A couple who planned their whole wedding around their furry friends stand by their decision despite facing criticism from their loved ones.
Aishwarya Nayal, 33, racked up 2 million views on Instagram (@sky_themountainhusky) with a montage of clips from her big day. The video, which features her dogs Sky, a husky, and Hazel, a mastiff, enjoying every aspect of the celebration, includes text explaining that people had warned her against involving her pets. But the footage shows the canines having the time of their lives.
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"As we planned our pet-friendly wedding, we faced some skepticism," Nayal, a consultant from India, told Newsweek. "Concerns were raised about our big dogs being around children, and even my own family was upset about the expenses for their dresses and other items, suggesting that the money could have been used for more traditional wedding needs. Some people even made fun of us for including our dogs on the stage during the ceremony.
"However, as dog parents, we remained unfazed. We are thick-skinned and unwavering in our commitment to making our pets an integral part of our big day."
Indeed, the couple went above and beyond to make sure their canines could attend their three-day destination wedding in Uttarakhand, India. They forked out $300 on dresses and accessories for their furry friends and year-old Hazel was even appointed maid of honor. But both dogs accompanied their owner down the aisle.
This was a nonnegotiable request for the owners who had searched high and low for a pet-friendly venue. Nayal spoke to Newsweek about the planning process.
She said: "The next step was to brief our photographers. We had lengthy discussions to ensure they understood our priorities for the wedding. We made it clear that it was OK if they didn't capture every relative, but our dogs needed full coverage.
"We had similar discussions with our decorators and event managers, emphasizing the importance of making our pets a central part of the celebration."
During the video that has over 209,000 likes, the dogs can be seen accompanying their owners during Haldi which is a preparation ceremony ahead of an Indian wedding. It involves rubbing turmeric (haldi), mixed in oil and water, to the body. It acts as a skin exfoliant to liven the skin before the wedding, according to wedding planner website The Knot.
So far, the video has received many comments from people who like the idea of a pet-friendly wedding.
One user said: "Don't invite those people who asked [you] not to take [your] dogs."
"I'd love to attend a wedding where pups are allowed," said another.
A third commenter said: "Honestly ban kids allow dogs."
How To Have Your Dog at Your Wedding
Nayal has shared her top tips aimed to help owners involve their pets on their big day:
She said: "Including dogs in your wedding can be a delightful experience with proper planning."
- Start by choosing a pet-friendly venue that accommodates your dogs comfortably.
- Incorporate traditional attire for them, and assign specific roles, such as ring bearer.
- Communicate with your vendors to ensure they capture and accommodate your pets.
- Socialize them with some of your friends who are going to be present in your wedding so they can entertain them or walk them if required, and set up a comfortable rest area with toys and treats.
- Inform guests in advance and ensure the safety of all decorations and food.
- By considering their temperament and planning ahead, you can create a memorable and inclusive celebration that honors your love for your pets and your culture.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human ... Read more
