Wedding Planning: Including Pets in Wedding Ceremonies

We’ve all heard the wedding tradition for a happy marriage: something old, something new, something borrowed, something furry. That’s right, furry. A wedding is an important event for family and friends to celebrate, including four-legged family. Weddings are stressful, but with a little bit of planning including your best four-legged friend in the nuptials is easy with these ideas.

The Engagement

Before the big day, many couples include their pets in their engagement photos in fun and creative ways. Your engagement photos, engagement announcement and save the date cards will be that much more special and personal if your pet is included. The hardest part will be preventing your pet from stealing the spotlight. See how these pets did just that in this "Pet Weddings" gallery by theknot.com. Your pet is probably used to posing for your camera, but make sure that the setting for the photo shoot is safe for your pet. This includes indoor and outdoor settings.

The Ceremony

As the big day approaches, decide what role the pet will play. Some pets play a large role in the ceremony and serve as best canine or best feline. Other pets are honored to be the ring bearer or walk the bride down the aisle. Be creative and make sure your pet’s collar or leash match the colors of your wedding. Bridesmaids shouldn’t have all the fun dressing up, so get a color coordinated satin bow tie for your cat or dog. Remember to be careful and ensure any accessories are safe and do not pose a choking hazard.

Keep Your Guests Comfortable

Keep in mind that not all animals will be suited to participate in the ceremony, so consider how your pet reacts to strangers and unfamiliar situations. Read these couples' stories on how they accomplished including their dogs in their weddings. Also, consider whether your human guests will be comfortable around your pet. Regardless of the role in the ceremony, make sure that you include your pet in the rehearsal. This will help ensure everything goes smoothly. Also, don’t forget to check with the venue to make sure pets are allowed. If your pet is not part of the ceremony, your furry friend can still be in the audience or make a special appearance for photos. Either way, make sure to have someone to handle your pet before, during and after the ceremony. That also includes making sure your pet has food and water. It’s best to have someone who is familiar with your pet to keep them comfortable. Consider asking a guest that your pet already knows or a favorite pet sitter to help on your special day. Including your pet in your wedding can be fun and special but remember that every animal is different. You should decide whether your pet is sufficiently trained to be in attendance. Positive reinforcement training can help significantly in training your pup for the big day. Getting married is a special event and its only natural that you would want to include your dog or cat, but make sure that it is the right decision based on what’s best for your pet.