Warm Days, Cool Vows: Why July Is Made for Weddings

As we say hello to July, summer is in full swing, the gardens are blooming, and so is the wedding season. This month’s article highlights the life of an alpaca farmer during the wedding season. Also this month, we’re embracing effortless summer suppers, and we’re starting with a true favourite: My crisp, golden fish goujons paired with homemade tartare sauce is a lovely dish and is ideal for those warm evenings when you want something fresh, light, and full of flavour.

Bringing an Alpaca to Your Big Day: Bowties, Poop Bags & Ever After

If you are looking for something a little different and would like to add some woolly charm to your wedding. I would like to introduce you to my sister Ali and her beloved alpacas – the stars of the countryside and regular guests at wedding fairs and ceremonies across the Ribble Valley.

You might have seen them on Instagram, decked out in flower garlands and bowties, sometimes with their sheep companions Poly and Princess in tow. But what does it take to prepare these fluffballs for the biggest day of someone’s life?

Here’s a behind-the-scenes peek into a wedding day in the life of an alpaca farmer during peak wedding season. Spoiler alert: it’s not all glamour. There’s brushing, bowties… and strategic bathroom breaks.

6:00 AM — Rise and Shine (and Feed the Fluff)

Wedding days start early on the farm. Before the sun is even fully up, the alpacas are fed a nutritious breakfast to fuel them for a long day of looking adorable and being fussed over. No wedding guest wants a hangry alpaca—and trust us, they can give you a look that says, “Where’s my hay?” with devastating effect.

7:00 AM — Spa Time: Brushing, Trimming & Tidy-Ups

With breakfast out of the way, it’s time for a full grooming session. Ali and the team brush out tangles, tidy up any tufts, and make sure each alpaca’s coat is camera-ready. Think of it as a trip to the hairdresser—just with more humming and less complaining about split ends.

8:30 AM — All Aboard the Wedding Wagon

The alpacas are gently loaded into their purpose-built trailer, ensuring they remain calm and comfortable throughout the process. Some weddings are just down the road; others may involve a scenic countryside drive. Either way, the journey is taken slow and steady, with playlists carefully curated for maximum alpaca chill.

10:00 AM — Arrival & Venue Prep

Once at the venue, it’s all hands-on deck. Depending on the weather, Ali and the team may set up a gazebo or shaded area so the alpacas can stay cool and relaxed. Guests often arrive mid-morning, so timing is everything when setting the stage for the alpaca-filled magic to begin.

The “Poop Plan” (Yes, Really)

Here’s a not-so-glamorous but absolutely essential part of the routine: pre-ceremony poop time.

Alpacas are famously tidy animals. They naturally use communal dung piles, making it easier to manage their, shall we say, output. Taking advantage of this, Ali carries a small bag of “alpaca beans” (aka their own poop) to gently encourage them to go before entering the venue space. This scent-based system helps reduce the risk of a mid-vow mishap and keeps everyone—guests and alpacas alike—feeling fresh.

11:00 AM — Dress Code: Formal but Fluffy

Once clean and calm, the alpacas don their signature wedding attire: black bowties and delicate flower garlands. The look is effortlessly elegant, and let’s face it, they wear it better than most of us.

12:00 PM – Ceremony Chic

Depending on the couple’s wishes, the alpacas might be stationed discreetly nearby, ready to charm guests as they exit the ceremony—or they might be right in the thick of it, making their debut as ring bearers. (Yes, that’s a thing. And yes, it’s as adorable as it sounds.)

1:00 PM – Photos, Pets & Prosecco

As guests sip champagne and nibble canapés, the alpacas mingle. They pose for photos, receive gentle strokes from curious hands, and enjoy a steady stream of compliments. They are surprisingly zen in crowds, as long as they’re treated with respect—and a few carrot nibbles don’t go amiss.

4:00 PM – Farewell & Home for Tea

Once the “wedding breakfast” is served and the party moves indoors, it’s time for the alpacas to bow out. They’re gently loaded back into the trailer and whisked home to the farm, where they’re given a well-earned dinner, a soft patch of grass, and the kind of peace only an alpaca can appreciate after a day in the spotlight.

From poop-bag preparation to ring-bearing responsibilities, there’s a lot more to a wedding alpaca experience than meets the eye. But for Ali, it’s all worth it. Every smile, every cuddle, and every delighted gasp from a child or grandparent makes the effort worthwhile.

Because, really, what’s a love story without a bit of fluff?

Want more woolly moments?

Wood End Alpacas has been a family-run farm since 1906. Other activities include alpaca meet-and-greets and walking experiences. Check out Ali’s Instagram to see Poly, Princess, and the entire alpaca crew in action—from weddings to Christmas Fairs.

Aud’s June Kitchen

In the summertime, I like to make a summer salad that includes a warm element; these fish goujons do just that. They can be fried in a pan or baked in the oven. I have used white fish but Salmon is also excellent for this recipe.

Homemade tartare sauce is quick and easy to make and is so much nicer than a jar from the supermarket.