History is made in Salford as dog leads happy couple down the aisle

A miniature Schnauzer has made history in Salford aftre becoming the first dog to lead a couple down the aisle.
Thanks to a change in policy, one-year-old Kurt was able to take the lead in the wedding of Ben Barnes ansd Leona Armstrong at Salford register office.

The plan to allow dogs to attend weddings was originally meant to start in 2020, but the pandemic forced the council to wait until this year before bringing in the policy.

Ben, 35, a freelance cameraman who has filmed for Love Island and Sky Sports and Leona, 30, a wellbeing lead who works with neurodivergent young people at a specialist arts college, tied the knot after being together for eight years.

Ben said: “We were over the moon that we could have Kurt with us as this is just a small, simple ceremony for us and our parents before a big wedding celebration in May.
“We can’t take Kurt to the big wedding as it would be too much for him and a nightmare keeping an eye on him all day so this was perfect.

“He had a bath and his fur blow dried for the occasion and dressed up in his best collar and bow tie.”

John Searle, place director at Salford council, said: “Dogs are very much part of people’s families and we want to make them welcome too. Our plan was to start this in 2020 but Covid restrictions made it impossible so I’m delighted we can now go ahead.”