This is the hilarious moment a groom surprised his bride at their wedding with a surprise ring-bearer – a MONKEY.
Natalie Biggins, 27, has always loved primates but had no idea her sweetheart Jamie Richardson, 30, would bring one to their big day.
A video captured by one of their shocked guests shows the tiny Rhesus macaque run down the aisle holding a little box containing their wedding rings.
The adorable primate hands over the box to best man Chris Kean while baffled Natalie looks on in surprise.
Jamie shelled out nearly £2,000 on the stunt – but he said it was worth every penny to see the look on his bride‘s face.
The carer, from Whitley Bay, Northumberland, said: “I had been thinking for ages about what little surprises I could do for the day and I thought a monkey was perfect.
“You hear about people having dogs and even owls but you never hear of monkeys.
“I get far too carried away when I get an idea in my head.”
Natialie, a special needs teaching assistant, added: “He loves doing surprises so I wasn’t surprised he had done something – but I didn’t think it would be a monkey.
“It certainly added an extra something to the day, and I think my face in the video says it all.”
The pair met more than four years ago when they were both working at a special needs school holiday play scheme and Jamie said he instantly knew Natalie was “perfect”.
At the start of the year he struck upon the idea of getting a monkey – his bride-to-be’s favourite animal – as the ring bearer.
He contacted venue Jesmond Dene House in Newcastle and bosses said as long as he got the proper permission from the council, they would accept their unusual guest.
After searching the internet he found a Sheffield company who would rent him two monkeys usually used in TV and movies.
The pair were about to exchange rings when the best man pretended he had left them outside, and ran out to collect the monkey.
Jamie said the stunt cost him £1,980 – but was worth every penny.
The macaque who carried the ring, called Rosie, starred in last year’s ‘Rediscover the Joy of the Kitchen’ advert by Ikea.
“Everyone was talking about it afterwards,” said Jamie. “It’s certainly the first time it has even been done in Newcastle.
“Loads of people had photos with the monkey and he even stole one of the prosecco ice pops.
“It was absolutely brilliant.”
Watch the video here:
