What do you iMan agine when thinking of the perfect wedding? Probably gorgeous flowers, a white dress, beautiful rings. Probably not a llama. However, this college student decided to bring a real llama in a tuxedo to his sister’s wedding! Read on to see why…
A Very Important Day
As you might expect, the story behind a llama attending a wedding in a tux gets a little complicated. Meindl Weinstock, a 21-year-old student at the University of Akron, is the man behind the plan. As Meindl explains it, he initially brought up the idea of bringing a llama to his sister’s Riva wedding a few years ago. In 2015, they were on a road trip from Ohio back to their home state of Indiana. As you often do to spend time on a road trip, the two talked about anything they could to pass the hours, including Riva’s dream wedding. However, the conversation actually angered Meindl! Although Riva did not yet have a boyfriend, she talked about her marriage “as if it was going to happen the next day.”
So, as older brothers often do, Meindl playfully threw a little wrench into her plans. He promised to attend Riva’s dream wedding, but only if he could bring a llama as his date. “Eventually she got so upset that she said that the llama is invited to the wedding,” Meindl later recalled. “Ever since that day I have promised her I would bring a llama,” he said. “I fulfilled that promise.” Five years passed, and when it came time to own up, Meindl did! He came to Riva’s wedding with a llama in a tuxedo right by his side!
A Llama Wedding Date
The llama was a young male named Shocky, who Meindl rented from a nearby farm. In total, with the tuxedo, which was handmade by a friend, the pranky setback Meindl about $400 in total. However, the young man feels he recieved a great deal, especially after seeing the look on his sister’s face! “She was shocked at first but more impressed that I kept my promise from 5 years ago,” Meindl said. “The llama stayed right up until the ceremony started then left,” Weinstock said.
Of course, afterward, Meindl and Riva did not miss the chance to share the story on social media. On Reddit alone, Meindl’s sharing or the story received 150,000 upvotes and a lot of comments! “It has blown up more than I ever could have possibly imagined. I never would have guessed that it would gain this level of publicity, but I am loving it,” Meindl said a few days afterward.
Many of the users found the prank very funny and entertaining. “Her face says she wishes you didn’t live up to that promise,” wrote user raccoon_tail. Meanwhile, others felt a little worried that the llama might have overshadowed Riva’s special day. “Damn llama totally took the spotlight away from the bride on her special day, you cold as hell OP but your services are appreciated to the internet folks,” said PainfulPeanutBlender. However, Riva’s made it clear she thinks it’s just as funny as everyone else – after a few minutes, that is.