Tips for Including Your Furry Friends on Your Wedding Day
Your pets are family. So naturally, when you begin imagining your wedding day, you may also imagine them being part of it- walking down the aisle, joining you for portraits, or making an appearance during your first look.
After photographing more than 100 weddings, I’ve seen some pretty wonderful examples. There was a beautifully trained Belgian Malinois wearing a white collar and black bow tie who confidently walked down the aisle on cue from his owner, the groom. A poodle joined his bride for her first look, creating one of the sweetest moments of the day. And I’ve photographed couples who brought their dogs into portraits after the ceremony for a few relaxed, meaningful photographs together.
There are so many beautiful ways to include your pets in your wedding day. But the key to making it enjoyable- for everyone- is having a thoughtful plan.
First, Consider Your Pet’s Comfort
This is the part I think deserves the most consideration.
Your dog may be completely relaxed and easygoing at home, but a wedding is a very different environment. New surroundings. New people. Music. Crowds. Unfamiliar smells. Lots of movement. And, depending on the venue, potentially hours of activity they’ve never experienced before.
Even a normally calm pet can become overwhelmed in an unfamiliar environment.
Animals can experience fear and stress when placed in situations that are outside of their normal routine. And when that happens, their behavior can change dramatically. The dog who is perfectly content at home may become anxious, distracted, overly excited, or simply uncomfortable.
So before deciding how your pet will participate, ask yourself an honest question:
Can my pet realistically enjoy a wedding day experience?
If the answer is yes, wonderful. Now you can focus on creating a plan that allows them to be part of the celebration while still giving them plenty of care, attention, and opportunities to retreat from the excitement.
And if the answer is no, that doesn’t mean they can’t be part of your wedding story. There are plenty of beautiful ways to incorporate them without asking them to spend the entire day at the venue.
Consider a Professional Pet Attendant
Recently, I spoke with Alexa’s Angels Pet Sitting, LLC in Charlottesville, Virginia, about including pets in weddings, and she shared some wonderful insight.
One of her biggest recommendations is to hire a professional wedding pet attendant who can be responsible for your dog throughout the day.
Think of this person as your pet’s personal wedding-day concierge.
Rather than asking a bridesmaid, family member, or friend to divide their attention between celebrating with you and caring for your dog, a dedicated attendant can manage all of the details surrounding your pet.
Depending on your plans, this might include:
- Bringing your dog to the venue and taking them home or back to their accommodations afterward
- Helping with portraits and keeping your pet comfortable between photographs
- Assisting with their participation in the ceremony
- Managing their involvement during cocktail hour or the reception entrance
- Providing food, water, bathroom breaks, walks, and downtime
- Making sure your dog has a quiet place to decompress when the excitement becomes too much
If a professional pet attendant isn’t an option, choose someone you trust completely who is willing to make caring for your pet their only responsibility for the day.
The goal is simple: you shouldn’t have to wonder where your dog is, whether they’ve been fed, or who is watching them while you’re enjoying your wedding.
Keep Your Wedding Team in the Loop
Once you’ve decided your pet will be part of the day, communicate that plan early.
Your wedding planner or coordinator should know who is responsible for your pet and how they will be incorporated into the timeline. Your photographer should know, too, so we can intentionally plan those photographs rather than trying to squeeze them in at the last minute.
If your pet will be participating in the ceremony, portraits, cocktail hour, or reception entrance, those moments should have a place in the timeline.
The more thoughtfully it’s planned, the more effortless it will feel on the actual wedding day.
Prepare Before the Wedding
A little preparation can make a significant difference.
Before handing your pet over to someone else for the day, make sure their identification and safety information is current. Their microchip information and ID tags should be up to date, and it’s helpful to have a recent photograph of your dog available in case of an emergency.
You may also want to have:
- A veterinary release form
- One or two emergency contacts who will be available by phone
- Current veterinary information
- Any necessary medications and instructions
- Access information for your home, hotel, or other accommodations
If your pet will be staying somewhere other than your home, make sure your pet attendant has everything they need for easy access, including keys, entry codes, or hotel information.
These aren’t necessarily the glamorous details of wedding planning—but they are the details that allow you to relax and be fully present when the day arrives.
Pack a Wedding-Day “Go Bag”
Your pet deserves their own little wedding-day kit.
Give everything to your pet attendant in one easy-to-carry bag so they have what they need throughout the day.
Consider including:
- Their regular food and treats
- A favorite toy or comfort item
- A squeaky toy for getting their attention during photographs
- A leash and harness
- Portable water and a water bowl
- Any wedding-day attire
- Favorite chews for quiet moments
- A dog bed or familiar blanket
- Any necessary medications
- A secure car harness for transportation
That familiar blanket or favorite toy may seem like a small detail, but having something that smells and feels like home can be especially comforting in a new environment.
Think Beyond the Ceremony
One of my favorite ways to include a pet is actually after the ceremony.
Once the formalities are over, there is often a natural opportunity to step away with your dog for a few portraits together.
These don’t have to be elaborate.
A few minutes walking through the property. Your dog nestled between you. A quiet moment with your new spouse and the pet who has been part of your story long before your wedding day.
Those photographs can become some of the most meaningful images from the entire gallery- not because they were perfectly posed, but because they represent your life together exactly as it is.
And remember, your pet doesn’t need to be present for the entire wedding to have a meaningful place in your photographs.
Sometimes the most thoughtful plan is a brief appearance, followed by a peaceful afternoon somewhere they feel safe and comfortable.
Your Wedding Day Is About More Than Getting the Perfect Photo
Including your pet should never feel like another performance to manage on an already full day.
The goal isn’t to have the perfect aisle walk or the perfectly behaved dog in every photograph.
It’s to create a plan that allows your pet to participate in a way that feels safe, comfortable, and authentic to them.
When the logistics are thoughtfully handled in advance, you can be present for the moments that matter- and your pet can be part of the celebration without carrying the weight of it.
A Final Thought
Your wedding photographs should tell the whole story of your life together- not just the perfectly planned portions.
Sometimes that story includes muddy paws, a favorite four-legged companion, and the people who have loved you both along the way.
So if your dog, cat, or another beloved pet is part of your family, don’t be afraid to dream about including them. Just give their participation the same thoughtful consideration you give every other meaningful detail of your wedding day.
Plan well. Keep them comfortable. And leave yourself free to simply enjoy having one more member of your family there to celebrate with you.
After all, the most beautiful wedding days aren’t the ones where everything goes perfectly. They’re the ones where you get to be fully present for the people- and pets- you love most.
