7 Ways to Incorporate your Dog in your Wedding

As a fellow dog mom, I wanted to share 7 ways to incorporate your dog in your wedding! I’m a big advocate for including your dogs on your wedding day and many of my couples want to include their furry loved ones but just don’t know how. Sometimes due to rules of the venue, your wedding day timeline, or travel it can be complicated to include your dog. In this blog, I’ll share unique ideas on ways to incorporate your dog in your wedding day, and ways to includ them even if they can’t physically be there!

But first, I wanted to share a little bit about my two assistants. They are highly skilled at keeping my toes warm under my desk, reminding me to take screen breaks for walks, and providing excellent snuggles after long wedding days. Scarlett May is 6 and Sadie Grey is 2, both are rescues, so we really have no idea what breed they are. And yes, in hindsight their names sound way too similar, haha. Since they’re truly a part of the family, I wanted to introduce you to them by sharing a few fun facts about them!

Scarlett May (right):

Desperate for belly rubs
Will lick you to death
“People person” dog
A walking vet bill
Loves to hike
Little Miss Independent

Sadie Grey (left):

Our covid puppy
We call her "wild and ferocious"
Follows me room to room and cannot relax if i'm not sitting down
Big personality with an insane underbite
Way too distracted to hike and wants to kill all the squirrels
Very entertaining

How to Incorporate your Dog in your Wedding

#1. Getting ready with you

Having your dog get ready with you is an easy, low stress way to include your dog(s) on your wedding day. I’m sure when you’re at home they “get ready” with you all the time, if not every day!

While your beauty team does your hair/makeup, your pup is on snuggle duty. They can even sit in your lap or at your feet, making sure you get all the love and support you need while prepping for your big day!

Plus, since it’s a chill environment, no need to worry if they act up, bark or need a little extra attention.

If you want to include them while you get ready, be sure to be searching for dog friendly rental properties/hotels.

#2. Walking guests down the aisle as an “usher” or being the ring bearer

Your furry friend would make for the cutest ring bearer or “usher”!

If you want them to be an usher, you’ll need a human on usher duty too to help them escort guests to their seats. But who wouldn’t love to be greeted by your fur baby?!

While in normal circumstances, your dog probably runs right to you when you call their name, on wedding day it could be different. Sometimes they’re overstimulated by all the people, so they make a few detours along the way down the aisle to you. So, you can either have someone unleash them at the end of the aisle and you can call their name or you have someone walk them down the aisle on a leash. Either way, it’s super sweet and cute way to incorporate them into your wedding day!

Wondering exactly how the “ring” in being the “ring bearer” would work? The ring box can be attached to a collar or bow tie. Depending on how much you trust your dog, you can put the rings inside or have the person holding the leash holding the rings!

Are you wondering what to do with your dog after they walk down the aisle or get ready with you? What about during dinner or reception? Who will watch them then???

Well, there are wedding day pet care companies. Essentially, it’s a businesses that will come and handle your dog on the wedding day! Including, transporting them back home after their portion of the day is over. This is a great option for couples who want to include them part of the day but want them safe back at home after. No need for you to stress about your pet while a family member or friend is on “dog duty” all day. Hire a professional to take care of your dog!

Check out these small businesses:

Cainine Say I Do (Colorado based)
Ivory Hound Weddings (North Carolina based)

#3. signing the marriage license

If your dog can’t physically be at your wedding, then this is a great way to include them!

In the state of Colorado, your dog can actually be one of your witnesses. Technically, you don’t need any witnesses or even an officiant to legally get married. But saying your dog was a witness at your wedding or elopement and have them “sign” your marriage license is so special!

Etsy sells “paw print” stamps you can use on your marriage license. That way you don’t have to try and ink your dogs paw and hold it to the document. It’s probably a safer and easier way to insure your marriage license doesn’t get ruined by any mishaps!

#4. inspiring your wedding day details

This is another great way to include your dog in your wedding day, even if they can’t physically be there. There’s countless ways to incorporate your dog into your wedding day details. Whether it’s a watercolor graphic or outline of the shape of your dog, check out the inspiration list I made below for how you could include them in the details!

Here’s a few popular ideas:

Cocktail napkins
Bar signage
Naming a speciality cocktail after them
Koozies
Place cards or Escort board
Table numbers
Cake topper
On your attire - socks, jewelry, etc.
Ceremony programs

#6. dog treats as wedding favors

After a long day celebrating, who wouldn’t want to bring home a treat to their own dog who has been alone all day?!

This is a fun way to include your dog by saying “thank you for celebrating my humans!'“

Of course, this would only make sense for guests who have a dog of their own. So I would recommend taking a count of how many of your guests have pets before making an order!

#5. collecting donations for the local dog rescue / shelter

No matter where you get married, there’s always a local dog rescue/shelter who would love donations!

If you don’t want to ask your guests to donate, you can make the donation yourself in lieu of traditional wedding favors. Many times, however thoughtful, wedding favors get left behind. People don’t always see them and you end up with so many extras leftover.

But, if you do want to ask guests for donations, you could create a QR code on a donation sign and place it at the bar. You could share a few facts about the local shelter with the QR link to donate a few dollars. When people stop to get a drink, they could donate a few dollars to help rescue animals!

As someone who has two rescue dogs, this idea is one of my favorites!

donating to a dog shelter as a way to incorporate your dog in your wedding day

#7. a member of your wedding party

The ultimate way of incorporating your dog into your wedding day - having them be a member of your wedding party!

One of your bridesmaids or groomsmen could walk down the aisle with them and hold them throughout the ceremony. Depending on your dog, they could even sit at your feet during the ceremony!

As for their attire, they could wear a mini-tuxedo, a bow tie, or even a floral collar that coordinates with your wedding party attire!

PRO TIP: If your dog(s) will be present on your wedding day the best piece of advice I can give, is to find ways to allow them to be, well a dog. The biggest mistake can be trying to corral them and force them to do a bunch of things on the day all while behaving perfectly. You’ll both end up frustrated. It can be stressful for them being in a new environment with a lot of commotion going on all day. Be sure to let them get their energy out and have time to rest too. I know we want the perfect picture with them, all looking and smiling at the camera, but remember, the candid moments of you just enjoying your time and your pups also make for spacial photos.

I hope this list inspired you on lots of different ways you can incorporate your dog into your wedding day! No matter what option you choose, it’ll be so special to include your furry loved one(s) into the best day of your life.