Inspired by Amanda Svachula’s article about wedding fashion for pets, we asked readers to submit images of their own pets dressed for their special day. Here is a selection of furry and feathery family members dressed in a range of fancy attire, from floral collars to extravagant tuxedos, top hats and even a custom sari from India.
There was no doubt that my pets had to be included in my wedding. I am so obsessed with them. I walked down the aisle first so that I would be on the stage to watch Toby and Rooby go down. They were the main focus and the reason I chose my amazing venue. There was no negotiating. The dogs had to be a huge part of my wedding. They’re my kids. Toby had a custom tuxedo made with gold buttons and velvet accents, which was modeled after the groom’s. Rooby’s dress was modeled after Sarah Jessica Parker’s outfit in the opening of “Sex and the City.” She had a blush silk top with a tulle skirt. They were made by Danielle Pursell of SewDoggyStyle. They also had custom sunglasses made by Susan Howard of Hayleys Hats. Rooby also had a custom hair bow made by Breathe and Bark. Both wore custom garlands and leashes from Amaryllis Floral and Event Design on nude rope collars and leashes.
Sarah Meashaw, Bethesda, Md.
A day celebrating our love, would not have been the same without sharing it with our fur babies. Even though our wedding was canceled because of a hurricane, with less than 48 hours notice, we were able to pull through and have a smaller wedding. Our pups were able to stay with us through the entire reception. A family member made a dress for Zoe to match the dresses that my maid and matron of honor wore.
Melody Emerson, High Point, N.C.
He’s our son. We couldn’t imagine our special day without him participating. He truly stole the show, especially when he peed on the huppah at the end of his strut down the aisle. Our florist made Wayland a custom collar to match the rest of our florals. We even had to measure his neck so that it would fit just right. We wanted him to have something unique that you couldn’t buy in a store.
Chloe Zale, New York
He will always be our first son and the first pet each of us had. We bought him a harness tuxedo on Etsy. That way he could stand up at the altar.
Danielle Rains-Walker, Austin, Tex.
He is our child, our baby and he’s been with me through everything. He adores his new permanent papa. He is wiser than the day is long. Our wedding was a Roaring ’20s and Gatsby theme. We ordered his tuxedo and gold bow tie from Chewy.com, his top hat from Amazon and his ring-bearer pillow from eBay.
Shae Steven Franklin, Denver
Because he is just as important to me, if not more, than the man I was marrying, Ernie wore a satin blue tuxedo with a velvet bow tie. It was a custom purchase on Etsy. Post ceremony, on the dance floor, Ernie loosened up and took off his jacket, sporting just his shirt underneath.
Victoria Lam, Los Angeles
They are our family. My dachshund Lily had a message for all of us. She waited 10 years for us to finally get married. She wore a white linen and lace dress with a silk flower collar and matching leash. My Berner, Zoey, wore a silk flower collar with a matching leash, and she walked my husband down the aisle.
Allison Black Goldberg, Union Pier, Mich.
Stella is a part of our family, so there was never a question about her being a part of our wedding. One of Stella’s friends from school has a mom who makes custom dog clothes, and I asked her if she could design a dress for Stella similar to my bridesmaids’ dresses. We did a FaceTime fitting, and she told me how exactly I should pin it. I also included a flower from my dress, and the result was incredible, with unexpected surprises like a glitter top hat with tiny little flowers and a beautiful leash to match. Stella looked incredible.
Devora Libin, New York
We moved to San Francisco from Hoboken, N.J., just two months after getting engaged. Upon moving, we knew we wanted to get a dog, and Bernie stole our hearts from the minute we met him. He quickly made the cross-country move for two East Coasters much easier and really is a part of our family. We couldn’t imagine our wedding day without him. We got married in New Jersey overlooking our favorite city, New York, with our family and friends. Having Bernie be a part of our day allowed us to incorporate our new home of San Francisco, and we couldn’t have pictured it any other way. Bernie’s tuxedo was from a local San Francisco pet shop. As soon as we saw it, we knew it was the perfect black and white classic tuxedo to complement his human father and the rest of the bridal party.
Elise Nest, San Francisco
Both Bruno and Barkley are our family, and it was only fitting that they would be the ring boys for us. Their outfits were incredibly simple: a burgundy bow tie to match the ones that male members of the wedding party wore.
