How to Include Your Dog on Your Wedding Day
Your wedding is the chance to celebrate the love of your life with all of your nearest and dearest friends and family–and why shouldn’t that include your furry friends, too?
Incorporating your dog into your ceremony and reception can add a fun and unique touch to your wedding. When you look back on your wedding, it’s a joy to remember that your beloved pet was by your side the whole time! More and more people are choosing to include their dogs at their weddings. That said, having your dog at your wedding can go south quickly if you’re not well prepared, so keep reading for tips and advice on how to plan for a successful wedding day with your doggo by your side.
How to Include Your Dog In Your Wedding
I recently had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Morrell. They decided to incorporate their shaggy border collie into their wedding, and it was so special for the couple to include him.
They decided to keep it simple for their wedding and have the dog walk down the aisle with them. During the ceremony, a friend helped keep the dog sitting still, and at the end, they took plenty of photos that included him. Mr. and Mrs. Morrell even dressed him up in a doggy suit, so he was properly attired for the occasion!
Walking down the aisle with your pup is a lovely way to include your pet, but you could even have them act as the ring dog or flower dog–if your dog is well-trained, of course. You can also include your pup in your getting-ready photos before your first look, or include the pup in your first dance during your reception.
TIPS FOR HAVING YOUR DOG BY YOUR SIDE ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
On the day of your wedding, you’ll want to make sure your dog is freshly groomed so they look good for all the photos you’ll be taking!
Before the ceremony, the trick is to get your dog nice and sleepy. Put someone in charge of running the dog around in the morning, throwing the ball, or taking them for a long walk. Make sure there is a specific person in charge of this task, so you can focus on getting ready for your big day.
That same person can be in charge of the dog throughout the whole day, to keep the dog on leash, well-behaved, and relieved. Choose a friend that’s dependable but NOT in the wedding party–your bridesmaids and groomsmen already have a lot on their plate for the day.
Throughout the day, you’ll need to have never-ending treats on hand to reward your pup and keep them well-behaved. Don’t forget to keep plenty of doggy bags on hand, too–no one wants to step in that during a wedding! After cocktail hour, your dog will probably be pretty worn out, which means you should assign someone to take them home after a busy day of celebration.
For more ideas on how to include your dog on your wedding day, reach out! I’d be happy to help you find ways to make your wedding day extra-special.
