How To Include a Dog in Your Wedding Ceremony

Dog participation in wedding ceremonies is one of the fastest growing bridal trends of the twenty-first century. There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to include a dog.

The dog’s personality
How will your dog react when placed in an unusual setting surrounded by strangers? The dog may bark, jump on guests and/or upstage the bride. To circumvent bad behavior, assign a member of the bridal party to dog detail. Have them escort the dog down the aisle and have an escape plan mapped out if the dog should need to exit the venue during the ceremony.

Will the dog have fun
While some dogs have a sociable temperament, others are easily scared. Imagine the experience from your dog’s point of view. Will he have fun or would he be happier at home or in a familiar environment?

Venue constraints
If the wedding ceremony and reception are to be held at the same location, check with the onsite coordinator to be sure that it will be okay for an animal to be on premises. If food will be served nearby, it may be a health code violation. Also, many religious venues prohibit dogs.

Guest feelings
Dog lovers may find it hard to believe, but not everyone loves pets. Some people are truly afraid of them; whereas, others suffer from allergies. To alleviate fears, keep the dog on a leash at all times and away from wedding guests. This will also help to keep the dog calm and on it’s best behavior. To decrease the discomfort of allergy sufferers, have the dog washed and groomed the day prior to the wedding.

What do you want guests to remember
While dog participation in wedding ceremonies is becoming more frequent, it is still a new concept and will be talked about by guests afterward. What do you want guests to remember about your wedding ceremony? If they are talking about your dog, they may not remember to comment on the beautiful décor, romantic vows or beautiful wedding dress.

During the reception
While dogs may be welcome during the wedding ceremony, reception venues are unable to allow dogs onsite when serving food. Consider where the dog will be able to stay during the reception and whether one of your guests will miss the reception because they are catering to the dog’s comfort.

While it’s natural to want to include the entire family in your wedding celebration, special thought must be given to pros and cons of inviting a dog to participate. Like children, they can add whimsy to the event which may be the hallmark of your special day.