Throwing a canine-friendly wedding does require a bit of planning, lest the affair turn into a total dog's dinner. So follow our top tips for making sure your dog-friendly do goes without a hitch.
Ben Selway
Find a dog-friendly venue. We might be stating the obvious here, but you need to make sure your venue is dog-friendly. Some venues will allow dogs in the reception area, but not in the ceremony section. If you have your heart set on such a venue, don't be put off by this. You just need to think creatively. For example, you could hire a local dog walker to meet you at the venue and they could take your pup for a walk while the ceremony is taking place. Not only do you then not have to worry about your furry friend, but they'll also get plenty of exercise - which should help them stay calm for the rest of the day. If it's important to you that your dog is there throughout the whole day - perhaps you want him to be a ring bearer or best man! - then you'll need to find a venue to accommodate you. Barns and marquees are both a good starting point. Be sure to contact all your favourite potential venues and clarify their pet policies: you might be surprised at just where is and isn't dog-friendly.
Ben Selway
Check with your registrar. Even if your venue allows pets, it's worth getting your registrar's opinion on the matter. Some registrars don't want dogs involved during the ceremony as they believe it takes away from the formal commitment of marriage. So check this in the initial stages of planning to avoid disappointment further down the line.
Assign a pet-sitter. We're guessing that you love spending quality time with your pet pooch, but you're going to have plenty of other things on your mind on your wedding day. So instead of adding another thing to your to-do list, we suggest you outsource this task. Get a trusted friend or family member to be pet-sitter for the day; they can worry about the walking, feeding and toilet breaks so you don't have to - just remember to include them in the thank you speech!
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Liberty Pearl
Playing dress ups. Dressing dogs up is a love-it-or-hate-it topic, but if your pooch is used to wearing the odd bow tie, then by all means go ahead; just make sure any costumes don't constrict their movement or breathing. Alternatively, you could use a decorative lead that will jazz up your pet without too much fanfare.
Snappy snappers. It's particularly important that your photographer is down with dogs, given the level of interaction that will take place on the day. To make sure you end up with a good match, let any prospective photographer know that your dog is going to be a big part of the day and will be involved in your snaps. If the photographer has experience with animals this would be a huge bonus. Having an engagement photoshoot is a great way to get your fluffy friend used to being photographed, plus it'll give your photographer a chance to get to know your pooch's personality and work out some ideas for the wedding itself.
Nova Wedding Photography
Non-dog-lovers do exist. You might not mind the odd bit of slobber, but non-doggie people might. Especially when dressed in their finest! The best way to give your dog-phobic guests some sanctuary is to have a canine-free zone. It could be the bar and dance floor or a seating area - just make sure your pet-sitter knows where it is and ensures your pup stays away.
Great expectations. Even the most wonderfully behaved dogs are likely to be very interested in the onslaught of new smells and faces. So make sure you keep them on a lead and with their appointed escort at all times so they don't have too much fun (e.g. eating your wedding cake or, worse, dress)! To prepare your pup for the big day, make sure he gets to spend some time with the pet-sitter beforehand, preferably out on walks and time around large groups of people. The more he gets used to this kind of environment, the less exciting it will be on the actual day.
Venetia Norrington
Give a dog a bone. Make sure you have enough dog food and a bowl of fresh water to keep your pooch going throughout the day. Keep an extra eye on him during dinner time: your wedding breakfast might looking tempting to them but would definitely put a dampener on your wedding day. Instead stock up on dog-friendly treats. You could even order a doggy cupcake - or go the whole hog and create his own version of a dog-friendly wedding breakfast - that's sure to make your dog feel like a VIP (but prepare for some comments from the aforementioned dog-phobics!).
Break time. Most dogs spend the majority of their days chilling at home, playing with their owners and going for walks. A wedding is a whole different ball game. It's a long day and night of fun, new experiences and, as a result, it will likely tire them out. So make sure there is a quiet, safe space for your dog to chill whenever you think he needs it. Make sure your pet-sitter knows when your dog is telling you he's had enough; this could be excessive pacing, whining or even barking. With some careful organising and a solid plan for the day, there's no reason why your dog can't be involved in your wedding. We wish the three of you a very happy wedding day!
words Abby Driver
