A beloved golden retriever proved she’s “one of the girls” when she surprised her bride owner by lining up alongside her bridesmaids for her wedding dress first look.
Alexa Ferrer, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, adopted Charlee soon after she graduated college in March 2020, and over the years the pair have become inseparable.
They initially lived with Alexa’s parents, before moving in with Alexa’s now-husband, Philip, who wanted to include Charlee in as many special moments as possible.
Charlee goes on every vacation with the couple, has been there through many major milestones – and was even present when Philip asked Alexa to marry him.
It felt only right, Alexa said, that Charlee, now aged six, would play a big part in the wedding day itself.
On March 14, at St. Patrick Palace, in Davie, Florida, Charlee was with Alexa and her bridesmaids the entire morning, lying under her owners’ hair and makeup chair and watching everyone get glammed up.
When Alexa then headed into a separate room to put on her wedding dress, Charlee lined up with all of the bridesmaids without her owner knowing.
Alexa then returned to the room, shocked to see Charlee lined up and looking away, and as Alexa encouraged her bridesmaids to turn around for the first look, Charlee followed suit and headed over with a wagging tail.
The sweet moment was captured on video by the couple’s videographer, Melanie Fletch, of Fletcher Wedding Studio.
Charlee was also a constant during other key moments in the day, sitting by her owners as they said their private vows by a lake, and greeting groomsmen as they arrived.
Alexa said: “I went into the other room to get my wedding dress on, and when all my bridesmaids lined up for the reveal, Charlee wanted to be a part of that moment.
“She walked to the middle and sat there so patiently – it was like she knew exactly what was going on.
“When I walked over to the girls and saw Charlee sitting perfectly in the lineup, I was shocked.
“It wasn’t planned at all, which made the moment feel even more special – you can truly see the excitement and emotion on my face in the photos.
“I started tearing up immediately because it was such a touching and unforgettable moment.
“These are all the most important women in my life, so having Charlee right there in the middle of it all just felt perfect.
“I truly never expected the response this video has received on social media.
“I only had about 10 followers on TikTok, so I originally shared it just for my close friends.
“Watching it take on a life of its own and go viral has been such a fun and unexpected experience.
“My favorite part has been reading thousands of comments from people sharing photos and stories of their own furry loved ones being part of their wedding days too.
“I’ve always tried to spread positivity, and it’s been so special to see this sweet, unplanned moment become one small way of doing that.”
