Bouquets have come to be the classic accessory for bridesmaids to carry as they walk down the aisle. A bride in Plant City, Florida, however, decided on something different. When Andee Ondina and Tina Krasinski wed on Monday, their bridesmaids strolled down the aisle with puppies instead of flowers.
The bride, Ondina, made this unorthodox decision in the hopes of raising awareness for rescue animals and to persuade people to adopt, not shop. Adoption applications were even available at the wedding reception.
The bridal party included 10 adoptable five-week-old puppies. Ondina told WFLA-TV that she decided to nickname her furry bouquet substitutes “puppquets”.
This unconventional choice made the day even more special by adding an adorable flare to the ceremony. The couple’s decision to use their wedding for a good cause is likely to have an even happier ending. From stories we’ve seen in the past, these kinds of thoughtful gestures usually end with most, if not all, of the puppies ending up in happy and loving homes.
It isn’t just the Krasinski’s getting into the puppy spirit. In 2017, North Carolina bride Meghan Bulter also opted for puppies instead of bouquets for herself and her bridesmaids at her wedding. Like Ondina, Butler had decided on this in the hopes that she would raise awareness for puppies who needed rescuing. After the wedding, Butler told People that all the puppies had since been adopted.
Similarly, Sally Burky told Insider that after her wedding, which also showcased adorable dogs who were up for adoption, four out of the total five dogs were adopted. On this occasion, having the puppies at the wedding not only allowed for the adoption of four puppies, but also drew a lot of attention to the rescue home that the dogs were living in. The rescue home, Haven of the Ozarks, was overwhelmed by the support they received after Burky’s wedding.
So, to us, having bridesmaids carry puppies is cool and unconventional but also heartwarming and adorable. It may just be the pawfect decision.
Image: Facebook/Wishing Well Barn
