Love In A (Local) Paradise: A Como Park Conservatory Engagement

The Como Park Zoo & Conservatory may just be our favorite location in Minnesota’s metro area for stunning photographs. It was first opened in 1915 and features a variety of exotic gardens and art. And seriously, the architecture just cannot be beat! For all of these reasons and more, we’re so excited to share this Como Park Conservatory engagement photoshoot with you!

Samantha & Adam’s Como Park Conservatory Engagement Session

This engagement session was photographed in the dead of winter. “What?” you may be thinking. “How?? Minnesota is a barren, snowy wasteland for most of the year!” This is where the Conservatory steps in, offering future brides and grooms a chance to have their picture taken with a lush, green backdrop–even in the middle of February.

The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park, as it is officially known, boasts the largest exhibit of bonsai trees in the upper Midwest, in addition to over 100 species of ferns, orchids, and other seasonal flowers. It is one of the only Victorian-style glass domed gardens left in the United States. Designed by German-born architect, Frederick Nussbaumer, it is modeled after the Kew Gardens in London.

Wedged in between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, it’s super convenient to get to. We love it!

Samantha and Adam had the right idea picking this location for their engagement session. It’s a beautiful, warm, and humid oasis, not to mention drop-dead breathtaking! It’s kind of like going to Florida, except without the expensive plane ticket.

After their time at the Conservatory, Samantha and Adam took to the outdoors, braving the winter elements to get some beautiful golden hour photos on nearby Como Lake. And we mean literally ON the lake. In the wintertime, us Minnesotans can walk on water. 😉 And as long as you’re safe about doing so, we totally recommend it, because how cool are these photographs??

Tip: If you're as much in love with this location as we are, the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory can host your wedding ceremony and reception, too!  There are multiple gardens and locations you can rent out for your event.

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