On July 9, 2022, Johnny Hilbrant-Partridge and Justin Partridge surprised each other with heartfelt gifts before their wedding ceremony at French’s Point, an exquisite private estate in Stockton Springs, Maine. Gathered among loved ones, Mr. Partridge eagerly unwrapped a Movado watch, a gift from Mr. Hilbrant-Partridge. But the surprises didn’t end there. Mr. Partridge left momentarily, only to return with an adorable golden retriever puppy, much to Mr. Hilbrant-Partridge’s astonishment and delight.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” exclaimed Mr. Hilbrant-Partridge, whose role as the senior director for customer experience at Beam, a wellness company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, keeps him perpetually busy. Both he and Mr. Partridge had long desired a second dog to join their cherished older golden retriever, Nahla. However, Mr. Partridge took it upon himself to turn this dream into a reality, envisioning it as an extra surprise for their wedding day. During the winter leading up to the event, he coordinated with their trusted breeder to expedite the process and discreetly inquire about new puppies – all without arousing suspicion from his fiancé.
The plan unfolded flawlessly.
“In order to avoid being covered in golden fur for all our photos, I strategically decided to surprise Johnny with the puppy before we put on our wedding suits,” Mr. Partridge explained with a grin. He also took the opportunity to involve their loved ones in the gift exchange, finding amusement in Mr. Hilbrant-Partridge’s initial confusion over their seemingly insignificant presents.
Presenting a puppy as a wedding gift is just one of the myriad ways couples are incorporating their furry companions into their special day. From dressing rooms to photo shoots and dance floors, dogs play an integral role in adding a personalized, festive, and intimate touch to weddings of all sizes.
Mahsa Zojaji Fouchey, founder of Sound of Script and a renowned wedding stationery designer based in Los Angeles, knew without a doubt that her 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Meshki, would be an integral part of her wedding to Jeff Fouchey, chief executive of the college planning platform FAID. However, there was one obstacle – Meshki’s collapsed trachea, which made it vital to keep him calm due to potential airway complications.
To ensure a tranquil environment for Meshki, and in lieu of a traditional bridal party, Ms. Fouchey decided to get ready for her big day in a relaxed setting at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California. Accompanied by her mother, sister, and, of course, her beloved Yorkie, she savored mimosas and muffins while Meshki enjoyed freshly made treats. The four-legged member of the wedding ensemble even had his own tuxedo, completing the picture-perfect moment.
“I made it clear to my photographer that I wanted Meshki to be in every getting-ready photo,” Ms. Fouchey recounted with a smile. “It created such a calming and soothing morning, and I truly believe it was the best decision for me.”
Dri Buono Patel, a clinical manager from Marlton, New Jersey, drew inspiration from bachelorette parties where cutouts of the partner’s face are a popular prop. In her case, Ms. Patel opted for a 24-by-16-inch cutout of her one-year-old golden retriever, Tater Tot, to enliven her wedding reception alongside her husband, Matthew Patel, a manager at Ernst & Young.
“The guests went wild for it. Towards the end of the night, our wedding coordinator had to physically remove ‘him’ from the dance floor,” recalled Ms. Patel. “The professional photos we received were utterly hilarious – Tater Tot showed up in almost every party image.” The well-dressed pup even participated in a brief first look session with his proud parents, sporting his very own tuxedo.
For Stefanie and Daniel Lara, their two dogs, Milo, a husky mix, and Sammy, an Australian cattle dog mix, were an integral part of their family. Naturally, they couldn’t imagine their wedding without them. Initially planning a celebration for the fall of 2023, their plans abruptly changed when Milo was diagnosed with inoperable thyroid cancer on June 24, 2022.
“I had heard about people having their dogs sign marriage licenses in Colorado since it’s legally allowed,” explained Ms. Lara, a special-education teacher based in Beach Park, Illinois. “We had visited Colorado before and fell in love with the state, so we decided, ‘Hey, let’s just plan an elopement.'”
After an enduring 18-hour car ride, Ms. and Mr. Lara exchanged their vows in front of their mothers, accompanied by Sammy and Milo, at Independence Pass on July 27, 2022. As they signed their marriage license, Milo, adorned with a tuxedo bandanna, and Sammy, wearing a flower collar, left their paw prints to solemnize the union. Sadly, Milo passed away on January 28.
The framed marriage license will be proudly displayed in the Lara’s bedroom, a touching memento of their unforgettable day and their beloved furry companions.
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