DACHSHUNDS dressed for the occasion, Clifford, left, and his cousin Dee Dee, share a moment as they wait to take part in the most expensive wedding for pets Thursday in New York. The black-tie fundraiser, where two dogs were “married,” was held to benefit the Humane Society of New York. Guinness World Records certified the ceremony as the most expensive pet wedding at $158,187.26. The luxury goods and services that went into the wedding were all donated.
WEARING A BOW TIE for the occasion, Blue Joie is held by his owner Ingrid Robinson of New York, as they and others wait for the start of the most expensive pet wedding on Thursday in New York. Below left, Jake Pasternak, from Richmond, Va., left, stands with his poodle Chilly, as Wendy Diamond, of New York, right, holds her Coton de Tulear Baby Hope Diamond, during their dogs’ “wedding,” officiated by Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, played by comedian Robert Smigel, center. Below at right, Hec-lin, a toy poodle from the Bronx borough of New York, foreground, and Eli, a Chihuahua from New York, at bottom, wait with other dogs and people for the start of the ceremony.
Bride Baby Hope Diamond, a white Coton de Tulear with black-gray markings, was led down the aisle, resplendent in her canine couture gown.
After they got hitched, the cuddly couple were presented with a Guinness World Record in the category of most expensive pet wedding at $158,187.26. The luxury goods and services that went into the wedding were all donated. Guests bought tickets for the Manhattan fundraiser.
Baby Hope was adopted by animal welfare activist Wendy Diamond after her beloved Maltese died of cancer last month. Lucky Diamond, a longtime champion of the underdog, was originally cast as the bride. The wedding instead served as a celebration of the life of the little Maltese.
Lucky herself held a Guinness Record: The animal most photographed with famous people. She posed with more than 300 celebrities, from “Twilight” actress Kristen Stewart to hip-hop star Snoop Dogg.
No expense was spared for the black-tie gala, held at the Jumeirah Essex House Hotel at Central Park. The “dream team” included a celebrity wedding planner, a “lighting guru” with experience at major museums, and highly touted chefs for the reception, to name just a few.
Since the guests came from more than one species, a company co-owned by Ellen DeGeneres provided a pet food buffet.
“I am not the mother of the bride, since Baby Hope is 56 years old in dog years,” Diamond said on her website. “Just call me the Maid of Honor!”
The wedding wasn’t 100 percent highbrow. It was officiated by Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.
Wendy Diamond: http://www.animalfair.com Humane Society of New York: http://humanesocietyny.org
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