Thinking about giving your dog a big role on your wedding day? You're not alone; couples these days are including their furry friends in their weddings more than ever. After all, they are your family too, so why shouldn't they be involved when you say, "I do."
But here's the truth…Preparing your dog to be wedding-ready is much more involved than finding the perfect bow tie. When your pooch is improperly prepared for your big day, disaster can quickly happen. Luckily, with proper preparation, your dog can be show-stealing in the best way. Here's how to pull it off!
Here's what's coming up:
- Why Include a Four-Legged Wedding Guest?
- How to Prep Your Pup for the Big Day
-Choosing the Right Role for Your Dog
- Pup Wedding Day Essentials
- Why Include a Four-Legged Wedding Guest?
Dogs at weddings are having a serious moment right now. New research by Guide Dogs revealed that 94% of dog owners who are getting married want to involve their pooch. This is compared to figures just a few years ago, and they are continuing to rise.
Why the trend?
Dogs aren't simply animals to most people. They're members of the family. Weddings are a celebration of the people (and pups) you love. If you're looking for a dog friendly wedding you'll want a venue that welcomes your four-legged wedding guest AND has space for them to stretch their legs before the ceremony begins.
A four-legged wedding guest can play a bunch of different roles:
- Ring bearer
- Flower dog
- Dog of Honour
- Best Dog
- Aisle walker
Guide Dogs also found that 42% of couples want their dog to join them for their first dance and 39% want their pup to walk their bride down the aisle. Pretty sweet, right? But before your pup can take on any of these jobs…They need some serious prep work.
Start Training Early
Training is by far the biggest thing you can do to prepare your dog for the day. Even if your dog knows basic commands, a wedding is a completely different setting. Loud music, unfamiliar people, large flowing gowns, the smell of food, flashes from cameras. It can be overwhelming for a dog all in one afternoon. Start prepping your dog at least 3-6 months out.
Focus on these key areas:
- Sit, stay, and heel commands: Your pup should know these commands regardless of distractions.
- Leash walking: Nice and calm, no pulling or lunging.
- Socialisation: Get your dog used to crowds, kids, and loud noises.
- Ignoring food: Wedding food is everywhere. Your pup needs to leave it alone.
Positive reinforcement works best here. Reward good behaviour with treats and praise. Never punish your dog when he messes up – it only increases stress. If you don't know where to begin, book a professional trainer for some sessions. It will make a MASSIVE difference. The goal? A calm, confident pup who's ready for anything.
Book a Trial Run at the Venue
Visit the venue with your dog beforehand. Familiarize your dog with the smells and environment of the location. Your dog will be much less stressed on the wedding day if they already know the territory.
During the trial run, you should:
- Walk your dog around the ceremony area
- Practice walking down the aisle
- Let them sniff around and settle in
- Introduce them to the venue staff
If your dog is anxious, schedule a couple extra trips prior to your wedding. Your pup will be less stressed if they know the location like the back of their paw.
Assign a Dedicated Dog Handler
Your wedding day is going to be chaotic. Between hair and makeup, photos, vows, and guest greeting, you won't have time to wrangle a dog. Hire a handler. This individual is ONLY responsible for watching your dog during the day. They should only:
- Someone your dog knows and trusts
- Calm and confident with dogs
- Not part of the wedding party
Some couples hire a professional pet handler. Others enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member. Either way, be sure the handler understands exactly what you expect.
Give them a clear schedule:
- When the dog needs to be at the ceremony
- When they need water and bathroom breaks
- When they'll leave the wedding
- Emergency vet contact info
- A good handler makes the whole day run smoother.
Pick the Perfect Role for Your Pup
Not every dog is cut out for every job. Consider your dog's personality. A timid puppy shouldn't have to run down the aisle with 100 eyes watching him. Likewise, an excitable puppy may not make the best ring bearer.
Here's how to match the role to your dog:
- Calm, well-trained dogs: Ring bearer or aisle walker
- Friendly, social dogs: Greeter or Dog of Honour
- Older, chill dogs: Photo companion during portraits
- Nervous dogs: Brief cameo before heading home with a sitter
If your dog doesn't want to be the star of the show, that's perfectly fine! Simply including them in some photos beforehand can be special as well.
Don't force a pup into roles they won't enjoy. It will stress your dog out, and likely stress you out as well. The best wedding day jobs are ones your dog loves to do.
Pup Wedding Day Essentials
Finally, assemble a wedding day kit for your dog. You want to have everything readily available so the handler can do anything at any time without hesitating.
Here's what to pack:
- Collar, lead, and ID tag
- Water bowl and fresh water
- Favourite treats
- Poop bags (loads of them)
- A blanket or bed for downtime
- Any medication they need
- Wedding outfit or accessory (bow tie, flower collar, etc.)
- Wipes and a small towel
- Keep the outfit simple:
Bow ties and lacey collars are cute and don't impede movement. Anything full-on dress or heavy-duty costume is going to make a pup uncomfortable. And an uncomfortable dog = stressed out dog. Oh, and speaking of the wedding cake. Chocolate, grapes, and heavy cream can all make dogs severely ill. Don't spend your wedding night in the emergency vet's waiting room.
Final Thoughts...
Inviting your four-legged best friend to your wedding is a wonderful gesture, but it requires careful forethought to avoid a stressed pup and chaotic photos. To ensure everything goes smoothly, successful couples know to start training months in advance, conduct a trial run at the venue, and hire a dedicated dog handler for the event.
It is also crucial to match your dog's specific role to their personality and pack a proper wedding day kit. Your dog has been by your side for every major milestone, and if you nail these preparations, they will steal the show for all the right reasons as you finally celebrate this special day together.
