How to include Your pet in your wedding day? Your fur-baby has been there for the laughs, the cuddles, and all those outdoor adventures. They’re more than just a pet—they’re family! It makes sense you’d want them there for one of the most important days of your life. Including your pup in your wedding or engagement session can be so much fun! Here are some of our favorite tips for making it work smoothly and memorably.
1. Make Sure Your Venue Loves Dogs as Much as You Do
No all venues are dog friendly. Some, especially those with onsite kitchens, can’t accommodate dogs due to health or legal requirements. Ask the venue before booking and review the venue contract in detail. Brining your buddy on the day of the wedding without confirming with the venue first can be a huge inconvenience. Imaging trying to find a way to transport your lovable pup home, just before you walk down the aisle, because your venue can’t allow dogs.
2. Ensure Your Guests Are Comfortable Around Dogs
As dog lovers, we would like to think that everyone is enamored with our fur-ball as much as we are. However, some people are allergic to dogs, are afraid of them, or OMG! – they simply don’t like them! Avoid drama on your wedding day by taking such consideration into account. If you do know someone that may have an issue with your dog on your wedding day for any reason, have a discussion with them ahead of time. At the very minimum please let them know about your plans before your big day.
3. Consider your Dog’s Personality
Is your dog ready for the hustle and bustle of a wedding day?
Some dogs are simply not comfortable with large crowds, new places and unfamiliar smells and sounds. As much as you may want your furry companion to be there with you, please consider their personality ahead of time. Placing undue anxiety on a shy or introverted dog will only increase their and your stress levels on a day which should ultimately be about you and your partner.
4. Schedule your Dog’s Day and Use a Trusted Wrangler
Create a specific schedule for your dog and assign a friend, a family member or a professional dog walker as their handler. Having a detailed plan for when and where they will arrive, where your dog can go for walks, when they are fed, when they are a part of the photo session, and when they leave for home, is an important part of your wedding day preparations. From our experience, we don’t suggest that your immediate family members or any bridal party members be the wrangler as they are usually very much involve in both the wedding day schedule and the photo shoots. Your dog’s wrangler should be a trusted dog-lover who is able to provide your dog with the direction and attention they deserve.
5. Keep Treats and Water Handy
Keeping your dog comfortable starts with making sure they have access to clean water, a place for potty walks, and a stash full of their favourite treats. Since the wrangler you have chosen to keep your dog company will not be as respected as you are, treats and known commands are a great way to motivate your dog to stay calm when needed.
6. Should your Dog Walk Down the Aisle?
If your dog is calm enough around people and new surroundings, having them walk down the aisle with you is a great way to incorporate them as a member of your family. Other options which we have seen executed successfully are dog ring-bearers and flower girls! Dressing up your dog in a fancy collar, a doggie tuxedo or a dress can be a great way to add some fun, style and drama to the day, but please first make sure your dog is comfortable with such costumes.
If you want more, your “Best Friend” can stand with you as a Groomsman or a Bridesmaid. We don’t suggest bestowing the prestigious titles of Best Man or Maid of Honor on your Canine Companion due to the political backlash you may experience from your less understanding human friends.
Of course, if you have any doubts that your dog can calmly walk down the aisle alone, please make sure someone walks with them on a leash. Finally, if your well trained dog becomes a part of your ceremony, make sure they are also a part of your rehearsal. They will need practice more than most of your family.
7. Embrace the Chaos and Your Dog
Weddings are by their nature busy, hectic and never fully predictable. Unexpected things do and will happen on your wedding day and in your marriage. No wedding plan is ever executed perfectly, yet all of the many weddings which we have been a part of have turned out just fine. Seriously they all did! Remember that your guests don’t care about the small things which you know have gone “wrong”. They are your closest family and friends who are there to support and celebrate with you no matter what. Adding a dog to a wedding does increase the chance of chaos. In our opinion – that’s OK!
This chaos is what you will remember and not what you will regret when you tell stories about your amazing wedding day.
Embrace the “risk” and enjoy the ride even when things are not “perfect”. Before you know it your wedding day will be over. If your dog is a part of your wedding – cherish all of it. Including any of your dog’s possible mischief.
8. Keep the Focus on You
It’s your big day! Your dog’s presence is a sweet addition, but the day should be centered on you and your partner. While it’s wonderful to have them there, try to keep them as a fun sidekick, not the main feature.
9. Include your Dog in your Wedding or Engagement Photos
A natural way to incorporate your dog inside your wedding day is to include them in the Photo Shoot. This can work well even if your venue can’t accommodate dogs since often the photo shoot can happen outside of your reception venue in an outdoor park.
Incorporating your dog in your engagement photo shoot is also a great way to capture both the love you have for each other and the playful spirit of your pup. Due to the more casual nature of the engagement shoot, the photos can be much more organic and playful. Engagement session images of you and your dog also make great save-the-date or invitation cards.
Our suggestion is to always use a trusted wrangler during these sessions and to make sure the timing of their participation is clearly established beforehand. For example, we suggest incorporating your dog in the first or last 20-30 minutes of your engagement or wedding photo sessions keeping the rest of the time to focus on you and your fiancé.
Finally, make sure any photographer you are considering has at least some experience working with animals and that they are a good fit for your needs and expectations. Ideally, ask to see gallery images which feature couples and their dogs.
10. If They Can’t Be There, Celebrate Them in Other Ways
If your venue isn’t pet-friendly or you decide it’s best for your dog to stay home, there are still plenty of ways to include them:
- Let them “join” you during getting ready: Start the day with some snuggles and photos while you get dressed up!
- Signature cocktail: Name a cocktail after your dog, like “Bailey’s Paw-tini” or “Rex’s Refresh”!
- Display photos of them: Set up a small picture frame of your dog near the entrance, or include them in a slideshow.
- Dog-inspired favors: Send guests home with cute cookie treats shaped like dog bones
- Personal mementos: Wear a tiny photo locket with your dog’s picture, add a dog tag to your bouquet, or keep a little charm of them close by.
- Incorporate Your Dog into the Décor: Make your pup a part of the celebration with pet-inspired décor throughout your wedding space! Use custom napkins with your dog’s paw print or silhouette, and add table signs or place cards featuring their name or photo. A fun display at the reception entrance with pictures of your dog (or a few of your favorite memories together) can be a great conversation starter and a cute way to share a little more of your love story with your guests.
With a bit of planning, your pup can share in the love and excitement on your wedding day! Whether they’re at the altar, greeting guests, or celebrated in spirit, they’ll be part of a day you’ll remember forever.
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10 Tips on How To Include Your Pet in Your Wedding Day or Engagement Photo Shoot captured by Ever After Photographers. Voted as Best Wedding Photographers in Toronto, Canada.
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