Let’s be real ya’ll! If I had Barkley four years ago he would have absolutely been in our wedding! He is my child after all. This is a request we get at least a couple times a year and as a company who is just as much obsessed with pups as we are with weddings, we are always happy to help where we can! But we’ve learned over the last couple of years some important tips on how to include your furry friends and today we are sharing those with you!

Pro Tip #1: Coordinate a Handler 

As much as we would love to be the ones to hold onto your pup during the ceremony, it just isn’t possible. Prior to the wedding day, we ask that you find a person who your dog knows well and who is not attending the wedding who can step away from the ceremony site if your baby gets antsy or needs a potty break. We usually recommend that this person has plenty of treats, water and knows how to handle your dog. If possible, we even recommend the handler meet earlier in the week with your puppy so they get reacquainted and aren’t having a hard time on the wedding day!

 

Pro Tip #2: Have a Plan of How You Want to Incorporate Your Pup

If you just want a couple photos with your pup, take a look at your timeline and talk with your planner and photographer to see when the best time for your puppy to be brought would be. If you want them to be included in the ceremony itself, say as a pawbearer, talk out your plan with your planner, photographer and handler. We usually recommend having the handler dress in the wedding colors and they should escort the dog down the aisle. Once the dog has stopped and said it’s hello’s, the handler can continue around the audience and take the dog off to the side until it’s time for more puppy duties!

 

Pro Tip #3: Figure Out the Transportation of the Pup Beforehand

For weddings that are taking place away from where your dog will be housed, consider how your pup will be safely transported to the ceremony site and back! We have done this a couple of ways before. For a wedding that was in the same neighborhood that the dog lived in, our team member went and picked up the pup. Their leash, treats and harness were all ready to go! We’ve also had a staff member walk the dogs from the Williamsburg Lodge to the Wren Chapel and back! This also helped the pups because they got mid-day potty breaks!

 

Pro Tip #4: Consider Hiring a Professional

I know it’s hard to believe, but there are actually companies out there who take this role on for you! A local company that we have recommended before is Wagging Tails Dog Walker. Hiring a professional company or even someone you know who works with your dog often could really take the stress off of you on your wedding day!

 

Pro Tip #5: Be Realistic!

We all have good and bad days! Be realistic on what your pup might be like. We like to think you know your fur baby best! If you think they might have a hard time around all those people, maybe only include them in wedding photos prior to the ceremony! If you think they will be the star of the show, prepare your wedding team for that!