Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette Arden Reihing stands with the groom, Buck, a Bernese mountain dog, while Caroline Chapman stands with the bride, Peaches, a collie-beagle-basset-mix. The dogs are from Keystone Canine Club in Bethel Park and were "married" in a ceremony staged for residents of Vanadium Woods Retirement Village in Scott Friday evening.

By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

There's nothing like a wedding to elicit tears and smiles from assembled guests, even when the bride and groom and all of the attendants are canines.

The bride, a collie-mix named Peaches, wore a white satin "gown" and a frothy tulle veil. The groom wore the built-in tuxedo he was born with, for Buck is a Bernese mountain dog with a mostly-black coat and a white chest. All he needed to complete the look was a black collar with a bow tie, nestled in the white fur under his chin.

Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette Above: Dot Karley, 80, center, of Vanadium Woods, gets a kiss from Sadie, held by Barb Pohodich, far right, at the retirement village in Scott after dogs from the Keystone Canine Club in Bethel Park staged a wedding ceremony and performed tricks for the residents. Below: Caroline Chapman puts on Peaches' veil outside before the start of the ceremony Friday. More than 50 seniors -- and one pet -- from Vanadium Woods Retirement Village in Scott attended. Click photos for larger image.

The more than 50 wedding guests were people, except for one extraordinarily well-behaved little dog -- a Japanese chin named Bonchin. Most of the wedding guests, including the Japanese chin, are residents of Vanadium Woods Village in Scott, which is one of UPMC's retirement facilities. The other guests were friends and relatives of Vanadium Woods residents.

The wedding guests were attentive and respectful, "ooh-ing" and "aah-ing" over gowns worn by the bridesmaids and flower-dog. There were many smiles and a few tears, gently dabbed with lacy handkerchiefs. Though no one thought this was a real wedding, all were touched by the well-behaved, well-trained dogs -- and their owners -- who clearly had put much time and effort into staging a fairly elaborate wedding ceremony.

These weren't just any dogs. They regularly train with their owners at the Keystone Canine Club in Bethel Park. Members train their own dogs and conduct training classes for the general public and their pets. Many Keystone members compete in dog shows. Many of their pets are certified therapy dogs that visit schools and nursing homes. Many of the members and their dogs put on free obedience and agility demonstrations.

None of these owners ever expected they would be staging dog weddings.

"About a year ago we got a request from a nursing home," said Caroline Chapman, of McMurray, who with her husband, Phil, owns Peaches, the dog bride.

When club members agreed to do a demonstration, they were told, in effect, that obedience and agility are nice but what the nursing home residents really wanted to see was a dog wedding.

As Keystone members scurried to comply with that request, they found that it was going to be easier than they thought. An industry has sprung up to meet the demand for dog weddings. While some Keystone members, including Mrs. Chapman, sew their own doggy dresses, there are companies on the Internet that provide a wide array of canine bridal and bridesmaid gowns, in many styles, sizes and price ranges, not to mention attire for the groomsmen and ministers.

Word of the Keystone weddings has spread. The group has been asked to do at least 20 in the last year.

Vanadium Woods was an especially apt locale for a canine wedding; the facility posts a "pets welcome" sign out in front. A number of residents live there with their cats and dogs, including 10-year-old Bonchin, who moved there in March with her owner, Joan French.

While the canine wedding party is extremely well-trained, they get a lot of help from their human friends. Each of the dogs performs on leash, accompanied by owners.

Here's the line up:

Tom Bandi, of Upper St. Clair, comes out with Ginger, 4, a yellow Labrador retriever owned by Nancy Welman, of Bethel Park, the daughter of Tom and Phyllis Bandi. Ginger, wearing a black clerical collar, is the minister, though Tom reads the "vows."

The attendants march down the aisle, on leashes, tails wagging, clearly enjoying the attention. Traditional wedding music is played on a portable player.

Buck, the 9-year-old groom, is owned and handled by Arden Reihing, of Bethel Park.

The best man is Toby, a 16-month old Shetland sheepdog with Lucy McCloskey, of Bethel Park.

The flower girl is Tiffany, 7, a Yorkshire terrier clad in lavender and white tulle. Phyllis Bandi accompanies her, strewing lavender flowers.

The ring-bearer is Nina, 9, a Chinese crested walked by Sandy Chapman, daughter of Phil and Caroline Chapman.

The bridesmaids are:

Lovey, 4, a cockapoo in lavender, walked by Phil Chapman.

Sadie, 3, a white Maltese, clad in purple and black with Barbara Pohodich, of Bethel Park.

Lexi, 2, a toy poodle in pink, with Emil Pohodich.

Cherry, 3, wore a dark green dress with bow, which contrasted beautifully with her mahogany-colored Irish setter coat. Her owner is Sally Tress, of McMurray.

The maid of honor was Lindsey, 4, a toy Manchester terrier owned by Janet Malinsky, of Whitehall.