4 Important Tips to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding Day
Including your dog in your wedding doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare. There are companies available to hire that JUST focus on making sure your dog is included, happy, and safe on your wedding day, AND if you can find a wedding planner who loves dogs, you’ll have nothing to worry about as your furry friend walks down the aisle.
The ring bearer begins his jaunt down the aisle curiously sniffing guests along the way while garnering plenty of laughter and attention from those there to witness.
After happily making his way to the altar, he plants a sloppy kiss to the groom before taking his seat in preparation for the bride’s entrance.
When it comes to your wedding day you want all of your loved ones to be present, and for many couples that means figuring out a way to include their beloved fur baby.
While some may decide they want their dog to be a part of the ceremony, others may simply want their pet to be included in photos.
And while it is possible (and I LOVE) to include a furry friend on your wedding day, it does not happen easily without planning and help.
Handler: Doggy I Do
Photographer: Edric Morales
Planning the logistics of including a dog in your wedding day can be difficult to manage.
Who will bring my pup to the ceremony sight? Who will bring him home? Where will he stay when I am getting ready? Who will make sure he is safe during all of the activities? And the list goes on.
So when I began thinking about how to best guide couples with this potentially difficult plan, the first people that came to mind were the experts. “Doggy I Do” helps couples all around northeast Ohio include their furry friends in their wedding, and they came through with some excellent advice.
1. Hire a handler
Handler: Doggy I Do
Photographer: Kendrick at Dawn
This truly is the best option when it comes to including your fur baby in your wedding.
Let’s be honest, your grandma does not want to babysit your pup when she is trying to watch her beautiful granddaughter walk down the aisle.
Typically, most guests and family members want to be able to enjoy the wedding festivities minus a furry friend.
Even if you hire a dog lover (like me) to plan your wedding, every vendor and person on site has various other jobs in order to prepare for the ceremony and reception.
So hiring a vendor, like “Doggy I Do,” whose job is strictly to transport, watch your dog, and help your dog participate in the event is the safest and least stressful option without forcing your grandma to take over.
2. Check with your venue(s) first.
Oftentimes my fellow animal lovers forget that animal restrictions do exist in certain locations especially if your ceremony is an indoor space.
It is imperative that you check with the venue (whichever venue you want your pup to make an appearance at) to ensure that they welcome furry friends in their space.
Some locations fully allow dogs, some allow them but they have to stay in certain locations on property, and others ban animals altogether.
Handler: Doggy I Do
Photographer: Hannah Danielle Photography
So what if your dream venue doesn’t allow dogs? Or what if attending your wedding would create too much stress on your dog, but you really want pictures with him?
There are a couple of options to consider:
Include them in your engagement photos.
Take wedding photos off site at a park or secondary location so that your dog can be included.
Don’t have time to go through all of these phone calls? That’s what your wedding planner is for! Let her (me) make the calls for you and figure out exactly how your pet can be included and where.
3. Introduce your pet to the bridal party in advance.
Depending on the type of involvement you plan for your dog, certain introductions may be necessary and informing your bridal party of your plans to include your dog in advance is probably advisable too.
The last thing you need on your wedding day is to find out that the escort you chose hates dogs or is absolutely terrified of them.
I know…as a dog lover I can’t wrap my head around anyone not loving dogs either BUT it can happen.
Handler: Doggy I Do
Photographer: Laura Silvay
If you plan to have a member of the bridal party walk your dog down the aisle, then it is important to introduce the bridal party (especially the escort) to your dog prior to the wedding day. It may even be beneficial to host a few introductions to ensure everyone is comfortable and to ensure that the escort fully understands the expectations.
This is especially important if children are involved in the bridal party. Wedding days can be chaotic and fun but that usually leads to a lot of noise and stress for animals.
You want to ensure that your fur baby is comfortable with everyone involved that day to avoid a stressful reaction.
4. Think about how you want your pet to be involved
You know your dog best. Does she have an incredibly outgoing personality? Does she ONLY like you and your fiance? Is she super shy and easily overwhelmed?
All of these things need to be considered when deciding HOW you want your pup to be involved on your wedding day. Even the most outgoing, calm dogs can be overstimulated and stressed.
So be sure to choose an appropriate way for your dog to be included that suits everyone involved.
Bonus Tips
Handler: Doggy I Do
Photographer: Cleveland Weddings
Hire a wedding planner that loves dogs too.
She will be coordinating the entire day and all of the people/vendors involved.
When Doggy I Do shows up with your fur baby, you don’t want a wedding planner greeting them with fear or disdain.
Consider cute outfits.
Guests LOVE to see your dog in a cute flower collar, a tux bandana or fancy collar. These are adorable additions to your wedding day and make for cute photos too.
Most importantly, remember to have fun! Your pup may not do exactly what you want. He may bark or stop down the aisle to give kisses, but it’s okay to roll with it.
The photos and videos of these "mishaps" will be memories you cherish forever.
For more great tips for planning your wedding, visit our blog to check out all of our posts and click the icons below to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
