Image provided by Pixabay
Given that many people view dogs as essential family members, it makes sense that they would want their four-legged companions to participate in the festivities on one of the most significant days of their lives—their wedding day.
Having said that, there are a few things to consider if you want to include your dog in your wedding. First of all, a lot of strangers, loud noises, and a new venue can be very overwhelming for our furry friends.
Here are our top 7 suggestions for planning a “paw-fect” dog-friendly wedding that will always make both people and dogs happy.
How to Plan for Your Dogs at Your Wedding
1. Consider if Your Dog Would Actually Enjoy Being at a Wedding
As important as having other family members at your wedding, one thing to think about is whether your dog would genuinely enjoy attending.
That’s an overload for some dogs; not every dog is social. The attention of that many strangers, added to a disruption in their routine, might just be a bit too much to handle. It might even be their version of dog hell: scaring, nerving, or turning them hostile toward your guests.
If you have any reason to believe they might just enjoy your wedding day a little too much, it’s best to leave your dog out of the main event.
2. Check Your Wedding Venue is Dog-Friendly
You need to consider if the venue allows dogs after you’ve decided whether or not your dog is going to be present at your wedding.
Simple questioning of the hosts at a venue as to whether or not dogs are allowed goes beyond this. For a truly dog-friendly wedding, you’ll also want to make sure that there are ample areas for walks and restroom breaks that your dog is going to need throughout the day.
3. Dog-Friendly Weddings Include Providing a Place to Get Away From Guests
In addition to checking that your venue allows pets, consider if they might need to take a necessary timeout from the action during the day by having somewhere away from other guests where they can go.
A people-loving dog can avoid becoming overwhelmed in new environments or when very tired, preventing uninvited or aggressive behavior towards guests.
It is important to provide a dog with a safe haven away from activities in order to give it the opportunity to relax and get some well-needed canine sleep.
Ensure that your dog has unlimited access to this space and the freedom to re-join the celebration at a time when they feel more at peace. Greatly reduce irritation and anxiety at your dog-friendly wedding by ensuring your furry friends do not feel locked away from you.
4. Task a Wedding Guest to Be on Dog Duty
Put someone whom your dog is comfortable with on “dog duty” for a dog-friendly wedding day if you believe that your dog appreciates participating in the festivities.
When getting married, you shall be considering much more than whether your dog is happy or it is behaving itself, even though our furry friends may be just as crucial as the guests on your wedding day.
Significantly lessened.
Giving someone the responsibility of taking care of your dog greatly reduces the likelihood that they will not receive the love, care, and attention they require during the day. It also ensures that your dog can be securely taken out of unpleasant situations without feeling excluded or “locked away” from you.
Also Read : How to Teach a Dog to Roll Over in 9 Easy Steps
5. Make Sure to Rehearse Your Wedding Day With Your Dog
Even when dogs aren’t attending the wedding, it’s still necessary for them to practice how the dog-friendly wedding day would go.
Not only will going to the location help them become acclimated to their surroundings, but it will also lessen their shock factor on the big day. If they’ve done it previously, it will also help them feel more at ease and comfortable for the real thing!
Practice isn’t just for wedding rehearsals. Chances are your usual walk with your dog won’t happen if you’re walking on a loose leash while he’s wearing a tuxedo, and you’re in a long dress or high heels. So well in advance of the big day, do a few dog training exercises at home in attire that mirrors your wedding to avoid having your wedding videos shared inappropriately on social media!
6. Wedding Attire to Think Carefully About at Your Dog-Friendly Wedding
Consider the type of theme you are going to have and the extent of participation of the dogs. You will also have to forget about a stylish doggy best man or bride pup.
Though we may think it’s fabulous to dress our pooch up in elegant wedding attire, they probably won’t! Dogs communicate with each other and with humans through body language. Costumes might hide this “dog talk” and cause miscommunications.
In addition, clothes are completely unnatural for dogs, who can feel worried and stressed by their presence. Reducing almost to nil the tension and excitement of the situation can catch even the best-behaved dog off guard when otherwise they would have performed faultlessly and are known to have no problem with performing their brilliant repertoire of doggy stuff in an alien environment. It’s much more rewarding to feature them as a rather special and valued canine guest.
7. Don’t Assume Your Dog Will Want to Participate in the Wedding Ceremony
Though they may like mingling with people, this doesn’t mean that your dog needs to participate in the ceremony and has some very major role assigned to him, such as bringing the rings to you.
Our dogs are so attuned to us and our emotions that they can sense when a day is “different.” They may act differently if their owners behave unusually. The most well-behaved dogs, even in familiar environments, can be affected by the stress or excitement of the occasion and may not perform their skills as perfectly as they usually do.
Much better to feature them as an individual and beloved canine guest. Pretty much better to feature them as a specific and adored canine guest.
The last thing a bride and groom want is to be chasing around the venue after their dog, who is bounding around for joy, trying to take the rings off of them.
Hopefully you enjoyed this post on dog-friendly wedding planning! From little bits of extra planning and thoughtfulness, there are so many ways to include your pet in this very special day.
