Would like to include my horse in my wedding- any advice?

The first thing I thought about is what if the horse has to shit. I guess it's possible that somewhere out there a human bridesmaid has had to 'go' but horses are probably not going to know they shouldn't poop during the middle of the ceremony. I haven't smelt a horse diaper (surprisingly not on my bucket list) but I have been around many baby diapers and that's also not a smell I want to experience at a wedding.

I absolutely love horses. Everything about them.

I am doing this but I would find an outdoor venue, ride her down the aisle and have someone put her into a stall afterwards. I wouldnt want to put my FG on her ONLY bc you never know.

Also include her in pics like others have their dogs and cats, etc.

Good luck!

The portraits are so beautiful! I looked at some venues where brides rode horses to the ceremony (they'd come from across the vineyard on the horse, dismount outside of the ceremony site, then walk down the aisle). They also had some where the bride and groom rode off into the sunset after the ceremony. I thought it was awesome! It also means you don't have to deal with anyone's allergies, poop issues, the horse standing beside you and the bridesmaids, etc.

Thanks everyone. I wish i had my own barn because that would take out half my worries. I'm glad some horse girls chimed in, it's not gross... my horse is truly as good as a friend as my bridesmaids are and will be around for another 15 yrs or more. I'm an anxious person. I think seeing another person handle my horse would bother me. If the venue has stalls i would have her set up closeby for pictures. I also would have my wedding party and guests dress in comfortable clothing because its outdoors! It has always been a dream of mine to include my pets on our day. My FH got my horse as a gift 6 months after we started dating. So she is our baby we love dearly.

How about just doing some pics with the horse before the wedding?

As a lifelong H/J rider, part of me loves the idea of including your horse! If you have the space for it, someone to trailer, and she's quiet in unusual circumstances, I'd say go for it. If it's too difficult to include her in the ceremony, maybe just do pictures? I personally would want someone else handling her the day of, if it were me, though. At least the majority of the handling. You don't want to get your dress all covered in horse hair or horse snot

Don't

This IMO goes right along with no dogs.

I did bridal portraits with my boy but he didn't get a wedding invite

I've seen a bride ride in on her horse before and it was really Beautiful.

I would be SO distracted by the horse the entire time. It's all I would be watching and I wouldn't have any idea what was happening during your ceremony. I also thought the same thing as RealLindseyO about the horse taking a shit walking down the aisle. And a bag of shit attached to it really doesn't make it better. Sorry but I just don't think a brideshorse is a good idea.

OP I think the idea of riding in is beautiful if you don't mind the hair getting on your dress [or do a side saddle with her in a long show blanket special for the day] and I think as long as your guests are made aware of her presence and you practice with her for it [lots of plastic bags and carrot sticks and shiny things since there will be sparkles and bags and noises all day] it would be so sweet including her!

Firstly you said you are looking for a venue near Pittsburgh PA? If you don't mind a bit of a distance I know of a venue that might actually help make this happen! It's in Wrightsville [near York] so like I said, a bit of a distance. But Lauxmont Farms is a horse farm by the river and they already include horses in weddings - parking attendants are mounted on horseback to direct traffic in and the couple gets a horse drawn carriage for part of their wedding day if they want it! It's actually my venue - I used to work there many summers ago and I know they'd be a great place to look into. The cost is not small but its not awful and it's a gorgeous place - call them and tell them your vision and see if they can accommodate you [provided you are willing to travel that far from pitt.]

Things I would suggest no matter with lauxmont or any other venue you might find

- Find a place to board her on site or very close nearby that she can stay over night the night before and the day after

- Hire a handler for her - even if you have one in the wedding party walk her down the aisle for you [or you ride her down the aisle which would be amazinggg imo] you want the person handling her for the ceremony to be able to hand her off after her part is done without them having to miss anything in between, and you'll want this person also to get her ready for you because you likely will not have the time to tack her out nor a place to tie her near your getting ready spot that morning

- Familiarize her with the venue before the day of. Even if she is 100% desensitized she might spook in a new place and you want her to feel safe there. Schedule a time to do a test ride along the routes you will use with her and put up sensory obstacles on the way so she is prepared for your day.

No matter what you choose GOOD LUCK and please please please post a BAM because I would just love to see this!

Your horse will end up being the center of attention instead of you and the groom. Plus I doubt your guest will want to dress up nice to go to a wedding that will smell like a horse stable.

Why you just can't ride on her

Lauxmont looks gorgeous but a little far from where i want my guests to travel to. I hope i remember to share pictures next year! I think i have a few things to try and we will see how it all plays out.

Girl.

I had one couple who planned to get married on horseback (no guests, and I would not have been on a horse). But, they scrapped the idea for a variety of reasons.

What?! Horses given a bath will not smell. And it is their wedding.

Wow! I can't believe all the neighsayers (pun intended) on here! As a horse owner, I am considering my mare to be like a ring bearer with my MOH--she is a horse person as well. Horses do not smell when groomed and for this event they will be groomed and cleaned to the nines. Must be a lot of non-horse folks on here.

If you can do it--do it--your horse is part of your family and life. It isn't for others to decide--it's the couple's event!

The venue where ours is said it is ok, and my horse is less than a couple miles away--I've ridden her there. Immediately afterwards, someone would haul her home.

Best Wishes!