Recently, Amanda and David celebrated their wedding in Portland, Oregon, where two very beloved family members—their dogs—played important parts in the ceremony. As the flower girl and ring bearer, respectively, Aria, a golden retriever, and Ayce, a small Australian shepherd, were the main attractions.
The couple wanted their cherished dogs to be more than simply guests at their wedding. They have been raising Aria and Ayce since they were puppies. "They're our fur babies, but we pretty much treat them like children," Amanda said. Including these canines in the wedding had great significance for both the bride and groom, considering the important role they play in their lives.
Months of planning and training culminated in Aria and Ayce's involvement. David came up with the idea to include their dogs in such a significant way, and their presence gave the occasion a special and happy touch. To the amazement of the assembled guests, Aria and Amanda's sister elegantly carried a basket of flowers down the aisle. Aria's arrival was accompanied by a collective 'aww' from the audience, which was captured on camera.
The couple added a number of unique elements to their wedding décor to emphasize the dogs' unique responsibilities. Ayce and Aria's faces were displayed on cocktail napkins with the amusing words, "Drinks on us." Aria and Ayce, love." They added to the celebratory ambiance by personalizing drink stirrers and naming cocktails after their canines.
Amanda and David made sure the dogs looked the part by getting Aria a specially designed floral collar and Ayce a matching boutonniere, both produced by Poppy Flowers. The couple hired Wags & Garlands, a company that specializes in providing professional dog training for weddings and other special occasions, because they realized how important it was to keep their canines under control throughout the celebrations. Because of this, Amanda and David were able to enjoy their day to the fullest without worrying about the welfare of their pets.
Ayce is nervous around big groups of people and strangers, so the trainers were very helpful in making her feel at ease and enjoying the event. "When I think of our wedding, I really think of them and all the little features that they played a role in," Amanda remarked after reflecting on the day.
In a touching moment that highlighted the day's unique significance, the newlyweds performed their first dance with Aria and Ayce during the celebration's "pawty," which came to an end.
Since posting pictures from their wedding day on social media, Amanda has gotten a ton of messages encouraging other people to bring their pets to their own weddings. "I think it's not only fun and enlightening to see dogs be part of the wedding but also inspire other dog parents to do the same," she said.