Riding a horse to unveil bride

Tell her to walk. horses stink and the poop & pee can be a huge factor.

In your head it can seem like fairy tale and pretty but then in real life it will probably end up different

I had a hard enough time climbing into my dad's truck in my dress I can't imagine getting on a horse. It will really limit what kind of dress she can choose.

No. just no. Trust me on this one.

I think its a really bad idea! it will definitely be more difficult in real life than she imagines!

Huh.

My dear friend is Indian. It's customary for the *groom* to ride a horse to the temple door, to meet his bride-to-be.... it is NOT - repeat NOT a good idea. He was extremely uncomfortable, it was awkward, and the horse did poop all the way to the entrance, and also got a little freaked by the guests waiting with the bride (who was on their shoulders) and the horse spooked and everyone had a very uncomfortable moment wondering if the groom was going to fall off, or the horse was going to trample them.

Horses are not toys - they are sentient beings that can sense your nervousness and a rider's lack of experience, and that is why no one who doesn't want to get sued for millions will allow you to rent a horse that she just rides up - by herself - to the venue.

Unless she plans to take riding lessons and buy her own horse between now and then, she needs to get real, because this is what will likely *really* happen...

She will stand around in the parking lot till the trailer pulls up and the horse is unloaded and saddled. She will be in her dress, in the parking lot, and will need to lift a leg up 2-3 FEET off the ground, and hook her foot in a stirrup, while grabbing onto the saddle to push herself leg over the horse (unless she will pay $600+ for a custom side saddle, she will have to straddle the horse). She likely will need someone to give her a leg up and grab her leg and possibly to push her butt to give get her over the top, since the dress will be bulky. Then, someone from the ranch will walk AHEAD of the horse, holding the lead (leash) attached to the horses bridle, the *entire way* along side the bride up to the entrance. It will have more of a little girl all dressed up for a pony ride than a princess on her horse vibe, trust me. Then she has to get OFF the horse, without snagging her dress on the tack (hardware, saddle, etc.), and jump down 5 FEET (the average height of a horse at the withers (base of the neck)) IN HEELS.

It will not look elegant, it will be awkward and probably clumsy, and her dress and veil will be COVERED in horsehair, because they shed a LOT, and it sticks to everything. (Hopefully she nor her guests have allergies.) She will dismount, and stand there getting the veil out of her face, and getting her dress sorted, while everyone watches, and then she can start walking towards her guests.

I doubt this is what she has in mind. So, in other words, to quote Celia above...

"No. Just no. Trust me on this one."

P.S. If you'd like thoughts on other 'grand entrance' options (which personally, I think is unnecessarily complicated and is nearly impossible to do memorably in a positive way), let us know what the set-up is... outdoors, on a farm or in a barn, or on a beach - and how will the guests be seated, or how will they know where to look for her, if she's coming up from behind them, etc.

As a rider myself I say "Ditto" to everything Rebecca said. It's hard enough to be graceful on a horse after 20 years of riding in boots and breeches let along with a dress on.

No. Just no. Trust me on this one - I'm going to third this one!

Okay, it depends on who you are together. If a horse peeing in the middle of a processional would be a laugh moment, then go for it. If it would bring her to tears, suggest the recessional be on horseback or a carriage.

In the end, though, I will tell you what people keep telling me: It's her wedding. If she makes the decisions, she also can't regret not getting to do it the way she dreamed of. You can appeal to her logic, but if logic governed weddings, women wouldn't spend thousands of dollars on dresses.

I'm also a rider and hell no I would never ride up on a horse. Maybe compromise and do a horse and carriage, which will lend itself well to your formal theme.

No just no

No animals in the wedding. make it easy on yourselves. Laugh it off and tell her to get a grip on reality.

As Big and Rich would say....Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy

Please don't do a carriage either :/

I really enjoy horseback riding. That being said, I second Rebecca's comment. Not a good idea for a wedding. No matter how much she loves horse hair and the smell, it doesn't exactly mix with a wedding.

As a guest, I would roll my eyes so hard I would probably hurt myself.

It's not cute, it's tacky and the risks involved outweigh anything else. Plus, a white dress with a horse? Not the greatest idea, I've worked at a ranch for years and no matter how hard you brush and scrub that horse it gonna be dusty and it's gonna have a smell to it.

Dammit, what's wrong with a carriage?! I almost did a carriage.

Two words:

Smelly Bride

Lol is there a way to accommodate this woman's fantasy in another way? Cuz this is no holds barred crazy.