Barn owls and a Harris hawk were among the more unusual guests at the wedding of the boss of a bird of prey centre near Stafford.
Jenny Smith, director of Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre in Eccleshall, invited her feathered friends along when she tied the knot with her fiance Colin Morgan.
The ceremony took place at St James Church in Norton Canes, followed by a reception at Swinfen Hall in Lichfield.
All the wildlife centre’s volunteers attended the big day, along with three of its residents – Jill the Harris hawk and barn owls Libby and Moss.
A white glove had been made specially for Jenny to wear to match her dress so she could handle the birds at the reception.
Jenny said: “The wildlife sanctuary is such a big part of my life that there was no way I couldn’t have some of the residents with me on my special day.
“The birds were much better behaved than some of the guests and even managed to avoid poo-ing on the dress.
“It was wonderful to see all of the staff dressed in their finery, and many had never seen me out of my Gentleshaw green uniform.
“My late father, Rob Smith, the founder of Gentleshaw, would have loved the day and it was a comfort to have some of the birds, which Rob cared for so much, present for the celebrations.”
Jenny and Colin have recently returned from their honeymoon in Cyprus.
She said “matched, hatched and despatched” seemed to be the theme of the last few weeks, as some unexpected spotted owl chicks hatched at the sanctuary during the honeymoon and two tawny owls flew the nest to return to the wild last week.
Jenny said: “During one of the several calls from home to ensure all was well during our honeymoon, we were informed that the sanctuary’s pair of spotted owls, Kylie and Jason, had hatched two chicks.”
One of them will be returned to the wild but the other will join the educational team of birds at the centre. The new baby will be meeting his public this Bank Holiday weekend, when suggestions for a name for the new arrival will be sought from visitors.
Jenny said: “During the spring many tawny owl chicks are bought to the centre by well-meaning members of the public.
“More often than not these owl chicks have become curious and clambered down a tree. Although the parents will continue to care for the chicks, people think they have abandoned them.”
Gentleshaw staff then have the challenge of rearing them to adulthood without them becoming tame, but the first two for this year flew the nest last week.
Gentleshaw is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Admission is £3 for adults and £2 for children.
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