A happy couple surprised their wedding guests by recruiting a penguin as their ring bearer.
Pringle the Humboldt walked down the aisle and made a surprise entrance during Jen and Tom Loveland’s big day in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, last Saturday.
Unsuspecting family and friends were told that Jen’s brother, Adam, and Tom’s sister, Carys, would be the ring bearers.
During the ceremony, the couple pretended they had forgotten their wedding rings and quickly left the room, leaving the guests feeling quite uncomfortable.
However, they quickly returned with the 25-inch penguin who walked them down the aisle with the rings.
Jen, 27, from Wirral, Merseyside, and Tom, 28, from Birmingham, were already aware of the trick when they booked Pringle beforehand.
Pringle Humboldt walked down the aisle and made a surprise entrance during Jen and Tom Loveland’s big day in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
But guests were left baffled by last Saturday’s surprise visit.
Adam lured Pringle to the altar with a bucket of fish and posed for several photos alongside the other 80 guests.
He was joined by his friend and backup penguin, Widget, to provide moral support.
The couple has been together for four years after meeting at university.
Tom proposed to Jen 18 months ago while snorkeling in Greece.
Jen, from Wirral, Merseyside, and Tom, from Birmingham, insisted that a sweet baby attend their wedding.
They booked reindeer for the wedding party at the private zoo, Heythrop Zoological Garden.
Pringle the Penguin Walked Down the Altar on Jen and Tom’s Wedding Day
The happy couple with the two penguins, Pringle and Widget, on their wedding day
Pringle the penguin giving rings to Jen and Tom on their wedding day
Adam lured the penguin to the altar with a bucket of fish
Jen and Tom had a lot of fun with Pringle the penguin.
Initially, they were considering hiring a goose as a ring bearer, but were told he didn’t have the “right temperament.”
Instead, staff suggested a penguin could take part in the wedding in Bridgenorth, Shrops.
Hiring a penguin cost the couple just over £1,000 as this included the cost of transporting and caring for the animal.
“We kept it a secret from all the guests; only me, Tom and the ring bearers knew,” Jem explained.
‘It was so funny when they ran out and pretended they had forgotten the rings.
“The guests were mumbling uncomfortably and it was very awkward until I heard someone say, ‘Oh my God, there’s a penguin!'”
Pringle posed for photographs with the newlyweds and their 80 guests
Pringle was joined by his friend Widget, who also posed for snaps with the happy couple.
Jen, 27, and Tom, 28, pictured signing the register.
Jen and Tom with the two penguins, Pringle and Widget, on their wedding day
The couple looked radiant at their wedding in Bridgenorth, Shropshire.
The couple also hired a reindeer from a petting zoo for their reception.
He added: “They were a last-minute addition and we booked them with leftover funds from the wedding.”
‘We booked reindeer from a petting zoo because our honeymoon will be in Norway and we wanted to fit the theme.
‘Tom asked about a goose, but we were told they don’t have the right temperament.
‘They suggested penguins because it’s basically like having a dog there.
‘They are curious and friendly and are used to being around people.
“They were very relaxed that day and everyone loved it.”