7 Fun Ways to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding

If you want to include your dog in your wedding, there are many fun and unique ways to do so! From your décor to your couple’s portraits, you can embark on this exciting new chapter together without forgetting about your beloved pet.

I’m a huge dog person, so I love it when my clients are proud pet parents who want to bring their furry friend to their wedding or engagement session!

My husband and I adopted our dog Honey, a boxer/cattle dog/pitbull mix two years after our wedding. We often wish she had been around when we got married because she would’ve made a great addition to our wedding photos!

7 Ways to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding

1. Dress Them Up

Dress your dog up for the occasion in a tuxedo, floral wreath, or collar that coordinates with your wedding colours. Because seriously, what’s more adorable than a dog in a bow tie?!

Include your dog in your wedding party as your flower girl or ring bearer. You can have them walk down the aisle with a wreath of flowers around their neck or a basket with your rings in their mouth! Your guests won’t be able to handle the cuteness.

3. Get Ready with Them

If you’re getting ready at home or a dog-friendly wedding venue, why not make your pet part of the festivities? They’ll be a much-welcome calming presence as you prepare to take this exciting step with your partner.

4. Incorporate Them Into Your Décor & Details

Another fun way to include your dog in your wedding is by incorporating their likeness into your wedding décor. You can emboss your cocktail napkins with an illustration of your pup, stamp their face into the wax seal on your invitations, get a miniature of them for your cake topper, and more. The only limit is your creativity!

5. Name Your Signature Cocktail After Them

Pair your custom cocktail napkins with a signature cocktail named after your fur baby! Consider having a custom menu sign made with a clever cocktail name and an illustration of your pet.

6. Include Them in Your Couple’s Portraits

Your dog is part of your family, so it only makes sense to include them in your couple’s portraits on your wedding day! Walking or playing with your dog for candid photos can be a great way to slow down and unwind on a whirlwind day.

My dog gets anxious, so I understand if yours feels overwhelmed during our portrait session (or any other portion of the wedding day). I’ll come prepared with a calm demeanour, treats in my pockets, and the flexibility to roll with the punches, whether that means giving your dog a break or taking advantage of the calm moments to get the best photos.

7. Bring Them Along for Your Engagement Session

Likewise, you can also include your dog in your engagement photos! This option is fun because you can use those photos with your dog in your wedding day details, such as your save-the-dates or your wedding guestbook.