Sophia Boccard, New York
Woodrow was our first dog. He moved with us from the University of Michigan to Alaska, back to Cornell University, and again to Alaska. He was an enthusiastic member of our early sled dog teams, a hobby we have kept up for 37 years. At our wedding, the rabbi would not allow Woodrow into the sanctuary, but he was allowed to attend the reception in the temple’s social hall. Woodrow’s checkered vest and bow tie were very stylish for 1983.
Susan Cantor and Jim Cantor, Chugiak, Alaska
I can’t imagine a wedding day without Nala being a part of it. I actually messaged my husband first on OkCupid, and the first thing he asked was what type of a dog I had. Little did he know, it was two weeks until Nala would come to live with me. She has been there since the beginning of our relationship and is an important part of our lives together. We bought Nala’s suit off Etsy from Olivia’s Doggie Designs. The suit was custom made for our pup. The color of her suit matches the groomsmen and her bow tie matched the bridesmaids’ dresses. We spent more time on the dog outfit than the actual wedding dress.
Mandy Menaker and Eric Winer, New York
While we knew that Baloo would undoubtedly steal the show at our wedding. We also knew that our wedding day would not be complete without him there. Baloo was a groomsman, and he fulfilled the role completely. He helped the groom loosen up and relax before the ceremony by taking him for a walk around the park, providing an easy conversation starter with guests that arrived early, and most importantly, stood right by his side throughout the ceremony. Of course, the bridesmaid that walked him down the aisle knew that all eyes would be on Baloo and not her, but she was willing to make that sacrifice because Baloo is our pride and joy, and firstborn child. In fact, in honor of Baloo, we chose to donate to a bulldog rescue organization, the Philly Bully Team, in lieu of providing traditional wedding favors. Baloo is a short, stocky, dense American bulldog. While his legs are no more than seven inches in length, his build is that of a large bulldog. We knew that his tuxedo for the wedding needed to be custom made. Sean did some research and found an Etsy shop that had experience with pet outfits for weddings. He took out the measuring tape, sized up Baloo’s weird-shape torso, and provided the measurements over to the designer. The tuxedo, designed to match the groom, was flawless. Everything fit perfectly.
Marissa Sudol and Sean Christie, Philadelphia
Slim Jim started our family by joining our pack when she was a puppy. She showed us that love is an infinite, unconditional gift. Slim Jim wore a custom tutu inspired by joy and festivity. The tutu was handmade by our friend’s young daughter, Jane Keenan.
Lorelei Narvaja Gauthier and Daniel Michael Gauthier, Philadelphia
A bridal party is supposed to be composed of your best friends, and Atticus is certainly a best friend to both of us. We call him our chaperone because he always likes to insert himself physically between the two of us and grumbles when we don’t include him in hugs and kisses. Still, he’s both friend and family to us and a huge part of our lives. We knew he had to be included in the wedding. But because being at the actual wedding would have been too exciting for Atticus, we went with a Build-a-Head cutout of his face from Buildahead.com. His cutout participated in photos and walked down the aisle on the arm of one of our bridesmaids.
Madeleine Minton and Jaret Glazer, Chicago
Turtle is a big part of our lives, and since we had a destination wedding, she was coming with us. She was the most photogenic one of the group. Turtle is just donning her feathers. Her beautiful colors don’t need any additional outfit!
Jaime Altabet and Jeff Monheit, Forest Hills, N.Y.
The boys are part of our family. Tasuki has been with me for 13 years and Bagel completed us when I moved back to the Bay Area to be with my future husband after a two-year stay in New Jersey. We could not imagine them not being a part of the biggest day of our lives. We looked at a lot of different options, but settled on these bow ties from Chewy.com. My husband liked the Chippendale look it gave them.
Edward Lim and Luana Lim, South San Francisco, Calif
Before being with my husband, Bill, I’d never had a dog of my own. After being together nine years, and despite his vow not to subject himself to the pain of losing a dog again, Bill arranged for me to get LuLou. She has truly been the most loving gift of which I could ever be the custodian/recipient. She was the only member of our wedding party because she symbolizes the generosity and sacrifice that love requires every day. She wore a Martha Stewart checkered dress, purchased at Ross for its appropriateness for a late-August outdoor wedding ceremony. We wanted it to reflect a feeling of casual fun.
Bill Wersinger and Eugene Lara, Newark, Del.
Honestly, having Combo in the wedding was never a question. It was an automatic detail that neither of us had to think about. Combo is a part of the family and the only logical place for her to be while we were getting married was at the ceremony. Combo was the star and “brand” of our wedding. Our hashtag was #perfectcombo, because she is perfect, of course. And because we are a perfect couple and a perfect combo. Combo’s leash was custom made at LaVilla Dog Works, a shop in the bride’s hometown, Johnstown, N.Y. The leash’s fabric was the same fabric that was used for the napkins at each place setting. Her collar was made by the bride with faux flowers.
