Here comes the dog: Ideas for including a pet in your wedding day

When you first bring that new puppy or kitten home, you realize something: He or she will never be just an animal to you. Pets are there to share all the important moments with us. If we are sad, they sit with us through the tears. If we are happy, they celebrate with us. And there are few more important days of celebration in many men and women’s lives than their wedding day. Because of this, including pets in weddings is a growing trend. But what role you give your four-footed friend is up to you.

Linda McKinnis, a wedding planner at Design Exclusive in Cape Girardeau, encourages couples to be open to creating their own unique day.

“It’s OK to ignore traditional rules,” she says. “If you want to include your pet somehow into your wedding, go for it! Why not include your best friend somehow into your special day? Make a new tradition and make it one that everyone will remember.”

Couples who want to include their pet but aren’t sure what role to give them should not be discouraged.

“There are a lot of options out there now for including your pet, from collars with the wedding colors to full-blown costumes. I have heard of dogs being ringbearers, flower-bearers; it’s a lot more common today,” says Stacy Busch-Heisserer of Busch Pet Products in Cape Girardeau.

When Lindsey Neels married Darren Neels on July 10, 2015, she included a special cake for her dog, Gordon. (Photo by Alisha Walter of Rook Photo)

The wedding day is not the only way you can involve your furry friend, either. Busch-Heisserer mentions one customer who cleverly involved his girlfriend’s pets in the proposal.

“[He] knew how much his girlfriend loved her boxers, so he staged a ‘doggy photo shoot’ and then got down on one knee and proposed during it. So the dogs were included in the engagement photos, as well as in the wedding,” Busch-Heisserer says.

On the wedding day, there are still special moments before the ceremony that your pet can share in.

“Invite your pet to be with you while dressing for the ceremony,” McKinnis suggests. “Let your photographer capture a precious photo memory.”

Lindsey and Zach Ventura were married June 6, 2015, and included their pets, Riley and Bella, in their wedding. (Photo by Cheekwood Studio)

During the actual ceremony, plenty of options exist, but McKinnis points out that certain things must be taken into consideration for logistical purposes.

Jessie Eftink's dog, Shaggy, was involved in her wedding to Ryan Eftink on March 3, 2012. (Photo by Michelle Huesgen of Untamed Heart Photography)

“The scenario must fit perfectly,” she says. “First, verify the ceremony location will permit animals. Obviously, an outdoor ceremony setting is best.”

But it isn’t just the family dog that can join in on the special day. If your horses are part of the family, McKinnis suggests some options for their inclusion as well.

“Consider the bride riding her beloved horse into an outdoor ceremony setting,” she says. “Don’t forget to dress the horse accordingly — add a lovely harness of beautiful flowers and flowing ribbons. Barn weddings make the perfect setting for this concept.”

After the wedding, the reception is another place where the family pet can participate. Barb Frolker of Mississippi Mutts in Cape Girardeau describes a creative way one of her clients included a dog.

“Instead of a groom’s cake, they had a ‘Gordon’ cake. Gordon, their dog, even came into the shop for his own taste testing, the same day the bride and groom had their taste testing. We have five different flavors of muffins, and he tried them all and chose his favorite. His mom made a cake topper for it,” Frolker says.

When Lindsey Neels married Darren Neels on July 10, 2015, she included a special cake for her dog, Gordon. (Photo by Alisha Walter of Rook Photo)

After determining the perfect pet moment for your wedding, there are a few things to remember to keep your pet safe and happy, ensuring that all the memories made on the special day are good ones.

“It is important to have a qualified person assigned to the pet, almost acting as a pet coordinator,” McKinnis says. “Consider the need for water, treats and potty necessities. Obviously, if the pet is uncomfortable around large crowds or is not well trained, the plan needs to be reconsidered.”

Allowing your pet to be included in the joy you experience on your wedding day is a meaningful reminder of how much they really are part of the family.