Unexpected Wedding Crashers That Turned Out to Be Party Animals

These couples’ guest lists included a few cuddly friends.

1 of 15

If you’re planning an outdoor celebration, it’s possible that a four-legged friend—in addition to the canine variety—might make an appearance. Here, a happy variety of creatures that stole the show at these soirées.

2 of 15

The Furry Fawn

KT Merry

See More Details From Alanna and Craig’s Wedding

He wasn’t on the guest list, but a baby deer roaming the nearby fields was a welcome visitor at this celebration at a restored barn in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

3 of 15

The Dashing Donkey

La Vie Photography

See More Details From Amanda and Johnnie’s Wedding

The brides confirmed Bella Luna Farms was their venue within five minutes into their visit. They were wowed by owner Pamela Thompson, who lives on site, makes cheese there, maintains the grounds, and takes care of the animals, like Vincini the donkey, who was more than ready for his photo op on the big day.

4 of 15

The Photo-Bombing Camel

Our Labor of Love

See More Details From Libby and Weldon’s Wedding

A local camel looked on as this bride and groom posed for a picture before their destination wedding ceremony in the Moroccan desert. “They’re literally everywhere here,” says Weldon, the groom, “so it made sense that they be a part of our wedding.”

5 of 15

The Grazing Sheep

Corbin Gurkin

See More Details From Celeste and Elizabeth’s Wedding

Ash Mill Farm, a working sheep farm with an inn for parents and close friends to stay at over the wedding weekend, boasted a tent and outdoor ceremony space, and of course a field of lovely lambs.

6 of 15

The Happy Ranch Horse

Landon Jacob

See More Details From Michelle and John’s Wedding

When you wed on a cattle ranch, as Michelle and John did, you might get a few four-legged attendees. Posing with one of the venue’s animals was a happy accident: When the couple arrived at the pasture, the horse let out a loud neigh and trotted over for the portrait.

7 of 15

The Local Lamb

Elizabeth Messina Photography

See More Details From Corbin and Thatcher’s Wedding

A lamb from a nearby farm made an appearance wearing a crab-apple wreath at this celebration at Longueville House, an 18th-century Georgian mansion in County Cork, Ireland.

8 of 15

The Moo Crew

Sarah Smith

See More Details From Crystal and Ben’s Wedding

Crystal and Ben designed a special day they described as “country hoedown meets ethereal dream” that was full of glittering DIY details, bluegrass music, and great food—for wedding guests and cows alike! “Near the reception tables there was a row of head slots that the cows stuck their heads through, eating alongside everyone else,” recalled Crystal. “They just watched the festivities getting a pat or two from guests.”

9 of 15

The Friendly Furbaby

Karen Wise

See More Details From Hanna and Jimm’s Wedding

When Hanna and Jimm wed at the bride’s family farm, The Kaaterskill, in an outdoor ceremony amid the pastoral fall foliage, they were joined by 85 of their nearest and dearest, plus a few animal extras. “The donkeys are the most gentle, and love to be pet,” says the bride. Two roam the property alongside 19 other animals and a coop full of chickens.

10 of 15

The VIB (Very Important Burro)

Bryce Covey Photography

See More Details From Katherine and Jared’s Wedding

A hardworking donkey named Freighter carried light bushels of amaryllis, viburnum, parrot tulips, and grevillea at this desert-luxe Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe wedding. He was the most popular guest with the selfie-taking attendees.

11 of 15

The Shy Equine

See More Details From Katherine and Jeff’s Wedding

Though this couple opted for feathery, avian-themed touches at their nuptials on the bride’s family plantation, it was a four-legged creature that caught the eye of the photographer: The mother of the bride’s horse, named J. B. (for Jim Beam).

12 of 15

The Farm Friends

Jessica Antola

Lambs on this Combahee River plantation were originally bought for their meat, but after their mothers died, the bride’s family bottle-fed them and raised the sheep as beloved pets. So it was only natural that the wooly grazers be present for the bride’s big day.

13 of 15

The Cuddle-Ready Ranch Residents

Erin Kate Photography

See More Details From Lizzy and Pat’s Wedding

Burrito the donkey was just one of the animals guests got to visit during this soirée at Red Cliff Ranch. The Utah venue also boasts horses, sheep, bulls, cows, and geese. As dog lovers, Lizzy and Pat were happy to have the ranch dogs join them during cocktail hour, too.

14 of 15

The Beloved Horse

Sabine Scherer

See More Details From Nikki and Mike’s Wedding

For their nuptials at Utah’s Leonard Lake Reserve, Nicki and Mike arrived with 25 people, three dogs, and a horse in tow. For three days, the happy group hiked, canoed, and sat around a campfire. The highlight was the wedding itself, which included a string quartet, four-legged attendants, and the bride’s entrance on horseback.

15 of 15

The Well-Dressed Donkey Diva

Landon Jacob

The resident donkey at this Marion, North Carolina, cattle ranch wore his own ranunculus-studded crown for his five minutes of fame at John and Michelle’s wedding.

Replay gallery

Account

More

Unexpected Wedding Crashers That Turned Out to Be Party Animals

1 of 15

1 of 15

2 of 15

The Furry Fawn

2 of 15

3 of 15

The Dashing Donkey

3 of 15

4 of 15

The Photo-Bombing Camel

4 of 15

5 of 15

The Grazing Sheep

5 of 15

6 of 15

The Happy Ranch Horse

6 of 15

7 of 15

The Local Lamb

7 of 15

8 of 15

The Moo Crew

8 of 15

9 of 15

The Friendly Furbaby

9 of 15

10 of 15

The VIB (Very Important Burro)

10 of 15

11 of 15

The Shy Equine

11 of 15

12 of 15

The Farm Friends

12 of 15

13 of 15

The Cuddle-Ready Ranch Residents

13 of 15

14 of 15

The Beloved Horse

14 of 15

15 of 15

The Well-Dressed Donkey Diva

15 of 15

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery