Joanne & Zachary at Kijamii Overlook

May 25, 2025 · Kijamii Overlook, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido

A Kijamii Overlook Wedding in Escondido

Joanne and Zachary met in Las Vegas on Bumble, and their first date ended with a high five that Joanne thought meant they would be just friends. One date led to another, through a year of long distance and a move to Orlando. Their first vacation together was to San Diego, where they fell in love with Kijamii Overlook. They married there on May 25, 2025, starting with game day photos, a first look and private vows at Rancho Bernardo Inn, then a ceremony at Kijamii Overlook at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, with a mini tea ceremony, animal encounters and a jersey swap, all in red and pink. Here is their Kijamii Overlook wedding, photographed by One and Only Production.

The Details

The morning started with a flatlay of rings in pink velvet boxes, Zach's gold tie and cufflinks, vow books in red and cream, and a date card that read 05.25.25. Red roses and blush blooms tied it all to the colors of the day.

Zach's wedding band resting on a gold tie beside cufflinks, a tie bar and a cologne bottle

Joanne's engagement ring in a pink velvet ring box beside a gold bracelet and earrings

Two pink velvet ring boxes with the wedding rings, styled with red and blush flowers

A bottle of perfume styled with red and peach blooms on a cream flatlay

Gold rings tucked into a red rose on the wedding morning flatlay

Red and cream vow books laid out with pink and red flowers

The wedding rings resting on Joanne and Zachary's invitation suite

A photo of the couple with a 05.25.25 date card, pink ring boxes and white flowers

Game Day with Zach and the Groomsmen at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Zach and his groomsmen started the day like it was game day, with a huddle, a walking entrance and a football stance on the lawn at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Then the suits and gold ties went on, and the football came along for the photos.

Zach and his groomsmen leaning into a huddle in game day shirts and caps at Rancho Bernardo Inn

The groomsmen walking in side by side for their game day entrance photo

The groomsmen in a football team photo pose on the lawn at Rancho Bernardo Inn

A groomsman crouched in a football stance over the ball on the grass

A groomsman holding a football out toward the camera

Zach in his black suit and gold tie holding a football in the garden

Zach and his groomsmen lined up in black suits and gold ties among the trees at Rancho Bernardo Inn

A groomsman leaping into a catch pose next to Zach in the garden

The groomsmen laughing together in their suits and gold ties, photographed by One and Only Production

Joanne Gets Ready at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Joanne got ready at Rancho Bernardo Inn with her bridesmaids in matching satin pajamas. Her gown hung by the window until it was time, and the soft light in the suite did the rest.

The white walls and red tile roof of Rancho Bernardo Inn on the wedding morning

Joanne in a white robe looking at her wedding gown hanging by the window

Joanne's hand touching the beaded lace of her gown

Joanne's wedding gown and veil hanging on a wooden hanger

Joanne and her bridesmaids in matching satin pajamas laughing together on the bed

A bridesmaid in a satin pajama set holding Joanne's hand in her white robe

Joanne in her gown with its open back and crossed straps beside the window

Joanne in her gown with her hand resting near her face in soft window light

Joanne putting on her earrings in the suite at Rancho Bernardo Inn, photographed by One and Only Production

First Look and Private Vows at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Joanne and Zach saw each other for the first time on the patio at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Before the crowds, they read private vows to each other from their vow books, and there were a few tears along the way.

Joanne walking down the stairs with her bouquet, a bridesmaid helping with her train

Zach waiting with his back turned on the patio path for the first look at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Joanne and Zach holding each other after the first look

Joanne reading her private vows from a red vow book

Zach reading his vows to Joanne from his vow book

Zach wiping his eyes during their private vows, photographed by One and Only Production

The Wedding Party

The wedding party gathered by the fireplace in the suite for an editorial group shot, then headed outside in shades of pink, red and black. A big cat face cutout made an appearance too.

