Planning a Pet Friendly Wedding
Ever since the “wedding pet care” industry took off in 2015, more & more couples are choosing to include their pets in their wedding. When done right, it can bring so much pawsitivity to your wedding day. The key to a pawsitive experience is to plan your pet friendly wedding ahead of time.
Photo by CORNELIA ZAISS PHOTOGRAPHY
Ever since the “wedding pet care” industry took off in 2015, more & more couples are choosing to include their pets in their wedding.
When done right, it can bring so much pawsitivity to your wedding day.
The key to a pawsitive experience is to plan your pet friendly wedding ahead of time.
Here are some of our top tips when it comes to including your pet in your wedding:
Check With Your Venue
Before you start planning anything, be sure to check on your venue’s pet restrictions. Even if they are not typically pet friendly, they may be willing to make an exception for you. They may ask that you carry pet liability insurance. If you cannot have your dog at your venue, consider planning a photo op at a different location or have them come by while you’re still getting ready for some lovin’.
2. Inform Your Vendors
Aside from your venue, informing your other vendors that your dog will be attending is very important. They are there to ensure your day goes seamlessly so you want to avoid any surprises on the day of! Incorporate their arrival & departure into your timeline so everyone is on the same page.
If you’re looking for pet friendly vendor recommendations, check out our FairyTail Approved Vendors!
3. Consider Your Pet’s Role
Another crucial step to ensuring things go smoothly is to consider your pet’s personality & temperament before choosing their role in the day. A ceremony may be too overwhelming for certain dogs and a high energy dog may need lots of exercise before they’ll be up for any photos.
Photo by Kelsey Cole Photography
4. Consider Your Guest List
Your dog’s presence could provide great entertainment for your guests as they await the start of the ceremony or reception, but consider your entire guest list beforehand. Are there allergies to consider or is anyone especially fearful of dogs? Planning for this ahead of time can ensure everyone feels welcome on your special day.
5. Puppy Preparedness
Don’t forget your pup’s essentials for wedding day! This doesn’t just mean their outfits either. Be sure they have access to water & meals throughout the day. Consider designating someone for doggie clean up, which for some will include poop bags, lint rollers & puppy wipes.
Photo by tara koenke photography
6. Plan Photo Ops
Discuss with your photographer which photos you’d like with your dog on your wedding day. Maybe you want to ensure you get a solo shot of them or a certain pose. Keep in mind any props such as attire, a special dog tag or sign you many want to use. One photo we recommend you don’t forget is a family photo post-ceremony!
7. Hire Professional Pet Care
If you want to guarantee that you AND your dog will have the best day ever, consider hiring a wedding pet attendant. Their sole focus will be on your dog’s care & it will give you peace of mind to know all of their needs are being met. It’s also the best way to ensure you get those picture paw-fect photos without any chaos!
Photo by Autumn Nicole Imagery
Did Your Dog RSVP to Your Wedding Yet?
Let Us Be Their Plus 1!
Bringing More PAWSITIVITY to the Wedding Community!
In line with our mission to help homeless animals find their forever homes, we have created a partnership with local shelters to include adoptable animals in styled wedding photo shoots. Learn how you can join us in making a pawsitive change!
Styled Weddings + Adoptable Animals
While we love bringing pets to weddings, our work does not end there!
In line with our mission to help homeless animals find their forever homes, we have created a partnership with local shelters to include adoptable animals in styled wedding photo shoots.
We take care of all of the logistics, picking an adoptable dog up from a local shelter, bringing them on location & providing constant love, care & entertainment for the styled photo shoot.
As more & more couples choose to incorporate their pets in their wedding, this is also a great opportunity to showcase yourselves as pet friendly vendors!
How This program Makes an impact:
Socialization increases the likelihood of an animal getting adopted & helps them lead healthier & happier lives
Your event could connect a homeless animal with their forever family
Inspires & educates others on how they can give back to their community
Raises awareness for adoption
Just imagine knowing your event saved a life & helped a shelter animal find their forever home!
Ready to join us in making a difference?
Contact Us Today!
WOOF@fairytailpet.com
How to Include Your Pet in Your Wedding Day, Even if They're Not in the Ceremony
Even if your pet is not able to be a part of your wedding ceremony, it doesn’t mean they can’t be a part of the day! Here are a few of our ideas on how to include your pet in your wedding day, even if they are not in the ceremony.
It is a common misconception that including your pet in your wedding day automatically means they will be in your wedding ceremony.
We always ask our couple to consider their pet’s personality when deciding how they will be a part of the day. If your dog is anxious or easily overwhelmed, the ceremony may be too much stimulation. Or perhaps they are very excitable & the ceremony would get them way too riled up. Your venue may not allow animals in the ceremony space & so it is not even an option.
Whatever the case, just because the ceremony may not be the right choice for them, does not mean that your dog (or pet) cannot be apart of your wedding day!
Here are our ideas & tips for including your pet in your wedding day, even if they are not in the ceremony.
Have Your Dog Greet Guests As They Arrive
Imagine arriving to a wedding, only to be greeted by tails wags & kisses!? This might be a great choice for those excitable pups that just LOVE everyone!
This is also a great option if your ceremony space is not pet friendly. Your dogs can welcome your guests from outside & celebrate with everyone when the ceremony is complete & it’s time to paw-ty!
2. Include Your Pet in Your Wedding Photos
Work with your photographer & allow time for photos with your pet on your wedding day. If you’re doing a first look, this could be before the ceremony, or during formals after, or both! When it comes time to take bridal party photos, don’t forget your Dog of Honor or Best Dog!
3. Have Your Pet Join You While You’re Getting Ready
You have likely been long anticipating your wedding day & now it is finally here. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous or a bit anxious, it may be hard to completely relax. What better way to bring you back to the present moment than quality time with your pet!
This is also a great opportunity for a few photos as they are often times some of the most genuine & adorable moments.
4. Have Your Pet Attend Cocktail Hour
Allow your pet to mingle around cocktail hour for a bit & we promise your guests will thank you! This is a fun way to include your pet & provide some extra entertainment while you are taking photos.
There will likely be family and friends that have never met your pet, and may have only ever seen pictures, and they will be so excited to have the chance to say hello!
Photo by Caroline & Evan Photography at Nova 535 in St Pete, FL / Invitations by Sarah Bubarb Designs
5. Include Your Pet in the Details
It’s possible your pet simply cannot attend your wedding in any way, that does not mean that you cannot still pay tribute to this important family member. There are a lot of details that go into a wedding, and incorporating your pet into them can be a great way to still have them there with you!
Even if your pet will be at your wedding, you may still want to integrate their happy tails into the day even more.
Check out our post for ideas on how to incorporate your pet into your wedding details.
Once you’ve found the perfect way to include your pet in your wedding day, make sure to consider the logistics involved in these options. Most importantly, consider your pet’s needs on the day of & that you are doing your best to ensure they will be happy & comfortable. This will ensure you can relax on your wedding day, knowing your pet is going to be taken care of.
Have questions? Want help including your pet in your wedding day?
When it comes to actually carrying the wedding rings, we have an important recommendation—let’s leave the real rings to the humans!