Marlaina Hunter and Dan Hunter, Albany
Cooper Brownstone McIsaac is a rescue dog, who as a four-month-old puppy was found abandoned just outside Paris. He was taken in by the Society for the Protection of Animals and arrived the very same day we did to our local shelter, seeking a home, as we were seeking a puppy. Cooper was an obvious choice for the Dog of Honor role at our wedding. Since his adoption in January 2018, he has proved to be a tremendously clever, playful and loving companion. He is at the very center of our days and lives. As Paris is quite dog friendly, he accompanies us on shopping excursions, long strolls through scenic Paris and often joins us when we go out to eat. He even sleeps between us in our bed each night. Our nickname for him is “sweetness and light.” It was always obvious to us that we would include him in our wedding ceremony. We purchased Cooper’s kilt on a trip to Edinburgh in May 2018, the day after we bought the groom’s kilt. As the groom is Franco-Scottish, we thought doing a kilt wedding (and having a bag piper) would be a great way to pay homage to his roots.
Catherine Victoria Olien and Florent John McIsaac, Paris
Coco is a part of the family, so she naturally was a part of the wedding. The morning of the wedding, she hung out with the bridesmaids for hair and makeup. During the ceremony, she walked down the aisle with the flower girls. Later in the day, she mingled with friends and family. Our wedding was a traditional Indian ceremony, so fittingly Coco, like the rest of the wedding party, wore traditional Indian attire. Her outfit was designed in India to match the bridesmaids’ saris. The dressmaker, Kiran of Bangalore, India, was a little surprised by the request for a dog-size sari, but did a wonderful job creating a custom piece for Coco. On her neck, Coco wore a peach garland to match the ones worn by her parents.
Savina Aneja and Shravan Kandula, Winter Park, Fla.
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You’ve dutifully and painfully set aside part of your paycheck each month. You finally have $5,000 saved, with which you could make a down payment on a car, invest in stocks, or buy diamond-studded headphones. These are clearly the only options! But if you’re ready to start playing the stock market, here are some tips and general rules of thumb before you get started.
First, determine if you should even use your savings to invest.
Experts agree that if this is your only $5,000, don’t put it in the stock market. Instead, make sure you have an emergency fund set up. Three to six months’ worth of expenses is a good rule of thumb, says Amin Dabit, director of advisory services at Personal Capital, an online financial advisor. He recommends looking at your income stability to determine where in that range you should fall. For instance, if your income is more variable — say you work in sales or freelance full-time — consider leaning toward six months. But a $500 to $1,000 cushion is better than nothing, says Arielle O’Shea, an investing and retirement specialist at NerdWallet, a personal finance website.
Actually set concrete financial goals. Or prioritize existing ones.
Determining your financial goals can be anxiety-inducing because you’re forced to examine your life goals. Do you plan to get married? Do you want to have kids? When do you want to retire? Is it too late to turn your dog into an Instagram brand and just live off his earnings? “One of the best ways to prioritize your goals is to leverage online tools to get a picture of your overall financial life and then assess your situation,” says Dabit.
For example: Don’t get into the stock market if you’ll need that money in two years to go back to school or buy a car. “The idea of investing is that inherently you’re doing it for a long time,” says O’Shea. “You don’t want to invest in stocks you need in the next five years.” You’ll want those five years to ride out any market volatility.
Nobody likes to lose, but figure out how much of a risk-taker you are.
If you’ve got at least five years, index funds are great for diversification. For the uninitiated: An index fund is a basket of investments designed to track performance of a certain index. One of the best known indexes is the S&P 500, which comprises stock from around 500 of the largest U.S. companies.
Think of index funds like a bento box — you get to invest a little across a bunch of companies through one swift transaction. Look for index funds that have an expense ratio (a fee that covers administrative and management costs) that’s less than half a percent, says O’Shea. Some are less than 0.10 percent. (Links to get started here and here.)
Be honest with yourself: Are you comfortable taking a 15 percent hit? What about 30 percent? If you can’t stomach that kind of risk, the stock market may not be for you. Consider an FDIC-insured CD or high-yield savings account (more than 0.10 percent), says Dabit. (Links to get started here, here and here.)
