Has anyone had their horse at their wedding ?!

[Dece11]

Hey,

I am getting married in less than 2 months and really want my old horse to put in a guest appearance at my wedding ! My boy is 22 years old and has been a massive part of my life, I have owned him since a yearling. I have agreed with the venue that they are happy and I have a friend who has offered to ferry him around and get him ready! I am just a bit concerned that he might slobber on my dress or trend on my foot ! Just wondered if anyone else has had their horse attend their wedding and how it went ?!

Ta

 

[Nugget La Poneh]

My friend's horse made a surprise visit to her wedding - a mutual friend got him all plaited up and took him over. If the horse is used to being out and about and with lots of people then it will be fine.

 

[thehorsephotographer]

I photograph weddings and earlier this year one of our brides had her horse at her wedding - but she didn't know it was going to happen! The groom and her mother arranged it with two of her best friends who go showing and share livery stables with her. They arrived whilst she was in the ceremony (it was a civil ceremony in a hotel) and they had a fleece rug made for him which was embroidered on both sides with a huge love heart with the couples names and wedding date in it.

When she came outside for her group photos we had him waiting for her. We had taken a little step ladder with us and she got on him (no idea how she managed it in the beautiful dress she was wearing!) and we took quite a few photos of her and the groom with him. One of her friends had brought her wellies. It was fab!

We are photographing another wedding next year where the bride's horse is special guest star. This time it's a wedding taking place in a village church with a marquee on the green and the bride is getting him ready in the morning and then we're going off at some stage to take some special photos with her.

My daughter has just got engaged and I'm really hoping that she is taken to the church with her horse driving a cart - but we haven't started to plan that properly yet. He's been such a huge part of her life it would be lovely to have him there.

 

[stencilface]

I had mine there, you want pics - you got 'em!

I paid for a friend who runs a transporting business to bring him, she turned him out brilliantly and it was pretty stress free. I practised getting on him in a big poofy dress beforehand, he did leave a hoof print on the dress, but I think that's kind of nice

 

[Dece11]

Thanks for your replies guys ! All seem very positive ! Now I have seen those amazing pictures I am sold! You and your horse look stunning Stencil face! My wedding is 4 days before Christmas so some sort of coat maybe required

 

[Shysmum]

have a look in the picture gallery - there is a thread in there with fantastic pics x

 

[stencilface]

Ha, thanks, I can never get my horse that clean! I think alainax on here had a winter wedding on a horse, think she wore some nice fur (not sure real or fake) and looked amazing

 

[Skippys Mum]

I rode Skippy to my wedding . I got married at home and got ready at my pals house, half a mile down the lane. I sneaked Skippy down the day before and my pal got him all ready for me. I rode up the lane and when I got in sight my music started (Abba, I Do, I Do, I Do - cheesy but it worked). I asked him for a wee trot and that went well so we upped the pace and I galloped up the lane

getting on was a challenge (getting off was worse!)

and my bridesmaids

 

[Dece11]

Skippys mum you both look amazing ! Oh all these wedding pics are getting me very excited !

 

[Holzdweaver]

My friend got married in July and her horse was there. I got her ready and there was a panic when the person who was picking her up and bringing her to the wedding cancelled and i couldnt do a thing as i was a bridesmaid. thankfully (as she wouldnt have got married without her there!) another mutual friend picked up the tab and brought her over, held her while she stuck her head through the window at the ceremony itself (the staff were ace!) and waited for the photos before taking her home again.

It was wonderful

 

[mandwhy]

Awww stencilface those pictures are so sweet! I think its a lovely idea, I see my horse more than most people (and I have only had her under a month!) and I think for most of us they are such a major part of our lives (usually more so than those distant family members you have to invite, you know the ones) so why wouldn't they be there? I definitely want an outdoor wedding and my horse does look quite 'weddingy' with her flowing mane, I guess you do need to have a designated handler though. Perhaps a barn type place with a turnout area would be ideal!

