Dogs on wedding day

AJuliaNJ

We would like to have our dog around for part of our big day so he can be in photos and because we just love spending time with him. My mom's neighbor said she could take him to the hotel so he can be in some photos and the video, and then take him home before the ceremony so I'm super excited.

Are any of you involving your dogs in your wedding day? How?

SewInLoveWithDMB

A family member had two dogs walk down the aisle by non-bridesmaids associated with the wedding (both were singers and family friends). The dogs are small and wore flower collars, with pink leashes.

Once the ceremony started, there was a "handler" associated with each dog - if they barked, got annoying or did anything weird, they were to remove the dog from the ceremony immediately. (One of these handlers was FI, who was BF of a short time at that moment - it didn't matter completely if he missed part of the ceremony, ya know?) Before the ceremony, there is a FABULOUS picture of the bride outside the church with her dog kissing her and sorta standing on her dress. At the time we were all "ahhhhhhhhh" but the dog has since passed on and it's a really cute photo and memory.  FI was also in charge of the dog post the greeting line, and the photographer got awesome shots of guests greeting the dog as well.

Pros: The dogs are in some great pictures; the dogs were a part of the day (they are basically family members); people oooooh'ed and ahhhhhh'ed at the "cuteness" of it; it's something "different" 

Cons: Some people are like, WTF; You need a backup plan; and since I am a huge LOVER of my animals I do have a some fear that the dogs may freak or get off leash or come into some harm since they are not in their normal environment; dog could get dirty paws on white dress

The fact that your mom's neighbor has offered to do this is awesome. I see no problem with letting her bring them to the hotel (as long as the hotel is dog-friendly- if not, find a new hotel! haha) as I'm guessing you are getting ready there and you will get some fun video and photographic shots.

I am debating whether or not I would like my dog to be a part of it. As I mentioned, I worry a lot about his well being. He will be at my mom's house during getting ready, so he will definitely be included in photo or video. However, I would like to include him in the ceremony but years have passed since the wedding I mentioned above - now most of the people who were helpers and could help are now mothers themselves (of multiple children) and/or in my bridal party.  Now, each child is assigned to a "handler" and in a way, we've run out of people. My mom has offered to sit with my dog during the ceremony and be in charge of him, but I'm just not sure.

So yeh, people may think we are nuts, but we really love our pups.

AJuliaNJ

Awww! How cute. The dogs must have looked so cute in their flower collars.

We are going to have my dog go home before the ceremony. We are doing photos before the ceremony so we basically just want him around for photos and pre-wedding cuddling. Our hotel alllows dogs so it shouldn't be a problem.

We briefly considered having him in the ceremony (FI was more into this idea than me), but I know he'd probably be squirming to get over to me and would be distracting. So, we are sending him home after photos.

I also had trouble figuring out who would watch him as the usual suspects are guests and we didn't want to burden our guests. That is why I am so ridiculously thrilled that we found someone that (a) wasn't already invited, (b) wouldn't be insulted to just be invited to watch a dog, and (c) wasn't a complete stranger. 

lexi913

We would love to include our dog as much as possible, he's our baby!  But he isn't the most well behaved (get gets very nervous around strangers and is super protective of me)  I am getting ready at my mom's house and FI is getting ready at our house, there will be photographers at both so I'm making our dog a bow-tie collar to wear so that he can be in some of the getting ready pics with FI.  After the ceremony, we are taking photos by a lake down the street from our home...I'm considering having my brother (one of the groomsmen) walk up the street to get the dog so that he can be in some of our photos as well...the whole jumping on the dress with muddy paws comes into play so I'm still debating