A miniature schnauzer named Kurt has made history by being the first dog to walk the aisle at Salford Register Office.
Middleton couple Ben Barnes and Leona Armstrong married on Thursday (April 21) at the office at the Civic Centre in Swinton and they said that having their beloved one-year-old pup be part of the ceremony was important.
Ben, 35, a freelance cameraman who films for Love Island and BT Sports and Leona, 30, a wellbeing lead who works with neurodivergent young people at a specialist arts college, have been together for eight years after meeting through friends.
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“We were over the moon that we could have Kurt with us,” Ben said. “This is just a small, simple ceremony for us and our parents before a big wedding celebration in May.
“We can’t take Kurt to the big wedding as it would be too much for him and a nightmare keeping an eye on him all day so this was perfect. He had a bath and his fur blow dried for the occasion and dressed up in his best collar and bow tie.”
The plan to allow dogs to attend weddings at the Registry Office was set to begin in 2020 but the pandemic ultimately put all proposals on hold. With restrictions now lifted, canine companions can now walk their humans up the aisle and share in their special day.
John Searle, Place Director at Salford City Council said: “Dogs are very much part of people’s families and we want to make them welcome too. Our plan was to start this in 2020 but Covid restrictions made it impossible so I’m delighted we can now go ahead.”
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