How to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding

Your pup has been at your side for everything – and your wedding day doesn’t have to be any different! If you can’t imagine leaving your four legged best friend at home on the day their paw-rents tie the knot, the good news is that you absolutely don’t have to. This guide will tell you how to include your dog in your wedding day, with tips and advice for planning a dog friendly event!

Should You Include Your Dog in Your Wedding?

Before you start planning, it’s really important to think about whether this is the right choice for you – and whether it’s the right choice for your dog. If your pup is a happy go lucky type who will make friends anywhere, great! But if you have a dog that gets nervous in new places, or doesn’t like crowds of people, it may not be a good idea to bring them along for this adventure. 

While it can definitely be a bummer to leave your pup at home, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing what’s right for your dog. Don’t worry – if you decide not to have your dog in your wedding, there are still plenty of ways to include them in the festivities! Some examples include naming a signature drink after them, and having them with you in the getting ready suite before the ceremony.

Finding a Dog Friendly Wedding Venue

If you want to include your dog in your wedding, one of the first things you’ll need to do is find a venue that will allow you to do that! Luckily, plenty of people get the love you have for your pup, so while this can be an extra logistical hurdle, it’s definitely possible to find a dog friendly wedding venue. After you find some venues that you love, send some emails to ask around! Outdoor venues are more likely to be able to accommodate this, but most will require your dog to be on a leash.

How to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding

Now, here are some tips for how to include your dog in your wedding!

Dress Them Up

It’s always too cute to put clothes on your dog – so as long as they won’t protest too much, you can totally dress them for the occasion! You can go all out with a doggy suit, or keep it simple with a few accessories. You can get a bowtie for your pup to wear, or ask your florist to make a collar to match the bouquet! 

Along with doing this, I recommend getting a leash for the wedding photos. If the one you have is retractable or in a bright color, getting a simple brown leather leash, and a collar to match, will look much better!

Let Your Pup Hold the Rings

If you want to include your dog in your wedding by giving them a job to do, they can totally be your ring bearer! Of course, you’ll need to keep your rings safe, but you can get a little pouch to clip to their collar, or a pillow. If you want to do this, it’s a good idea to have someone walk down the aisle with your dog, or if they’re good with tricks, have them practice it a few times to make sure they’ll go the right way on your wedding day.

Stand Next to Your Dog

Your dog can be by your side as you exchange vows! You can walk down the aisle with your pup if you want, but we recommend having someone in your wedding party hold onto the leash during your ceremony.

Take Family Photos

When you take photos during your wedding, make sure to include your dog in a few! These will be great family photos, and another bonus is that having your pooch next to you can make you feel a little more comfortable in front of the camera. It’s totally normal to be nervous, but being able to pet and play with your pup gives you something to do, and can calm your nerves. You’ll get comfortable in no time, but this is a great way to ease into it!

Put Your Dog on Your Signage

Whether it’s seating charts, cocktail menus, or other signs around your wedding venue, you can include your dog by having them drawn on your signs! You can definitely commission some custom signs from someone who can recreate the cuteness of your four legged best friend.

Tips for Including Your Dog in Your Wedding

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you include your dog in your wedding!

Have a Handler

Make sure that you give someone the responsibility of watching your dog throughout the night. It’ll be difficult for the couple to hold the leash the entire day, so ask someone in your wedding party, or a friend or family member (or even hire a professional) to be in charge! This lets you relax knowing your pup is safe.

Bring Treats

Just like people, dogs are happiest when they’re fed and hydrated. So make sure that you have water out for them, and that you don’t miss their regularly scheduled mealtimes. And, have some treats handy to reward them for posing for photos or to lure them down the aisle!

Give Them Some Breaks

You know your dog best, so make sure that when you include them in your wedding, you’re mindful of their personality and what they might need throughout the day. If your dog gets overstimulated or needs a rest sometimes, have a room or somewhere they can go to relax for a little bit before rejoining the celebration.

Want to Plan a Dog Friendly Wedding?

Our job as wedding planners is to make sure you get the day you’re dreaming of – so if that means having your dog along for the adventure, we’re here to make that happen! We’ve got everything from day of coordination to full service planning packages, and we’ll help you with everything you need to create a perfect day for you and your pup. If you’re ready to plan a dog friendly wedding, contact us!