Skunks at Weddings: Embrace the Unusual and Make Your Pet an Integral Part of Your Big Day

Weddings are all about bringing people - and occasionally pets - you love together to celebrate your special day. If you can't imagine your big day without your furry friend by your side, then you're not alone. Including pets in weddings is a growing trend, and from dogs to cats and even skunks, more and more couples are opting to share their happiest moments with their beloved animals. In this blog post, we'll show you how to embrace this unique concept and guide you through the process of including your pet, even if it happens to be a skunk, in your wedding festivities.

Wedding Planning: Key Considerations for Including Your Pet

Before leaping into action and sending a formal invitation to your pet, there are a number of factors to keep in mind when planning your wedding:

Venue - Not every venue allows animals on the premises, so be sure to check with the management before booking your wedding location. Outdoor venues and private estates may be more accommodating.

Guest Allergies - Don't forget to consider whether any of your guests may have allergies or fear of animals, particularly if you're planning on having an unconventional pet, like a skunk, attend your wedding.

Pet Temperament - It's important to reflect on whether your pet is suited to the occasion. Think about their behavior in large gatherings, and how they react in unfamiliar surroundings. If you're unsure, consult with a professional animal trainer or behaviorist who can help you make the right decision.

Pet Sitters and Caregivers - Arrange for someone to supervise and care for your pet during the celebration, particularly if your pet has any special needs, like keeping an eye on your de-scented skunk.

How to Include Your Pet in Your Wedding Day

Now, let’s dive into how to make your beloved pet an unforgettable part of your big day:

The Wedding Party

There are several ways your pet can be a part of your wedding party, such as:

Ring bearer or flower pet – have them carry the rings or flowers down the aisle
Honorary bridesmaid or groomsman – adorn them in a pet-friendly outfit that matches the wedding party
In photographs – capture some adorable pet-centric shots before, during, or after the ceremony

The Wedding Theme

Incorporating your pet into the overall theme of your wedding can make for a memorable and personal touch:

Choose a pet-inspired color palette or display your love for your pet through decorative accents
Create fun wedding favors inspired by your pet – skunk-shaped cookies or pet-safe toys, for example
Select suitable wedding attire or accessories for your pet that complement the theme and color scheme

The Reception

Keep the pet-inclusive spirit alive by including some special touches during the reception:

Create a pet-friendly signature cocktail or dessert inspired by your pet
Include your pet in your wedding day hashtag to encourage guests to share their own pictures and memories
Set up a designated “pet zone” at the reception, providing toys, treats, and a safe space for your pet to relax

Some words from the newlyweds!

"Nearly 7 years ago we met at work. You know when there’s just something about a person… something you can’t put your finger on, well that’s exactly how I felt about Gemma. 3 years passed and nobody made a move until it was time for me to move on from our mutual place of work. Now I love a Firework and Gem loves to tell the story of how I didn’t have anyone to go with so asked her! But it worked, and the rest they say is history. I’d like to think the romance of fireworks sealed the deal but it was probably me loosing a shoe in a dark muddy field and Gemma having to go find it whilst laughing uncontrollably.

We knew quickly into our relationship that this was the real deal, our ‘Happily Ever After’ you could say, so in 2020 I started on a year long mission to ask Gemma to marry me. Now Gem is quite extra and deserved a proposal a little extra too! So on 28th June 2020 I started to take a picture every day, with her in asking her to Marry Me. As the last 100 days approached I roped in our inner circle and involved our family and close friends so they could all be in the video, wishing her a Happy Birthday and saying ‘Just Say Yes!’.

So on the 28th June 2021, Gem sat down with her mum, aunt and sister to watch her birthday video and 17 minutes of video later, she said YES!

We didn’t really know what we wanted from a wedding, we knew we wanted Hayley Gell as our photographer, we knew we wanted a Barn but apart from that, we just wanted people to be comfortable. Wanting people to be comfortable was the theme that ran through our wedding, we wanted people to relax, enjoy themselves and have a good time! So everything from the sunglasses favours to the bridal parties outfits was all about them being comfortable. We just needed a venue that fitted that theme, and we looked at loads! Until we came across the Tudor Barn in Burnham, we booked an appointment and off we went. We were met by the Wedding co-ordinatior Debbie, we instantly felt relaxed, at ease, loved the venue and ultimately knew that is where we were going to have our wedding!

Our day was everything we wanted, relaxed, family oriented and most of all fun! Gem had two requests for our day:

1)A skunk wedding cake topper

2)Skunks as ring barer - it’s probably a good time to mention that she’s a zookeeper. And she got both so she was happy!

Our day was everything we wanted and more, it was full of our absolute favourite people, love and laughs! And the smoke bombs, denim jackets, long service awards, sunglasses and giant glow sticks just added to the fun of the day, our sneak peak photos are out of this work and we cannot wait for more."