‘Adopt, don’t shop’: Bride and bridesmaids swap flowers for rescue dogs to promote adoption

The reason?

The couple wanted to raise awareness about ‘adopt, don’t shop’. The couple, based in Tampa Bay, decided to include a group of five-week-old dogs from a local rescue shelter, Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue in Bradenton.

The little furballs were seen wearing floral crows and collars for the ceremony. (Source: Cami Zi Photography/Facebook)

The puppies and their mother were pulled from a kill-shelter in Georgia recently and brought to the centre, so it was a perfect opportunity for the pair to introduce them to the world, which would encourage others to give the furballs a permanent home. “There are so many animals out there being euthanized. There is a need to get the awareness out there, and what a great venue other than a wedding to showcase puppies,” Dari Oglesby, executive director of the animal shelter told local News 8 Channel.

The couple told People they always knew they had to do something to raise awareness about adoption. “Tina and I knew we wanted to do something to help shelter animals,” Andee said. And while they were looking for shelters where they can bring in the furry animals for the big day, it all aligned perfectly.

The bride said the puppies helped to bring down the wedding jitters and behaved well throughout the ceremony. (Source: Cami Zi Photography/Facebook)

“They just so happened to have a mom from a Georgia shelter and she was pregnant, and a week into being in foster care, she gave birth to 10 puppies. Since we had exactly 10 bridesmaids we thought, how perfect, we have to do this,” the bride explained why they went ahead with Nate’s Honor.

According to a report in the Insider, the pups whimpered a little during the vows, and Krasinski said “one of my bridesmaids did get peed on,” but otherwise they were well-behaved.

Guests totally loved the cute attendees and two are already adopted by those in attendance. (Source: Cami Zi Photography/Facebook)

For now, the young pooches have gone back to their mom at the foster home. However, they will be put up for adoption later this month when they are around eight weeks old, old enough to be separated from the mother. But the good news is, two have already been claimed by guests.

The couple was so overwhelmed with the adorable puppies that they ended up adopting one from the group themselves. Naming the new pawsome member of the family Swift after pop star Taylor Swift, the bride wrote, “He is our official ‘Love Fern'”.

The bride nicknamed the dog-themed ceremony as “puppquets” and is happy that what she intended to do has been done. Feeling so “grateful” and “appreciative” of the support they’ve received, Tina said they hope the attention helps the adoption of “not just them but all the other dogs (at Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue) as well.”