“Max is a special cat,” says Katie Barnes of the orange tabby she adopted from Pet Helpers. “He is large (big-boned, not fat) and in charge and makes his presence known. He brings so much joy to our lives just by being his goofy self. Also, he fetches better than most dogs. We dote on him like the crazy cat parents we are, and it shows.” Need proof? On their wedding day last summer, facsimilies of Max made cameos right and left at Katie and her now-husband Scott’s otherwise elegant wedding at The William Aiken House. Knowing that cats are not amenable to crowds or flower collars, and that, as such, a feline ring bearer was not meant to be, Katie came up with the idea of incorporating a pillow of his face instead, along with a life-sized cardboard cutout version of him. “Max is an integral part of our little family and we couldn’t imagine him not being present on our Big Day.” Got a critter you need to include, too?
Creature Comforts
Do: Be practical. While dogs and even small pet pigs (we’ve seen ’em) can be at home at a wedding, other pets—cats and ferrets (seen those, too), for instance—don’t do well with crowds and parties. If your animal isn’t up to it, don’t force inclusion.
Do: Find a stand-in. Max the cat showed up via cutouts and pillows. Other options? Work your fur-baby into a crest, the invitations, or other papergoods; include them in a custom cake topper; or display their photo with other family snapshots.
Do: Get a handler on things. Pet nannies like Dog Tired pet sit your four-legged friend on your Big Day, on-site or remotely, or both. Another option? Assign a family member, someone from the wedding party, or other guests to do the honors. (Keep all pets super-hydrated—and consequently well-walked—during the dog days of summer.)
Do: Have them smile for the camera. Invite Fido or Felix to join you for your couple’s portraits, before or after the ceremony.
Been wondering why go the extra mile for a bridal portrait shoot? While the tradition began in Southern Europe, at a time when affluent families would hire an artist to paint the picture, we’ve come...
Like any solid relationship, Ali DuRant and Quinn Foster’s foundation began in friendship. They met at a July Fourth party on Sullivan’s Island in 2013. But it was a fated bus ride to a USC vs. UGA...
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Or can you? The old adage implying you can’t have it both ways didn’t ring true with Lauren Margaret Snyder and Robert “Bo” William Bledsoe’s May 1st...
Need ideas for your wedding color palette? If you missed this bold and beautiful mock wedding (inspired by a to-die-for metallic rose gold Shelby Cobra convertible) in the latest installment of...
Love’s Timeline
New Yorkers Philip (Phil) and Brittany (Britt) Mcphail’s first brief meeting was at a concert. Five years later, at Britt’s cousin’s house, the two happened to...
A Charleston Rehearsal Dinner | Introductions
Laura-Brooke and Ryan both grew up in Florence, South Carolina, but they didn’t meet until a college spring break trip to Myrtle Beach in 2015. The S.C....
But What If It Rains?
Anybody who has ever planned a wedding has asked themselves this question. When you’re spending big money and planning for months, nobody wants the forecast to quite...
“Falling” In Love
Picture this. You’re in college, on your way to class. Your crush steps out of the building door two feet in front of you … and you immediately trip over your shoes. You...
K. Cooper Ray is on a mission to return menfolk to manners, one bow tie at a time. Find out how the local tastemaker teamed with Brooks Brothers to reinvent a wedding wear classic
In October 2015, it was the 1,000-year flood. This year, it was Hurricane Matthew. Bummer for Big Days? We think not. See how this couple—one of many—proves love trumps any storm that rolls into Charleston
