Some weddings feel like they’re straight out of a storybook—and Cori and Zack’s day was exactly that. Set among the lush greenery of Luthy Botanical Garden and the unique, vibrant setting of the Peoria Zoo, their September wedding perfectly blended natural beauty with intentional planning and heartfelt moments.
From dreamy garden ceremony views to a reception full of energy (and even a little rain magic), every part of their day reflected trust in their vendors, openness to the unexpected, and a deep appreciation for the experience as a whole. Their story is such a beautiful reminder that when you lean into the process and surround yourself with the right people, your vision truly comes to life in ways you might not have even imagined.
From a first touch and prayer to a private dinner as husband and wife, every part of their celebration reflected what mattered most: being fully present and starting their forever grounded in faith and family.
In what ways did you bring the couple’s vision to fruition through the services or products you offered?
From the first time meeting with Steve, my husband and I could tell it was going to be an excellent fit working together to make our dream wedding day come to life. He was professional, kind, and a wealth of knowledge. His energetic and personable attitude made us feel at ease while taking in all the possibilities regarding our wedding and reception, and we always felt comfortable asking questions as they came up along the way.
We began wedding planning in December, and knowing that the wedding would take place outside the following September, it required some imagination. Through working with Steve, we were able to tour the various spaces that would be utilized during our ceremony and reception. He took ample time with us and allowed us to envision the perfect space and ambiance that we were aiming for. After seeing the different options Luthy Botanical Gardens has to offer, the Rose Garden with its beautiful greenery and arch near the water fountain felt like a dream come true.
Steve went above and beyond by sharing photos of previous events, specifics such as rose colors and types of bushes that would be in the garden, possible ceremony chair arrangements, as well as specifics of the Zambezi River Lodge like table dimensions, dinner ware, table clothes, and much more.
Steve not only helped us fall in love with the garden and reception area, but he also recommended almost every single one of our vendors. Due to his professionalism and connections with all things in the wedding industry, we trusted his recommendations and eagerly started calling to book our photographer, caterer, florist, DJ, and more. We were truly blown away by the quality of service from Steve and all the other vendors he recommended to us. Working with Steve took much of the stress off of our plates, and he really helped us to be able to enjoy the day of our wedding, and the days of planning leading up to it.
Which personal or design detail, exclusive to the couple, stood out as your favorite inclusion in this wedding?
I loved that they planned for rain during their reception and actually did rain photos, they were stunning.
Would you like to offer any wedding planning or marriage advice to other couples currently in the process of planning their own special day?
“Steve provided top tier services for the planning phase leading up to our wedding, the facilitation of our rehearsal, and also with the execution of the services he provided the day of. He was an organized and excellent communicator who was always prompt when providing information, as well as graciously answering all of our questions. He did a wonderful job setting up the ceremony and reception areas, gave insight into placements for floral arrangements at both the ceremony and reception, and worked with our other vendors seamlessly. As someone who is a bit anxious about things in general, and wanting the day to go perfectly, Steve truly helped us feel prepared, excited, and at ease. We had one hundred perfect faith in Steve to pull off our big day, and we wholeheartedly recommend working with him to our family, friends, and anyone looking to plan an event that will be cherished forever.”
Vendor Team
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Ceremony Venue: Luthy Botanical Gardens – Steve Hausler
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Reception Venue: Peoria Zoo – Steve Hausler
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Caterer/Dessert: Catering Peoria – Kristen Delbo
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DJ: Complete Weddings & Events – DJ Hawkins
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Photographer: Pyxida LLC – Tia Hammond
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Videographer: Jordan Nelson Productions
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Floral: Picket Fence Foundation – Rachel Waldon
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Officiant: Mark Runyan
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Hair & Makeup: Corpo Bello Salon and Spa
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Ceremony Singer: Breanne Doyle
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Photo Booth: Clique It Photo
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Wedding Dress: Down the Aisle
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Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse
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Day of Coordinator: Nikita Knight
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