Farmer Victoria Lee made a memorable entrance at her wedding by riding into the church on her favourite cow. The 37-year-old dairy farmer was carried into Holy Cross Church in Mark, Somerset, on a Swiss cow named 'White Chocolate Button' before marrying Mike Lee, 40, on Saturday.
A childhood dream realised
Victoria revealed the extraordinary entrance was something she had dreamed about since she was 10 years old. She said: "It was what I'd always dreamt of - it was truly incredible. Even though it's pretty unheard of, people ride horses and there is no difference to riding a cow!"
White Chocolate Button, adorned with a specially made flower crown, carried the bride into the ceremony. Victoria said: "White Chocolate Button absolutely loved it - she was such a good girl and just took it in her stride. It wouldn't have been my wedding if a cow wasn't there! Our cows are our family and our life."
The journey to the church
Victoria was transported to the ceremony on a tractor before completing the final leg of the journey atop her beloved cow. The mother-of-four was flanked by her bridesmaids and family as she made her grand entrance. The ride lasted just 30 seconds but was "very memorable", according to Victoria. She then wed Mike on their 10-year anniversary.
Following the ceremony, while guests headed to the nearby reception, Victoria and Mike returned to their farm to milk the cows before joining the celebrations. Victoria said: "We were on such a tight schedule because we had to be back at the farm! I had so much to do that I only got one hours sleep before the wedding. I was even up at 4:30am on my wedding day to start milking before the ceremony."
A cow used to the spotlight
White Chocolate Button has previously taken part in other celebrations at the farm, so she is no stranger to being dressed up. Victoria said: "White Chocolate Button has been shown before since she was a newborn calf, so she is used to a lot of people and being messed around. I've never ridden her before though."
Victoria tried to ride another cow, Basil, but said: "She didn't like it so we didn't make her do it - it felt like she was telling us to go away. In the past we've even dressed them up as a reindeer. White Chocolate Button will do anything: she follows you around the fields, the yard, she comes into the house and eats bread too. She really does come and go as she pleases - so I hopped up to sit on her back a few weeks before the ceremony and gently kicked her on and she stopped and walked, and didn't mind it at all. Cows are a ton in weight - so we didn't force her, she's a big animal! She was always going to be a part of the day - whether it was a bridesmaid or a ring bearer!"
Riding cows since childhood
Victoria, who even dressed up as an inflatable cow costume during her hen do, has been riding her cows since she was a young girl. She said: "I used to ride my childhood cow, Sadie, to the village shop to get sweets and pick up my grandad's newspapers. Honestly I have wanted to do this for years, so when we made it happen the inner child in me was jumping up and down."
Victoria revealed that the attention her family has received since the ceremony has been overwhelming but supportive. She said: "It's a tough time for farmers out there, I just wanted to make people smile. Planning a wedding and trying to run a farm is extremely challenging - it took us 10 years! But it has been worth it. My kids are even hoping Jeremy Clarkson sees this!"
