The Perfect Timing: Why Your Dog Belongs in Your First Look Photos
Your wedding day is all about celebrating with those you love most
—and for many couples, that includes their four-legged family members.
Photo by Sarah & Ben Photography
If you're planning to have your dog participate in your wedding, we have an insider tip that has made countless couples' wedding photos extra special: include your pup in your "first look" photos!
Why First Look is the Perfect Time for Dog Photos
Photo by Ocean Bound Media
The "first look" has become a beloved wedding tradition where couples see each other for the first time before the ceremony in a private, intimate setting.
Here's why this moment is also ideal for including your furry friend:
A Calmer Environment: With fewer guests and distractions around, your dog can be more relaxed and focused.
More Time Available: First looks typically have a generous time buffer built into the timeline, allowing for those unpredictable pet moments without causing stress.
Natural Light: Most first looks happen during daylight hours, providing the best natural lighting for capturing your dog's adorable expressions.
More Photo Flexibility: Without the immediate pressure of the ceremony approaching, you can try multiple poses and creative shots with your pet.
Creative Photo Ideas with Your Dog
Photo by Marc Edwards Photographs
Want to make these photos truly memorable?
Here are some of our favorite dog-inclusive first look ideas:
The Dog Reveal: Have your pup be the one to "present" your partner to you, perhaps with a cute sign or special bandana.
The Doggie First Look: Capture your reaction to seeing your dog all dressed up in their wedding attire—those genuine smiles are priceless!
Three-Way Hugs: Some of our most heartwarming photos feature the couple and dog in a group embrace, truly capturing the family feeling.
Paw Details: Beautiful close-ups of your dog's paw near your rings, bouquet, or holding a special message create meaningful keepsakes.
Leash Walking: Casual shots of the couple walking their dog in wedding attire often become favorites that truly capture your everyday love.
Bouquet Circle: Have your bridesmaids surround your dog and form a circle with their flower bouquets framing your pup. This creates an adorable floral frame with your dog as the centerpiece! This setup showcases both your wedding flowers and your furry friend in one memorable shot.
How FairyTail Pet Care Makes It Possible
Photo by Maddness Photography
While these photos sound magical (and they are!), coordinating a dog, a photographer, two emotional humans, and a tight timeline requires expertise.
That's where FairyTail Pet Care's specialized wedding pet attendants step in.
Our professional pet attendants will:
Coordinate directly with your photographer and planner to ensure your dog arrives at the perfect moment
Prepare your dog with pre-photo playtime to burn energy and bathroom breaks to prevent accidents
Handle all transportation logistics so you can focus on your special moment
Bring treats and attention-grabbing tools to ensure your dog looks at the camera
Manage your dog's comfort, ensuring they're happy and relaxed throughout the experience
After the photos, we can either continue pet care services if your dog is participating in more of the wedding day or safely transport them home for rest.
Planning Makes Paw-fect
The key to successful wedding dog photos is advance coordination.
When booking FairyTail Pet Care for your wedding, be sure to mention your first look photo plans. We'll work directly with your photographer and planner to ensure everyone's on the same page about timing, locations, and specific shots you want.
Remember, your dog feeds off your energy—if you're relaxed and having fun during this private moment, they're more likely to cooperate and enjoy themselves too!