How to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding: Tips and Photo Ideas
Fellow dog lover here, let me offer some photo-friendly guidance on including your fur babies in your wedding or elopement!
Thinking of including your dog in your wedding?
Please do! Dogs are my fave. I love 'em all. Troublemakers, seniors, small, huge, furry, cuddly, mutts, pure-breds - they’re the best! If you’re planning to bring your pup or pups along for the best day of your lives, might I offer a few suggestions? Because you know I’m all about a planning stress-free day!
Let’s talk about how to include your favorite pet in your favorite day.
10 Tips for a Fun Wedding Day with your Dog
Be honest with yourselves about how your dog will feel around your guests (large crowds can be overwhelming and a bit scary with everyone trying to pet or pick them up!). If your dog would get stressed and/or snappy, show them how much you love them by keeping them away from a situation that scares them.
Practice basic training leading up to the big day. A lot will be going on, so your dog should at least sit when needed or come when called - ideally during your ceremony!
Give your vendors a heads up as a courtesy and so they can prepare however they may. Some vendors have allergies, some have a special treat to offer. I know I like to consider my posing options in advance when dogs are included!
Assign a dog handler. You'll be busy! Assign a trusty dog-lover to walk, potty, feed, water, and keep an eye on the pup(s). Ask someone who is on top of it and hopefully sober ;) This person may even drop the dog off back at home post-ceremony!
Plan a watering, feeding, medication, and potty schedule because weddings are a long day! You know what your dog needs best!
Love the leash and collar you’ll use. It's likely your dog will be in a collar/harness and leash in most photos, so get one that you love the style of for your wedding photos.
Dog outfits can be cute, but avoid uncomfortable ones (you want your dog to act normal, not freeze up or gnaw at their little t-shirt). Also, avoid anything cheesy that you'll look back on and cringe at in 10 years.
Packing musts: dinner, the most enticing treats for general bribery, poop bags, and lots of water!
Exercise them the morning of to get out their extra energy!
If you’re now thinking that you’d prefer to leave your sweet dogs at home but still include them in the wedding spirit… keep scrolling for ideas.
Keep in mind that your pup will want to be around you and will sneak into as many photos as possible!
I love this and encourage it for most of the photos. Let’s keep them out of some because you’ll end up with dog butts gracing all your wedding photos.
Love your pup dearly but unable to include them in the big day?
Consider this ADORABLE idea and create a huge printed version of your fur baby to bring along for photos and getting silly at the reception!
You can also add their likeness to cocktail napkins, coffee cup sleeves, stickers, table numbers, the guest book or wedding favors. You could also consider a custom cake topper as an ode to your doggies!
