Cat Steals the Show at Owners' Wedding, Becoming the 'Absolute Star' of the Day (Exclusive)
Gage and Summer Donovan incorporated their pet cat, Nala Donovan, into their New Year's Eve wedding festivities
"She was the absolute star," the bride tells PEOPLE
Nala was present at the ceremony, but left for the receptionA bride and groom had a purr-fect wedding thanks to their pet cat.
From being carried down the aisle to wearing the bride's mother's wedding garter, "it was an obvious decision" for Summer Donovan, 24, and Gage Donovan, 25, to incorporate their 6-year-old American shorthair cat, Nala Donovan, into their nuptials.
"We feel so lucky that we were able to include Nala and we know that Nala feels home wherever we are," Summer tells PEOPLE.
The couple tied the knot on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2024, at Northern Pacific Center, in Brainerd, Minnesota. From the start, Nala was involved in their wedding festivities.
"It took some coordination to include her in our special day, but our favorite people made it happen!" Summer says. "She spent the night before the wedding with the bridal party in the hotel. That morning we brought her to the venue, and she spent the morning getting ready with the ladies!"
https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf
Nala dressed up for the "special" day, donning the same garter that Summer's mother wore on her wedding day.
"We included her in pictures, as she is a part of the family!" Summer says.
As vendors arrived, Nala happily greeted each one of them.
"She was the absolute star," Summer gushes.
At the ceremony, the wedding party walked down the aisle, and, of course, they couldn't leave Nala behind. The junior bridesmaid, Gage's sister Brielle, carefully carried Nala down the aisle.
"It is no surprise that Nala did amazing, and was happy to be close to her parents," Summer says.
While some people might be surprised to see a cat at a wedding, the Donovans' 230 friends and family members in the audience were unfazed.
"Our wedding guests were not surprised to see Nala walking down the aisle," Summer shares. "They've all met her at an event, and know that we bring her everywhere. They would've been more shocked if we left her at home."
She continues: "Nala has never spent a night alone, and often times travels with us! We have moved several times, and home is wherever we are together. Nala is very social and loves to visit new places including: Target, movie theaters, restaurants, grocery stores, airports, football games and backyard barbecues. Movie theaters are her favorite for the designated time to snuggle."
As Gage and Summer exchanged their vows, Nala was seated watching their ceremony just like any other guest. She had been transferred by Brielle to Summer's godmother, Holly, "who is an animal lover."
"Nala was very snug during the ceremony," Summer notes.
Afterward, Summer's brother brought Nala back to the hotel to relax. While Nala wasn't present at the reception, she was still incorporated into the party as everyone held large cardboard cutouts of Nala's head as they danced.
Nala helped Summer through "the hardest years of [her] life," so it only felt right that she was also at the best day of her life.
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Summer grew up with many cats in her household, so when she moved three hours away for college in Fargo, North Dakota, she admits it was "difficult" living in her dorm without a cat. As Summer struggled with her mental health, her family decided to foster cats "as a form of therapy" over one summer through Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
"That led us to fostering Nala and her sister Sunny! We adopted Nala as a licensed emotional support cat, and my parents adopted Sunny!" Summer explains. "While they don't live in the same house anymore, the sisters get to have sleepovers very often."
She adds: "Nala got me through the hardest years of my life, and I like to say she saved me."
At the time of the wedding, Gage and Summer didn't have any other pets beside Nala. Now, she has "embraced big sister duties" as the couple have a 9-month-old English cream golden retriever named Winnie.
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