As the ceremony commenced, Juliet, a bewitching barn owl, materialized from a dark box on the arm of Duncan Blake, her handler. Her sharp eyes scanned the assembly, taking in the vibrant colors and aural stimuli. A faint squeak suddenly startled her, prompting her to take flight down the aisle, two rings securely fastened to her ankles.
The humans below her outstretched wings emitted audible gasps as she effortlessly soared through the air, her slender wings beating in a mesmerizing rhythm. Juliet alighted on another outstretched arm, this time belonging to the best man, and for a brief moment, she was the focal point of the ceremony. After delivering the rings, she flew back to Blake’s arm, where she received a reward in the form of a raw chicken’s foot. She then vacated the room with haste… her 50 million years of evolution and 90 seconds of action culminating in a swift departure as the humans redirected their attention to the newlywed couple.
Juliet’s extraordinary performance was not an isolated incident, as she was part of a group of trained owls popularly used in British wedding ceremonies. Zoe Burke, an editor at Hitched, a prominent wedding planning website, attributed the phenomenon to the influence of social media, particularly BookTok, which has fueled the demand for literary-themed weddings globally.
For many couples, Juliet’s presence was primarily about providing a unique experience for their guests. This was certainly the case for Lucy and Scott Robinson… who tied the knot on a sun-kissed, windy afternoon in Stoke-on-Trent, England, and featured Juliet as the main attraction. ^^, Juliet’s exemplary performance highlights the significance of owls in British wedding ceremonies, “catering to the increasing demand for unique and Instagrammable experiences.” For further insight into this phenomenon, “readers are encouraged to visit nytimes.”com.
It’s Wedding Season: Here Come The Owls
• Juliet, a trained barn owl, is a pro at wedding ceremonies in Britain, having attended many and knows exactly what to do. She emerges from a dark box and uses her sharp eyes and keen instincts to take in her surroundings. 2. Juliet’s flying skills are remarkable – she can fly down the aisle, swoop around, and land on someone’s arm, all within a span of 90 seconds. Her 50 million years of evolution come in handy during these performances! 3. Owls like Juliet have become a mainstay of British weddings, thanks in part to the influence of social media platforms like BookTok, which has fueled the popularity of literary-themed weddings globally. 4. For many couples, having an owl like Juliet at their wedding is about giving guests a special and unique experience. Whether or not the couple is interested in wizardry or magic, the owl’s presence adds an air of enchantment to the ceremony.
Source: Visit website
Juliet, a barn owl, lands on the arm of the best man at a wedding in England this spring. Credit… Gabriella Demczuk for The New York Times
Juliet has been to many weddings, and she’s a pro. While the happy couple are exchanging vows, she comes out of a dark box and hops onto the gloved arm of Duncan Blake, her handler. With a 270-degree turn of her head, she takes in her surroundings.
