How to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding
By CAROLINE LANGHAM
HOw to include Your dog in your Wedding
Quite often, we are asked by couples if they can bring their dog to their wedding.
We have had dogs all our lives. We’ve spent years breeding, training, and showing our beautiful golden retrievers. For the last 12 years, our family included the gorgeous Alfie and Bess, who sadly are no longer with us. We understand how dogs are a huge part of your family and why you would want to include your proud pooch on your wedding day.
However...
We are also super experienced at weddings. Ten years in, we have seen quite a few, both with and without the family dog, and there are many reasons why you should give bringing them careful thought!
On balance, I wouldn’t have made Alfie endure a full-day wedding. He was much happier on the fells for a couple of hours, followed by a long nap, dinner on time at 5:30, and then a peaceful bedtime in our cosy snug. It’s where he was happiest, and ultimately, we all want our dogs to be happy.
Is bringing your dog to your wedding right for your dog?
We understand the desire to have your dog at your wedding, as in your eyes, they are a big part of your family. But, after the initial excitement of booking your wedding, consider your furry friend’s ‘wedding experience’ as much as your own.
Most dogs love meeting and greeting people and getting a little attention. However, they are also used to their routines, and behave a little differently in new places with new people. Weddings are long days, and most dogs would rather enjoy a long walk or a quiet snooze than sit quietly amongst wedding guests.
Whilst some dogs are calm enough and tolerant of the unknown, others can become overwhelmed, anxious, and even forget their manners in unfamiliar places with strangers. This is stressful for ‘dog parents’ too.
Timing Is Everything
Most weddings involve a large part of your day. Hair, makeup, dressing, eating, and travelling to the venue all take time. You already have so much to think about and pre-wedding nerves are very real! Having one less thing to worry about (your dog and their needs) will help you relax and enjoy your special day. To keep our dogs happy, we must be mindful of their needs too, and how they might respond if we’re distracted, excited or nervous. Our dogs really do pick up on our emotions.
Why the change in our Dog Policy?
We have seen too many confused and unhappy dogs at weddings. Some are fine, but this doesn’t prevent the amount of organisation and potential stress involved for owners or guests looking after them when they also want to enjoy themselves. So we put our thinking caps on to find a way to keep owners and dogs happy, and our lovingly restored house and garden are all cared for.
Cote How weddings are designed to be stress-free and relaxed with a seemingly effortless flow. Behind the scenes, there is a lot of organisation, which we work hard to achieve. We want to make sure that you, as our couple, get the best from your day, so we teamed up with the wonderful Dapper Dogs Weddings as part of our ‘Paws & Promises’ dog-friendly wedding package.
If you are escaping for an elopement, there is no one around to support you with looking after your dog. This is where the fantastic team at Dapper Dogs comes in. As the Lake District’s number one wedding dog care and chaperone service, with them, your dog is calm, safe, and content.
Wedding day dog care & chaperone service
Dapper Dogs Weddings offer a bespoke service, tailor-made for you and your dog. Booked directly by you, they look after your dog before and during your wedding ceremony, joining you for a Lakeland adventure photoshoot from Cote How. You can experience a beautiful, intimate wedding in a place you love, shared with your loyal companion. Create memories to treasure for a lifetime, with your fur-baby by your side.
Professional Dog Walkers Will take the lead!
Dapper Dog Weddings collects your dog before the wedding and makes sure they enjoy a good walk. After a little rest, they arrive, clean and smart, just in time to be with you whilst you say ‘I do’. The team will stay to support your photo shoot around Cote How, keeping it fun for everyone.
Your dog can rest while you play!
Lots of our couples plan a romantic meal, a lake cruise, or even a soak in their hotel hot tub after their wedding. Your dog may prefer to snuggle down and relax for the rest of the day while you continue your celebrations in style. Dapper Dog Weddings can provide evening care if required, whilst you enjoy your responsibility-free wedding bubble a little longer!
How else can our dog be part of our wedding?
Ultimately, you know your dog best. You may decide that your dog is happiest at home with ‘grandparents’ or neighbours they know well. It doesn’t mean they can’t be thought about and celebrated as part of your day. Consider these options for you and your four-legged family member…
- Include them in your ‘save the dates’ or invitations (if you are having an after party or have opted to upgrade your wedding style to include guests)
- Include them in your favours – photos or themed name tags
- Add a cardboard cut out of them and stand it in the ceremony
- Add them as cake toppers for your cake
- Add a photo of them with absent friends displayed at the venue
- Have a little photo charm attached to your bouquet or buttonhole
Managing your dog's welfare
Having your dog at your wedding is not for everyone or every kind of dog. Here at Cote How, we understand that having your dog at some part or parts of your wedding day is important to you, so we designed this package to incorporate your dog as PART of your wedding day.
As dog lovers, we are committed to ensuring your dog’s welfare. We designed a wedding style to put your dog’s needs first.
Having your dog at your wedding is only possible if you book Dapper Dog Weddings to manage your dog for you. All dogs on site must be handled by their team for a specified part of the wedding. They must be cared for off-site thereafter by Dapper Dog Weddings.
You can read our full ‘Working with Animals’ statement here
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog.
Here are some more great Wedding Tips:
- How to Include Children in your wedding
- Dog Friendly Weddings – Meet the Team That Make Your Wedding Magical
- How to Choose Your Elopement Wedding Phographer
Useful Links:
DAPPER DOGS
