As any dog owner will tell you, dogs are more than just a pet. They are a part of the family. So, it comes as no surprise that more and more couples are keen to include their fury friend in their special day. As a wedding photographer, I have seen a huge rise in dogs at weddings over recent years and I have to say that when done well, they add so much joy and make for some great photo opportunities too!
If you are a proud dog Mummy or Daddy, you may be wondering exactly how to incorporate your dog into your wedding day. In my experience, there are several things to consider when planning a dog friendly wedding which will help the day run smoothly as well as keeping you, your guests and of course your dog happy.
Choose a dog friendly wedding venue
This may sound obvious, but not all wedding venues are dog friendly, and I mean this is in more than one way. First of all, you need to check if your preferred venue actually allow dogs. Secondly, once you have confirmation of this, you should check that the venue is actually suitable for you and your dogs needs. For example, if you have a large dog then make sure that the rooms are big enough. If your dog is prone to having accidents, make sure that the venue has hard floors rather than carpets and so on.
Introduce your dog to the venue before the big day
Once you have chosen your perfect dog friendly wedding venue it is important to make sure that your dog is familiar with it ahead of the big day. Try to take your dog to visit at least once ahead of the wedding to ensure that they are comfortable and calm in the environment. It is also a good idea to familiarise them with where is an acceptable place to ‘go potty’ to avoid any distress or nasty surprises!
Arrange a quiet space for them
Wedding days can be rather hectic, with lots going on and lots of different people. As much as most dogs love the excitement, they can sometimes need a little bit of down time to relax and possibly take a nap. Speak to your venue ahead of your doggy wedding and ask them if they can arrange a quiet space to accommodate this. You can even arrange to bring your dogs familiar bed and toys on the day to help them settle.
Enlist help
As much as you may want to care for your dog yourself as you usually would, it is just not possible on your wedding day. It is important that you arrange for other people to look after your dogs needs from bringing them to the venue and getting them groomed to feeding and walking them throughout the day. You may want to choose a select few family members or friends who your dog is already familiar with to do this, or you could even hire a professional dog chaperone service. I have worked with the great team at Precious Pets before so can certainly recommend them. Either way, be sure to check in with them throughout the day for reassurance.
Give them a role in the wedding
Now less of the boring stuff and more of the cuteness overload. I have photographed some fantastic weddings where dogs have played a role in the wedding and I have to say it never fails to leave everyone in awe. Some brides like to have their dog as part of their bridal party while some grooms have been known to choose their dog as their best man. After all, they do say that a dog is a man’s best friend. If your dog can be trusted not to eat them, then they can even deliver the rings.
Dress them up
Whether you are including your dog in the wedding ceremony or as a special guest, you may want to consider dressing them up, providing that this won’t cause them and distress or discomfort of course. How far you go with this is your call. Female dogs can be walked down the aisle on an impressive floral lead or male dogs look extra dapper in a waistcoat and bow tie.
Cater for them
When considering how to include your dog in your wedding day, it is important not to let catering slip your mind. Arrange for your dog to be given food and drink throughout the day. Aim for their usual mealtimes as at least some aspects of a familiar routine can help to keep them calm. You may want to bring your dogs usual food for their comfort or if you know that your dog is a little more adventurous with their food then you can even arrange for a delicious doggy treat. It is a special day after all!
Include them in your first dance
If you are really looking to maximise the cuteness factor, then why not include your dog in your first dance? For this I would highly recommend doing some dance training with your four-legged friend or at least some home practice so that you can be confident that they won’t literally sweep you off your feet on the dance floor. If done well, this has to be the cutest way of incorporating your dog into your wedding day and what fantastic photos you could achieve!
So, there you have it. I hope that my top tips have given you some helpful insight into how to include your dog in your wedding day and I wish you all of the best for your upcoming dog friendly wedding! If you would like to tell me more about your wedding plans then please do drop me a line.