If you are anything like us, you love your dog. A ton. If it was up to us (and allowed), we would take Aspyn everywhere with us. If you are anything like that, we have good news! You can absolutely find ways to include them in your big day! There are a variety of ways to do this, and a lot of the decision making will come down to how and where your day’s festivities are taking place. Here we outline a few different ways you can include them either in your wedding, or on related sessions.
#1 - Bring your dog to your engagement session!
If your wedding does not make sense for inclusion of your furry friend, you can consider bringing them on your engagement session. This is a very low stress, often not time sensitive situation that allows a lot more photo opportunities with your pup. Additionally, you can utilize the images for your wedding invites as well!
#2 - Include them in your Wedding or Elopement Ceremony
This is the one most people think of when thinking about including your dog in your special day. However, its important to keep in mind where and when the ceremony will be taking place. If you are eloping: does your chosen location allow dogs? Many national parks do not allow dogs or if they do, they are only allowed within 50 feet of major roads within the park.
If you have a wedding venue: Does the venue allow dogs? And if so, is your dog well-behaved enough to not only participate in the ceremony, but do so in a safe manner? ie: Will your ceremony be taking place near a busy road or near cliffs, etc? Does your dog have good recall and react well to a variety of different stimuli? If you are having a larger wedding there will likely be inexperienced dog people present, and if so can your dog handle their inexperience?
If after considering the previous situations, you think you’d like to include your dog in your ceremony, you can do so in some of the following ways: ome fun ways to include your dog
Have them be a “flower dog” - They can wear a lei or a flower crown and walk or run down the aisle.
A “Ringbarker” - The pup can have the rings attached to their collar and walk down the aisle - either solo or on leash.
“Dog of honor” or “Brides Dog” - The dog can accompany one of the brides people down the aisle and stand with the bridal party during the ceremony.
A “Grooms Dog” or “Best Dog” - The dog can accompany one of the grooms people down the aisle and stand up with the during the ceremony.
Accompany Bride or Groom down the Aisle - Instead of a parent or sibling, you can have your pup accompany you down the aisle.
#3 - Bring them while you get ready!
If you think you might be nervous or anxious you can definitely bring your furry companion with you while you get ready. Whether before an elopement or a larger wedding, this can yield really wonderful moments as you get ready for the big day.
#4 - Bring them with you to your post-ceremony couples portrait session
If you don’t think it would make sense to have them before or during the ceremony, maybe a friend or family member can bring them after the ceremony when you sneak off to do your couples portraits. This presents the dog with a lower stakes, and potentially safer, situation to interact and celebrate with you both!
#5 - If you are having a “Day-After session, bring the pup along!
Similar to engagement shoots, they are a much lower stakes and time sensitive situation to have a dog present. You are also able to allocate more attention to them than a sometimes chaotic or time-sensitive wedding day. You will likely still be in your wedding attire and can go on a little adventure that would be much more fun for your pup!
Whatever you end up deciding, having your best furry companion by your side in some way for your special day can make it so much more meaningful for you on the day, but also give you priceless images that will surely bring tears to your eyes down the road when you look back on these images in several decades.
