How To Make Your Big Day A Success With Your Furry Friend

How To Make Your Big Day A Success With Your Furry Friend

How To Make Your Big Day A Success With Your Furry Friend

Expert reveals how to include your pet on your wedding day

Key Findings:

1. Expert gives top tips on safely and creatively incorporating pets into a wedding.
2. Have your pet walk down the aisle, include them in photos, or get ready with them
3. Expert explains how you can include your pet even if they can’t attend the ceremony in person

According to Google Trends, worldwide searches for ‘dogs in weddings’ have been seeing a steady rise since the beginning of August. August, September, and October are peak wedding months, so the data suggests couples may be looking for inspiration on how to fit their best furry friends into upcoming wedding celebrations.

“Our dogs, cats, horses, and other pets are like members of our family, and so just like any other family member, we want them at our weddings,” says Chris Bajda from GroomsDay, a specialist store for wedding party gifts. “But there are some things to take into consideration so that your pets have a fun and, most importantly, safe wedding day with you.”

Walk Down The Aisle

This is one of the most popular ways to include a pet in the ceremony, and there are many different options. Dogs could walk down the aisle with the bride or groom or be walked by a bridesmaid, groomsman, ringbearer, or flower girl. They can even walk down the aisle themselves, though beware of them getting distracted by something in the crowd! “Having a short aisle and being in an area with minimal distractions will help make this work,” Chris advises.

Cats, rabbits, and other small pets can be carried down the aisle, especially on cushions. They can ‘carry’ the ring box as well, though make sure there’s no chance of them biting it or knocking it to the ground.

Arguably, the most challenging but striking option is to ride down the aisle. This will require permission from the venue and is best for outdoor ceremonies. You could also ride up to the venue and continue down the aisle on foot. “This one obviously requires a lot of planning because horses are much harder to transport than dogs or cats, but it can be worth it for the magical pictures!” Chris says.

Include Them In Photos

If a pet is at the wedding, it’s an absolute no-brainer to include them in the photos. If your pet struggles to be part of the actual ceremony, including them in the photos is a great option, as photographers can offer different suggestions on how to safely include them. 

“Consider bringing along a trusted friend or handler to help keep the pet calm and comfortable during the shoot,” suggests Chris. “Also, when planning your photo spots, select locations that are safe and comfortable for your pet, avoiding busy or noisy areas that might make them anxious. Bring along your pet’s favourite treats or toys to grab their attention and keep them engaged during the shoot.”

Chris adds that it’s good to have a backup plan in case the pet becomes too anxious or uncooperative. Candid shots of the pet at the wedding can work just as well as planned shoots. 

Get Ready With Your Pet

Getting ready with a pet is a perfect option if the bride or groom is getting ready at their own or a family member’s home. This is a good way to include your pet if there are logistical reasons they can’t be included in the wedding itself, and photographers can take getting-ready photos with the bride and/or groom and their pets.

“If you like the idea of getting ready at the venue, make sure you pick a venue where pets are welcome and discuss your pet’s presence with staff beforehand,” Chris advises.

Do An Engagement Shoot

If a pet is likely to be stressed by the wedding environment on the day or the couple prefers not to involve them, doing an engagement shoot with the pet is a solution that still includes them in the overall wedding journey. Engagement shoots can be done anywhere, so they can take place in an environment that will make the pet feel safe and comfortable. “You can also discuss accommodations for your pet with the photographer beforehand and plan everything out,” Chris adds.

Chris Bajda from GroomsDay commented:

“If your pet can’t be at your wedding, there are still ways to include them,” Chris says. “You can include them in your wedding decorations, such as pictures on menus, or have a personalised cake topper including them. If you’re having a cocktail inspired by the bride and groom, you could also have one inspired by your pet! Continuing the food theme, you could have cupcakes with an image of your pet as decoration or cookies in the shape of your pet.

“There are also a bunch of different ways you could include your pet as part of your wedding favours. I’ve seen people do ‘doggie bags’ full of treats with their dog’s face on or have an image of their pet on their save-the-dates or wedding invitations. 

“Finally, it’s important to remember some top tips if you are going to include your pet on the day. First, ensure that any flowers and other plants in your arrangements are pet-safe. Flowers like hyacinths and lilies of the valley are poisonous to cats and dogs and should be avoided. Also, if your dog is going to hang around at the reception, make sure to ask everyone not to feed them. I would also suggest steering clear of certain foods, like chocolate and raisins, in your menu because these are poisonous to dogs.”