With this dog I thee wed
LOVE me, love my dog – that’s the message increasingly being taken to extremes by brides and grooms who are making their pet pooches a central part of their wedding day.
A new trend has seen family pets, typically dogs, involved in the wedding with some doggies even given starring roles.
And luckily for dog lovers it seems there is no lawful impediment that would prevent a canine congregation.
A spokesman for the Association of Catholic Priests told the Irish Mail on Sunday that all God’s creatures are welcome at the ceremony.
‘There is certainly nothing that would prevent dogs from being part of the ceremony. So long as they don’t upstage the bride,’ a spokesman said.
Wedding planner Sharon McNeel said that more people are enquiring about different ways to incorporate man’s best friend into their special day.
‘We recently did a wedding where the cake topper was the bride, groom and their dog.
‘They are part of the family so couples want them there in some capacity,’ she said.
The growing trend has been fuelled, in part, by celebrities.
When rugby star Jamie Heaslip tied the knot with Sheena O’Buachalla last year, his loyal companion, bulldog Jay-Z, acted as his honorary best man and ring bearer on his big day.
Jay-Z togged out in a blue velvet dickie bow to match Jamie’s velvet tuxedo and the two best friends waited at the altar for the bride’s arrival.
Actress Aoibhín Garrihy shared her big day with her two bull mastiffs, Rubie and Reggie.
In fact, Rubie acted as wingwoman when her husband John Burke popped the question.
In a romantic gesture, and a nod to the importance of their dogs in their lives, John had ‘will you marry me?’ engraved on a heart-shaped dog tag.
Last October, when the couple tied the knot in Spanish Point, Co. Clare, Rubie and Reggie took pride of place at the nuptials. Reggie wore a bow tie while Rubie wore a flower garland.
Dressing dogs for weddings is big business as people go all out to pretty up their pooches.
Urban Pup, an online dog outfitters, told the IMoS they have noticed a marked increase in bridal attire for dogs.
‘We had a customer with a great dane who we supplied with a bespoke diamante collar and lead set,’ a spokesman said.
Blogger Suzanne Jackson, who is getting married in the Powerscourt Hotel in August, is the latest to follow the trend.
She has chosen her maltese dog, Coco – one of her three pooches – as part of her bridal party, and has even ordered a bespoke number for her to wear as she toddles down the aisle.
‘Couples want them there in some capacity’