In a charming twist to wedding tradition, Joelle Yuvienco decided to forgo the conventional floral bouquet in favor of something much closer to her heart. During her nuptials in April, Yuvienco chose her dog, Sago, adorned in a delightful bumblebee costume, as her bouquet. This whimsical inclusion of her pet was not only a surprise to the guests but also to her groom, Lenard Santos. The scene of Yuvienco walking down the aisle with Sago in her arms quickly became a hit, with one TikTok video amassing over a million views. Addressing the audience’s curiosity, Yuvienco humorously clarified, “To be clear, no, we did not have a bouquet toss.”
Bride switches bouquet for beloved dog ‘Sago’ on wedding day
The decision to dress Sago as a bumblebee held a deeper meaning for Yuvienco and her now-husband, Lenard Santos. The couple’s initial connections were made, lost, and rekindled on the dating app Bumble. It was only fitting that Sago sported a bumblebee costume, paying homage to the app where Yuvienco and Santos reconnected after an initial match that went nowhere. The couple, who reside in Quezon City, Philippines, have shared a deep bond since reuniting on Bumble in 2021. Yuvienco has shared almost a decade of life’s journey with Sago — a Pomeranian — making her an indispensable part of her wedding day.
To celebrate their union, Yuvienco and Santos organized two wedding ceremonies — a traditional church wedding followed by a modern garden-themed celebration. Their choice to celebrate twice reflected their desire to merge their unique preferences with cultural norms, especially in a country known for its extravagant wedding traditions. They further commemorated their story with custom wedding details in collaboration with Bumble, including themed drinks and a photo booth — per Today.
The couple’s April garden-themed wedding took a quirky turn when, just moments before the ceremony, Yuvienco realized she had forgotten to order a flower bouquet. Spontaneously, she picked up Sago in her specially ordered bumblebee costume. Santos and the wedding guests were pleasantly surprised and thoroughly amused by Yuvienco’s unconventional choice. Sago not only became the center of attention but also featured in all the wedding photos, bringing laughter and joy to the celebration.
Yuvienco, a voice actor and content creator known for her public engagements, expressed immense pride in sharing Sago’s story. “I’ve gone on news outlets to talk about all different things in my life, but I’m most proud to talk about Sago,” Yuvienco said.
