A Bride With a Mission Bigger Than Herself
For most brides, their wedding day is carefully planned down to the smallest detail. From the dress to the flowers to the timing of the reception, it’s all about celebrating love in picture-perfect moments. But for PJ Dhaliwal, a trained wildlife rescuer from Australia, love extends far beyond human connections. On her big day, she proved that compassion for all living creatures is at the very core of who she is.
Freshly married and still glowing from the ceremony, PJ was ready to celebrate with her husband, Gavin, and their guests. The last thing anyone expected was for the bride to suddenly rush toward a tree — veil and gown trailing behind her — because an animal needed her.
That’s exactly what happened when a guest noticed a possum in distress, struggling to cling to a branch in broad daylight.
“I kind of forgot it was my wedding,” PJ admitted with a laugh. “[I] went straight into wildlife rescue mode!”
An Unusual Guest at the Wedding
Possums are nocturnal animals, meaning they prefer the safety of night. To see one sitting exposed during the day — especially surrounded by loud humans and curious wedding guests — was an alarming sign.
PJ immediately understood the seriousness of the situation. “The fact that she was out in broad daylight, around humans and noise, and exposed, was a very clear sign that [there] were underlying issues,” she explained.
Worse still, the little possum was under attack by territorial birds that saw her as an intruder. Their sharp beaks and claws could have caused serious injury or even death if someone didn’t step in quickly.
But this wasn’t a random bystander rushing in — this was PJ, a woman who had been volunteering with the Darling Range Wildlife Shelter since 2019. She had the knowledge, skills, and, luckily, even the equipment needed to help.
A Wedding Dress Turned Rescue Uniform
Still wearing her flowing white gown, PJ didn’t hesitate. She grabbed marsupial pouches from her wildlife kit (which she often keeps close at hand) and climbed up to gently restrain the frightened animal.
It wasn’t a solo effort. PJ’s friend and fellow volunteer, Anne, stood nearby ready to assist, while her brand-new husband, Gavin, literally held a stool steady beneath her so she could safely reach the possum.
“I used some marsupial pouches I had in my wildlife kit to gently restrain and catch the possum … with help from [a] fellow volunteer, Anne, as well as my new husband, Gavin,” PJ explained.
The image of a bride carefully climbing and cradling a distressed animal while loved ones watched in awe was something no one at that wedding will ever forget.
A Happy Ending — For Everyone
Once the possum was safely down, PJ and the team assessed her condition. Though shaken and vulnerable, she was alive and strong enough to be transferred to a nearby experienced carer.
Another volunteer, Julie, transported the little marsupial to a specialized caretaker who could give her the time, safety, and medical attention she needed to heal.
“I knew she was going to be alright,” PJ said with relief. “We could relax!”
With the crisis resolved, PJ brushed off her gown, tucked away her rescue gear, and returned to her wedding celebration. But far from being annoyed at the interruption, the guests were delighted.
“Many said it was a very PJ thing to do,” she recalled with a smile. “My husband’s family loves hearing all my crazy stories about different rescues, and they were all just so delighted to see me in action!”
Beyond a Wedding Day Memory
For PJ, this wasn’t just a quirky wedding anecdote. It was a reflection of her life’s mission. She has dedicated years of her time and energy to helping wildlife in need, and this possum rescue only reinforced how deeply that passion runs.
Her new husband, Gavin, didn’t just witness it — he became part of it, literally supporting her as she reached for the animal. For the couple, it was a symbolic reminder that their marriage is built not only on love for each other but also on shared values of kindness and compassion.
The guests, too, walked away with something bigger than a wedding celebration. They had witnessed a powerful reminder that life isn’t just about tradition, beauty, or staged perfection — it’s about showing up for those who need us, even when it’s inconvenient.
And for PJ, it was clear: the memory of saving that possum will forever be intertwined with the joy of her wedding day.
So many of us live fast-paced lives, waiting for big milestones — weddings, birthdays, promotions — to give us purpose. But stories like PJ’s show that sometimes our most meaningful acts happen in unexpected, messy moments.
A bride climbing a tree in her wedding dress might seem unusual, even comical to some. Yet at its core, this story is about courage, empathy, and commitment to living out one’s values — no matter the setting.
And perhaps that’s the greatest takeaway: love doesn’t stop at the altar. For PJ, it extends to every creature she crosses paths with, from humans to possums.
