Tips for Having a Dog Friendly Wedding Ceremony in the UK

Dogs really are a part of the family, so its no surprise that more and more couples are choosing to include their beloved pets in their wedding ceremony.  As a dog lover, I’m all for this. However, there are just a few things you should consider to make sure having your dog at your wedding.

Here are my Top Five Tips for having a dog friendly wedding:

Think About Whether Your Dog will Really Enjoy Your Wedding

As much as you may want your dog to be a part of your day, not all dogs are going to enjoy it.  Weddings are generally pretty busy events. There are lots of people, noise, food circling, drinks to knock over… Basically, sensory overload for a dog. 

Before you decide to include your dog in your day, you really need to think about whether they will find the whole thing quite stressful. I would suggest only including sociable, fairly well-trained, confident dogs in your wedding ceremony, otherwise it could all be a bit too much for them, and you!

Choose a True ‘Dog Friendly’ Venue

Lots of wedding venues allow dogs to attend your wedding now, which is fantastic.  However, when you choose your venue make sure you really drill down to what makes the venue ‘dog friendly.’

Consider things like outside space; whether the venue is secure; whether there are livestock nearby that could be an issue; whether dogs are allowed in the whole of the venue, or just the ceremony space, and whether they can stay for the whole day.

You may want to also think about things like whether there are plenty of shady spots for your dog if you are having a wedding in warmer months, or an outdoor ceremony.  You need to make sure your dog will be safe and happy throughout the day.

Hire a Dog Chaperone

To really make your day stress-free I would highly recommend getting a dog chaperone.  You may have family members who claim they are happy to be responsible for your dog throughout the day. However, when it comes to it, you don’t want their enjoyment of your wedding being affected because they have to act as the dog nanny! 

A dog chaperone will get to know your dog beforehand and learn all about their little quirks! They will keep them fed, watered, and happy throughout the day, make sure they are ready for their big moment if they are being included in your ceremony, and ensure they are present for all photo opportunities.  They will also take them home when the time is right, to allow you to party without worrying about your dog’s wellbeing.

I have worked with some fantastic dog chaperones, so please ask me for recommendations!

Consider what Time of Year to Hold Your Wedding

Summers seem to be getting warmer and warmer, and dogs feel the heat so much more than humans.  If you want to include your dog in your day, maybe opt for a slightly cooler time of year to do so, especially if much of your day will be outside.

On the other hand, if you get a wet wedding day, you need to be conscious of muddy paws on wedding dresses, and a wet dog dripping on the floors!  Just make sure your venue has ways of making sure the weather won’t affect your dogs comfort levels.

A winter wedding with a cosy log fire may just be the perfect option for a dog-friendly wedding!

Include Your Dog in Your Ceremony

If you have decided you would like your dog to be a part of your big day, why not give them a starring role!  You could have your dog walking down the aisle with you, bringing the rings to the front as a super-cute ring bearer, or even adding their paw print to your wedding certificate as your witness.  Be warned though, dogs always steal the show when you include them in your ceremony!

Having a celebrant-led ceremony means you can include your believed furry family members as much as you like.  Contact me today to discuss ideas for making your ceremony fun, unique, and totally fabulous!