Ten Top Tips: How to include your pet in your wedding

Anyone with a pet knows how important they are in our lives. They’re our confidantes, they get us out of bed when we don’t want to, they make us laugh on the daily…they’re our babies, best friends and therapists all rolled into one!

So it’s only natural when it comes to one of the most important days in our lives we want them to play a part. Including our fur-babies in our weddings is more popular now than ever, but how can you incorporate them into your big day safely and without causing four-legged chaos?

Before you start to organise anything it’s important to consider your pet and their personality. If they’re of the nervous persuasion, if they don’t like large gatherings or too much attention, including them in your actual wedding might not be the best for them – we have some alternative ways of still including them though. Also if you’re thinking of having them with you for the ceremony or reception you need to ensure your venue is pet friendly.

Here's our top ten tips on how to include your pet in your wedding day:

Walk down the aisle with them

Walking down the aisle is one of the key moments of any wedding, and not just for the bride! All eyes are on you and it’s probably the first time you will see all of your guests. Walk your dog down the aisle with you and let them share the special moment, and it might be having them there with you makes you feel less nervous.

It’s not just a dog thing – if your cat is super social and loves the limelight perhaps you can carry them down the aisle with you, or even on a cat lead! If your pets are of the larger variety and space allows you can choose to ride your horse down the aisle.

Dress them up

If your pets are used to being dressed up getting them kitted out for your wedding day is one of the most fun things you can do! If they’re one of the grooms party source a matching tux or bowtie for them to wear. If they’re a flower girl there are so many options to help make them look the part, from tutus to flower crowns.

As we advised at the start of this blog post always consider your pets personality before making any plans. Never force any animal into wearing anything they don’t want to. If your pet isn’t used to wearing outfits or clothing don’t make them do it for the first time on your wedding day. Instead dress their lead up by adding flowers or a garland.

Include them in the getting ready part

If your pet isn’t very comfortable with big crowds, or perhaps is a little older and likes a slower pace of life these days one way of including them in your big day but still keep them in their comfort zone is to have them around when you’re getting ready. This particularly works if you’re getting ready at home, or another place your pet is familiar with i.e. your parents’ house. He / she will feel close to you and you’ll feel they’re included, and you can capture some really special moments between you and your boy/girl before the hectic-ness of the day really starts.

Do a first look with them

Another great way of including your pet in your day is to do a special first look with them. The trend of capturing a first look between a couple, or a bride and her father has grown over the last few years and it’s a really sweet moment to capture with your beloved pet too.

Make them a wedding favour

If you know having your pet with you on the big day just isn’t right for them, or your venue isn’t pet-friendly, you can still have them there in spirit by using them as your favour inspiration. Perhaps a dog shaped cookie, or a bag of goodies with their likeness printed on.

Donate to an animal charity in their honour

Another way to include your pet without having them there physically is to donate to an animal charity in their name. This is a really special way of remembering a beloved pet that has passed away.

Include them in the photos

She’s your special girl, he’s your best friend…of course they have to be in the wedding photos! Make sure you speak to your photographer to brief them in advance, plus if you’re having a videographer make sure they know to capture footage of your pet so they’re included in the end film.

Have a first dance with them

Including your pet in your first dance is such a sweet thing to do and a totally memorable moment for everyone. It doesn’t have to be for the whole dance, and it might be one of those special moments that happens completely unplanned, but having him/her dancing with you even if just for a few seconds would definitely be a core memory.

Add them to the cake

Another way to include your pet on your special day, without them having to be there is putting them pride of place on you cake! A great cake designer will be able to help you create a cake that incorporates your special friend whether it be as a figurine sat on the top of the cake or more subtle touches throughout the cake design.

Do an engagement shoot with them

If you want to keep your pet totally away from the high energy of your wedding day – it might be you decide having them there would just add extra stress to your day as you’ll be worrying about them – then why not include them in an engagement shoot? You can use the photos to announce your wedding date, or imply just celebrate your engagement, and be including your pet show everyone just how much they mean to you both.

However you decide to include your pet in your wedding day as long as it's well thought out and personal to you it'll be special and a memory to cherish.

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