Including Your Pet On Your Big Day!
You’ve asked your best friends and family members to stand beside you on your wedding day and celebrate with you, but what about your pets? After all, you are puppy parents and you want your pet to be there as their humans tie the knot!
First Things To Consider
Venue: Is your venue pet-friendly? Check your contract or their website for a clause regarding animals on the property, or call the venue coordinator to check! Many venues, especially churches or places of worship, have a strict no pet policy, so checking is the first step! If your ceremony space doesn’t allow for pet involvement, you may be restricted to only including them during the reception (if your reception venue allows) or a photo session in between venues during cocktail hour.
Allergies: You should also make sure to check whether your guests are comfortable with animals, and especially if any of them have allergies. Naturally, it goes without saying that there should also be a clear plan as to who will be responsible for keeping your pet comfortable and well-behaved throughout the day.
Personality: Is your pet sociable and relaxed? Will they be unpredictable or uncomfortable in front of a large number of wedding guests? If you are unsure of their reaction or don’t want to put added stress on your baby, consider arranging a photo session after the ceremony to include them in your photos! Our Wedding Coordinator, Rachel, had the sweetest photo session with her dog babies on her wedding day, and we are in love with this family portrait!!
Ideas To Include Your Pet
Now that you have those details sorted out, let’s look at a few ideas on how your pet can play a role on your wedding day! The most popular choice is the include your pet as a ring bearer or flower girl in your ceremony. There is nothing cuter than seeing your furry friend dressed to the nines and walking down the aisle. It might be a good idea to have them be walked down by a member of the bridal party to avoid any surprises and so they can sit at the front with the rest of the bridal party. The only con, they will definitely steal the show during your ceremony!!
You can also include your pet in your wedding photos. Having some professional photographs taken with your pet is a great way to make sure that he or she is part of your enduring memories of the day. Just make sure to inform the photographer in advance, so that you’ll be assured of having the best photos possible. If your pet is only going to be involved in the photo session, consider hiring a pet sitter to pick your pet up at home and take them home afterward! Services like Fetch Pet Care and Rover offer pet sitting services to help make your day easier.
So, if your pet is sociable, well looked after, and your guests and venue are comfortable with animals, go for it! You will love having your entire family in attendance celebrating your union.
