Pawfect' day at Laura and Rick's farm wedding in Conwy

Laura Cooper and Richard Littlejohn’s wedding day was ‘pawfect’ thanks to the inclusion of furry friends.

“We love each other’s sense of adventure and love of the outdoors and animals,” says bride Laura, 36, so it was only natural their pet dogs would make a cameo. Baffin and Shasta their beloved Border Collies acted as pageboy and flower girl, with Shasta delivering wedding bands (attached to her collar) down the aisle!

Guests’ pooches were also invited, with four other furry friends enjoying the Welsh countryside wedding. “Our dogs took themselves off to bed after the wedding breakfast,” says Laura. “I think the excitement of the weekend was too much for them!”

Laura and Rick’s love of adventure, however, was something they celebrated much earlier on.

The pair met on a blind date and quickly fell in love. They planned holidays to Rome, Morocco and lastly Vietnam, where Rick, 35, proposed. “A minute or so after I said ‘yes’ there was lightening in the sky – almost like fireworks,” says Laura.

Their farm wedding at Hafod Farm in Conwy, North Wales, was celebrated with 80 (human) guests in the day and 110 in the evening. “Our wedding day was wonderful – a really relaxed affair and a day that reflected both of our personalities,” says Laura. “We got married in the beautiful Tall Barn [around 500 years old!], had our drinks reception in the wildflower garden and then our wedding reception in the marquee.”

So where does a couple with a love of animals and adventure head off on honeymoon? Backpacking and jungle trekking through Africa!

Photos courtesy of Gill Jones Photography.

A friend’s Labrador, Marcy dressed in red for the occasion.

Laura’s A-line, strapless ivory gown with a train was found at Berketex Bride.

The Grade 11 listed Tall Barn hosted Laura and Rick’s vows, and was later transformed into the dance hall. “The weather was so lovely many people spent a lot of time outside,” says Laura.