Bride pranks groom by sending her brother in her place for Photoshoot

ARIZONA: A brother decided to surprise his sister’s groom by dressing up in a white gown moments before the wedding.

30-year-old Eric Dodds came up with the prank with his sister, Heidi Zherelyev, 25, to help ease groom Val’s nerves on the big day.

Val, from Tempe, Arizona, heard footsteps approaching and turned around expecting to see Heidi only to lay eyes on her Eric wearing a white dress instead.

Eric, a brewery chef, was asked by Heidi to climb into her pal’s old wedding dress for the prank on June 30.

He said: ‘I found out about this plan a few hours before the ceremony and I thought it was such a great idea. ‘I love my sister and would do anything for her and I love my brother-in-law. She picked such a good guy.

‘He loves goofy things and I love goofy things so it was exactly what he needed.

‘He was such a sweaty mess I knew it would be a good way to calm his jitters. ‘I really got into the role. I put on girl’s perfume and deodorant to get into character.

‘When he turned around it was hilarious. We messed around and had a little photo shoot of our own.’ Val said he was ‘so nervous’ and anxious to see Heidi, and had the biggest smile on his face before turning around to see Eric.

He said: ‘When I saw Eric in his dress, it took me a few moments to process it.  ‘It definitely made all my nerves go out the window.’

Heidi knew her husband would be nervous about exchanging vows in front of their 67 guests, which inspired her hilarious plan.

Heidi said: ‘My friend and I came up with the idea about five months before the wedding. ( ‘Chelsea had her old wedding dress we could use and I knew my brother would be on board. ‘

He has known Val for about ten years now and they are like brothers at this point.

‘I was watching everything from the window of the bridal suite. ‘I was trying so hard to be quiet but I couldn’t.  ‘It was just too funny. ‘I’m so glad we have it all caught all in photos.’

Photographer Nichole Clien said The groom’s reaction was priceless. I love photographing that first moment, it’s usually such raw emotion so to twist it like this was really funny,’ she said. Val added:

‘It was so funny and it set a precedent for the whole day.’