Five Tips for Your Pet Wedding Party Members

A perfect family portrait. Location: Ebell Long Beach – Photo: John and Colette Photography 

It’s wonderful when you can make your dog a part of your wedding day. Dogs are naturally happy, enthusiastic, and they like you pretty much more than absolutely anyone else does. I mean, look at Kaiju in this picture. He’s just thrilled to be there! It’s one day where you get to be surrounded by everyone you love who loves you, and your furbaby would definitely be in that category.

Here’s five tips for creating the best experience for you and your dog on your way down the aisle:

1. 1. CHECK WITH YOUR VENUE THAT IT’S OKAY. I know, I know, I turned into bummer right away. Before you decide to do it, make sure you can. If the answer is “yes”, your next question is if there are any restricted areas you can’t take your dog? Can they hang out with you at the reception, around the food? Do you need to sign a waiver or fill out paperwork? Get specific.

2. Delegate your dog. Get a dog sitter for the day. Your dog sitter, if possible. Someone that your pet is familiar with, and used to obeying. Have them show up around the time you’re arriving before your ceremony, and hang around through the ceremony and any pictures that are happening after. You can’t hold onto a leash, and get your pictures taken, and hold onto a bouquet and get married and eat dinner and 75 other things that are going to make up your wedding day.

3. Come up with a schedule. Your dog is arriving when, and is then doing what? And then, what? When does he/she usually eat, and how are you going to make that happen? What event are they staying until – the end of the ceremony, the end of pictures, the end of the night? Where are they hanging out – with you, with the sitter?

4. Do not leave your dog unattended. Loud, unfamiliar noises, lots of people, over stimulating atmosphere. NO. If your dog is a barker, strongly consider ending their day as early as possible. And, it’s never a good idea to let them off the leash.

5. Bring your dog to the rehearsal, if you can. Not so much that they’ll know what to expect, but so that you will. How does it look and feel when they’re walking down the aisle (with whomever). Are they going to walk down, or wait for you at the altar? Who is holding onto the leash once they get there? If your dog has the rings on their collar, who is going to get those. Remember, a bouquet and a leash don’t mix. What works the best for you and your dog on the ground?

Basically, talk it out and walk it through. Don’t worry so much about them misbehaving in public – as with little children, most of what pets do is considered funny and cute!

Do you have any other questions about your wedding day? Let’s talk. Complete the form below to schedule a consultation, or click the chat box at the bottom of this page to talk to me now. I can’t wait to find out what you want your wedding to look like…

See you at the end of the aisle,

Liz Coopersmith
Silver Charm Events