Bonds are another option for the risk-averse, adds O’Shea. Think of a bond as an IOU. You lend $1,000 to an organization, say your local government, to build a new school and you’ll receive the $1,000 back plus interest over a set number of years. Because a bond is considered a very low-risk investment, the interest is relatively low. (Bonus: Interest from state and local bonds are not subject to federal taxes.) Here’s a link to start:
Take advantage of your job, for a change. Maximize its matching plan.
You work tirelessly for your company — the last thing you want to do is leave free money on the table. Be sure to take advantage of employee-sponsored retirement plans and max out any matching, says O’Shea. If you have a 401(k), chances are you’re already investing in the stock market, likely through an index fund. O’Shea suggests socking away 10 to 15 percent of your pre-tax income for retirement. Dabit makes a similar recommendation: Put aside 20 percent to retire, pay off debt and save for long-term goals like a college fund.
“Just because a goal is short-term doesn’t mean it has to be a priority over a long-term one,” says Dabit.
Open your account and decide if you want to work with a robo-adviser or a broker.
If you’re ready to start buying stocks and managing your portfolio, you’ll need to open a brokerage account. You can choose from a plethora of options for online as well as brick-and-mortar brokerage firms.
If you’re more interested in managing your social calendar than your investments, consider a robo-adviser, a cheaper alternative to a real-life investment manager. You’ll start by answering questions about your goals, risk and time horizon and typically pay a fee around 0.25 percent. A robo-adviser takes the legwork out of selecting and managing your investments (not just limited to stocks). “This is really great for people just starting out or who don’t have complicated financial situations,” says O’Shea. Links to get started here and here.
The most important thing to consider when shopping for a broker, says Dabit, is to communicate directly with a fiduciary — someone who is working in your best financial interest and not driven by, say, commission. Titles can be confusing. The best way to find out is to straight up ask: Are you a fiduciary? “If they’re hemming and hawing—– if they don’t know right away — they’re probably not,” he says.
Some firms offer robo-accounts alongside traditional brokerage accounts.
Minimums won’t be a concern if you have $5,000 burning a hole in your pocket. But you do need to watch out for fees. Look for no-fees accounts and watch for inactivity fees, which penalize you for not making frequent trades.
Consider a Roth IRA if your heart or bank account aren’t fully in it.
If you’re unsure what your goals are, O’Shea recommends a Roth IRA, a retirement account that gives you some flexibility. You can contribute up to $5,500 a year and pay taxes now — meaning you don’t pay taxes when you cash out. The IRS lets you withdraw your contribution (but not the earnings from the $5,000) at any time even though a Roth IRA is designed as a retirement account. “No questions asked, no penalties,” says O’Shea.
Like with any investment, though, your money may be worth less than what you put in once you’re ready to cash out. Still, a Roth IRA could be a great back-up fund.
Whether you’re meeting long- or short-term goals, there’s no fixed path. We realize stock talk isn’t always the most exciting but reading tips and seeking advice — and being savvy about your sources — is the best place to start.
Destination weddings sometimes make the best locations. Picture: Supplied
Some brides know that when the time comes to say their “I dos”, it will be said in the city in which they live, or at a meaningful place that predates the actual engagement.
There are so many gorgeous locations in the world to hold your nuptials, and the right destination can even give you more bang for your buck.
Here are six gorgeous locations around the globe that will have your guests squealing with glee when they open the invitation.
Avianto – Gauteng
Avianto is a very popular wedding destination located in the area of Muldersdrift and hosts quite a number of weddings throughout the year.
Built in 1997, Avianto is a great destination for those that desire the rustic, vineyard setting for their wedding but are not able to travel to the Western Cape.
Avianto venue in Muldersdrift, Gauteng. Picture: Trip Advisor The Big Island – Hawaii
The Big Island is (as stated in its name) the largest island in the chain of islands and offers incredibly diverse topography. The landscape varies dramatically as you travel around the perimeter, so you’ll have your choice of backdrops.
There’s plenty for guests to do too, from exploring the rainforest region to going horseback riding, snorkelling or just lazing on the beach.
Plus, a great advantage for the Big Island is that you can have a wedding any time of the year – you just have to keep an eye out for the weather forecast regarding rain.
The Big Island in Hawaii, USA. Picture: Trip Advisor
Zorgvliet Vineyard – Western Cape
Located in the wine centre of South Africa, Stellenbosch, Zorgvliet is a beautiful venue that provides the rustic setting with exquisite views of the Winelands that compliment the historic Cape Dutch architecture of the Estate, so your wedding photos are bound to be exquisite.
