Dogs At Weddings: How they can make your big day unforgettable!
- nparry5
- May 25
- 3 min read
Weddings are a celebration of love, family and friends. For many couples, often the most cherished of these are the ones with a soft furry face, sloppy kisses and a little drool. No, I'm not talking about your great-grandparents; including your beloved dog in your wedding can be the icing on the wedding cake!
Two of my recent weddings have featured gorgeous , four-legged friends and on both occasions, have transform the day, bringing a unique charm and a sense of belonging and togetherness.
As a dog parent myself, I often suggest that couples bring their pooches along for their pre-wedding shoot - its a great ice-breaker and can really help to put everyone at ease. Bouncing, barking or simply looking cute can also draw a little of the attention away, which can help people to feel less self-conscious.
Left: Hannah & Luke's handsome dog Maui came along to their pre-wedding shoot which took the form of a relaxed dog walk.
On the wedding day itself, there are so many wonderful benefits that extend beyond just photo opportunities. Having your beloved pet beside you adds to the relaxed atmosphere that many of my clients want to create for their day and makes the event a true reflection of the couple's life together. Dogs also engage people, bring them together and spread joy with their quirks and personalities.
For those considering having their dogs take part in the festivities, planning is essential. Finding a dog friendly venue with some outdoor space is a must. Featured in the blog are Hannah and Luke's venue, Gaynes Park which has the most beautiful space a dog could need and Chrissi and Matt's venue, Rettendon Lodge, who are incredibly accommodating.
It can also be invaluable to find a specialist dog chaperone services such as the wonderful Woofs & Weddings (pictured right) who offers tailored support to ensure that your furry friend enjoys the day just as much as you do. These services ensure your dog is included seamlessly, plus they assist with transportation, coordination, and caring for your pet during the event so that you and your loved ones can enjoy the day stress free.
As a photographer, I make sure the arrival of pets is part of my running order and fully co-ordinated so that I am there to capture the special moments that the dogs bring. If they are not at the pre-wedding shoot, I often meet them at our pre-wedding meetings so that they are familiar with me too. This was really valuable for me when I met the gorgeous Murdock & Miss Pickles, as even I, a huge dog lover, may have been a little intimidated by a very large rottweiler, coming down the aisle! Of course, having met and played ball with Murdock at his home before hand, I discovered he is a complete softy and couldn't wait to photograph him in his bow tie.
As a degree qualified dog behaviourist, trainer and chaperone herself, Murdock and Miss Pickles were of course beautifully behaved and Chrissi knew exactly what to expect. She was lucky to have a good friend, Emma, who knew her dogs well to bring them along but here are her top tips for anyone considering a dog chaperone:
Check whoever you employ has relevant insurance to cover public liability, care and transport.
Do some pre-wedding training like walking on the lead and not jumping up
If they have outfits, try them before the big day - some dogs really don't like getting dressed up
Most importantly, don't expect too much from the dogs, as this will be quite an overwhelming experience for them.
It's not for everyone, and my dog, Nellie would certainly not be well behaved enough to attend a wedding, (this probably says more about me than about her!). But ultimately, a wedding is about creating memories that reflect the life you are building together and if this includes your dog, then why not make them part of your celebration?
Huge thanks to all of my couples and their best friends for allowing me to share their images and special thanks to bride and expert, Chrissi for all the info!
All the supplier info below:
Hannah & Luke's venue: Gaynes Park
Chrissi & Matts dog friendly venue: Rettendon Lodge Events
Hannah & Luke's dog chaperone: Woofs & weddings
Chrissi's sevice: Chrissi Lewis behave
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