Local Bride Rides Into Ceremony on Star Elephant of Many Hollywood Films

While many brides are content with simply walking down the aisle to meet their intended, local native Chelsy Ann Craig-Austin wanted to make her grand entrance high atop a famous Hollywood elephant.

It all began when Craig-Austin, 23, married Skyler Austin on June 12 at Oak Mountain Winery in Temecula. The affair had a jungle theme with deep blue and green shades, a cake covered in green jungle vines and butterflies, centerpieces with blue orchids in vases of green marbles, and earth-friendly baskets full of almonds for favors. Her hairpiece was a Swarovski crystal jungle vine, and she rode up to the outdoor pavilion on an Asian elephant.

Mind you, this was not just any old elephant, this was Tai born in 1966, and star of such  movies as Water for Elephants, Zookeeper, the Jungle Book, Evan Almighty, George of the Jungle, Larger than Life, and Operation Dumbo Drop

“Tai’s role in the wedding was that of a majestic animal carrying me toward the most important ceremony of my life. Tai carried me across the vineyard, through the parking lot and all of the way up to the edge of the outdoor pavilion, where she kneeled down and my father helped me dismount. My father and I then began our walk up the aisle toward my groom, who waited at the other end of the pavilion,” she said.

Unlike a few flower girls, Tai charges $3,000 per hour for her time, so the couple had to save up before they could hire her.  

“Skyler actually moved in with my parents and we saved all of the money we could for one year to pay for the elephant and our condo down payment. The cost was well worth it and most of the profits go to support Tai, and the other elephants on the ranch where she lives, as well as toward elephant conservation efforts,” she said.

It was money well spent.

“The best part of the ride was definitely when I approached the top of the vineyard, which is at the top of a hill, and everyone finally saw me come over the horizon. I kept the elephant a secret from all of my guests, so when they all saw me riding up on an elephant, they naturally screamed and jumped out of their seats to gather and took pictures.  

“I chose a very dramatic and epic theme song for my grand arrival, “Home,” by Hans Zimmer, which added to the emotional reactions. My husband Skyler even had a tear in his eye when he finally saw me come up on the elephant, because he knew it was a dream come true for me.”

Animal Lover Always

A true animal lover, she said elephants are one of her favorites and that she enjoys going to the zoo, as well as learning about endangered species. All of these factors led to her choice of a jungle-themed wedding and a famous elephant.

“One day, I visited the Santa Ana Zoo where they were giving elephant rides, so I naturally picked up one of their educational pamphlets on the elephants. I found out through their website that this company who gives the elephant rides also hires out their elephants for events and movies,” she recalled. “When Skyler proposed, I immediately thought, what our wedding would mean without an animal involved?! We must have an elephant!” 

No stranger to animals, Craig-Austin grew up with many pets and said she has always had a passion for rescuing animals and educating others about proper pet care.  

She even ran her own pet sitting business, Chelsy’s Pet Care, from the time she was 11 years old until she was 22. 

“Chelsy’s Pet Care helped me to get a $1,000 scholarship out of high school from a local Rotary Club for my entrepreneurial skills and I was a full time pet sitter up until I got married,” she said. “My passion in life is animals and as it stands right now, I work at a pet store.”

Studying to Be a Vet

She is also currently a student at Saddleback College and is majoring in biology. Austin plans on transferring to UCI to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and will then apply to Western University of Health Sciences.  

“My ultimate goal is to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine,” said Austin, has four rabbits, three birds, a tortoise and a fish tank. “So yes, I have always been and will always be an animal lover.”  

If she had to do it all over again, would she hire Tai?

“I would absolutely have Tai at my wedding again. Animals are such a big part of my life that my wedding wouldn’t have meant as much without an animal there to witness it. Tai is a bonding force for my husband and I, and the amazing memory that she gave us was worth every penny. I will definitely be saving up to have her again for our anniversary. Those who know me wouldn’t expect anything less!”

In between going to school to become a veterinarian, Craig-Austin works part time at PetsPlus in Laguna Niguel as a sales associate. But thoughts of her dream wedding are never far from her mind.

“My wedding was just a small piece of the fairytale. Skyler and I were high school sweethearts and we are each other’s first relationship. We got engaged on our 5-year dating anniversary, where he proposed to me with a custom-made, heart-shaped, blue sapphire engagement ring, atop Yosemite Falls. We got married on our 6-year dating anniversary at a beautiful winery, atop a mountain, overlooking Temecula wine country, where I rode up on an elephant to my groom.”

They later honeymooned in Oahu, Hawaii, where they stayed at Turtle Bay Resort and got to ride dolphins.  

On their return, she said they bought a two-bedroom condo in Laguna Niguel, with a small yard perfect for their rabbits, and they are looking forward to a beautiful new life together.  

“The story wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention that I got to have the elephant from the Jungle Book, my favorite childhood movie which also helped me develop my love for animals, at my wedding. I am proof that dreams do come true,” she said.

Indeed.