Posted on 02/11/2005 9:25:35 AM PST by EveningStar
BRIDE-to-be Sonia Wilde is likely to be upstaged on her big day by the chief bridesmaid - her pet dog, Lucy Brown.
Dressed in a pink, frilly dress, complete with bonnet, the three-year-old cross collie will be the centre of attention when Sonia, 29, ties the knot with fiancé Steve Begley on October 1.
The idea was originally "a bit of a joke", but when the couple popped into St Matthew's Church, Edgeley, Stockport, and suggested it to vicar Brian Statham they were surprised by his response. After a long pause, he said they could do it.
Now, call centre worker Sonia is designing Lucy's dress.
A friend gave Lucy Brown to Sonia about 18 months ago. The pampered pooch usually snuggles up to the couple in their bed at night.
Friends have described the couple from Bridge Hall, near Edgeley, as "slightly mad" for choosing a dog as a bridesmaid.
"I'm not crazy and I'm not eccentric," said Sonia. "I just love my dog to bits; she's like a daughter. I cannot think of anybody else I would rather have as chief bridesmaid.
"When I asked the priest, you should have seen his face. He said in 26 years he had never had a request like it."
Steve, 26, said: "Sonia's an animal enthusiast. Sometimes I come home and she's got stray dogs in the house, feeding them.
"Having Lucy Brown as a bridesmaid started off as a bit of a joke. I've had quite a bit of stick. My mum thinks it's great but my dad doesn't."
Mr Statham, who took over at St Matthew's 18 months ago, said: "After a bit of careful thought I said `Yes'. Dogs have been present at funerals, so why not have one as a bridesmaid?
"When I told the church wardens they raised their eyebrows. I've not met Lucy yet, but I'm putting my trust in Sonia that she will be fine. On the day we will be prepared for anything.
"I might take a few pictures of my own for the family album."
The ceremony, with 200 guests, will be a colourful occasion - the other bridesmaids will be dressed in an assortment of hues, including purple, pink and yellow.
While Sonia and Steve are sticking with traditional outfits and vows, the strains of the conventional wedding march will not echo through the church. Sonia will walk down the aisle to Wham!'s Club Tropicana.
After the service, the couple will jet off to Amsterdam . . . leaving Lucy Brown behind.
Well, at least Sonia won't be offended when someone says that one of her bridesmaids looks like a dog.
The more I experience humanity, the more I like my dog.
I love my dogs, too, but they don't have a place in church except during the blessing of the animals. I thought the point of the bridal party was to witness the marriage.
One step from bridesmaid to bride. Yikes!
Who you calling a Dog?
Makes sense to me.
Paula Deen had her two dogs at her wedding because they were the ones who led her straight to Michael. :)
Hey we got feelings also.
I guess the other bridesmaids can get away with calling her "bitch", huh?
If anything ever told a man "Run from the altar and don't look back," this is it.
She aint nuthin' but a hound dog.
If the libs get their way, It won't be long before the dog gets to wear the wedding gown.
Bet she licks her ass during the wedding though.
When I was married, I had a 'Best Puppy of Honor'. (And a maid of honor as well...)
A good friend of mine had her dog as part of her wedding - sort of a ring bearer, along with her niece and nephew. Thd dog was very well behaved, wore a ribbon the same color as the bridesmaid dresses, and was in a lot of the pictures.
For some, dogs are part of the family. We got our dog after we got married but if one of us had already had her when we got married I'm sure we'd have worked her into the ceremony somehow.
LQ
I'll tell you what, you guys stay ou of church and I'll give you 3 dog cookies, a squeaky toy and a nice belly rub. Deal?
When a Stockport minister was told that Lucy was to be a bridesmaid at a wedding he was due to conduct, he barely batted an eyelid.
But when the vicar realised that Lucy was in fact a dog, he was left looking as though he had seen a ghost.
That, however, was the scenario that the Rev Brian Statham was faced with when Sonia Wilde told him her plans for her October marriage to Steve Begley, 26, the Daily Express reports.
Rather than take the more traditional route of getting a friend or relative to fulfil the bridesmaid honours, the 29-year-old has decided that her loyal pet cross-collie is the girl for her.
Sonia is planning to design a special pink frilly dress for her mutt and Lucy will even sport a bonnet on the special day at St Matthew's church in Edgeley, Stockport.
"You should have seen [the vicar's] face. He said he'd never had a request like it in 26 years," the bride-to-be said.
"I can't think of anybody else I would rather have as bridesmaid. Lucy's my best friend and you want the people you love by your side on the big day."
Lucy was given to Sonia by a friend 18 months ago and the pair have been joined at the hip ever since.
I am growing to appreciate the stringent and generally unbending requirements of the Catholic Church. Wedding must be in a church. Must be a man and a woman. And I can be sure, without checking the official rules, that dogs cannot be bridesmaids or best men.
Nice quotation from one Adolf...
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