10 Ways to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding

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Wandering down the aisle in a fancy dress and suit and sealing your forever with a kiss is every couple's dream. Saying "I dos" in front of the whole family is the tradition, but for those who have fur babies, I am sure you want them to be part of your big day.

There are numerous options for including your fur babies in the ceremony. We put together a list of some exciting and creative ideas you can include your pups in the celebration!

1. Let them walk down the aisle with you and the bridal party.

You might have seen dogs as flower girls carrying baskets down the aisle or ring bearers, but there is no limit to what you can do. Some couples dressed their dogs as groomsmen and bride's maids in matching tuxedos or dresses.

Another way they can walk the aisle is by letting the maid of honor or best man walk them with a decorated leash to make the ceremony even more festive. If you want to get creative, you can customize the leash to match the colors and style of your wedding.

The idea of having your dog at your wedding may sound so easy and chic, but there are a lot of factors you need to consider before deciding whether to let your pet walk with you. Here are some of them:

Make sure your dog is comfortable meeting strangers or being crowded.
Your dog must behave gently and not play with the decorations.
Your dog has to respond to basic commands, including "sit", "stay", and "stop".
Consider the distance from your wedding site to where you are staying.
Inquire ahead of time if your wedding venue or reception is pet friendly.
Ensuring that none of the guests is allergic to dogs is vital.

There are a lot of downsides to having your dog walk down the aisle with you, especially if your dog does not have the temperament for it. One good alternative is putting your dog in the front seat next to a friend or family member. This way, your dog is still part of the ceremony, but having familiar faces will help it feel more at ease.

On the day of the wedding, ensure that you find a dog sitter or handler, ideally, someone your pet already knows and trusts, to take care of your dog so that he stays happy and out of trouble while you're busy.

Lastly, to ensure a more successful performance with your dog as you walk down the aisle, make as many practices runs through the event with your dog as possible.

2. Include your dog in your engagement and wedding photos and videos.

One of the things that fur parents love the most is to have their pet included in their engagement wedding photos. It's the ideal low-stress setting for dogs.

You may plan a photo shoot for your "Save the Dates" or wedding announcements. The most common is to dress up your adorable pups as bride and groom as they post with you and your partner or to let them hold your wedding date signs. But actually, there is no limit to all the twists you can do, so be creative.

You may use these photos taken with your dog on you:

wedding website
invitations
save-the-date card
menus
signages
table napkins
wedding favor bags
and many more.

This way, even if you don't have your dog in the actual ceremony, you can still feel its presence everywhere.

You may also schedule a photo shoot with your dog before and after the wedding ceremony. You can include them in your wedding preparation photos, but ensure they are spotless before having them near your outfits.

Here are some adorable photo ideas:

Posing your dog next to your wedding outfit
Dressing your dog and taking its photo with the wedding entourage
Lying down with your dog in bed
Take a snapshot of your dog trying to help you prepare for the big day
Include a photo of you playing with your dog
An adorable picture of you while giving your dog a kiss
Having a family pic with the bride, groom, and fur babies
A photo of the dog holding signs saying "I Do", "Mr. & Mrs." or "Just Married."

To ensure a successful wedding photo session, choose a photographer and event planners who have worked with dogs before and understand your vision, and can make it a reality. In addition, make sure your dog has everything it might need in a doggy bag, including its favorite treats, water, toys, and food.

3.You can include them in your wedding invitation cards.

Another way of honoring your dog on your big day is by including them in your wedding invitation cards. When it comes to getting your guests excited about your wedding, nothing beats sending out save-the-date cards or videos that feature your pet.

Many couples featured a photo or a drawing of their pet in these cards, while others used their dog's paw prints as a stationary background. If you want to take it up, you can write your invitation as if your dog narrates it and seals it with a dog-themed wedding crest or letter stamp.

4. Have your dog in the reception or wedding venue.

If your dog can't join the church ceremony on the big day, you can have it join you at the reception or wedding venue. This way, they can still be a part of the festivities and pose for pictures without causing you any more stress.

