Including your Dog in your Wedding: 5 ways to highlight your pup on your big day
Your wedding day is about celebrating *your* love story in whatever way makes you and your partner happy. For a lot of couples, this means including props, scenery, and, *of course*, furry friends, to truly tell the story of your lives together. Read on to explore ways to include your dog in your wedding.
If you’re like me, your dog is your child, and you simply cannot fathom having your best day ever without your best pal wagging their tail by your side. If they’re like my Boxer mix Barley he would rather eat a vegetable than be around people (#introvertsquad) but we still wanted to include him in our day because he means so much to us.
But did you ever consider that there are SO many intentional ways you can include your pup in your wedding day, beyond just having them sport an adorable outfit and strutting down the aisle?
Scroll on to read five clever ways you can make your pup a prominent part of your wedding:
Idea one: Have your dog sign your marriage license
In several cities throughout the United States, you can actually have your dog sign your marriage certificate. How friggin adorable is that?
This means that your dog can serve as a legitimate witness to your wedding day, depending on where you live.
Imagine seeing their sweet little paw print on your license as a reminder of their presence when you finally said “I do.” Read up on marriage license regulations in your area to learn more about regulations and see if this applies. *In Colorado currently Denver and Arapaho Counties do not accept the paw print unfortunately.*
Idea two: Include their cute ass face on party favors or speciality cocktails
Your wedding guests will love seeing a friendly face on their party favors or trying a cocktail that’s cleverly-named after your pet. The sky is truly the limit with how you can incorporate your four-legged family members into the details of your day.
At my own wedding, we hired an incredible baker to make custom cookies with pics of our dog Barley.
At an incredible wedding I photographed, they had their dog’s face printed onto lighters to give away with candles.
Another past couple wowed me with specialty cocktail recipes and signage that made guests smile from ear to ear.
Here are some fun ways you could include your dog in the details:
- Name cards & table numbers
- Cocktail napkins
- Event signage
- Silly cake topper
- Guest book
- Custom magnets, bubbles, koozies, or keychains
- Speciality cocktail during cocktail hour
- Custom lawn games, like cornhole
- Photo booth props
- Desserts- cookies, cupcakes, treat bags
The bottom line: If you want to show off your dog like the celebrity they are, your wedding is the perfect time to do it. Head to Pinterest, Etsy, or good old Instagram and start looking for inspiration. You’ll be ah-mazed.
Idea three: Make your pet a part of your first look
Your first look is an intimate time for you and your partner before the hustle and bustle of the wedding truly begins. More and more couples are opting to include their dogs as part of the special moment.
It’s amazing how pets truly can help settle nerves and make you feel like you’re right at home.
The result? Adorable, sentimental images you won’t be able to stop staring at.
Idea four: Include your dog in the wedding party
There are no rules that say your dog can’t be your best man (I checked). If you want to do things differently, consider including your dog as a part of the wedding party. They are guaranteed to add a dash of cuteness and humor to nearly every photo.
(P.S- They also make for adorable ring bearers.)
Idea five: Use them as your style muse
Custom dog socks will have you walking down the aisle in style. You can order custom pet socks from sites like FurBabySocks to add a personal touch to your wedding day attire.
You might also consider: custom sneakers, ties, boxers, and cufflinks.
I surprised my husband with Barley cufflinks I found on Etsy.
Including pets in your wedding is a decision that has brought clients so much happiness over the years. Whether you are including them in your wedding party or just showing their cute face on your party favors, incorporating your dog into your day guarantees more joy.
On a practical note, just always be sure to read up about the pet regulations at your venue and be mindful of picking up after your fur baby.
Want a fun photographer there to capture you and your pet on your big day?
Reach out via my inquiry form to learn more about my wedding & elopement photography services.
