A cat actively participates in a bridal party. (Photo: lemonjenny/CC BY-ND 2.0)
Cat lovers, we have a new item for your “#RelationshipGoals” check list: get married before an adoring army of feline friends. The pioneers of cat-centric wedding planning? Canadians Louise Veronneau and Dominic Husson, who wed this week in front of 1,000 guests—all of them cats.
What happens when you invite 1,100 cats to your wedding? @cbs47 tonight! pic.twitter.com/Q8zh4XiCHX
— Justin Sacher (@justinsacher) May 17, 2016
Veronneau and Husson bonded over their shared values and love of animals (especially cats), according to an interview with local ABC affiliate KFSN. In 2012, the bride visited The Cat House on the Kings sanctuary in Fresno, California. The shelter is North America’s largest no-kill, cage-free cat sanctuary and adoption center, providing a home to hundreds of stray and surrendered cats and kittens. Upon visiting the shelter, Veronneau told KFSN,“I felt in love. I felt in love with the work Lynea and her team is doing for the cats and the rescuing.”
Shortly after visiting the sanctuary, she began dating Husson; three years later, the couple decided to tie the knot—and Veronneau knew the perfect spot for a destination wedding.
So much fun at a @cathouseotkings wedding! Here's a favorite moment from today. This guy was so sweet! @ksee24 now! pic.twitter.com/mKyvE9pWRK
— Justin Sacher (@justinsacher) May 18, 2016
The couple didn’t stop at the all-feline guest list—after some cajoling, they managed to convince the sanctuary’s owner, Lynea Lattanzio, to become ordained so she could officiate the first wedding ever held at Cat House on the Kings. In an interview with the Sacramento Bee, Veronneau said that she “hoped we’re the first of many around the world” who decide to marry at the sanctuary, “because it will bring the sanctuary some recognition for the work they do.” In that spirit, the happy couple have asked that well-wishers donate to the shelter in lieu of gifts.
We’ve embedded Fresno Bee videographer Craig Kohrluss’ video of the couple and their 1,000 guests below; if you’d like some additional feline footage for your Caturday, more of the wedding celebration can be seen at KFSN.