 

[Holzdweaver]

found some pictures

after i had scrubbed, polished, plaited and ribboned

a while later at the venue

 

[sidsmum]

Everyone looks lovely! Skippy's Mum - I absolutely love your bridesmaids! And Skippy - bless I only know you with Arnie - but isn't Skippy gorgeous.

 

[ladyt25]

KNEW my sister would post on this thread!

 

[Dece11]

Thanks very one ! My horse will be the star guest for sure ! Loved seeing all the photos !

 

[Caol Ila]

I really would have loved to have had my horse at my wedding, but we had to plan it quicker than we would have liked, thank you UKBA, and it wasn't really feasable to get that into plans. Was really bummed.

 

[dressedkez]

My daughter wants our family pointer at her wedding - she will have to get a move on - he is coming 14 - and she is coming 22..............
Whilst a quiet'ish TB - he will hate the veil (dangly bits) l and the Church Bells - so it could be a 'quckie weddding' even a turbo charged wedding.....but he will love the wedding party, cake and socialising! Just like a Point to Point reallly!

 

[Sunshine8]

I got married at my parents house. My pony lived in the back garden and so made an appearance, my brother also brought his dog.

 

[abbijay]

I couldn't get my horse to my wedding, everyone I would have trusted to look after him was already invited so I got the closest thing and his breeders did the wedding carriage.
And then we did a 'trash the dress' shoot with BP,hubby and me this summer! Still waiting on the proofs but it was hilarious riding around a very large competition venue in a blooming great white frock, people couldn't believe their eyes.

 

[Christsam]

Im not married so no. but i would have him there when I do get married

 

[Clava]

Only at the reception (which was at home)

 

[Polotash]

Oh my gosh, look at all your lovely pics! Stencil face, love the one of you riding away with your dress over his bum - and whoever turned him out with those tiny plaits did a fab job too! :0)

OP, yes, you definitely should have your horse there!

Can I make a confession? OH wants to get married but I don't (we've been together 6 years, he's been pestering me for two) BUT I was offered a side saddle last year, and I did think - oooh, imagine getting married and riding side saddle in the flouncy dress!!!

 

[Skippys Mum]

Clava - post your photos - you are so elegant in them!!

 

[Skippys Mum]

Polotash, I had a shot of a side saddle in advance as the original plan was SS. I just didnt feel secure enough (it was bad enough not having a hat on!! ) so I chose the undignified scramble aboard option

 

[Clava]

Clava - post your photos - you are so elegant in them!!

Just did I must find the negs and get them scanned in.

It never occured to me then (95) to ride to my wedding, but I could have done, I am envious of all your beautiful pics Mine are only snaps, I didn't have a professional photographer.

 

[christi1]

i got married at home my horse and my dog are in my pics

 

[Annagain]

My friend's horse made a surprise visit to her wedding - a mutual friend got him all plaited up and took him over. If the horse is used to being out and about and with lots of people then it will be fine.

This except my friend had two. They have lovely photos of her husband on one and her on the other. I would have had my old boy but he died before we got married and I'd only had my new boy a few weeks so wasn't sure how he'd react so decided against it.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I rode one friends horse to the church for her to have wedding pics with and also plaited up and lead 2 of another friends horses to her reception for pics.

 

[Wimbles]

I lent my big 18 hand ex racer to a lady that had been last minute after she'd had her dress made especially. He was a legend as always, I just hope he's still about when this lonely spinster finally finds someone!!

Sorry! I know I've posted these photos before but I'm still so proud of him!

 

[Orangehorse]

Sorry to tell a sorry story - my mother-in-law was a bellringer at the local church and someone took the bride's horse to the wedding to wait at the gates. They were all waiting there to see the bride and the horse reared up and dropped dead on the ground.
Consternation all round. They covered it with a blanket and pulled the cars round and managed to get the bride out of another gate (after whispering to the groom) so she didn't see it.

The poor vicar shudders when anyone mentions horses at a wedding.