Joanne, Zach and their wedding party posed by the fireplace in the suite at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Joanne in her gown with two bridesmaids in red and pink in the suite

Joanne and her bridesmaids in shades of pink and red holding their bouquets in the garden

Joanne and a bridesmaid in pink smiling together with their bouquets

The full wedding party in pink, red and black suits around Joanne and Zach in the garden

A groomsman holding up a big cat face cutout in front of his jacket

The wedding party gathered with Joanne and Zach on the garden path, photographed by One and Only Production

Portraits at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Before leaving the Inn, Joanne and Zach took a few quiet minutes in the gardens. Then everyone boarded the shuttle for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Joanne leaning into Zach with her red and pink bouquet among the trees at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Joanne's red, pink and peach bouquet held against her lace gown

Zach twirling Joanne on the garden path at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Joanne and Zach holding hands to show their wedding rings

Joanne and Zach riding together on the shuttle to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, photographed by One and Only Production

Portraits at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The wedding party arrived at the Safari Park entrance in Escondido, then Joanne and Zach headed to Kijamii Overlook. With palm trees, rolling hills and the African Plains behind them, the afternoon portraits had a view you only get here.

The wedding party in front of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park entrance in Escondido

Joanne and Zach with family members under the Safari Park entrance sign

The thatched roof entrance sign at Kijamii Overlook

Joanne and Zach walking hand in hand on the hillside at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Joanne in her gown and long train on the ceremony lawn with palm trees and hills behind her

Joanne and Zach at the ceremony site at Kijamii Overlook with the African Plains beyond

Joanne and Zach between the rows of ceremony chairs at Kijamii Overlook

Joanne and Zach laughing together with palm trees and hills behind them

Joanne and Zach kissing on the overlook above the savannah

Joanne and Zach kissing in the afternoon sun at the Safari Park, photographed by One and Only Production

The Ceremony at Kijamii Overlook

Joanne and Zach married on the lawn at Kijamii Overlook, with the African Plains stretching out behind them. The ceremony included a prayer, a mini tea ceremony with family, traditional vows, and signing the football before their first kiss.

Rows of dark wood chairs set up on the lawn at Kijamii Overlook for the ceremony

Red and pink ceremony florals by Blooms Design House

A football and a red tea set waiting on a small white table at the ceremony

Zach walking down the aisle on the lawn at Kijamii Overlook

A bridesmaid in pink walking down the aisle with her bouquet

Joanne arriving at the aisle with two family members beside her

Joanne walking down the aisle as guests stand on the lawn

Joanne and Zach serving tea to a family member during their mini tea ceremony

Joanne and Zach holding hands with a family member during the tea ceremony

Zach sliding the wedding ring onto Joanne's finger

Joanne and Zach sharing their first kiss with palm trees and hills behind them

Joanne and Zach walking back up the aisle as husband and wife

Joanne and Zach with their wedding party lined up on the lawn at Kijamii Overlook, photographed by One and Only Production

Cocktail Hour Animal Encounter

Getting married with animals nearby was one of the things Joanne and Zach looked forward to most. During cocktail hour, Safari Park animals came out to meet them and their guests, including a porcupine and a sloth.

Joanne and Zach smiling as a porcupine wanders past their chairs

A Safari Park animal care specialist showing an animal to Joanne and Zach

A small animal peeking out of a hollow log held by an animal care specialist

A sloth hanging from a branch during the animal encounter

An animal care specialist smiling with a sloth in her arms

The African Plains seen from Kijamii Overlook during cocktail hour, photographed by One and Only Production

Golden Hour in the Bamboo Forest at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

After dinner, a golf cart took Joanne and Zach to the bamboo forest for portraits in the evening light. On the way back, we stopped at an overlook with animals in the field below and at the Kijamii Overlook sign.

Joanne and Zach close together under the thatched roof in the late afternoon light

Joanne and Zach standing in the bamboo forest at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Zach holding Joanne from behind on the path through the bamboo

Zach striking a playful pose between the bamboo stalks

Joanne and Zach resting their foreheads together in the bamboo forest

Joanne and Zach at a wooden fence with animals roaming the field behind them

Joanne and Zach cheering under the Kijamii Overlook sign

Joanne and Zach walking hand in hand along a lit garden path, photographed by One and Only Production

Reception at Kijamii Overlook

The reception was set under the pavilion at Kijamii Overlook, with red and pink centerpieces and tables named for animals. Guests signed football jerseys as the guestbook, and the bar was named after Josie, Joanne and Zach's cat.

