Ach, hello there. Let me guess, you’re a dog lover that would love to have your furry BFF beside you when you get married?
For many couples, their dogs are part of the family, and having them at their wedding is essential. It can make the day even more special (and potentially chaotic). Here are some practical tips for including your dog in your wedding day.
Think about how your dog might feel
Should you bring your dog to your wedding? This is a super important question and the first you should ask. If you’ve got a laid-back and social dog, it will likely enjoy being in a strange place with loads of people, but for some dogs this will cause them anxiety and stress. While you may desperately want your doggy pal with you on your wedding day, it might not be the best thing for them.
Check the Venue’s Pet Policy
Not all wedding venues are dog friendly. They’ll likely have legitimate reasons for this so it’s important that you respect their rules. If you’re set on bringing your dog to the wedding, bring this up at your first viewing to avoid disappointment later. Even if you’ve seen images of dogs at the venue, make sure to check for any recent changes in their policies
Plan a cameo rather than a starring role.
Bill Murray in Zombieland. Bruce Willis in Loaded Gun. Will Ferrell in Wedding Crashers... A cameo can be pretty memorable. Bringing your dog along for a quick starring moment rather than the whole day could work best for everyone.
Assign a Dog Sitter
Your wedding day will be busy, and you’ll need someone dedicated to taking care of your dog. You can assign this duty to a trusted friend, but we’d recommend getting a professional pet sitter to make sure your dog is properly fed, watered and looked after. If you’re planning on a cameo appearance for your dog, a professional sitter is the best option.
Think about your guests
Did you know that 36% of people with clinical phobias have conditions related to animals? Cynophobia is the fear of dogs, and while it might seem silly and made-up to dog owners, it’s a legitimate cause of fear and anxiety for sufferers. We’ve seen it first hand at weddings, where a guest with a huge fear of dogs had to stay indoors during the drinks reception. Some of your guests could have terrible allergies. So, if you know of any guests who have a pathological fear of dogs or bad allergies, consider their feelings.
Won’t somebody PLEASE think about the children
If your wedding is going to have kids at it, consider how your dog is around them. Many kids will love seeing a dog at the wedding, but their excitement can cause problems. Through inexperience with dogs, kids can unintentionally aggravate them and cause them to lash out. If your wedding has a lot of kids, make sure any doggy interactions are well supervised.
Don’t got overboard on a dog outfit
Dogs, like small humans, don’t like being dressed against their will and will make that abundantly clear, so lay off any elaborate costumes that might make them feel uncomfortable. If you’re set on dressing up your dog, a simple embellishment of the collar will do.
Consider a practice run
If your dog is part of the ceremony and you’re having a ceremony rehearsal, bring them along to it. Maybe walk down the aisle with them a few times so they get used to it. Getting them used to their surroundings can help avoid any stress.
Give your photographer a heads up
Talk to your photographer ahead of time so they can think about how best to include your dog in the wedding photos. We love including your dog in your portraits.
Designate a Doggy VIP lounge
If you’re having them at the wedding all day, set them up with a comfortable space at the venue, away from all the excitement. Essentials here include a bed, water, and maybe some toys to keep them entertained. If it’s an outdoor space, make sure it’s in the shade.
Work them into the first look
If your dog is likely to get stressed or overstimulated at your wedding, but you’d still desperately love to have them in your photos, consider having a first look. This way you both get to see your dog and have photos with them, but they avoid the stress and commotion from the ceremony onwards.
Pack all their favourite things
Just like you might have an emergency kit for yourself, it’s an idea to prepare one for your dog. Even if you’ve hired a dog-sitter, include food, water, bowls, poop bags, a leash, and a favorite toy so they’re comfortable all day.
Have fun with it.
Including your dog should add joy to your day, not stress, so have fun. Embrace any chaos or deviations from the plans that might occur. With weddings, things that feel like disasters at the time make for great stories in the years to come.