(Photo Credit: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association)

A visually impaired couple expressed an unusual "thank you" at their wedding, acknowledging their guide dogs for introducing them to each other two years ago.

Mark Gaffey, 51, and Claire Johnson, 50, met at a guide-dog training conference after their two Labrador retrievers, Venice and Rodd, "fell in love" and spent their time "nuzzling" together during training.

"Our dogs were the classic love story," said newlywed Johnson, who married Gaffey in Staffordshire, England, Saturday, with their dogs as ring bearers. "Everyone used to joke about how Mark's dog, Rodd, and my dog, Venice, were meant to be together."

The dog owners didn't want to break up the dogs after training so they arranged play dates, and eventually Gaffey and Johnson started to meet for their own dates. Gaffey proposed last year on Valentine's Day.

"I have no doubt that our guide dogs brought us together and helped me find my true love," Johnson said, according to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. "Much like our two guide dogs, we really are best friends and soul mates."

(Photo Credit: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association)