The escort card table under the pavilion at Kijamii Overlook

A framed photo of the couple on the jersey guestbook table

A gold Cassens number 5 jersey signed by guests as the guestbook

The reception tables under the wooden pavilion with red napkins and pink and red centerpieces

A table card named Lion with a lion cutout among the red and pink flowers

The Josie's Bar menu sign at the bar with canned drinks

Sliders served on a wooden board between glasses at the reception

Grand Entrance and First Dance

The wedding party danced their way into the pavilion, and Joanne and Zach followed to cheers from their guests. Their first dance came right after, with a few spins.

Guests cheering as the wedding party makes its entrance into the pavilion

The groomsmen dancing in a line during the grand entrance

Joanne and Zach dancing into the reception at Kijamii Overlook

Joanne and Zach starting their first dance under the pavilion

Joanne and Zach smiling through their first dance

Zach holding Joanne close during their first dance

Zach spinning Joanne under his arm, photographed by One and Only Production

Speeches

Family and friends gave toasts in front of the sweetheart table as the sun went down over the hills. Zach's bad jokes and Joanne's stories make them laugh, and the speeches had plenty of both.

A guest giving a speech beside a family member with the hills behind them

A bridesmaid in red giving a toast in front of the sweetheart table

A bridesmaid laughing during the speeches

Joanne and Zach laughing at their sweetheart table full of red and pink flowers

Zach and Joanne leaning together at the sweetheart table during a toast

A groomsman with a gold tie giving his speech

Zach and Joanne thanking their guests together, photographed by One and Only Production

Cake, Jersey Swap and the Dance Floor

The cake by VG Donuts and Bakery had a gold J and Z topper, with paper cutouts of Josie scattered on the table. Then came the jersey swap and group photo, the photo booth, and a full dance floor before one last stop at the firepit.

The white wedding cake with a gold J and Z topper and red flowers

Paper cutouts of their cat Josie scattered on the cake table

Zach feeding Joanne a bite of cake at night

Joanne and Zach's hands cutting the cake together

The wedding party cheering during the jersey swap

The wedding party in football jerseys for the jersey swap group photo

A guest wearing a top hat and mask at the photo booth

Joanne and Zach dancing with a guest on the dance floor

Joanne dancing on the dance floor in black and white

Groomsmen celebrating on the dance floor with a light stick

Guests cheering around Joanne and Zach on the dance floor

Joanne dancing with friends as the party kept going

Joanne and Zach with all of their guests in a big group photo under the pavilion

Joanne and Zach by the firepit at night at Kijamii Overlook, photographed by One and Only Production

Planning a Kijamii Overlook Wedding?

Kijamii Overlook sits in the heart of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, with a ceremony lawn looking out over the African Plains where rhinos, giraffes and antelope roam, a covered pavilion for the reception, and spots like the bamboo forest and the park entrance close by for portraits. One and Only Production is a photo and video team based in West Covina, serving Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. We would love to hear your story. Take a look at our wedding portfolio, then check your date with us.

Wedding Vendors

Venue: Kijamii Overlook, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Getting Ready: Rancho Bernardo Inn
Planning: Julie Scrivener, The Best Wedding For You @julie_scrivener
Hair and Makeup: JP Charming Beauty @jpcharmingbeauty
Florals: Blooms Design House @bloomsdesignhouse
Officiant: Jake Bergman @scoobyberg
DJ and Photo Booth: Dancing DJ Productions @dancingdjproductions
Cake: VG Donuts & Bakery
Bridal Gown: Blush Bridal Couture @blushbridalcouture
Groom Attire: Men's Wearhouse @menswearhouse
Photo and Video: One and Only Production @oneandonlyproduction