In addition, you may set aside a place for your dog in your wedding venue. You can decorate this area with carts, toys, foodies for your dogs, and wedding props. If your dog is gentle with strangers, you may dedicate this as a petting area.

If your guests have dogs themselves, you may arrange this as their play area. Your pup will enjoy the extra attention and meeting other dogs.

At your reception, think about setting up a dog-friendly bar where guests with four legs can get water and goodies. If you want to accommodate your pet guests, think about having a dog-friendly dessert table or wedding cake.

5. Include your dog miniature as cake or cupcake toppers.

If you can't have your dog during the ceremony and after, why not add them to your baked goods?

Dog cake or cupcake toppers are always a hit, and if they are miniature versions of your favorite pets, all the better!

You can have your baker create one out of icing, or you can have it fashioned out of clay or wood. There are also many creative designs in which the dogs hide behind the frosting or climb the cake's levels. At the same time, others had their entire wedding cake designed to look like their dogs.

6. Find a creative way to include them in your wedding favors or giveaways.

No one leaves a party without wanting to take home a party favor, especially at weddings. Traditionally, favors are given to guests as a token of thanks and gratitude. They might be a little token of the couple's shared interests or a nod to the wedding's theme.

Adding a pet theme is a fun and unusual twist to the wedding favors your guests will surely appreciate. Some examples are doggy-shaped objects like fans, bags, mirrors, etc. Others may opt for doggy-themed photo albums, while some couples give away doggy-shaped foods and treat everyone to something sweet, like adorable cookie favors with furry friends' faces.

You may include your dog's photos in your wedding party favors or have them printed on party bags, mugs, tumblers, and many more. You can also search for lots of inspiration online.

Get creative!

7. Incorporate their pictures or cutouts in your venue decoration.

Again, this is another excellent alternative if you can't have your dog physically present at the wedding ceremony or reception. The pet-themed decorations for your wedding can be as simple or ornate as you wish!

Consider integrating your dog's characteristics into your wedding theme, for example, by selecting a color scheme that complements your dog's coat or including dog-related accents in your decor.

Many couples have used everything from table centerpieces to candles in the shape of their dogs.

Here are some ideas for you:

dog-themed photobooth
dog-shaped place card holders
menu cards with your dog's pictures
doggy-themed personalized signs
personalized table and cocktail napkins
dog pictures around the venue
pet-themed flower and balloon arrangements
paw-printed balloons and stationaries
customized drinking straws or cups, and many more!!!

8. Engrave their pics in your wedding rings.

Another intimate way to honor your pet on this big day is to engrave their likeness in your wedding rings or other jewelry pieces like necklaces and watches. Including them engraved in your rings is like making a promise of loving and caring for them for the rest of your life.

An extraordinary commitment, indeed!

9. Incorporate them in your wedding gowns or suits.

Here is a more subtle way of incorporating your beloved pet into your wedding. The groom may wear a pair of personalized cufflinks with paw prints or illustrations of your pet or pocket squares and buttons with dog designs.

The bride may wear a charm to their bouquet or necklace with a photo of their pet or have them embroidered on their veils. No matter what unique method you have decided to include your dog in your wedding outfits, I am sure it will be extra special since it is from the heart.

10. Let your dogs join in your wedding dance.

It would be extra special to have your first dance with your beloved pet as newlyweds. You should bring your pet out on the dance floor with you and your new spouse for your first dance as husband and wife.

You can practice very simple routines that your dog can easily follow, or you may carry them as you move around the dance floor. Either way, your guest will be in awe!

Summary

As a loving pet owner, I am sure you treat your pets like family members. Including them on your most joyous day is one way of showing how much you appreciate their presence and importance in your life!

And with that, you can find creative methods to include your furry friends in the ceremony. However, if you decide to celebrate, know that a four-legged buddy can be the center of attention in countless ways, and we hope this list helps!