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!
Animal Lovers Use Their Wedding to Give Back to Dogs in Need
Rachel & Meredith are huge animal lovers & wanted to find a way to express that on their wedding day. They decided that including their own dog, Penny, in the wedding may not be the best fit so we helped them execute a different, very special idea instead! Our Yappily Ever After program, in partnership with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, offers a unique experience for animal advocates & lovers on their wedding day.
Photo by Dewitt For Love Photography
Rachel & Meredith are huge animal lovers & wanted to find a way to express that on their wedding day.
They decided that including their own dog, Penny, in the wedding may not be the best fit so we helped them execute a different, very special idea instead!
Our Yappily Ever After program, in partnership with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, offers a unique experience for animal advocates & lovers on their wedding day.
Photo by Regina as the Photographer
Photo by Regina as the Photographer
We brought on a few volunteers & coordinated with the shelter to break 4 dogs out of their cages to set out on the adventure of a lifetime!
We worked with the couple’s vendors to ensure every detail was accounted for & showed up after their ceremony to introduce a little cuddle time to their guests during cocktail hour.
You could see everyone’s eyes light up when they realized that part of their wedding guest experience was to snuggle up on a few adoptable puppies in search of their forever home. We let those that were interested get their pets in & even hold the puppies if they wished.
Photo by Regina as the Photographer
Photo by Regina as the Photographer
Our goal with this program is to raise awareness for adoption & to hopefully find these dogs their forever home. More importantly though, these little adventures give the dogs much needed socialization & exposure to new environments. This helps the adoptable dogs go on to lead much healthier & happier lives.
On top of all of that, aside from our small coordination fee, the proceeds from our Yappily Ever After program go entirely to the shelter!
Photo by Regina as the Photographer
A huge thank you to Rachel & Meredith for choosing to use their wedding
to help homeless animals find their forever homes!
Photo by Regina as the Photographer
If you’re interested in including adoptable dogs or kittens in your wedding
Please contact us today!
10 Reasons to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding
As if you needed reasons on why you should include your dog in your wedding, we’re here to provide some anyway! Maybe your mom or dad doesn’t quite get it or you need help convincing your fiance that your pup deserves to join the celebration, either way we’ve got your back!
As if you needed reasons on why you should include your dog in your wedding, we’re here to provide some anyway! Maybe your mom or dad doesn’t quite get it or you need help convincing your fiance that your pup deserves to join the celebration, either way we’ve got your back!
Here are our top 10 reasons why you should include your dog in your wedding day:
Photo by: POLKBROS Entertainment
Peace of Mind
As long as you do it right, planning care for your dog on your wedding day will bring you such peace of mind. With so many other things on your mind, it will be such a relief knowing you took the steps needed to ensure your dog’s care is covered. Whether you include them in the actual wedding or not, working this detail into your wedding planning is crucial for all dog parents!
Out of the House
Beyond your dog’s needs being met, planning for them to attend your wedding means they will be out of the house & on an adventure. This is especially great for dog’s with separation anxiety!
Guest Entertainment
Have your dog stick around for cocktail hour after the ceremony or greet guests as they are arriving. It will be such a fun surprise for your guests, especially those that may never have had the chance to meet your pup otherwise! It’s a bonus that doggie cuddles makes for great entertainment for your guests while they await the start of the ceremony or reception.
Tired Pup = Happy Pup
Another added bonus of including your dog in your wedding day is knowing they will be getting great exercise. You’ll be able to enjoy your reception knowing your pup is back home & resting after a fun-filled day!
Photo by renee rodgers photography
5. Picture Paw-fect Photos
It goes without saying that if you’re including your dog in your wedding, you’re going to get some incredible, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities. Seriously, take advantage of this time to get professional photos of your pup - you will cherish them for years to come!
6. Cute Details
Even if your dog cannot physically attend your wedding, you can still find ways to Include them in your details! One of our favorites is a signature cocktail sign with a drink named after them. Create a custom sign to display on your bar & you’ll be cheers-ing to your pup all night long!
7. Stress Relief
Again, as long as you do it right, including your dog in your wedding can actually be a stress RELIEF! Consider having them come by while you’re finishing getting ready & the jitters are really starting to sink in. It can be easy to let the day just fly by, but there’s nothing like a few snuggles from your pup to really bring you into the present moment.
8. Pets Are Family
Many dog owners consider their pet a part of the family. They are your babies, the ones who you come home to every night, take care of & provide you with endless love & support. For so many, they cannot imagine one of the most special days of their lives without their best friend at their side.
9. Their Best Day Ever
If you’re considering your dog’s personality when choosing their role in the day, we guarantee your wedding day will be their best day ever! There is no doubt that they can FEEL the love in the air, even if they may not know exactly what is going on. They’ll be so happy to be surrounded by the people they love most & being able to celebrate with their Mom & Dad!
10. It’s Adorable!
Try to tell us differently, but we won’t believe you. After the countless happy tails we’ve encountered, we’re sure that including your dog in whatever way you see fit will no doubt bring paws-itvity to your wedding day!
Photo by: Autumn Nicole Imagery
While these reasons are likely enough to convince anyone that your dog can be a part of your wedding, it’s our recommendation that you consider your pet’s personality before choosing their role in the day. Be sure to check in with your vendors, as well!
Our number one tip to ensuring you AND your dog can have the best day ever is to hire a wedding pet attendant. Their sole focus will be on your pup & hiring a professional means you can truly relax knowing your dog is getting the care they need & deserve.
Photo by Nate Puhr Photo & Cinema