Well, this is REALLY random, but I thought you all would be interested in helping out. Our wedding is being planned for September 2010 and Bobby and I would like to include TwoFace (albino burm) and Rhiannon (colombian boa) in the ceremony. They brought us together, so we think they should have a part in our wedding.

This is our idea: at the altar, we want to have a tank with a divider. One snake on one side, one on the other. We would (loosely) tie my ring around Two's neck and Bobby's around Rhiannon's neck with ribbon. It won't be a long ceremony, so I'm not worried about the rings going anywhere. But... DECORATIONS!!!

Anyone have any creative ideas on how to decorate the outside of the enclosure? =)


Thanks!

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The Zoo

0.1 Colombian Boa Constrictor
1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.1 Dumeril's Boa
2.0 Albino Burmese Pythons
3.3 Ball Pythons (2 normal, 2 spider, 2 pastel)
2.0 Corn Snakes
1.0 100% het albino Western Hognose
1.1 West African Gaboon Vipers
0.1 Rhinocerous Viper
0.1 Albino Monocled Cobra
0.1 Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
1.1 Vietnamese Blue Beauty Ratsnakes
1.0 Southern Copperhead

1.0 Umbrella Cockatoo
0.1 Happy Cat

Well if you want to get really creative,....
There is an old pagan ritual known as "handfasting" where the couple joins hands and their hands are literally tied together with cord or ribbon. In your case you could substitute the snakes for the binding.
However finding an official who wasn't worried about doing the wrapping might be a problem!

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

You might want to run this idea past the pastor of the church first.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Wow, that's amazing.

Though using a burm to tie a knot might be tiresome... your arms would wear out quickly.

In some states it's illegal to have a snake in a church. Mostly, it's an outdated law pertaining to some very odd religious groups who like to lob around venomous snakes (based on the biblical passage: and he shall pick up the viper, and he shall not be harmed) those people would toss around rattlesnakes, and if they get bit, they had to demonstrate their faith in God by not getting treatment. I can understand wanting to ban snakes after a few episodes like that, but rather than just ban Venomous snakes, they made it a pretty broad law. I don't think anybody really adheres to it anymore.

We do outreaches to churches all the time, with or without snakes. Nobody ever says a word. I'm pretty sure many people including law enforcement probably don't even know about it, it's so obscure.

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Ball Pythons (1.2)
Boa Constrictors (1.1)
Brazilian Rainbow Boa (0.1)
Jurassic Milk Snake (1.0)
Mississippi Map Turtle (1.0)
Chinese Water Dragon (0.1)

"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos."

Edward O. Wilson

Just the symbolism of handfasting is fine - you don't need to 'tie' your hand together, but having a snake wrapped around them would be a very important symbolic message for the two of you -- and that is what counts.

Of course, the church has to agree and there is always the 'danger' of an animal NOT cooperating during the ceremony which could complicate things. Not that (in my opinion) is any different than a too young flower girl or ring barrier getting out of control - but some people might panic about snakes.

My opinion -- work with the church to see if they would allow you to try to make it work. It's important to you, so finding a way to make it happen would be perfect.

As a back-up - just having them there in their separated tank (closed to keep down any escape issues) -- follow the theme of the rest of your church. If you are using flowers - attach a garland of the same flowers to the tank. It makes it part of the ceremony, adds beauty and meaning for you two and keeps the unjustified fear from raising objections.

I have found many churches are against adding any kind of ritual that they find offensive -- including handfasting. If your church is in that group -- it is always something that can be done during the reception following the church service. If you are not familiar with it, look it up -- it really is a powerful symbolic measure and with your love of these snakes - I think it would be lovely. Just my opinion.

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Frognut
AKA Stephanie or to my friends - StephaNinie

Where is the joy in life, without the little creatures that warm our hearts!

Is the ceremony happening IN a church? Mine wasn't and a snake would have been fine.

For decorations, just think wedding stuff. Put some ribbons along the top, or bottom.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

The wedding will not be taking place in a church, nor is it in any way religious. It's being held outside on a 12-acre wildlife refuge. =)

__________________
The Zoo

0.1 Colombian Boa Constrictor
1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.1 Dumeril's Boa
2.0 Albino Burmese Pythons
3.3 Ball Pythons (2 normal, 2 spider, 2 pastel)
2.0 Corn Snakes
1.0 100% het albino Western Hognose
1.1 West African Gaboon Vipers
0.1 Rhinocerous Viper
0.1 Albino Monocled Cobra
0.1 Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
1.1 Vietnamese Blue Beauty Ratsnakes
1.0 Southern Copperhead

1.0 Umbrella Cockatoo
0.1 Happy Cat

Heck, just wear her around your shoulders. Should provide for some entertainment and great photos. I hope your photographer isn't squeemish.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Hahaha. I think my family would FREAK out.
They're already not sure why we're including them in the ceremony at all. And balancing an 11footer on my shoulders, in heels and a cathedral veil. Hmmmmmm. I don't see this ending well.

__________________
The Zoo

0.1 Colombian Boa Constrictor
1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.1 Dumeril's Boa
2.0 Albino Burmese Pythons
3.3 Ball Pythons (2 normal, 2 spider, 2 pastel)
2.0 Corn Snakes
1.0 100% het albino Western Hognose
1.1 West African Gaboon Vipers
0.1 Rhinocerous Viper
0.1 Albino Monocled Cobra
0.1 Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
1.1 Vietnamese Blue Beauty Ratsnakes
1.0 Southern Copperhead

1.0 Umbrella Cockatoo
0.1 Happy Cat

Ah yes but think of the entertainment value!

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!