Wedding Dog: Expert Tips for Including Your Pup in the Big Day
When your fur baby is part of the family, you should *absolutely* consider including them in your wedding festivities! Here are a few tips to make sure your dog is safe and happy, so you can enjoy your pet friendly wedding day, stress-free!
Key Things to Consider When Including Your Dog in Your Wedding
We’re dog-lovers here at Stargazed. We understand how much you love your fur baby and we want you to have your cake and eat it too… This means including your dog in your wedding day without being obligated to attend to their needs all weekend long. To ensure the best experience possible for you and your pup, ask these questions before deciding to include your dog in your wedding.
Do you have a dog friendly wedding venue (ceremony and/or reception sites) that allows dogs on property? Some do and some don’t. Some are cool with hosting your pup as part of an outdoor ceremony, but don’t want him wandering the property all day. If your venue isn’t pet friendly, don’t despair! You can always do some photos with your dog off-property!
Next, is this a destination wedding for you? If yes, you’ve got a lot more to plan for.
First, do you have a dog-friendly hotel? Many are in Colorado and in the mountains! (Do be aware that they may tack a cleaning fee onto your room rate.)
Secondly, what parts of your wedding day would you like your dog to be a part of? Ceremony? Family photos? The First Look?
Lastly, if you’re not super familiar with the area, ask your wedding planner for recommendations on reliable dog sitters and walkers in the area. My friends, this is NOT an expense you want to skimp on. It’s also not a job to farm out to your cousin (who — let’s be honest — may be drunk when it’s time to take your pup out!) You want to make sure that your dog is well taken care of while you’re distracted with your wedding responsibilities. This way, your family and friends also get to enjoy themselves at your wedding!
Wedding Dog Handlers
Rover is always an option if you can’t get any personal recommendations. A dog-sitter who has helped with weddings before, like Aspen-based Four Paw Concierge or Aspen Unleashed Pet Care, is a bonus! They will understand the assignment! Having a dedicated person to be with your fur baby ensures your peace of mind. At the same time you, and your friends and family can enjoy the day without running back and forth to let your pup out.
In my experience, it’s ideal to have a “dog handler” who can bring your pup to the events they’re involved in. Your dog handler can arrive at the wedding ceremony site with your pup just in time to walk down the aisle. Assign a wedding party member or another friend to walk your pup down the aisle on a leash. Then your handler is at the ready to whisk your pup away for a walk if they get fussy during the ceremony. (Puppy whines can really distract from your vows if picked up on the videographer’s audio feed.)
Following the ceremony, the handler will bring your dog back just in time for family photos. Once photos conclude, you’ll want to be able to greet your guests at your wedding reception. I recommend your pup handler takes your pup for a walk or back to your hotel room.
Pro tip: your florist can pretty up your dog’s leash or collar with greenery and a bit of floral. At the very least, don’t forget to remove the poop-bag dispenser from the leash before walking down the aisle!
8 DOs and DON’Ts for Pet Friendly Weddings
- DO plan ahead to make sure your dog has someone to be with all day, and that their handler has everything they need for your pup’s comfort and safety. For example…
- DO think about where your dog will sit during the wedding ceremony… At the bride and groom’s feet? With the groomsman they walked down the aisle with? Or will your dog be with one of the seated guests in the front row?
- For Colorado mountain weddings like the ones we plan, altitude can take a *big* toll on your dog. DO make sure they have access to plenty of clean water. DON’T let your pet drink from the local streams, no matter how pristine they look. DO ensure they get inside to rest and drink when they seem sluggish.
- DO pack treats for bribery as necessary! Your pup may need some encouragement to cheese for the camera.
- DO make sure your wedding dog handler has all the important instructions and info on your dog’s needs. You’ll also want your wedding planner’s phone number in case of emergency, since you (hopefully) won’t have your phone on you as you dance the night away. The likelihood of an emergency vet visit may be slim, but make sure you have the name and number of someone local to call. I once heard from a couple the morning after their wedding that they had to take their sock-eating Berniedoodle to the emergency vet on their wedding night.
- DO consider hiring a dog sitter for the additional events surrounding the wedding. Your wedding venue may be pet friendly, but your rehearsal dinner restaurant might not.
- DO take your dog for a long walk or hike on the morning of the wedding (or have someone else take them). This may avoid bunches of pent-up energy (zoomies!) later in the day.
- DON’T forget to include some floral adornments for your pet in your floral order! They’re a member of the Wedding Party, after all!
Biggest Misconceptions About Incorporating Pets in Weddings
The biggest misconception I see concerning dogs at weddings is when couples assume their pup will behave the same way they do at home. However, this is an unfamiliar setting with unfamiliar people. Aside from the obvious difference of location, a wedding day can be an emotionally charged environment. Your pup may act differently than at home. I recognize I’m repeating myself, but I can’t stress this enough. Hire a wedding dog sitter. They can keep your beloved pet safe and leave you free to enjoy the parts of your wedding day that aren’t dog-friendly.
A little advance planning is all that’s necessary to make sure your fur baby is safe and happy on your wedding day. Instead of stressing about your precious pup, you and your nearest and dearest can tear it up on the dance floor all night!
We hope this was helpful! Let us know what you think in the comments!
Have questions about including your dog in your wedding, dog friendly wedding venues, or something else? Drop us a line via the contact form here on our website! We’d love to hear from you!
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