If you’re anything like us, your dog isn’t “just a pet.” They’re part of the family. So, of course, you want them to be part of your wedding too.
The good news is there’s no one right way to do it.
Your dog can walk down the aisle, pop in for photos, hang out while you’re getting ready, or just make a quick appearance before heading back home. And if being at the actual wedding isn’t a good fit for them? There are plenty of ways to include them without having them there at all.
The biggest thing is figuring out what makes sense for your wedding and for your dog.
Here are 10 ways to include your dog in your wedding day.
This is probably one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about having your dog in your wedding.
They can walk with a bridesmaid or groomsman, come down the aisle with a family member, or even have their own entrance.
Just keep your dog's personality in mind. If they love people and attention, they may think a room full of guests staring at them is the best thing that's ever happened. If crowds make them nervous, there may be a better way to include them.
And remember, your dog doesn't actually know they're in a wedding. If they stop halfway down the aisle to say hello to someone or get distracted by something along the way, that's part of the fun.
If you want to give your dog a very important job, let them carry the rings!
And yes, they can actually carry the real ones. We have ring boxes and attachments that secure the rings to your dog's collar, so they can safely make their way down the aisle with them.
It's such a fun way to give your dog an official role in the ceremony, and it makes for some pretty cute photos too.
Your first look is a really sweet time to bring your dog in.
It's usually a little quieter than the ceremony, there aren't as many people around, and you have more flexibility with timing.
It can also be a great option if you want your dog to be part of your wedding day but don't necessarily want them walking down the aisle.
Plus, getting to see your dog all dressed up for your wedding for the first time? We're pretty sure that deserves its own first look anyway.
Here's something couples don't always realize:
Your dog does not have to attend the entire wedding.
They can come just for photos.
You can get pictures with your dog, your partner, your wedding party, or your family and then let them head out before everything gets busy.
This is honestly one of our favorite ways to include a dog in a wedding because you still get those photos you've been dreaming about without asking your dog to hang around a loud, busy venue for hours.
It also helps to have someone there whose only job is your dog. Your photographer can focus on getting the shot while your pet attendant handles treats, gets your dog's attention, helps position them, and steps away with them when they need a break.
If your getting-ready location allows dogs, they can spend part of the morning with you.
You get the cute getting-ready photos, they get to hang out with their favorite person, and it can be a much calmer environment than the ceremony or reception.
The only thing we'd recommend is making sure someone else is officially in charge of them.
You don't want to be halfway through hair and makeup wondering when someone last took your dog outside or whether they've had any water.
Your dog doesn't need a wedding title.
They don't have to be the ring bearer, flower pup, dog of honor, or anything else.
They can just... be there.
Maybe they sit near the front with someone they know. Maybe they join you after the ceremony. Maybe they're there for the first few minutes and then head somewhere quieter.
Sometimes having them there with you is enough.
If your dog has never met a stranger, cocktail hour might be their moment.
They can say hello to guests, get some attention, take a few pictures, and then leave before the reception really gets going.
Of course, this one depends a lot on your dog. Cocktail hour can mean a lot of people, noise, food, and activity all happening at once.
If that's your dog's idea of a great time, perfect. If not, skip it.
This is probably the option we wish more couples knew about.
Your dog can be part of your wedding without being at your wedding all day.
Maybe they're there for photos and the ceremony. Maybe they come for an hour. Maybe they make their appearance and leave before guests ever sit down for dinner.
You don't have to choose between having your dog at your wedding for eight hours or not having them there at all.
The harder part is usually figuring out who is responsible for them.
Who has the leash during the ceremony? Who makes sure they have water? Who takes them for a potty break? Who keeps them occupied while you're taking photos without them? And who takes care of them when they're done with their part of the day?
That's where having a wedding pet attendant can make things a whole lot easier.
Some dogs just aren't wedding dogs.
And that's okay.
If your dog gets nervous around crowds, doesn't like unfamiliar places, or would rather spend Saturday afternoon asleep on your couch, having them attend your wedding probably isn't going to be fun for them.
Instead, include them in your engagement photos.
You'll still have professional photos with your whole little family, and your dog gets to be in an environment that's much more comfortable for them.
You can even display those photos at your wedding so they're still part of the day.
Your dog doesn't actually have to be at your wedding to be part of it.
There are so many fun ways to bring your dog into your wedding details:
This is also a great option if your venue doesn't allow dogs or if you already know your dog would be much happier at home.
There's no magic number here.
For one dog, a few hours may be completely fine. For another, 30 minutes may be plenty.
Think about what your dog is used to. How do they do around strangers? Are they comfortable in new places? Do they get overwhelmed easily? Are they going to be able to relax with music, people, cameras, and everything else going on?
You know your dog better than anyone.
More time at the wedding doesn't necessarily make their role more meaningful either. Sometimes showing up for one special part of the day is perfect.
This is the part that's really easy to forget when you're picturing your dog walking down the aisle.
Someone has to actually be in charge of them.
Your dog is still going to need water. They're still going to need potty breaks. Someone has to hold the leash while you're saying your vows. Someone needs to help during photos. And if your dog is only staying for part of the day, someone has to take care of everything once their part is over.
You can ask a friend or family member to do it.
But that also means that person is spending part of your wedding taking care of your dog instead of enjoying the wedding with you.
That's exactly what a wedding pet attendant is there for.
At Fur the Occasion, our job is to take care of your pet so you don't have to spend your wedding day thinking about who's holding the leash, when they last went outside, or what they're doing while you're busy getting married.
If you've never heard of a wedding pet attendant before, check out our Wedding Pet Attendant in Mississippi: Everything You Need to Know guide. We break down what we do and how it all works.
Have a backup plan.
Even if your dog normally loves people, a wedding is a completely different environment. There are new people, new smells, music, cameras, food, decorations, and a lot happening at once.
If your dog is supposed to walk down the aisle but decides they're absolutely not doing that today, that's okay.
If they need to leave earlier than planned, that's okay too.
We will always choose what's best for the pet over forcing a wedding-day moment that just isn't working.
Honestly, some of the best moments with pets happen when things don't go exactly according to plan.
You still have options!
First, talk to your venue and find out exactly what their pet policy is. Some venues may not allow dogs inside but have outdoor areas where they can join you for photos.
If having your dog at the venue isn't possible, you can include them in your engagement session, take getting-ready photos somewhere pet-friendly, or bring them into the wedding through some of the details we mentioned above.
They can still be part of the story without physically being at the venue.
Maybe your dog walks down the aisle.
Maybe they show up for 45 minutes, take some pictures, steal the attention from you for a little while, and go home.
Maybe they're nowhere near the wedding and have their face printed on your cocktail napkins instead.
All of those count.
The goal isn't to figure out the most impressive way to include your dog. It's to find a way that feels like you and makes sense for them.
And if you want your dog there without assigning one of your friends or family members to take care of them, that's where we come in.
Fur the Occasion provides wedding pet attendant services throughout Mississippi, helping couples include their pets in their wedding day without having to manage all the behind-the-scenes details themselves.
So while this blog may be all about dogs, they aren't the only pets we work with. If there's a special pet you want to include in your wedding or event, we'd love to hear about them.
Ready to figure out the perfect role for your pet? Click here to reach out to Fur the Occasion.