Your wedding day is a celebration of love and unity, and what better way to make it extra special than by including your furry, feathered, or scaled friends? Incorporating your pets into your wedding ceremony not only adds a personal touch but also brings joy, laughter, and unconditional love to the occasion. In this article, we will explore various creative ways to involve your pets in your big day, ensuring that they become cherished participants rather than overwhelmed observers.

Roles for In-Person Pets

Ring Bearers

You can find tons of Ideas for attaching rings to your pet’s collar or using custom-made ring pillows for them to carry down the aisle online. Having them sporting a dress or tux and bow or tie, is always a nice touch, especially for photos.

Flower Pets

What better way to have your special furry or feathered friend be part of your special day is by training them to walk gracefully with flower baskets or wear floral wreaths. Another option if you are unsure how they might react is to have them escort your flower kids (or adults).

Pet Attendant

Why not have your beloved pet as part of your wedding processionals, walking alongside you or your attendants? This is always a good option because they can be on a leash and you don’t have to worry about them running amuck!

Grand Entrance

Many brides these days are choosing to walk part or the entire aisle by themselves. However, having your special furry friend escort you down the aisle can make for a very special moment and great photos!

Greeters

Assigning your pet to greet guests as they arrive at the ceremony venue. This is a great option for an excitable pet, who might be a little too wound up to sit tight during a ceremony. Remember that guests will be wearing their best attire, so make sure that your pet is not a jumper.

 Ceremony Observers

Having your pet nearby can be a fun and reassuring way to keep them involved in the ceremony. Allowing your pet to sit with guests or at the altar during the ceremony can be the perfect solution.
Important points to keep in mind when planning to have your pet with you on your special day.

Note: Photographers and Videographers

Make sure you let your photographer and videographer know that you will be bringing your pet(s). They might want to schedule a bit of extra time to capture just the right shot or you may want to schedule a photoshoot separate from the wedding.

How to Have Your Pet Present in Spirit

Ceremony Mention

I am so fortunate to be able to be in the position to write the most intimate of ceremonies for couples. It is truly an honor to try to capture the essence of the couple and their entire relationship and emotion in a short 20-30 minute ceremony. And more often than not, that includes adding a fun bit about being a “pet parent” and a shout out to the valued 4-legged members of the family.

Photographs

We have had many couples that have incorporated photos of their beloved pets into ceremonies. Whether their photo occupies an empty chair or you have photos up for the cocktail hour or dinner, it is a great way to include them in your special day.

Print Materials

Another fun way for couples to pay homage to their absent pets is including them on the print materials. We have seen invitations, place cards, table numbers or names… you name it! This is always a fun way to incorporate them into your ceremony.

Stuffed Animal

We had one couple that adored their miniature Dachshund who was too old to travel, so they had a lifelike stuffed version made and he took up residence on the front row of chairs.

Important things to keep in mind:

• Try to keep your pet stress-free and make sure that they are in a safe environment.
• Check with the venue to let them know your plans and to run through any logistics that may be needed. Many venue is Italy are pet friendly, but do require prior authorization and possibly additional fees or deposits, just in case.
• Make sure you assigning responsible individuals to handle and care for your pets during the ceremony and reception. Discussing roles and responsibilities with your handlers, including feeding, bathroom breaks, and crowd control will save a lot of hassle in the end.
• Make sure your pet is up to date on all of their vaccines and that you have extra medicine, just in case. Bringing a copy of the prescription will also help, in case of emergency.
• Make sure you get recommendations on a reputable veterinarian nearby. It is also important to make sure there are no hazardous materials or plants at the venue that could harm your pets.
• Watch for telltale signs of stress and make sure your handlers can identify this body language, too.
• Communicating with guests IN ADVANCE how to best interact with your pet can save a lot of stress. (For example, asking guests to not feed your pet from the table or not encouraging them to jump will be a good ideas.

Incorporating your pets into your wedding ceremony adds a unique and heartwarming touch to your special day. With adequate preparation, careful planning, and consideration for their comfort, you can create lasting memories for everyone involved. Whether your pets take on significant roles or simply steal the show with their adorable presence, their inclusion will undoubtedly make your wedding day even more memorable. So, go ahead and embrace the love, loyalty, and happiness your pets bring, and let them be a part of the celebration of your lives together!