Ramp Up the Fun with
Wildlife at your Wedding
Categories: | Animals in Weddings| Wedding Ceremony| Wedding Planning |
I'm a sucker for animals. Put me in the
same space with anything furry or fluffy and I melt.
As does a huge proportion of the population. So opting
for a pet-friendly wedding is a no-brainer as far as
I'm concerned. And though my concern for your
privacy stops me from taking selfies with you, or any
photos in which you are identifiable, I'll become
unashamedly snap happy when it comes to your fur kids,
or any animals present.Couples have been including their pets in their wedding ceremonoy and wedding photos for quite a few years now. It is no longer a novelty. But that doesn't mean it is old hat. Every pet has a unique personality that is reflected in how the react, interact, and add an element of unpredictable charm and fun. Including your fur kids in your wedding will never grow old and never be boring because they are part of the family. In addition, pets in weddings has taught us that, as well as being downright adorable, having animals around you on your big day can be comforting and soothing, especially if you're feeling nervous.
So it didn't take long for couples to start thinking beyond their own fur kids and explore the idea of adding a wildlife element to their wedding. Or for businesses to add a wildlife experience to weddings, or expand a wildlife experience business to include weddings.
To successfully include wildlife in your wedding requires some thought and preparation. There are many options to choose from, but, before you make a decision and lock that decision in, there are a few things you need to consider.
- Your budget
Involving wildlife in your wedding can be very pricey - Guest phobias
I'll never forget being at a wedding where doves were released indoors at the reception. One of the people sitting at my table shrieked and ducked under the table where she cowered while venue staff did their best to catch the birds. It took a lot to convince her that the birds were back in their cage and she could safely come out. She was visibly shaken and jumpy for the rest of the night. Phobias about birds, butterflies, and reptiles are not uncommon. And name any animal and there are people who are scared of them, not limited to dogs (most common), but also cows, horses, and sheep, etc etc
- Allergies
It seems that an increasing proportion of the population has allergies of one sort or another. While it is routine that guests are asked for food preferences on RSVP cards, have you ever seen an invitation that asks about non-food allergies? I know I haven't. When planning on involving animals in your wedding allergies should be on your radar. For example, most people regard alpacas and llamas to be interchangeable, but alpacas are not only much sweeter in nature, their fur is hypoallergenic.
- Hygiene
There's no polite way to say it. Most animals poop when they need to, regardless of where they might be. In addition, animals can harbour and pass on a wide variety of diseases, so it is always a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly after touching any animal. One thing COVID-19 has done has made us all more careful about hand hygiene and the provision of hand-washing or sanitising facilities at ceremony sites is currently mandatory, so it won't be an additional task or cost. But you will also need to make sure that you have a system in place to quickly and efficiently deal with any "accidents" together with a means of hygienically disposing of the accident.
- Animal welfare
Thankfully, we live in a society where animal welfare has a high priority both socially and enshrined in law. Nonetheless, protections are not equal across all species. So, while not illegal to release butterflied specially bred for the purpose, the RSPCA counsels against it due to the high probability that the butterflies will starve to death after release, or, if improperly handled, die before they can be released.
Hire some wildlife
- Wild but tamed/trained
Birds of prey (raptorsglove ) trained to fly to a glove can be hired to present your rings
- Exotic but domesticated
Animals such as alpacas and llamas are available for hire. They usually come wearing lovely floral collars and attractive bridles and leads.
- Domesticated but unusual
Miniature horses, miniature donkeys, unusual breeds of goats, Highland cattle, pet pigs, even your common and garden backyard chooks can be fun additions to your wedding photos
- Wild cards
Doves (white homing pigeons) and butterflies are two creatures whose presence at weddings is purely so they can be released. Doves come with handlers, and strict conditions if the business is reputable. You'll need to make sure you have wipes of some sort to deal with bird poo. It is very common that doves will poop when held and/or when released. Butterflies are delivered chilled and it is up to the couple to ensure that they are cared for in the optimal conditions to ensure a successful release.
Choose a wildlife
experience venue
a
, for
Zoos, theme parks that include animals, safari
parks, and aquariums can be a great choice if you
want to include animals in your photos without
having to take responsibility for them in any way -
in other words, the staged animal photobomb where
you stand in front of an enclosure so that animal
curiosity does the rest, or where you can enter an
enclosure and have the animals around you., for
Down on the farm
out
More and more rural properties are diversifying by
hosting weddings. Some of these properties are
farming more exotic domesticated animals,
including camels, various species of goats,
alpacas, llamas, and unusual breeds of cattle.
Many also offer accommodation and/or camping
faclities from very basic all the way up to
glamping. Interaction with animals may be
part of the deal. But even if it isn't, the most
ordinary farm animals can create unexpectedly
magic moments. Years ago I married a couple in the
garden of Birches Restaurant up on Mount Mee.
Cattle on the adjoining property were grazing a
long way off. During the ceremony, they moved
across the paddock, very quietly and politely,
until, by the time I declared the couple married,
they were lined up right at the fence. They seemed
completely riveted by the romance of the occasion.
The line of cows made a backdrop better than any
arch or arbour. Magic photos.Roaming free
Uninvited and unwelcome
wildlife
Some can also be a problem. apart from noise (crows and cockatoos are notorious) - ubiquitous bin chickens (ibis), in Brisbane and other areas, to say nothing of seagulls, and swooping magpies. Which leads me to suggest that food, birds, and wedding ceremonies don't mix. Leave the picnic until after the official proceedings.
In the warmer months snakes are on the move. Occasionally I will have a couple eloping to Brisbane from elsewhere who are concerned about snakes. The good news is that snakes at a wedding are a rare occurrence, given they tend to avoid people. I've heard a story or two about weddings where a snake put in an appearance but I stress it is a very rare occurrence simply because couples tend to choose for an open area, away from undergrowth, for their ceremony site, and movement of people preparing the site sets up enough vibration of the ground to scare off any snakes that might be in the vicinity.
Animal welfare
Very early in your wedding planning you will also need to ensure that the venue you have chosen will be safe for the animals you plan to hire, and that any flowers and plants you intend to use in floral decorations, bouquets, and boutonniere's are safe if the animals choose to help themselves to a nibble. Many popular wedding flowers are toxic to animals.
I definitely advise that having a backup plan if conditions on the day mean that a reputable handler will not allow a hired animal to participate. Or at the very least be prepared to accept that decision with good grace.
Embracing wildlife
without being controversial
- Add them to your theme, or theme your wedding around them, featuring models or graphic representations of your chosen animal in wedding decor, items you use in your ceremony, table and aisle decorations, or as additions to bouquets or the lapels of the men in the wedding party
- Host your wedding or reception at a wildlife sanctuary that allows you to have the animals at your event and protect them at the same time
- Add an animal charity, rights organisation, or sanctuary to your wedding registry, asking guests to make a donation in your names
- Sponsor an animal instead of providing bonbonniere (favors) for your guests and put the details on each table
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