Couple ties the knot at the animal sanctuary where they first met. Their surprise ring bearer stole everyone’s hearts

A couple found each other among rescued animals and chose their barn as a wedding venue. But a sheep in a wheelchair stole the show, completing their love story with a hoofprint.

A couple who first met over mucking out stables and rescuing animals decided to tie the knot right where their journey began. On Aug. 2, Jake Ratcliffe and Rosie said “I do” at Millington’s Magical Barn in Yorkshire. But instead of a best friend or family member, they asked one very special guest to be their ring bearer.

Bunny, a disabled sheep living at the barn, was born without the use of her back legs. But she rolled down the aisle in a decorative wheelchair, wearing a blue harness and floral adornments. While everyone expected to see some animals at the wedding, seeing Bunny still prompted a collective “aw” from all 60 guests.

Jake, who had founded the sanctuary in 2018, revealed that he had always had this plan in mind. “I always wanted Bunny — she’s always been a daddy’s girl,” he said. The 34-year-old electrical engineer also explained why he specifically chose Bunny:

She arrived at Millington’s just as we were turning the cow barn into a wedding venue, so she spent six weeks with me whilst we all set up. (via NY Post)

While the couple “did a bit of rehearsal” with the farm animals, Jake says he had to rely on the fact that Bunny and he “had a special relationship” and that she would come to him. But they did not carry this out without a backup. “I had a bottle of milk on hand just in case,” Jake chuckled. Additionally, they had Rosie’s childhood dog, Alfie, lined up as backup ring-bearer, too.

But as soon as “the confetti was thrown,” Alfie ran up to the cat’s room. So, Bunny got her chance to shine.

Jake founded the sanctuary in 2018 despite having no formal animal rescue background. Rosie, 28, who later began volunteering in 2020, said they simply realized a French destination wedding “just didn’t fit.” The two had met, fallen in love, and gotten engaged right there among the animals, so it was only right to marry at the same place.

But there were hiccups in the process. Converting the barn into a wedding venue took weeks of effort. “Rosie was skeptical, but I’d like to say we pulled it off,” Jake remarked. “It took a village to turn our working animal sanctuary into our dream wedding venue, but thanks to everyone who contributed, it really was a dream day,” Rosie added.

In a world where weddings often cost tens of thousands and revolve around showy guest lists and venues, Jake and Rosie’s story has touched everyone’s hearts.