The ULTIMATE Guide to Including Your Dog in Your Wedding
POV: Your dog is your family & you can’t imagine your wedding day without them in attendance.
However, when you start thinking about all of the logistics, you realize it might be a little more difficult to include your dog than you’d hoped.
Luckily, after 11+ years of including dogs in weddings, we are here to help!
We have the ultimate guide to including your dog in your wedding day!
From what they’ll wear to who will bring them home, we’ve thought of it all & are so excited to share it with you!
Let’s get started with your step by step guide to giving your dog the best day ever at your wedding!
STEP 1: CONSIDER YOUR DOG’S PERSONALITY
This is likely the most important step so please don’t skip it! Carefully consider your dog’s personality & how it relates to the wedding day by asking questions like:
What are their energy levels?
Are they a flight risk?
How do they react to new people?
What about kids?
Do they get overwhelmed in crowds?
How do they react to new environments?
These are just some of the questions you’ll want to ask yourself before deciding the best way to incorporate your dog at your wedding.
And if you find yourself thinking my dog might be too “crazy” or “hyper” to be a part of the celebration, we have tips specifically for you that may help you decide so don’t give up on your wild child just yet!
STEP 2: DECIDE ON THEIR “ROLE”
Now that you’ve thought about their personality, it’s time to decide HOW you’d like to include them in your special day.
A Few Ideas For Your Dog’s Role At Your Wedding
- Recruit them as your “Flower Dog” & work with your florist to provide a special flower collar or flower leash
- Do a “First Look” with your pup before the ceremony
- Have your dog greet guests as they arrive
- Invite them to attend cocktail hour & mingle with their favorite people
Photo by: Lifelong Photography Studios
Check this blog post out for extra tips on including your dog in your wedding ceremony!
If they are your typical happy go lucky pup that’s down for an adventure & meeting new friends then likely they’d be a great fit for any part of the wedding festivities - whether that be walking down the aisle, greeting guests, attending cocktail hour or taking family photos.
That’s not to say that a dog with some “quirks”, if you will, can’t be a part of these activities, but you may just need to be a little more conscious of their exact role.
For example, you want your sweet dog to walk down the aisle with your wedding party but they are strong & known to pull on the leash. In this case, we’d recommend choosing someone that is comfortable & confident with them to walk them down.
If your dog gets anxious in big crowds or around people they don’t know very well, then you likely want them to head out before cocktail hour so as not to overwhelm them.
If you’ve given it a lot of thought & you come to the conclusion that your dog just wouldn’t be comfortable attending your wedding in any way, then don’t worry, we can still help you include them!
Check out our additional tips here on how to still incorporate them in the day, even if they can’t physically attend.
STEP 3: INFORM YOUR VENDORS
Photo by Hennessy Photo Co
Your vendors are there to make sure you have the best day ever! They work hard on the details of the day to make this happen which is why it’s so important to keep them in the loop that your dog will be at your wedding.
Not every vendor needs this information, but it’s important that you discuss it with your planner, photographer & venue.
It’s especially important to discuss with your venue, perhaps before even booking with one, to understand their pet policies. It would be the worst to find out later on that they have a strict no pets policy when you really wanted to have your dog as a part of your wedding day!
Your planner will want to add your dog’s part in the wedding day to your timeline & keep track of any important contact info, such as your wedding dog sitter.
Your photographer may suggest bringing your dog to your engagement session so they can get familiar with each other & the camera.
Click here if you want our tips on including your dog in your engagement photos!
STEP 4: DESIGNATE A DAY-OF HANDLER & CREATE A THOUGHTFUL PLAN FOR YOUR DOG
One of the biggest mistakes couples make when choosing to include their dog in their wedding is assuming they'll figure out the details later.
Whether you're hiring a professional wedding pet attendant or asking a trusted pet sitter, dog walker, friend, or family member to care for your dog, having a thoughtful plan is what makes the difference between your dog simply attending your wedding for the photos & actually making it their own best day ever, too.
After more than 11 years of helping dogs be part of weddings, we've learned that the little details matter.
Who brings your dog to the venue?
Who has treats and water?
When will they have a potty break?
Who coordinates with your photographer, planner & venue?
How will they get home after photos?
Having answers to these questions before wedding day allows everyone (especially you!!) to relax and enjoy the celebration.
If you're getting married in one of our service areas, our FairyTail team can handle every detail for you, from coordinating with your vendor team to providing transportation, personalized care, and seamless execution on wedding day.
Getting married outside of our locations?
You don't have to figure it out alone.
Our FairyTail Wedding Dog Concierge gives you access to our 11+ years of wedding pet care expertise through a personalized planning session, custom wedding day timeline, and resources designed to help your chosen handler - whether that's a pet sitter, dog walker, friend, or family member - confidently care for your dog on your wedding day.
No matter where you're getting married, our goal for you is the same:
creating a plan that allows your dog to be part of your celebration while giving you complete peace of mind.
STEP 5: PICK OUT THEIR ATTIRE
Photo by Carly K Photography
This is such a fun part of the planning process! A quick google search will pull lots of options for dog wedding attire so you’ll have a lot to work with.
If you want something basic & comfortable for your dog, Amazon is a great place to start. They have bandannas with sayings such as “I Do Too” or “My Humans Are Getting Married” as well as tuxedo bandanas that slip into a collar.
