Bride Has Bridesmaids Walk Shelter Dogs Down Aisle Instead of Carrying Bouquets at Wedding
There are plenty of ways to get creative on your wedding day. With internet tools like Pinterest and Instagram to spark inspiration, the possibilities are endless.
Pinterest is precisely the place one bride found her phenomenal idea to replace her bridesmaids’ bouquets with something much more lasting.
“I was searching different options other than bouquets and puppies popped up on Pinterest,” Sally Burky of Ozark, Missouri, told People. “I thought how neat it would be to not only have puppies, but adolescent, and senior dogs as well!”
Burky has been donating to and supporting Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary in Washburn, Missouri, ever since the Haven helped her find homes for a pair of dogs eight years ago.
The newlywed says her love of dogs is shared by her now-husband, Cary, and their mutual canine adoration is one of the things that connected them early on.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for animals, but it was after I rescued a pit bull puppy, that we started dating,” Burky told People. “He treated him so well, and that’s when I knew, he was the one.”
While the idea of taking pups down the aisle is a bit of an unconventional one, it ended up being a hit with Burky’s wedding guests.
“They all did so well and stood right by the bridesmaids and groomsmen as we said our vows,” Burky told Insider of the dogs. “It couldn’t have been more perfect.”
The guests donated over $2,000 to Haven of the Ozarks at the wedding on May 11. Some of the dogs were even adopted!
“The response has been incredible,” Burky told Insider. “We simply were hoping for maybe one to be adopted or for some guests to make donations.”
Four of the five dogs in Burky’s wedding have been adopted by guests, according to Insider. Yazzy, a 6-year-old terrier, is the only pup still looking for her forever home.
“We are hoping to spread the word how important it is for us to be their voice, and advocate for such a wonderful sanctuary,” Burky told Cassville-Democrat. “Thank you again Haven. We will be seeing you soon.”
The photos from The Honey & Bee Photography are sure to be stunning. Haven of the Ozarks will have dogs participating in another wedding in the fall, Insider reported.
To learn more about what Haven does, or to find out how you can donate toward the new van the shelter desperately needs, visit their website.
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