Bella Watkins and I decided to arrange the marriage of our dogs in a backyard ceremony. This event is something we have been discussing for a couple of years now, so we finally made it happen on March 11th, the last weekend of Bella's 6th grade Spring Break. 
The night before, Bella made lots of tiny cupcakes for the guests, and selected the perfect icing colors.  Rachel and I made a photo area, and we did everything but a rehearsal because we became carried away with other things, especially once my parents arrived in town and the chardonnay started pouring about.  Eddy and Rudee sat on the couch and waited patiently while we doted about, oblivious to the plans in store for them.

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Bella the baker, perfecting the icing colors for the tiny cupcakes

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Rachel preparing the photo area with tissue leftover from baby shower gifts, she is so talented!

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   Our snacks for the people included my Mom's delicious pimento cheese sammy's, Bella's colorful cupcakes, a bowl of danish wedding cookies, carrots and veggies, goldfish, and some other delicious stuff brought by the guests. 

For the canine guests, my friend Robin Taylor of the delicious smelling and tasting (yes, I've tried one or two) Oscar Bites Dog Treats provided the party favors and the beautiful wedding cake for the couple and their friends. Mom also made up some cute milk bone suckers.

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Table display with the engagement photo and Robin's beautiful cake

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Close up of the cake made by Robin Taylor of Oscar Bites!

My friend J-Nasty Sand had the perfect cake topper look-a-likes!

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The wedding began around 45 minutes later than planned (we felt Doc needed a quick trip to the lake to get energy out before his friends arrived ) so we threw the remaining touches together with the help of some of the guests. John Watkins (Father of the groom) started his playlist of dog themed songs hooked to our karaoke machine.  The crowd gathered as we waited on the groom to be escorted/held by Bella, as we played a special song called "Puppy Love" written by our friend Joe Shelby. (Vid with song at the end of this blog)

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After the Puppy Love song, John Watkins blew "Isn't She Lovely" into the unique melodica for the bridal procession.

Walker led our bride down the aisle so I could take photos..  she lost her vale along the way but we fixed it quickly before she approached her groom. Here's a short vid from Marilyn Estes..

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Our friend Lisa Stokes, a real deal ordained wedding officiant, joyfully led the ceremonials

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We went straight for the kiss instead of adding rings, and tried to use a bit of hot dog threaded through fishing line, but only Eddy was interested so he stepped on his bride to get to it..

AYP_8613 AYP_8617 AYP_8621 AYP_8625 AYP_8630-2 AYP_8631 AYP_8639 The cake eating begins, in the background is a beautiful wreath of camellias made by our friend Catherine of Flowers by Posy.  She also provided the beautiful floral collar for Rudee. AYP_8638 AYP_8642 AYP_8643 AYP_8644 Rudee and Eddy shared their beautiful Oscar Bites cake with their friends

CakeEating And after, the Bride and Groom took a few photos

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AYP_8860 Doc, Rudee's home brother looks a little disappointed we chose Eddy for her.. he'll get over it. AYP_8819 Photobomb by the bride AYP_8909 The Watkins family with the Bride and Groom

And some of the guests.. AYP_8785 AYP_8881 AYP_8839 AYP_8748 Bucky!!

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My Mom and Dad with Banjo : )

Lisa even printed a marriage certificate for the happy couple!
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Thanks to the guests, we received monetary donations as well as food and treats from the guests and we donated to Athens Council on Aging, and to Athens Canine Rescue for a spay/neuter.

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Here's a very low resolution vid of the wedding photos with Joe's "Puppy Love" song...