Dogs at Weddings. 

A lot of couples that have booked / inquired about their wedding photography have often asked if their four-legged friend can be there. Well…. absolutely! You don’t want your pet pooch to miss out on the most important day of your life. Choosing to include your fur baby on your wedding day can be difficult, but there are many ways to have your dog there on your wedding day. There maybe a few questions you want to consider before getting your dog involved in the big day. 

Are you after finding out something quickly, use the menu bar below to get your answer. 

• How can I incorporate dogs on your wedding day?
• How should I plan for me pet for the big day?
• What should I do if I can’t take my pet to my wedding?
• Can your dog be the man / maid of honour?
• Can your dog be the ring bearer? 

How can I incorporate dogs at your wedding?

We all know that planning your wedding day can be incredibly stressful, and the wedding day itself can be nerve-racking but by having your pet by your side might help to settle some of them nerves. Just make sure you take the right precaution to make sure your pet is comfortable as well. 

There are so many ways that you can incorporate your dog at your wedding, they can come in and steal the show, they can be a ring bearer, or they can be the dog of honour, or they can just be there for the family photos. However, if you are having a large wedding or is the venue is cramped you might not want to bring them for the wedding ceremony celebrations – you don’t want to put your pet through anything that will make them uncomfortable. 

If you are getting ready at home, why not involve your dog with your bridal preparation. It’s the perfect opportunity to get some adorable photos of the two of you. As well as this, your pooch will feel included in the proceedings without the stress of worrying about what to do with them all day. Want to know some great tips for getting the best bridal preparations – then click here. 

If you want your dog there on the evening do, but they don’t do well around guests, have you thought about having your dog as the cake topper on the wedding cake. Choosing your dog as your cake topper is a great way to make sure that your dog is a part of your wedding day, its also a great way of including them without any pressure of them being there. Trust me, guests love wedding decorations that showcase the couples personality. 

If you don’t want you dog to come to your wedding, what about bringing them along to your engagement session? This can be a fantastic way to get some beautiful professional photographs of you both as well as your four-legged best friend. This can also get your pet used to being around a camera and it can get them used to behaving for a photograph. You could also use these pictures throughout your wedding decor so that your four-legged friend is still included in your special day.

Consider your pets personality. 

When it comes to your dog and wanting your dog at your wedding you’ve to consider your pets personality. For example:

How are they in the crowds? 

Do they get along with children?

Does you dog obey instructions?

If you are considering making your dog part of the wedding ceremony, please consider their personality first. Although it may add some comical elements if your dog goes off and licks someone during the ceremony, but what happens if they start barking during the ceremony, or even jumping on the wedding dress. Even though you will forgive them eventually.

You have to consider that animals can get very overwhelmed in crowns no matter who outgoing you think they might be. You also might want to consider how your dog reacts around new people, and if they are familiar with the person that is going to lead them etc. You don’t want someone leading your dog whom your dog has never met as they won’t trust them. 

How should I plan for my pet for the big day 

So if you are deciding to incorporate your dog in the ceremony, you firstly need to find an assistant to look after your dog. You ideally want to have someone that your dog trusts and behaves around. This could be one of your guests, or even your dogs carer? Having someone familiar on hand to look after your pet can be great, they can take them away from the festivities after a couple of hours, and they can take them home when they need to leave as they won’t be able to stay there all night. This helps you not to fret about your pet on the day – saving you a lot of stress. 

In addition to this, you need to check that the venue is pet friendly in advance. You will be incredibly disappointed If you find the perfect venue, but they will not allow your dog to be there on your special day. Ask if they allow dogs both inside and outside as well! 

You need to notify the photographer (and videographer) in advance. Make sure you let them know that your pet will be involved in the big day, so they can plan for some creative shots. As well as this if you have any shots in mind that you want to have taken then this is also the perfect ti I absolutely love dogs and will happily capture all of those important photographs with you and your four legged friend. However, some photographers may be allergic or even super scared of dogs! 

Furthermore, you need to remember the treats. Although there is going to be food everywhere, you need to make sure that people aren’t going to give your pet lots and lots of food – you don’t want them to get sick on your wedding day, some food i.e raising in wedding cakes can be absolutely fatal to dogs. Moreover, make sure you bring dog treats to help to bribe your dog to help get those shots is a great idea, bring a doggy bag full of them – we need to make sure we get them shots.  

What should I do if I can’t take my pet to my wedding? 

You should always check with your wedding venue about allowing pets, as stated above. However you have to admit that weddings aren’t right for all pets, and even if your pet would be just fine at your wedding, you may not want the stress of having them there. If you think having your pet at your wedding may be too stressful and traumatic for them, book them into a friendly pet sitter so you can relax knowing that your dogs are been looked after in the best care. 

Depending on where you go on honeymoon, you might bring your dogs along with you then. The UK is blessed with so many amazing dog-friendly hotels and resorts, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t bring you pets with them. If you are looking to go abroad it might be more difficult for that to happen as they need pet passports, just make sure you speak to your vet for some more advice on this. 

Can your dog be your best. Man / maid of honour?

Absolutely! A dog can take their role very seriously. Adding your family dog to the wedding can make it more bespoke to you, and will make to very adorable. You do need to check with your church or your venue to make sure that they permit animals, before getting your hopes up and planning it. 

Why not look at dressing your dog up in some attire? If your dog is a boy, why not get them a mini suit, for a girl – why not look at giving them a white mini tutu. If this is all to much a neckerchief is also a nice way of dressing up your pups without making them too uncomfortable. As well if you want something personalised for your pooch check out Etsy – they have the best personalised items and the best thing is, is that they are not that expensive.

You also need to look into the safety on dressing your pooch, you need to pick an outfit that will fit them properly. There shouldn’t be a rush of anything falling off which might become a chocking hazard for your pooch. Something simple like a bow die, flower or dressy collar as well as some outfits mentioned above. Please investigate your flowers and plants if you are thinking of using them in both your outfit and wedding decor, make sure that they are not toxic to animals.

Can your dog be your ring bearers?

OMG! YES! Dogs make the cutest ring bearers, but you id suggest that you only do this for well trained dogs. You don’t want your dog to run off with your rings because that would be a disaster. You should also put the rings where the dog can’t eat the rings – we definitely don’t want that. Maybe put them in a small basket and ask the dog to carry the basket. If not maybe attach the ring pillow to a harness and step that you the dog? 

Before your wedding, have your dog practice walking down an aisle, reaffirming their understanding of walking, sitting down, staying and keeping quiet by rewarding them with treats. You’ve got to make sure that your dog won’t crack under the pressure. Before looking at having your dog as a ring bearer, they have to not be afraid of crowds, you don’t want them getting shy half way down the aisle. As well as this they shouldn’t be ‘barky’ you don’t want your dog yapping at your wedding when you are saying them all important vows. 

Above is a photograph from one of my weddings, where the bride and groom had their dog Tonka as their ring bearer. As well as being the ring bearer, she also had some photos outside with the couple before going back home, whilst the rest of the celebrations carried on. 

Final thought 

Overall, If you do have a pooch and you want them included in the celebrations then I say go for it! Even if you just bring them to the celebration for an hour, to get some photos with your fur babies, then send them home again with the dog sitter. Dogs at weddings, can make for some great and unique photographs, especially if they are one of the main attractions. 

Are you still looking for your wedding photographer that loves dogs, then look no further. 

Kind Regards

Nik 

x