Alpaca weddings: South American species headlines Sydney couples’ big days

It’s a case of true animal attraction with a Japanese wedding trend involving cute critters taking off with Sydney couples.

Time to get hitched? “Alpaca my bags!”

Forget a horse and carriage, the new must have animal accessory for a wedding is now a rented alpaca.

Model Emma, with the alpacas from Alpaca Kisses being hired out for weddings. Pictures: Puzzleman Productions

Couples across Sydney are hiring the South American species for their big day, following a trend that initially took off in Japan.

Blue Mountains business Alpaca Kisses founder Maria Marchant said she has being flooded with requests for the marital mammals — all the way north to the Hunter Valley — since wedding restrictions began to ease in NSW.

Thilini and Danny on their wedding day with the alpacas.

“Numbers have certainly increased lately, I think the trend to hire an alpaca is really starting to gain momentum,” Mrs Merchant said.

“Most couples are using them for the cocktail hour, between the ceremony and reception, as an ice breaker where guests can pat the alpaca and take selfies with it. I think there’s just a genuine attraction for alpacas, everyone loves a fluffy animal with big eyes.”