Bridesmaids Swaps Bouquets For Shelter Dogs To Walk Down The Aisle
In Ozark, Missouri, bride Sally Burky turned her wedding day into a heartwarming celebration of her love for animals.
A devoted animal advocate and volunteer, Sally knew she wanted to make her big day special not just for her and her husband but for some furry friends in need of homes.
A Unique Wedding Idea
The idea sparked when Sally was browsing Pinterest and saw bridesmaids carrying puppies instead of traditional bouquets.
Inspired, she thought about featuring shelter animals that needed homes.
With her fiancé’s support, they contacted Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary in Washburn, Missouri, a place close to Sally’s heart where she often visited and contributed.
Source: The Honey&Bee Photography
The shelter was thrilled with Sally’s idea to highlight adoption during her wedding.
Sherah Farris, the shelter’s director, carefully selected dogs that were well-suited for the event’s excitement—a mix of puppies, adolescents, and senior dogs.
About a week before the wedding, Farris chose dogs that could handle the stress of a new environment and the presence of strangers.
“We have about 110 dogs at any given time, so I waited until about seven days before (the wedding) and I picked dogs I knew could handle the stress of the new environment and can handle being around other dogs and strangers,” shared Sherah Farris with Today.
A Happy Day For The Newlyweds And The Dogs
Source: The Honey&Bee Photography
On May 11, the wedding day, each bridesmaid and groomsman walked down the aisle with an adorable shelter dog on a leash.
While Sally didn’t witness the moment herself as she was preparing for her own entrance, she later saw in the wedding video how the guests’ faces lit up with joy seeing the dogs.
“The fact they were rescue dogs really hit a spot with people,” the bride told Today.
The impact of Sally’s decision went beyond just making her wedding day memorable. The couple also collected donations for the Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary.
Source: The Honey&Bee Photography
According to People, the funds were earmarked for a new mobile adoption van, crucial for bringing animals to adoption events in larger cities, thus improving their chances of finding forever homes.
To Sally’s delight, not only did her wedding raise awareness and funds, but all the dogs that participated in her wedding were quickly adopted.
Source: The Honey&Bee Photography
She expressed her joy and the importance of being a voice for animals, stating, “Animals don’t have a voice, but we do. By having them in our wedding, I wanted to share my compassion and show how important it is for us to be their voice. They count on us.”
The Wedding Raised Spotlight On Rescue Dogs
The story of Sally’s wedding quickly spread across the country, inspiring donations and support for the shelter from all over.
Her innovative approach to combining her wedding with animal advocacy not only showcased her compassion but also helped many dogs find their loving homes.
Source: The Honey&Bee Photography
For those inspired by Sally’s story, consider visiting the Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary or a local shelter to find out how you can help or maybe even find a new furry family member.
