Groom Surprises Bride-To-Be With Unusual Ring-Bearer

A groom arranged an incredible surprise for his wedding that shocked both his bride and their guests as a very special ring bearer was revealed during the ceremony.

The unexpected guest, a penguin, waddled down the aisle to the delight of Joseph Keilty’s guests and his wife-to-be. Keilty orchestrated the charming surprise, knowing his bride’s love for penguins, with the help of a United Kingdom-based professional animal hire company.

“My wife’s favorite animals are penguins; that’s why I arranged it,” Keilty told Newsweek.

The bride’s reaction ranged from shock to elation, and she was clearly overjoyed by the thoughtful gesture. “She was very shocked but happy, and my guests loved it,” the groom said.

Keilty shared the moment the penguin arrived at the wedding ceremony on TikTok (@jk.electrical), where it quickly went viral. Since being posted to the social media platform earlier this month, the clip has been viewed more than 58,000 times and garnered over 3,400 comments.

Commenters on the viral video were impressed by Keilty’s unorthodox wedding addition.

“Getting married next year, what’s the point if I don’t have a penguin,” said TikTok user Ruthless with Grace.

Commenter Ciara23 said, “Sending this to my husband IMMEDIATELY so we can renew our vows and get a penguin!”

This isn’t the first time a penguin’s appearance at a wedding has delighted a newlywed couple and their guests. In 2022, a couple’s wedding stood out from the crowd when a penguin attended as a guest in Dayton, Ohio. Animal lovers online gushed that Mira the penguin was the “best dressed” guy at the affair.

In 2023, a llama dressed in a tuxedo was described as the “perfect” groomsman at a wedding in Albion, New York. Pictures of the llama in his dapper attire later gained viral attention online where they continue to be shared.

Adding special touches to a wedding is a popular part of the planning process. According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed 9,318 U.S. couples married in 2023, 63 percent of couples consider personalization one of the most important factors in wedding planning.

Creating a memorable moment for guests is an equally important part of weddings for many couples, with 75 percent of couples agreeing that guests having a good time is a top priority.

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