Weddings are all about family, and we know you want every member involved, even your favourite furry – or feathered – friend. If you want to include your pet in your wedding, what do you need to think about?
It’s no surprise that the most popular pet to include at your wedding is your dog. We get it. Dogs are more than just your friends; they are important members of the family. For their own safety and happiness, you do need to think carefully first and plan ahead.
Does your dog have the right temperament for a busy event? Dogs, like people, have personalities and some just don’t enjoy being in crowds. If your dog is likely to become stressed, then it may be kinder to them to let them relax at home with a pet sitter.
Some dogs love a crowd, but they may have other traits you don’t necessarily want at your wedding. If your dog is a dribbler – like a St Bernard – you might find your guests are less pleased about having them roaming about, especially when everyone is wearing their wedding best. Energetic dogs like a boxer may be a bit overwhelming for small children or older family members. And the last thing you want is a food-focused beagle finding their way into the kitchen or helping themselves to the cake.
What role can your dog play in your wedding day?
If you’re confident your pooch has the temperament to be your wedding guest, there are various roles they can play. Dogs can simply be a guest and sit close by as you go through your wedding ceremony. They could accompany you down the aisle as official members of your wedding party, or even stand by your side as the ring bearer or best man. Is there anything cuter than your dog dressed up in a bow tie? We do love to see dogs taking part. But before you plan a full matching suit or splash out on a bridesmaid dress, make sure you plan ahead. Putting your dog in a costume for the very first time on your wedding day may end in a stressed or confused pet.
You don’t have to go all out with a costume. Keep it simple with a wedding-themed collar. Choose something that matches the colour scheme, a flower crown or a cute dog tux. There are plenty to choose from.
Practice makes perfect. Don’t expect your dog to understand every command while already overstimulated by a crowd. Practice the role first – it will help you work out the logistics at the same time as seeing how well your pooch will perform.
Important steps for incorporating your dog in your wedding day
Make sure your venue is pet-friendly.
At Coton House Farm we welcome your extra family member, and we love seeing them take part in your ceremony. We just have one rule – your dog does need to be off-site before dining. Pets underfoot can be a hazard to the catering team as they carry hot dishes, and even the best-behaved dog may feel the call of a hot plate of delicious food as it’s carried out. Of course, we make exceptions for service dogs that are welcome all day long.
Check your guests are dog-friendly.
While you love your pet, not everyone is a dog fan. If you know or think a guest may have allergies or a fear of dogs, make sure you put a note in with the invitations so you can be alerted to potential issues in advance.
Ask your celebrant in advance.
Don’t forget about your celebrant. You don’t want to get all the way up the aisle just to find the registrar or celebrant has left the building. Ask them if they mind the dog being a featured member first.
Organise a pet sitter
You might choose a family member or hire a pet sitter specifically for the day, but whoever it is, make sure they are familiar with your dog in advance and know their key commands and naughtiest traits. Give them a pocketful of your pups’ favourite dog treats, so that they don’t start chomping on chocolates or other food that is toxic to animals. While you are focused on your ceremony and your guests, your pet sitter will be able to monitor your dog for stress, take them out for breaks and take them home when their role is done.
Plan your photographs
Don’t forget to get the perfect snaps of your dog doing their wedding duties. Plan ahead with your photographer so they know what to expect and can get into position. Including other pets and animals in your wedding ceremony. We love animals, and we truly enjoy a unique wedding. We have worked with specialist companies to arrange all sorts of animals. We’ve even had penguins here at Coton House Farm – but before you make plans and book anything, please speak to us first. We are part of a working farm and stables, and we cannot accommodate animals that arrive unexpectedly on the day.
As you have exclusive use of Coton House Farm for the day of your wedding, we can usually find a way to accommodate most weird and wonderful ideas, although we might have to draw the line at tigers. Just give your wedding coordinator a call on 01543 432429 to discuss everything in advance.
With Love, The Team at Coton House Farm x
