On Sunday, August 4, 2013, the Wedding Shoppe celebrated Paws on Grand by providing ‘pet weddings’ to our canine pals. (Check out our Facebook page to see the adorable pooches dressed in dog wedding outfits). The excitement and passion of so many dog lovers got us thinking—how should you include your pet when planning your own wedding? To many of us, our pets are our best friends or as close to us as children. To leave them out of such an important day in our lives just doesn't seem right. There are several ways to include pets in weddings that are low stress and memorable. Keep reading for our suggestions!

This pooch was thrilled to be a newlywed!

Planning your own wedding means planning ahead for your pet, too!

While normally planning ahead for your pet means hiring a pet sitter for your wedding and honeymoon, bringing your pet along on your big day takes planning, too. It’s important to consider some of the extra care they will require at such a major event. Many weddings last from morning until night. Throughout this time, your pet will need food, water, a place to relieve themselves, and a watchful eye to keep them from getting into mischief. Enlisting the help of a close friend or family member that you trust with your pet will help keep things running smoothly. It’s also a good idea to prepare for misbehavior or exhaustion by having a kennel or separate room available to remove them from the excitement.

Dog wedding outfits are adorable, but make sure your pet is comfortable!

Photos courtesy of A. Whitmore Photography

Another aspect of planning ahead is to make sure your pet will be comfortable and happy. If you’re dressing your pets in dog wedding outfits or bows, get them used to the extra clothing ahead of time. If you are having a large wedding with many people, make sure that your pet is with someone who he or she is familiar with. If you are not sure about your pet’s manners, or are afraid of stressing them out, consider a quiet retreat for them during the reception. Including your pet in a smaller portion of the day, like getting ready or taking photos, may be a good idea if they tend to misbehave or are not allowed in the venue.

There are many ways to include all types of pets in weddings.

While dogs may first come to mind as ‘man’s best friend’, people have included all kinds of pets in weddings. Any well-behaved pet you can leash can be included in your ceremony. Plan ahead and train your cat, ferret, rabbit, or pot-belly pig to walk down the aisle with you! Love fish or other small creatures? Consider using fishbowls or something similar as your centerpieces! You could even feature cute pictures of especially small or large pets on the place cards or invitations. Whatever works best for you, choosing to honor your furry (or scaly or feathered!) friend in your wedding will certainly make it all the more meaningful.

Do you have any more suggestions for including pets in weddings? How did you include your pet? Tell us below!

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on new products and special promotions!