Wild wedding in Mendon
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It's not uncommon for a groom to include his sister in his wedding party. The story becomes significantly more unique when you find out his "sister" is an elephant.
Joshua Schacht, 22, and Ashley Glass, 18, were married last night at Mendon's Southwick Zoo in a wildly entertaining ceremony. Dondi, a female Asian elephant, served as the flower girl in the couple's wedding, but that wasn't her only job.
The ceremony began, amidst whispers of amazement from the crowd, when the couple mounted the elephant and circled around the altar. Dondi, true to her title of flower girl, was carrying a basket of flowers with her trunk.
Guided by Phil Schacht, the groom's father and officiator, the elephant escorted the couple to the altar, where they slowly dismounted.
"She was sitting my arms, and there's no way I would let get go," Joshua Schacht said.
Flowers decorated the area that is usually used for Dondi's show at the zoo. Dondi herself was covered in intricate floral arrangements done by Lucille's Floral Designs in Uxbridge"It was a very unique request, and we were so pleased to do it. We did whatever we had to do to make it work for them," said Lucille Aldrich, owner of the shop.
But the couple wanted only the best for Dondi, since she's not just any elephant - she's part of the family.
The elephant is owned by Schacht's parents, Phil and Fran Schacht, who bought Dondi in 1974, 12 years before their son was even born.
"My wife and I ran away and joined the circus in 1966," Phil Schacht said. "By 1974, we were too old to do the aerial act, but we wanted to stay in show business. That's when Dondi entered our lives. She was 1-year-old and 600 pounds."
Despite the species barrier, there was still some sibling rivalry between Joshua Schacht and his "8,000-pound big sister."
"When Joshua was born there was definitely some jealousy coming from Dondi's side, but ultimately he was riding her before he learned to walk," Phil Schacht said.
Although the Schacht family is from Florida, they are here for the season performing a show with Dondi at Southwick Zoo called "Dondi and Family." And the family just got bigger.
Working with an elephant may be new territory for Glass, who is joining the Schacht family act, but she is no stranger to animals. The bride grew up on a farm and has been involved in horse shows.
"I'm so excited, I love being around the family and the elephant. It's a blessing to me, and I can't wait," said the bride moments before the ceremony began.
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