Weddings So, you’ve ‘pupped’ the question

Dog-friendly weddings are getting more and more common

‘Pawfect’ Event

When Meagan and Izac Hancock got married, they knew Draper, their long-haired miniature dachshund, would be a part of the celebration. Now the bride is sharing her tips on making your big day perfect. She says the biggest misconception is that a dog serving as a ring bearer and walking down the aisle will run smoothly.

“Have you ever met a dog that will walk off-leash in a straight line without stopping and sniffing, peeing, barking, running, jumping?” says Hancock, who works at Hepper, a pet furniture company. “Dogs are dogs, and they can be unpredictable. Having a bridesmaid or flower girl walk down the aisle with the dog is a safer choice than leaving the dog to their own devices.”

Hancock urges couples to designate someone who will make sure the dog is fed, walked and played with on the wedding day. Still, she says it’s a good idea to have a party time limit for the pooch, too.

“Don’t have them around all night, especially if you are having a boozy wedding,” she says. “People get careless when they drink and leave doors open, drop food, etc. Having something bad happen to your beloved pooch is a surefire way to ruin your big day.”

What to Consider

Dr. Sabrina Kong, doctor of veterinary medicine at WeLoveDoodles.com, encourages couples to be honest with themselves and consider, “Is our dog really suited for this event?”

She says dogs who are disobedient, aggressive or whiny might be a distraction, especially since the pup will be in an unfamiliar situation.

Kong advises dressing the canine for the occasion (ideas include floral crown, bedazzled leash or bow tie); assigning the dog a role in the wedding, such as walking the bride down the aisle; and providing treats as rewards for good behavior.

“Have a contingency plan in case they’re not cooperating,” she says, noting dogs should always be wearing a leash and that guests should know about the dog’s presence.

Planner McDonough tells couples to consider hiring a dog walker who can take the dog for a long walk the morning of the wedding so the pooch doesn’t have lots of built-up energy.

“It’s ideal to have a dog handler who can bring the dog to the ceremony site just in time to walk down the aisle and be at the ready to whisk the pup away for a walk if they get fussy during the ceremony,” she says. “Then they bring the dog back in time for family pictures following the ceremony.”

Photographer Kathryn Cooper of Delightfully Different Wedding Photography has three top suggestions when considering having your fur baby at the event: Don’t include a dog that yips or barks constantly; make sure guests aren’t allergic to dogs; and make sure the dog won’t eat or drink anything it’s not supposed to, including wedding cake!

She recommends having toys and treats on hand to get your pet’s attention and reward them, especially when they’re a part of wedding photos.

DogInspired Details

If pets can’t be onsite, they can still be there in spirit. Kathy Marcelle, a stationer and designer of Sugar Pear Design, has designed invitations, napkins and other wedding paper goods that represent the doggies and the couple.

For one couple’s save-the-dates, “Their guests knew exactly who the save-the-date came from before even looking at their names,” she says. “Their dogs are such a large part of their lives.”

Marcelle included a paw print on all of the stationery pieces for that invitation and day-of elements. She also suggests naming a signature cocktail after your dog, explaining the bar menu can show the dog in a photo, watercolor painting or illustration, along with the drink’s name and ingredients.

Questions to Consider:

1. Are your venue(s) and vendors pet-friendly?

2. Are pets allowed where food is served? Health department rules may apply.

3. What liability do you have if the dog harms someone or causes damage?