Weddings Forget Toddlers Carrying Tiny Pillows — Birds of Prey Are the Latest Trend in Ring Bearers Raptor Events owner Jonathan Gonzalez credits the 'Harry Potter' series for inspiring couples to include raptors in their weddings By Sabienna Bowman Sabienna Bowman Sabienna Bowman is a Digital News Editor at PEOPLE, where she has been working since 2023. She previously worked at POPSUGAR, Bustle and Scarymommy. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 25, 2024 04:46PM EST Close Birds of prey are becoming popular ring bearer options. Photo: Getty Adorable little kids carrying rings on pillows are increasingly being usurped by birds of prey at weddings. In a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, it's revealed that a growing number of couples are opting for birds of prey like owls and hawks to serve as ring bearers during their nuptials. Jonathan Gonzalez, the owner of Raptor Events in Long Beach, Calif., credits the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling in part for inspiring a new generation of brides and grooms to choose owls over kids to handle the ring-bearing duties on their big day. "Harry Potter obviously did something for this line of work,” Gonzalez told the outlet. He also noted that his birds "have never gotten poop on a dress" since they joined the wedding business. Per Raptor Events website, the raptor ring bearer package costs $1,200 plus travel costs and includes a rehearsal with the bird, ring bearer services, photos with the bird after the ceremony and a meet and greet with the ring bearer for guests. Couples who are looking to include animals in their ceremony can also pay extra to bring in reptiles, add on a "flighted raptor show" or have their ring bearer join them for an engagement photoshoot. Bride and Groom Go Viral After Adopting Stray Cat That Interrupted Their Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The event service also offers a themed option for couples hoping for a wizard or renaissance wedding. Jessica Huete spoke to WSJ about her and her husband's decision to have a falcon swoop down with the couple's rings at her San Diego wedding last year. The bride wore a leather glove with a piece of quail meat attached to entice Marty the falcon to swoop down and land on her arm. Llama Dressed as Groomsman Delights Guests at New York Wedding "We were both fighting over who would catch the bird,” Huete told the outlet of her and her husband. “I said, ‘It was my idea. I win. I’m the wife.' " Huete also noted that she and her husband decided to trust Marty with their real rings, even though it's recommended that couples place fake rings in the bird's pouch just in case they fly off. “We said, 'It’ll be a sign if he flies off,' " she said.