You’ll also be able to find tutu or dress options if your pup is up for that!
If you want something a little more custom, we recommend heading over to Etsy. You’ll find hundreds of options for custom tuxedo bandanas, full suits & flower collars that can all be custom made for your pet’s size & your specific wedding color palette.
Another option, custom or not, is a special harness or leash for the wedding day. Maybe a nice white rope leash or a harness with lace material.
We also love the idea of having a special tag made for your pup that says something like “Best Day Ever” or “Dog of Honor” with your wedding day. It will be such a special momento for you to hold onto!
An additional option is to work with your florist to create a custom fresh floral collar or leash. This is absolutely stunning in photos & gives your pup that extra special flair!
We love seeing greenery on leashes, too. It’s important that your florist makes note of your pup’s size so they can plan accordingly & it doesn’t hurt to remind them to avoid any flowers that may be toxic for dogs!
STEP 6: CREATE A WEDDING DAY PLAN SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR DOG
Whether you're working with a professional wedding pet attendant or asking a trusted pet sitter, dog walker, friend, or family member to care for your dog, having a detailed plan is one of the most important parts of successfully including them in your wedding.
This is where thoughtful planning makes all the difference.
Start by thinking through your dog's entire day from beginning to end.
Transportation: Who is picking your dog up and bringing them home? Make sure they have everything they need ahead of time, including addresses, parking instructions, gate or door codes, and emergency contact information.
Arrival Time: Think about your dog's role in the day. If they're only joining you for your First Look and a few portraits, they may only need to be at the venue for a short period. If they'll be walking down the aisle or greeting guests, plan for them to arrive well before the ceremony. We typically recommend at least an hour early so they have time to explore the new environment, go potty, get their excitement out, and settle in before guests begin arriving.
Photography: Talk with your photographer before wedding day about the moments you'd like your dog to be included in. If you're having a First Look, it's often the perfect time to capture relaxed portraits together before the day's schedule becomes busier. If you're not doing a First Look, consider scheduling your dog toward the beginning of your formal portraits after the ceremony so they aren't waiting around longer than necessary.
Comfort & Care: Don't forget the little things that help your dog have a great experience, like water breaks, potty breaks, treats, shade on warm days, and a quiet place to relax if they become overstimulated.
One of the biggest benefits of working with FairyTail is that we've spent more than 11 years creating customized wedding day plans for dogs.
If you're getting married in one of our service areas, we'll coordinate every detail for you.
If you're getting married elsewhere, our FairyTail Wedding Dog Concierge gives you a personalized planning session and custom timeline so your chosen handler has a clear plan to follow and you can enjoy your wedding knowing your dog is in good hands.
STEP 7: PACK THEIR BAGS
Your dog will need a few supplies for their big adventure at your wedding so be sure to pack a bag for them!
Again, if you’ve hired a wedding day pet care company then they’ll likely bring a pack of supplies of their own for your dog, but it still doesn’t hurt to plan ahead.
Items to Include in Your Dog’s Wedding Day Bag
Leash, harness & collar with tags
Wedding pet attire
Poop bags
Water + Water bowl for car & bottle for walking around
Their favorite treats
A squeaky toy
Lint roller (we’re especially looking at you labs, huskies, shepherds, etc.)
A bed & seatbelt if they’ll be traveling in the car
First aid kit (just in case!)
Photo by Tara Tomlinson Photography
STEP 8: ENJOY YOUR (& Your Dog’s) BEST DAY EVER!
It’s finally here! Your special day! You’ve thought of it all & it’s time to relax & enjoy your best day ever!
Luckily you’ve taken the steps ahead of time to plan the wedding day for not only yourself, but for your dog, as well.
You’ve coordinated with your vendors, designated a plus-one for your dog & packed up everything they’ll need to make sure your pup is happy & comfortable on their big wedding adventure.
Your dog will be so grateful to be invited to celebrate this big moment with you & your loved ones. Not only will they get out of the house & explore a new environment (yay for new smells!) but they will be able to experience a moment unlike any other with all of their favorite people in one place celebrating the love of their parents!
Dogs are family & we get that.
As long as you carefully consider the steps we’ve listed out there is no reason your wedding day won’t be your dog’s best day ever, too!
ABOUT US:
FairyTail Pet Care is Your Dog’s Plus-One™.
We are the nation’s FIRST wedding pet care company. Founded in 2015 by two lifelong best friends (Kelly & Ilana) & we have included over 1800 pets in weddings!
We have locations nationwide.
We are available for travel worldwide to personally be your dog’s plus one with our Wedding Pet Care services.
We also offer a FairyTail Wedding Dog Concierge service which gives couples access to our expertise, no matter where they're getting married. Instead of providing the dog handler ourselves, we help you create a personalized plan so that your chosen pet handler knows exactly what to do.
Whether we're personally attending your wedding in one of our service areas or helping you build the perfect plan from across the country, that mission doesn't change.
Because every couple deserves to enjoy their wedding without worrying about their dog.
And every dog deserves a thoughtful plan.
Learn more about the company that brings the paws-itivity to weddings by clicking here.
If you are looking to include your pet in your wedding day & are interested in learning more about wedding day pet care or wedding dog concierge please click here to reach out to FairyTail Pet Care.
