Something borrowed, something Pingu! Ring bearer penguin surprises wedding guests as he waddles down the aisle for the couple's big day
A lucky couple wowed their wedding guests by recruiting a penguin as a ring bearer.
Pringle the Humboldt waddled down the aisle and made a surprise entrance at 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 to have forgotten the wedding rings and quickly left the room, making the guests feel quite uncomfortable.
However, they soon returned with the 2-foot penguin accompanying them down the aisle with the rings.
Jen, 27, from Wirral, Merseyside, and Tom, 28, from Birmingham, were already aware of the stunt when they pre-booked Pringle.
Pringle the Humboldt waddled down the aisle and made a surprise entrance during Jen and Tom Loveland's big day in Bridgnorth, Shropshire
But the guests were let down by the surprise visitor last Saturday.
Pringle was lured down the aisle by Adam with a bucket of fish and posed for some photos with the other 80 guests.
He was accompanied by his friend and backup penguin Widget for moral support.
The couple has been together for four years after meeting in college.
Tom proposed to Jen 18 months ago while they were snorkeling in Greece.
Jen, from Wirral, Merseyside, and Tom, from Birmingham, were adamant that a cuddly animal would attend their wedding.
They booked reindeer for the wedding party at the private zoo, Heythrop Zoological Garden.
The penguin, Pringle, walked down the aisle on Jen and Tom's wedding day
The happy couple with the two penguins, Pringle and Widget, on their wedding day
Pringle the penguin gives Jen and Tom their rings on their wedding day
The penguin was lured down the aisle by Adam with a bucket of fish
Jen and Tom had a lot of fun with the penguin, Pringle
Initially they wanted to book a goose as a ring bearer, but were told it did not have the 'right temperament'.
Instead, staff suggested a penguin could take part in the wedding in Bridgenorth, Shrops.
Renting a penguin set the couple back just over £1,000 as this included the cost of transport and zookeeper.
'We kept it a secret from all the guests; only me, Tom and the ring bearers knew,” Jem explained.
“It was really funny when they ran out and pretended they forgot the rings.
“The guests were mumbling uncomfortably and it was so awkward until I heard someone go – oh my god, there's a penguin!”
Pringle posed for photos with the newlyweds and their 80 guests
Pringle was joined by his friend Widget, who also posed in photos with the happy couple
Jen, 27, and Tom, 28, were pictured signing the register
Jen and Tom with the two penguins, Pringle and Widget, on their wedding day
The couple beamed at their wedding in Bridgenorth, Shropshire
For their reception, the couple also rented a reindeer from a petting zoo
She added: 'They were a last minute addition and we booked them with leftover wedding money.
'We booked reindeer from a petting zoo because our honeymoon will be in Norway and we wanted to fit in with the theme.
'Tom asked about a goose, but we were told it didn't have the right temperament.
“They suggested penguins because it's kind of like having a dog there.
'They are eager to learn and friendly and used to being among people.
'They were very relaxed that day and everyone loved them.'