At Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies, you can absolutely count us in as believers that pets are family. And family should be invited and included in weddings right? Wouldn’t feel complete. We’ve had a few customers mention to us that they’d love for their pets to be involved in their wedding and while some have run with the idea, others have decided against it for a handful of reasons.
Too much hassle, too much responsibility, too much else going on, etc etc. So how can you include your pet in your wedding and not worry too much?
Well, our team here at Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies believes that we’re the best place for pet supplies AND resources, advice, ideas, and more and we just figured we’d dish out some do’s, don’ts, and tips when it comes to planning a wedding and including your beloved fur family. Feel free to send this to anybody that’s got some upcoming wedding plans!
Dogs and Weddings: Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t Overdo it
Choose a role that fits your pet best. If you’ve got a puppy that’s still got puppy energy, maybe just including them in the photoshoots is manageable role for them. If you’ve got a dog that doesn’t like big crowds, gets anxious or stressed out easily, chews excessively, or can be aggressive, then again a limited role might be best for them. However, if you’ve got a well-trained, calm pup that’s a crowd-pleaser, maybe carrying the engagement rings down the aisle is a great idea for you!
Whatever it is, just remember that just because it’s your wedding day your dog won’t be on their best behavior for you. All of the excitement, people, and happenings will get them riled up, and dogs will be dogs.
Cover Your Bases
Planning your own wedding is stressful enough! Make sure your bases are covered when it comes to wrangling your dog when you’ve got other things going on, like saying your vows and walking down the aisles. Let one of your family members or friends attend to and provide attention to your dog. If you can’t find anybody, maybe look into a professional pet sitter or find somebody on Rover.
Distractions are also a good idea - despite all of the craziness and people around, a bone, chew, or favorite toy can calm your dog down for a long time. Feel free to drop by your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies stores in Ann Arbor (2270 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103) or Chelsea (1192 S. Main St, Chelsea, MI, 48118) to stock up on new toys, treats, chews, and more before the big day!
Communication is Key
Make sure your guests know that you intend to involve your pet at your wedding! It’s possible that not everybody is comfortable around your dog due to allergies or other concerns. Make sure your invitations include that your pet will be around so nobody is surprised. It’s also not a bad idea to create an area or table for people that don’t want to be bothered by the dog if they will be free-roaming.
Lastly, if everybody is okay with your pup hanging around your wedding, lay out some ground rules! If your dog doesn’t eat people food from the table, kindly ask your guests not to feed him or her. If it’s okay for guests to feed your dog, leave a few treats at specific tables for your guests to hand to your dog when they see them! Easy way to make friends :)
Check with the Venue
Last but certainly not least, DO check with your venue to make sure that they are a pet friendly establishment. Don’t show up with your pet unannounced. It would put a real wrenchin things if you travel some distance to your venue only to have your dog refused at the door!
If the venue can provide a safe dog space, then it’s even possible that more than one dog can come! You could set up a small pen/dog park if the venue allows for something like that. What’s better than having your dog at your wedding? Lots of dogs!!
Conclusion
It’s entirely possible to include your dog in your big wedding plans! Just gotta make sure you’ve got some bases covered, have communicated with your crowd, told your hosts that the fur family will be making an appearance, and don’t try to do too much with your dog. Ultimately, like everything else with your wedding, plan accordingly and congratulations if you’re getting married!