Dog-Friendly Weddings are a must for dog lovers.
The wedding season is upon us! You’ve been planning for months, or maybe years, and now the day is nearly here. Dog-friendly weddings are so popular but what do you need to know?
There are so many details to think about. Firstly one of them may well be, should your much-loved dog, who is, of course, part of the family, be there on the day? Of course, you want him there but there are considerations.
Ways to Include You Dog In Your Wedding Planning
Firstly they could have their image, photo or paw print on your invitations. Secondly consider creative table numbers, place cards or stationery. Your guests may love “doggie bags” for themselves. Even creative canine treats for their dogs who could not make it to your celebrations?
Here Comes The Happy Couple and their Canine Star!
If your perfect pooch is fully trained and can be relied upon to sit nicely with someone they know and watch the proceedings then go for it. They can even have a job! Be a ring bearer, flower girl or page boy. Imagine you dog being Best “Man”. Of course, don’t expect the speech to be up to much.
A bridesmaid can bring the dog with her up the aisle, but make sure she’s big enough to hold him if he makes a bid for freedom!
Dog-Friendly Weddings – Venues That Take Dogs
Make sure your venue will accept a dog, and talk to whoever is taking your wedding. There are lots of innovative ways to involve your dog in your ceremony. Most celebrants* will have some excellent ideas! And if the dog can’t be there ‘in pawson’ then, perhaps he can be incorporated into the wedding cake design (but don’t give him any, dried fruit is a no-no for dogs!)
The vital thing is to have someone at the ceremony who is totally responsible for the dog. As a result you don’t have to worry. It needs to be someone your dog knows well and is comfortable with, because you don’t need that extra stress.
Do Wedding Reception Venues Welcome Dogs?
Some venues love dogs. For most dogs, the ceremony itself will be enough but maybe your dog is well enough behaved to be trusted at the reception too. If, however, their main aim is going to be to raid the buffet and steal a sausage roll or two from your elderly aunt, who’s struggling to balance a plate and a glass of fizz, then perhaps not.
Also, see it from the dog’s point of view. It’s a very alien way to spend the day for your average pooch and you need to provide a safe corner where they can go to relax and get away from the proceedings. And, of course, a nice relaxing Staglers antler to chew, away from the noise and hullabaloo, will help.
Dog Walking to the Aisle
Nowadays there are some dog walking services who will be responsible for bring your dog to the venue, but, and this is the important bit, taking them away when they’ve done their bit before it all goes wrong! And, if the ceremony would be too much, the pooch can arrive to be part of the photographs and then be taken home again. So they won’t miss out and you’ll have them in the pictures, but they won’t have to deal with the stress of the ceremony or the party afterwards.
Best Dressed Doggie At Your Wedding
There are specialist outfitters where you can get the perfect outfit for your dog on your special day. So, if you think your dog will rock a tux, a tutu or even just an elegant bow tie or bandana, there are many, many options.
If that’s too much for your ruff’n’tuff dog, then a decorated lead in colours to match the theme, may be enough.
And, if you do include your dog in your wedding, do send us a photo so we can feature it on our Facebook page over the summer. We’d love to hear all about it.
Enjoy planning your special day!
What is the role of a Marriage Celebrant?
A celebrant is a wonderful person who performs and officiates at formal ceremonies. Weddings, vow renewals, baby naming, or even funerals and memorials. As a result you can have the vows you want, the music you want, the readings you want. You can have as much or as little religious content as you wish.