If you are like most people, your wedding is the biggest event of your life, so it’s only natural you would want your whole family to attend, including your pet! While some pets are certainly easier to include than others, with some careful planning and a little creativity it is possible to make your dreams a reality.

Consider Your Pet’s Personality

The first thing to consider when planning to include a pet in your wedding is whether or not your pet would be comfortable in a wedding environment. Some animals are social, adventurous, and well-mannered, and some are shy, mischievous, and anxious. Every animal is different, and no one knows your pet better than you, so judge for yourself whether your pet has the right personality to attend your wedding or if they would be more comfortable staying home. Don’t worry though. Even if your pet would rather not attend your wedding in person, there are still ways to include them. You can use them as inspiration for decor, add them to your cake topper, include them in engagement photos, and more. 

Check with Your Venue

Before you start shopping for collar bowties and tiny flower crowns, check with your venue to ensure your pet is allowed. Ideally, if you know you want to include your pet in the ceremony early in the planning process you can look specifically for venues where this is possible. If you already have a venue booked, however, you are subject to their rules and regulations, so make sure to speak with your venue to ensure your pet is welcome.

Give Them a Job

Once you have your pet and your venue on board, it’s time to find your pet a job. This job will largely depend on the type of pet you have. Dogs and cats make great escorts, horses are perfect for a fairytale exit, and no one can resist an adorable flower bunny. Take into account your specific pet’s strengths and find the role that is perfect for them. There is no standard for including your pet in your wedding, so be creative and have fun with it. 

Include Plenty of Practice

If they are in your wedding, your pets need to practice too. Including your pet in the rehearsal is a great way to familiarize them with the venue and what is expected of them, and it also gives you a good indication of how they will react to the situation and whether they require additional support to do their job. It is also important to remember that animals can be unpredictable, so take the time to come up with backup plans should your pet decide to go off script. 

Plan Out Your Pet’s Day

Knowing what your pet will be doing during the ceremony is a given, but you also need to decide where they will be for the rest of the event. How and when will your pet arrive at the venue? Will they stay with you in the getting ready rooms? Where will your pet be during the reception? Is there a quiet room for them to stay in, or do they need someone to supervise them throughout the night? If you are going on your honeymoon immediately following the reception, who will be in charge of taking your pet home? These are all questions you need to answer before your wedding day to make sure your pet is safe and cared for throughout the event.

Capture Them in Photos

You go through all the trouble to include your pet in your wedding day, so make sure to commemorate it by including them in your photos. A well-behaved pet can make for some magical posed wedding photos, but capturing the goofy expressions, surprise face licks, and excited zoomies can make for some equally magical candid shots. You can go a step further by employing your pet as part of the camera crew, attaching a camera to their collar or harness to capture the event from your pet’s perspective.

Safety Considerations

As with any time you take your pet in public, you need to be mindful of the safety of both your pet and the people around you. Your pet should be contained at all times, whether in your arms, on a leash, or in a secure pen. Weddings have a lot of moving parts, and the last thing you want is for your pet to get injured or lost in a moment of chaos. It is also a good idea to be mindful of the plants used in your floral arrangements and decor, as many plants are toxic should your pet consume it. Either choose flowers and greenery that are safe for your pets or make sure all floral arrangements are out of your pet’s reach. Finally, consider informing guests that your pet will be present so anyone with an allergy or phobia can make plans accordingly.