So you’re writing your guest list and all the family is in the head count - but what about the furry family member? OBVIOUSLY - they ARE family. They should be at the wedding! And besides, thinking more practically, anyone you’d ask to dog-sit for you will be at the wedding anyway.
First things first - if you’ve picked an outdoor/garden venue, then they should be pet-friendly and more than welcoming. But you should double check. I know from experience - personally myself and the team LOVE when we hear or see on the event notes that a dog is coming along.
And from there, there are a few logistical things to work out around having your dog at your wedding all day.
Top Tips & Insider Guide for Hosting Your Furry Guest
1. Designate a guest to be your furry friend’s minder - ESPECIALLY during your ceremony.
For your peace of mind (and every other guests, your venue staffs and the registrars/celebrant) pre-arrange and assign a guest or two to be in charge of your dog. Some registrars and councils will ask if a dog will be present at the ceremony, and require either a specific guest or venue staff member to have ‘official’ doggy duties during the ceremony. So best to be prepared for that question - and if you make it one persons responsibility to make sure they behave, they don’t want to be the one who let the dog ruin your photos!
This should continue all day. Trust me. That way when you’re rushed off for couple portraits, or to cut your cake, or maybe to actually get five minutes to go pee - you don’t have to check or ask someone to watch them.
2. This may be an obvious one but - make sure your dog has it’s own space and familiar faces/comfort items.
I’m sure this is common sense but just in case it escapes your brain during the million and one things to remember that there are when planning a wedding - it’s super SUPER important that your dog has some comfort and familiarity. Depending on your dogs temperament will depend on exactly what this looks like or how it plays out, but from my experience whether your dog gets anxious in new spaces with lots of people, or just really really excited; a wedding day is a huge event and can be overwhelming for adults, let alone a dog.
All the usual things - make sure the designated doggy duty guest is someone they know/are comfortable going to. Bring their own dog bed or crate with their own blankets that can be popped in a quiet space or comfortable area. Grab some of their own toys they can play with all your guests with. Plenty of food, extra treats, water bowl. Something new and fun for them - if being given a pigs ear is a major event and treat for example, grab them one for the day! You can give it during speeches or photos to help keep them busy.
3. Plan where they’re going to be throughout the day too! When you’re doing your own itinerary, make sure it’s clear where they fit in.
When you’re running through locations for your golden hour photoshoot, or timings for speeches or when your DJ is going to set up - plan where doggy is going to be! Will they be in their bed underneath the top table during your wedding breakfast/speeches? Or in a separate quiet space (does the venue have a place for this?) to have some down time? When will you be doing photos that you want them in (or not)? Are your guests going to be just mingling in the gardens and will doggy be happy just chilling and lapping up all the attention from them? You don’t need to overcomplicate and meticulously schedule out every (paw)step your dog is going to make all day - but it’s a good idea to work out where you want them to be during the key milestones of the day.
4. Double check your venues pet guidelines and any ground rules that they set for them.
Most venues that are pet friendly will lay out some ground rules for having pets join in the fun - most are fairly low-key and just what you’d expect; pick up the poo, provide their own food, keep them supervised, and any damage to the venue caused by them you’ll be liable for. All obvious, expected stuff. However, it’s always a good idea to check that YOUR venues rules are reasonable and standard; and there’s no unexpected surprises along the way.
5. Doggy Daycare is a thing - and a great idea if you want a night off! (Or don’t have a family member willing to look after them overnight for you.)
If you’d like to have your dog join in for part of the celebrations but not the full day (maybe it would be too much for them, or maybe you and all your immediate dog-sitting family are staying at a hotel that’s not dog friendly) there are some companies that offer to come pick up your dog from your wedding and take it for an overnight stay. Or will come to your wedding as a dog-nanny! They are treated as suppliers and will dog-sit so you don’t have to assign any one of your guests to doggy duty.
Here’s two of our faves:
Furrytail Weddings UK
Here Comes The Hound
Photography Credits: @olegssamsonovs | @peterreynoldsphotography | @michellecordnerphotography
Was this helpful? Let us know if you used any of these tips!
@secretgardenkent | events@secretgardenkent.co.uk | marketing@secretgardenkent.co.uk
Comments