These Wedding Photos Have An Important Message

While traditional weddings will always be heartwarming, these days, more and more soon-to-be newlyweds are thinking outside of the box — think opting to dance down the aisle instead of simply walking down it, or asking for charitable donations in lieu of gifts. Newlyweds Matt and Sarah did, as well, taking wedding photos holding puppies instead of bouquets in an adorable twist on the traditional photography. But they did it for a very good reason: All the puppies were adoptable and hoping to find their forever homes. (I'm not crying, you're crying.)

Bride Sarah Mallouk Craine works for Pitties Love Peace, a nonprofit that helps rescue pit bulls and bully mixes in Central Pennsylvania. While she and her bridesmaids still carried bouquets for the wedding and some of the photographs, for others, they swapped their flowers for adorable canine companions. Craine held a pitbull puppy named Biggie Smalls, while the bridesmaids each got one of five boxer-coonhound sisters, all named after first ladies (Martha, Abigail, Dolley, Elizabeth, and Louisa). The internet has understandably gone bonkers over the precious images, because, well... how can you not?

"Being a puppy lover myself ... I was extra excited for Matt and Sarah's day to arrive," photographer Caroline Logan of Caroline Logan Photography, who shot the photos, tells Bustle.

As amazing as these photos turned out, I wondered if it was difficult to snap pics of active little puppies. "While photographing six rambunctious puppies definitely brought an added challenge, it also caused the bridal party to be more at ease," Logan explains. "Having something to divert attention from that uncomfortable, 'Oh my goodness, I'm getting my picture taken... What do I do with my hands?!' feeling to pure puppy bliss made for relaxed photos where the bridal party was able to focus on interacting with the fun-loving puppies as I documented it all unfolding."

Logan wasn't the only one who enjoyed the experience, either. She tells Bustle, "The bridal party loved it! From the minute the puppies came bounding around the corner exploring their new surroundings, the bridesmaids were gushing about how cute they were. It was a dream for everyone!"

Aside from the beautiful memories this lovely couple got from the puppies, they also did a very selfless thing: They've brought attention to not just these puppies available for adoption, but how crucial it is to stop by your local adoption agency before you hit up a pet shop. Logan's images went viral, bringing countless eyes to the kindhearted canines looking for furever homes.

You can visit Pitties Love Peace's website or Facebook page for up-to-date information on their adoptable animals. And don't forget to also check out more beautiful photography from Caroline Logan Photography. Remember, people: Adopt — don't shop!

Images: Courtesy of Caroline Logan Photography (3)