Zorgvliet vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Picture: Supplied Casa Toscana – Gauteng
A jewel in the crown of Tshwane, Casa Toscana takes you to Italy with its Tuscan-inspired architecture, making the location a setting perfect for a fairytale wedding.
Picture being surrounded by beautiful Tuscan gardens, away from the bustling city roads of Tshwane as you say “I do” to your partner surrounded by your closest group of friends and family. What could sound more romantic?
Casa Toscana venue in Pretoria, South Africa. Picture: Supplied
Agreco Farm – Greece
Crete, Greece’s largest island, is known for its varied terrain, which ranges from fine-sand beaches at Elafonisi to the White Mountains.
Delving deep into Cretan tradition, Agreco, a fairytale traditional farm, has been revived and displays some of the Greek’s oldest farming practices. Not only that, but the venue offers exquisite Crete scenery and exotic food.
Agreco Farm in the Crete region of Greece. Picture: Supplied Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa – Jamaica
Jamaica is the third largest Caribbean island known for its vibrant culture, warm weather and exotic food.
It’s beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters are bound to attract you to the island, plus the scenery offers a background for wedding photos.
Situated on an incomparable island oasis nestled between lush mountains and the deep-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa is a great area to exchange vows as a brilliant Caribbean sunset melts into the horizon.
Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Picture: Supplied IOL
The Desi Girl is all set to marry her Prince Charming and we cannot keep calm. Yes, we are talking about Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas.
Their wedding festivities have already begun with a pre-wedding puja ceremony that took place today at Priyanka’s old residence in Mumbai.
Before the duo ties the knot and breaks many hearts, here is a look-back at some of the funniest reactions and memes that made us crack up when the news of Priyanka and Nick’s engagement and wedding first broke out.
Take a look:
1. Same here!
not to be dramatic but I never thought I’d see nick jonas marry someone that wasn’t miley cyrus or me
stephanie (@iwishyouwouId) August 18, 2018
2. *Crying in a corner*
Nick Jonas came all the way to India to meet Priyanka’s family and get engaged to her in the traditional way and here i cant even get a reply.
(@Abnokshius) August 18, 2018
3. Desi Girl is a must!
If Priyanka chopra and Nick Jonas don’t dance to desi girl at their wedding throw the whole thing away
A (@archuud2) July 27, 2018
4. PeeCee should warn him in advance!
Do you guys think Priyanka Chopra prepared Nick Jonas for a Bollywood wedding or is he going to be really confused when his shoes get stolen or when 100 people apply haldi (turmeric) all over him???
Riya Patel (@riyapatel_23) July 27, 2018
5. Just imagine him dancing in his baaraat!
Nick Jonas preparing to get married to Priyanka Chopra pic.twitter.com/gaHL2XdoJm
Bade Chote (@badechote) July 27, 2018
6. What songs will they pick?
while i have zero mental capacity to process priyanka chopra and nick jonas getting engaged, imagining the jonas brothers putting on a sangeet performance is going to be the highlight of my day
tash. (@tashudee) July 27, 2018
7. *Sigh*
If @priyankachopra needs any wedding tips, I’ve had my wedding to @nickjonas planned since I was 11 so I can definitely help out
Jackie (@jackieee182) July 30, 2018
8. Oh yeah!
when @nickjonas realises that his whole family is going to have to do a flashmob on tenu le ke main javanga and mujhse shaadi karogi pic.twitter.com/JL59VyYhU1
Nirali Shah (@nirali_ss) July 27, 2018
9. This will never not be funny.
Couples who eat golgappe together stay together. #PriyankaNickEngagement pic.twitter.com/TZGUjPKjOp
Charansh (@charansh) August 18, 2018
10. She really loves you, Nick!
When you know bae walked out of a Salman Khan film only to be with you. pic.twitter.com/cXBeV5Kh8t
Avinash Iyer (@IyerAvin) August 18, 2018
11. Please, please, please God!
Nick Jonas : god please I don’t want to dance to Bole Chudiyan again pic.twitter.com/WYz7ZiW9rN
Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) August 18, 2018
12. Umm, no comments!
Your accent is more American than mine pic.twitter.com/JtBJmWY8bT
Bollywood Gandu (@BollywoodGandu) August 18, 2018
We are super excited for Priyanka and Nick’s wedding. For all the updates, stay tuned.
ALSO WATCH | Priyanka trolled for wearing Marchesa gown at bridal shower, actress hits back
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