How to Plan a Pet-Friendly Wedding

More and more of us nowadays have a furry friend who has become a key part of the family so it’s completely justified if you want to include your pet in one of the biggest and most exciting days of your life! However, before you get too carried away with finding the perfect bow tie or flower crown for your beloved pet, make sure you’ve considered a few things first. Once everything has been carefully considered, you can start getting excited about your very own furry family member going down in history as the cutest flower dog around!

Interested in finding out more? Keep scrolling to find out how to plan a super successful pet-friendly wedding…

Does your pet really want to be there?

Okay, it may sound a bit silly, but put yourself in your pet’s shoes (or paws) for a moment. What’s your pet’s personality like? Are they good in crowds? Will they be able to sit quietly throughout the wedding ceremony? Think of it much like the considerations you would need to make about children attending a wedding. There’s no denying they will look the part and be a huge crowd pleaser, but it’s no fun if they yap throughout the vows or decide to go to the toilet in the corner of the church!

Make sure your venue is pet-friendly

If you’re confident with the above and you’ve made the decision to have your pet with you on your wedding day, then it goes without saying that you need to choose a pet-friendly wedding venue. Check with your venue before you start planning anything, and be sure to check your venue's pet restrictions. Even if they are not typically pet-friendly, they may be willing to make an exception for you, but they may ask that you carry pet liability insurance. You'll also need to discuss the finer details with them, such as where your pet can go for some quiet time, where they can find a drink, and perhaps if there is anywhere they shouldn’t sniff out.

It’s also worth letting your other suppliers know that your pets will be there, too. Your celebrant will need to know if they are playing a role in the ceremony, and your wedding photographer should be given a heads-up if you want to include them in the wedding photos. It’s a bonus if your vendors are fans of four-legged friends, as they will be a little more sympathetic if there are any little accidents throughout the day.

Practice makes perfect!

Before your big day, it’s a good idea to get a bit of training in with your pooch. There are loads of online videos with dog training tutorials, whether you need to calm your excitable pup down or ensure they don't end up pinching or begging for food. Why not include your dog in your ceremony rehearsal so they are familiar with what the day will hold? This will give some of your suppliers a chance to meet ahead of the big day, too.

Let your guests know furry friends will be there

Instead of just planning your whole wedding around your pet and leaving your wedding guests surprised, make sure that you pre-warn them. Write a short notice on your wedding invitations and/or on your wedding website to inform all of your guests that there will be a dog(s) attending. This is super important as it’s likely that not all of your guests will be dog lovers and, more importantly, in case someone is allergic or scared of dogs. This way, they can be made aware well in advance so that they can take precautions or make the decision to keep a distance.

What to do if guests want to bring their pets

Letting your guest list know that you’re having a pet-friendly wedding may spark some interest in others wanting to bring along their furry friends. If this is the case, and to make sure all pets will get along on the day, why not arrange a meet-up beforehand? Obviously, if there are more pets attending, you will need to run it past your venue so they are aware and can make the necessary arrangements. If it looks like there will be more than one pet present, consider the benefits of an outdoor ceremony or reception with lots of outdoor space for them to run around.

Give your pet a role

There are lots of fun ways to include your pet on your wedding day. For example, they could be a ring bearer, flower girl, part of the bridal party, or even walk you down the aisle. However, be prepared for them to steal the spotlight! Make sure you have someone responsible for them for the duration of the ceremony, as you and your partner will have other things on your mind! You could also include them in your meet and greet at the reception. That way, they will meet everyone all at once, so they’ll feel more at ease being around lots of strangers during the wedding party.

Be prepared!

Make sure you’re prepared for all eventualities to eliminate any accidents that may happen on the day itself. Take them to the ceremony and reception to have a sniff around beforehand so they aren’t spooked by anything on the day. Also, make sure they have eaten, drunk, gone to the toilet, and exercised on the morning of the big day. This should help them feel more comfortable and calm during the ceremony.

You and your partner will be pulled in many directions throughout the day, so have one of your guests who knows your dog and is reliable and close by to be able to take them on regular walks or let them have a lie down when they need it.

Plan a curfew

In an ideal world, you will have a pet sitter or a pet wedding attendant (yes, such a thing exists) who will look after your dog throughout the day, so you don’t need to worry about them. It’s a long day for your pet, and they will be tired too, so plan a sensible time that they are taken home so you can relax and continue to enjoy your wedding day, knowing they are in safe hands.

After you’ve carefully considered whether to have a dog-friendly wedding day or not, don’t worry if you decide against the idea after all. There are lots of lovely ways you can include your pet in your wedding without them actually being there. For example, have them featured in your engagement photos or include them somehow in your wedding decor.