail hour.
Think about that for a moment. You're attending a wedding, enjoying the beautiful weather, catching up with friends and family, and then you get to feed a giraffe!
How awesome is that?
It's the kind of experience guests will remember long after the wedding day. Rather than a typical cocktail hour, Jenn and Clark's guests had an opportunity to do something genuinely different while enjoying the celebration.
As a wedding photographer at The Haven, these are exactly the kinds of unique details I love documenting. They help tell the story of the day and capture what made this particular wedding so memorable.
The Haven was a fantastic choice for Jenn and Clark, and I'm already looking forward to photographing and filming another wedding there.
A Beautiful On-Site Wedding Ceremony
With perfect weather and beautiful surroundings, Jenn and Clark's on-site wedding ceremony was short, sweet, and filled with meaning.
There is something special about gathering your closest friends and family together for a wedding ceremony. The fresh air, natural setting, and excitement of the day create an atmosphere that feels both relaxed and meaningful.
For Jenn and Clark, the ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter while celebrating the family and relationship they'd already built together.
These are the moments I love capturing as a wedding photographer and videographer. Beyond the big milestones, there are the little things: a smile exchanged between loved ones, a proud look from a family member, or the happiness that comes from having everyone together in one place.
The weather couldn't have been better, and The Haven provided a beautiful setting for the occasion. It was a wonderful start to a celebration that only got more exciting as the day continued.
A Great Team: Courtney from Crown Coordination and Pam at The Haven
A memorable wedding takes a team of people working together behind the scenes, and I had the pleasure of working with some fantastic wedding professionals throughout Jenn and Clark's day.
Courtney from Crown Coordination did an amazing job helping bring everything together. A great wedding planner makes such a difference, managing the details and keeping everything moving so the couple can relax and enjoy their celebration.
It was a pleasure working alongside Courtney, and I appreciated the care she put into making the day run smoothly.
I also want to give a huge shout-out to Pam, the coordinator at The Haven. Pam did an amazing job, and it was clear how much a great coordinator contributes to the overall experience for the couple and their guests.
Having a talented team working together helps create a wedding day where everyone can focus on what matters most: celebrating the couple.
Thank you both for helping make Jenn and Clark's wedding such a wonderful experience!
Uptown Groove Brought the Energy to the Reception
After the ceremony, it was time to celebrate!
Jenn and Clark's wedding reception was an absolute blast, with a dance floor that stayed packed throughout the party. The energy was fantastic, and everyone was ready to have a great time.
A big part of that excitement came from the live band, Uptown Groove. They did an awesome job keeping everyone dancing and maintaining the energy throughout the reception.
Live music can add something special to a wedding celebration, and Uptown Groove delivered. From friends and college buddies to family members of all ages, everyone came together to enjoy the music and celebrate Jenn and Clark.
As a wedding photographer and videographer, receptions like this provide so many opportunities to capture genuine moments. The laughter, spontaneous dance moves, friends singing along, and interactions between family members are the memories couples love revisiting years later.
Jenn and Clark's reception had all the ingredients for a fantastic party, and Uptown Groove helped make it a night to remember.
Otto the Orange at a Wedding? Absolutely!
Remember how Jenn and Clark met at a Syracuse University game?
Well, it was only fitting that their wedding included a very special guest: Otto the Orange, the Syracuse University mascot!
How exciting and how fun!
Having Otto attend their wedding was such a personal touch. It brought their story full circle, connecting the place where they first met with the celebration of their marriage.
It's details like this that make a wedding truly unique. A beautiful venue and great music are wonderful, but the moments that reflect a couple's history and personality are what make their day distinctly theirs.
And let's be honest: how many weddings feature giraffes, zebras, ostriches, a live band, a packed dance floor, and Otto the Orange?
Jenn and Clark's celebration was certainly one for the books!
Celebrating Jenn and Clark's Beautiful Family
While the animals, live music, and special surprises made the day memorable, what stood out most was Jenn and Clark themselves.
They are an amazing couple with a beautiful family, including their two awesome children. It was wonderful to see their friends and family come together to celebrate their relationship and everything they've built.
Weddings are about more than a ceremony or a reception. They're about the people who have shaped your lives, the relationships you cherish, and the memories you'll carry into the future.
Jenn and Clark's wedding captured all of that. The day was full of happiness, connection, and the kind of moments that make being a wedding photographer and videographer so rewarding.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to document celebrations like theirs. Being invited to capture such an important day is something I never take for granted.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer at The Haven?
If you're planning a wedding at The Haven in Chittenango, NY, and looking for a wedding photographer or videographer, I'd love for you to explore the work of Select Photo + Film.
I photograph and film weddings throughout Syracuse, Chittenango, the Finger Lakes, and Central New York. My approach combines natural, candid moments with flattering portraits, focusing on the genuine emotions and personal details that make every celebration unique.
Whether you're planning an outdoor ceremony, a lively reception, or a wedding filled with unexpected surprises, your photographs and wedding film should tell the story of your day in a way that feels authentic to you.
You can explore our wedding photography services to see our approach and photography collections, or learn more about our wedding videography services and how we create films that let you relive your celebration.
When you're ready to discuss your plans, visit our contact page to check your date and inquire about your wedding.
Thank You, Jenn and Clark!
Jenn and Clark, thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your wedding day.
Your wedding at The Haven was beautiful from beginning to end. The weather was perfect, your family and friends brought incredible energy, and every part of the day felt personal and full of life.
From your sweet on-site ceremony to feeding giraffes during cocktail hour, from Uptown Groove keeping the dance floor packed to Otto the Orange making a special appearance, there was never a shortage of reasons to smile.
Most importantly, it was a joy to celebrate the two of you and your beautiful family.
I'm truly blessed to do what I do, and couples like you are a big reason why. Being able to witness these moments and preserve them for years to come is something I will always be grateful for.
Thank you as well to Courtney from Crown Coordination, Pam and the team at The Haven, and Uptown Groove for helping make the celebration such a success.
And The Haven? I can't wait to be back!
Congratulations again, Jenn and Clark. I wish you and your family a lifetime of happiness, laughter, love, and plenty of Syracuse Orange pride!
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