Hi , I’m DANA

Welcome to the blog! Here is where I feature the beautiful couples I work with and industry news, tips, and tricks.

Como Zoo Summer Wedding

We might not always be part of your wedding planning journey from day one—but we’re more than happy to jump in wherever you need us. That was exactly the case for Seanna and Andrew, a fun-loving couple who had already secured most of their vendors for their but needed expert support to tie everything together. With just a few months to go, they called us in to help ensure their big day at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory was flawless.

Bride and groom walking hand-in-hand on a garden path at Como Zoo’s Enchanted Garden in Minnesota, surrounded by lush greenery and floral landscaping during golden hour.

That’s a common scenario we see with couples—sometimes you just need a professional to handle the wedding day logistics, vendor communication, and last-minute planning details.

Groom smiling and adjusting his tie while wearing a navy suit with a boutonniere, standing outdoors in a lush green area at Como Zoo in Minnesota.

Bride standing gracefully in a lace wedding gown and veil, smiling softly while surrounded by greenery and natural light at Como Zoo in Minnesota.

From managing transportation to finalizing flower arrangements and keeping the timeline on track at their Como Zoo wedding, we made sure every piece of the puzzle came together perfectly. After all, you should be enjoying your day—not texting vendors or tracking down the DJ.

Groom reacting with excitement and joy as he sees the bride for the first time during their first look at Como Zoo in Minnesota, surrounded by greenery.

Bride and groom smiling at each other lovingly while standing under a tree, captured during their first look at Como Zoo.

Bride and groom sharing an intimate forehead-to-forehead moment beneath a tree during their Minnesota wedding first look at Como Zoo.

The original plan was to hold the rehearsal outdoors at Utepils Brewing, a great local Minnesota spot. But when the rain rolled in, we smoothly moved everything indoors without a hitch. The real win? The skies cleared up for the big day itself, giving Seanna and Andrew the sunny wedding they dreamed of.

Groom and groomsmen striking a fun pose under a white pergola at Como Zoo in Minnesota, all wearing classic navy suits."

Bride, groom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen walking together joyfully under a tree at Como Zoo, captured during a summer Minnesota wedding.

Seanna and Andrew’s ceremony featured live music by Dante Carlson, which added a heartfelt and intimate touch. It’s little details like this that make a wedding feel truly personal.

Live ceremony musicians playing classical guitar and cello outdoors at Como Zoo, surrounded by lush greenery during a Minnesota summer wedding.

Bride and groom standing with officiant during their outdoor wedding ceremony at Como Zoo, as the groom holds up a small American flag

"Wide-angle view of the wedding ceremony setup on the lawn at Como Zoo, with guests seated and the Conservatory in the background on a sunny day."

For the reception, the couple chose the Bullard Rainforest Auditorium at Como Zoo, located on the second floor. This spot offers indoor comfort plus access to the upper-level outdoor patio—perfect for a summer evening reception.

Reception setup inside the Bullard Rainforest Auditorium at Como Zoo, with round tables, floral centerpieces, and modern architecture."

"Guests enjoying cocktail hour on the balcony of the Bullard Rainforest Auditorium at Como Zoo during a summer wedding reception in Minnesota."

The reception was filled with stunning floral arrangements from Sadie Floral, adding a romantic and vibrant touch to the space. Guests were then treated to a sweet array of decadent desserts from Buttercream, which were as beautiful as they were delicious.

"Tiered cupcake display from Buttercream bakery on a white-draped table, featuring an assortment of wedding desserts at Como Zoo reception."

"Close-up of a romantic floral centerpiece by Sadie Bridal with white roses, hydrangeas, and greenery, set on a guest table at Como Zoo wedding reception."

"Bride and groom making a joyful grand entrance into their Como Zoo wedding reception, smiling and holding hands."

"Bride and groom posing in front of a custom floral hoop backdrop with their last name displayed, during their Como Zoo reception."

The couple then spent the rest of the night dancing away to music from the Midwest sound!

"Artistic photo of the couple sharing their first dance with swirling motion blur, captured inside the Como Zoo reception venue."

"Black and white photo of the bride and groom laughing together during their first dance at the Como Zoo wedding reception."

Groom being lifted and celebrated by laughing wedding guests on the dance floor during a lively Como Zoo wedding reception in Minnesota."

One thing to plan for with any Como Zoo wedding is summer parking. It can be tricky, especially with other zoo visitors around. We recommend arranging alternate transportation for the wedding party and noting parking tips on your wedding website for guests. It’s all about thinking ahead—so the day runs smoothly from start to finish. Luckily, Lorenz Bus Service was able to help us with that!

Bride and groom embracing beneath a white pergola above a stone waterfall in the Enchanted Garden at Como Zoo, surrounded by lush summer greenery."

Whether you’re hosting your wedding at Como Zoo, a local brewery, or a lakeside venue in Minnesota, we’re here to help make your day effortless and unforgettable. From full-service wedding planning to day-of coordination, we step in wherever you need us most.

Here’s what Seanna and Andrew had to say about working with us:

Keyed Up Events was very helpful in making our wedding weekend a success. Throughout the wedding planning process, Dana was very proactive in helping us prioritize the right things so we felt well prepared. For the Groom’s Dinner, Dana and her staff met us to go over our wedding ceremony processional. On our wedding day, Dana and her staff were great being our day of coordinators and ensured the whole event was seamless. Thank you Dana and Alexis!