Lauren Mahaffey had spent hours having her makeup, hair, and nails perfected before going for a dream photoshoot on Myrtle Beach, southern California, in the weeks before her ceremony.

Just as the shoot was due to end, a passing rider offered to lend Mrs Mahaffey her horse to take a picture on top of, and she happily accepted and went to jump into the saddle.

But just as she settled on top of the animal it bolted, running across the beach and sending her crashing headfirst into the sand. 

Groom Joshua Mahaffey knew nothing of the accident until a few weeks later at the wedding when his blushing bride revealed all.

Jarrett said: 'My client decided that since you only live once, she wanted to take a photo on top of a horse. I'm not much of a fan of large animals myself because of the unpredictability of them, but I agreed to take the photo if she wanted.

(dailymail.co.uk)