Courtesy of the Linda Beatson, Volunteer Captain of
Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo, California:
One of the newest trends in weddings is to include your pet in the ceremony. Pets are being given such important roles as ring bearer, bridesmaids, groomsmen and "best dog". According to one LA based wedding planner, approximately 30 percent of weddings she plans include pets. One reason for the increase of this trend is that an increasing number of modern couples are treating their pets as children and including them in the wedding ceremony makes a statement of the major role their pets play in their lives.
Evidence of the rise in popularity of including pets in weddings can be seen by increasing sales at pet boutiques for doggie tuxedos, miniature sequined wedding gowns, frilly bridesmaid dresses and ring bearer pillows. Wedding attire for pets can run anywhere from $30 to over $100 and range from simple tee shirts to custom outfits that color coordinate with the rest of your attendants and wedding theme. Our cute tuxedo Dexter just needs a bow tie to be prepared for any wedding event (Best Meown?). If you''re planning an upcoming nuptial, I''ll be glad to loan him to you. Just beware that he bites and will occasionally slap you across the face (doesn't use claws), but he's also guaranteed to keep your ceremony free from mousies and other rodents, if that is a concern.
This self avowed "crazy cat lady" admits that the "dog" is the most popular pet to be included in said ceremonies (for obvious reasons), but after much research, I did find a few examples of intrepid feline lovers who, against what seems like common sense, chose to include their furry kitties in their ceremonies (Mews of Honor, perhaps?). A wedding planner in La Quinta, CA helped to organize a ceremony in a private home (at least a safe environment for this) in which a bridesmaid patiently held a gray and white kitty during the vows. An ordained minister in La Salle, CA officiated a medieval themed wedding in which the couple's two cats sat on either side of the bride and groom - in cages. And in another California wedding, the couple's three cats accompanied them up the aisle in specially decorated pet strollers. That all three examples are from California is probably not a coincidence...
Don't think Fluffy is quite up to actually taking part in your wedding ceremony? Consider how one romantic fellow proposed to his fiance - he attached the engagement ring to the collar of the fiance's cat, Evie, then sent Evie over to his girlfriend. How cute is that? And later, the couple's dog, Peaches, served as their ring bearer in the wedding. Ahh...the things we do for love!
~Linda Beatson
