It’s the story of wedding bells and wagging tails! A dog-loving couple’s dream came true when they celebrated their wedding with their own pups and a few furry friends from a local rescue, making their special day one to cherish forever.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (22 August 2025) – Almost every woman has an idea of what their dream wedding day will look like. Whether it’s in the finer details of the décor, the perfect venue or perhaps the loved ones they want to share their new chapter with.
For newlywed Chloë Sturmheit, when she imagined her wedding day, there was one thing she knew for certain: it wouldn’t be complete without dogs!
Good Things Guy connected with this proud dog mom, who was more than happy to share about how these precious four-legged creatures speak directly to her soul and were a big part of ensuring her wedding day was the one of her dreams!
“My own pups are my everything, and having them there – along with a few extra furry guests – made the day not just special, but deeply personal,” Chloë shares.
Chloë and her husband, Adam, said “I do” at the Stonehaven Castle Estate in Shongweni, popularly known as “The Castle.”
“It had been my dream venue since the moment I got engaged. When Ursula, the venue owner, told me I was welcome to include dogs in the celebration, I was over the moon. That simple “yes” opened the door to one of the most meaningful parts of our wedding.”
The theme of the wedding was “Nature and Dogs”, a reflection of the couple’s love for animals and the outdoors.
“Adam wore a green suit to represent nature, and my dress was white with colourful flowers, symbolising the vibrancy and uniqueness of each guest. My bridesmaids wore brown, representing my “roots” – each one had been with me through a different chapter of life, and I wanted to honour that.”
From the table numbers that were named after dog breeds to ensuring her pups were trained for the day, Chloe thought of everything and executed it beautifully.
“Some people might wonder why we’d include dogs on such a big day – wouldn’t they be a hassle? But for us, they were a source of joy, not stress. Watching my nervous girl Sma and my fiery boy Ricky walk down the aisle was the ultimate reward after all the effort.”
During the canapé hour, guests were greeted not only with drinks and snacks, but with puppy cuddles, most of which were brought in from Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming, the organisation Chloë does social media and marketing for.
Guests were also encouraged to donate to the dog rescue charity via Zapper right there at the wedding. How precious?!
“It was a way to share the joy of rescue dogs with our guests, to show them why I love working with Paw Prints, and maybe even inspire a few adoptions and donations,” Chloë explains.
The bride’s oldest friend, Nas, who had flown in from Johannesburg, added the cherry on top, pledging to adopt two pups!
“That moment alone made it all worth it.”
Chloë’s work at Paw Prints has given her a deep understanding of the often heartbreaking reality of animal rescue. She hopes that her story and unique wedding will inspire others to support Paw Prints and help more deserving animals find loving homes.
The Sturmheits are confessed “dog people” who believe that dogs deserve to be treated as family. Including them in their wedding was their beautiful way of honouring that belief, supporting a wonderful cause and spreading pawsome love all around!
Sources: Nothando Mthembu | Chloë Sturmheit
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