Dog as Ring Bearer?

andy71781

I have the cutest Min Pin that is the love of my and my FI's life.  He is pretty well behaved but gets distracted.  I'm considering having him be the ringbearer because there isn't a natural choice in our families.  Dogs are allowed in my church (the priest thinks its a cute idea)So the deal is I'd have my dogwalker actually work the wedding - take care of Frankie (the dog) before the wedding, maybe have a family member walk Frankie down the aisle and then have the dog walker take him home (we are getting married down the street from our house).Has anybody done this?  It could be so cute - but also distracting.  Advice would be super appreciated!

aerinpegadrak

Are any guests allergic or phobic of dogs?  How is he around people?  Is he housebroken?  REALLY housebroken (he won't piddle if he gets really excited)?The plan that you have sounds pretty viable.  As long as he's usually well-behaved, it should be fine to have him there just for the aisle walk then take him straight home.

SaraAlexine

We did this, but our yorkie wasn't the ring bearer, I just had a bridesmaid walk her down the aisle. Although I didn't get to see it, she did great, and everybody loved it! Our florist made her leash out of satin ribbon, and put a couple blooms on top of her harness. Here's a pic of her from the wedding: http://tinyurl.com/yk4ptfq I asked one of the groomsman's girlfriend to take her home for me during cocktail hours while her boyfriend was busy taking pictures. We love her so much, we just knew we wanted her to be a part of it.

SaraAlexine

[IMG]http://tinyurl.com/yk4ptfq[/IMG]

mbcdefg

You don't HAVE to have a ring bearer, you know.

Catwoman708

Ring bearers are optional. No offense, but I think it's really bad and irresponsible idea, for many reason. 1. Dogs are animals, and animals are unpredictible, especially around crowds and unfamiliar surroundings. He may do just fine, but you don't know until it's too late - until AFTER he's piddled in the floor, jumped on someone, bitten someone, licked a kid in the face, or decides to lick his balls in front of all your guests, and the videographer. 2. Guests with allergies or fear of dogs. 3. It's your wedding day, the dog will be a distraction, for you and the guests. You won't have time to deal with him personally, so you will have to impose on someone else to see to the dog's needs. And that person won't be able to enjoy the whole wedding because they will be dog sitting. 4. Unless it's a very casual wedding, guests (and the WP) will be dressed up. Even if he is well behaved and doesn't jump or lick on people, I would have a natural inclination to pet the doggy. I love dogs, but I don't want pet hair or smells on my dressy clothes. 5. No matter how cute you think it is, most of the guests will be secretely rolling their eyes, and thinking how ridiculous it is. I would be one of them. And all those people that tell you how cute it is, well, they are just telling you that because that's what you want to hear. 6. He will likely be scared and nervous, and unless he likes being the center of attention in unfamiliar places, and is very well trained, it's just not fair or kind to your dog to take him to a formal event just because "it could be so cute".

pakarufus

I think it is a great idea.  My animals are my family.  They have been with me through so much.  My family and friends keep asking if my chihuahua will be part of the wedding!  Unfortunately our wedding is in a different town so I can't include him   I say go for it.  If some people don't like it, you can't help that.  There will always be people who complain about something so don't stress over it.  Just be sure to post pics!!!

trix1223

I love dogs. I have had several dogs. I have four "grandpuppies". We care alot about the dogs in our families. They are all beloved pets. And therein is the operative words. They are PETS, and as such don't belong in a wedding. I second everything catwoman said. I just don't think that, regardless of how much you love your little furry friend, he doesn't belong at your wedding. I'm a church organist, and I'm happy that the church in which I work doesn't allow pets to be in weddings. IMO, it's just silly, and serves absolutely no purpose at all. If you must, have some precious pictures taken of you in your wedding finery with your pooch.

andy71781

Hmm...as I got up this morning I did notice that he has a bad habit of licking his butt sometimes when he walks.  I'm still thinking about it but I'm starting to wonder if it is a good idea.  If I didn't have a ring bearer would I just keep my FI's ring with me?

ffmaid

Ditto Trix and Catwoman. When there is no ring bearer eithe the best man holds the rings or the officent hold the rings until it is time for the exchange of rings. ( well I have also seen moh hold the grooms ring and best man hold the brides ring) We did not have a ring bearer and out priest held the rings. The true function of ring bearers and flowergirls is an honorary task for those cute kids in your lives to be included.

mbcdefg

FI, your Best Man or the officiant can hold them. If you want to hold FI's, put it on your thumb. Your parents can also hold them and bring them forward during that part of the ceremony. That might be a nice gesture.

pinkmonkee

While I think it is a cute idea, consider your dog and how well they respond to crowds and music. Also, if you think they will be fine, make sure that the dogwalker knows to scrap the idea at the last minute if the dog is showing any signs of distress or they think that they will piddle anywhere. Also, if you can, practice the walk beforehand.

goheels05

I agree with everything Catwoman said.  If I didn't have a ring bearer would I just keep my FI's ring with me? Typically the MOH holds the grooms ring and the BM holds the bride's ring.  The last wedding I attended, there was a ring bearer, but he didn't carry the actual rings, he just had a ring pillow with cheap fake rings tied on, the BM and MOH had the real rings.  That's now unnecessary a ring bearer is.

bulldog_mama

Our english bulldog is going to be our ring bearer. He's going to walk down the aisle right before we exchange our rings, so that way I get to see him too. We have one of friends walking him before the ceremony, walking him the down the aisle, and taking him away until our photos. He's going to be in his own tuxedo  This is our day, and this is what we want. Our ceremony is also going to be outside, so I'm not concerned with anyone regarding allergies.Everyone that is close to us knows how much our dog means to us and is supportive of our idea. If anyone was secretly 'rolling their eyes' at us or said anything not supporting the idea, I could care less. Again its our day its going to be our way!

andy71781

So I've gotten feedback from some people that know my dog and who will be there and I'm starting to think its a good idea.  I feel like if he freaks out (which he shouldn't - he's a city dog) he is tiny and can be picked up and carried - which would still be cute.  He's also hypo-allergenic.  Its still an topic under consideration - I appreciate the input!

ffmaid

Andy- Just a word on ideas regarding weddings. People do not tell brides who are excited about an idea that it is a bad idea to their faces. You could say to most people that you are considering absolutely anything for your wedding and they will reply that it is a great idea and how cute to your face. This does not in any way shape of form mean that they think it is a great idea or cute. They may think that it is the ugliest most hideous rude thing ever and they will still say to the bride how lovely and cute. Just like nobody ever tells a new mom that the infant is ugly. People do not want to burst your bridal bubble. This is one of the perks of teh knot. since people are less invested in your happiness they wiill tell you the truth and will burst your bridal buble if it needs bursting. People here tell brides that ideas are great if they are great and awful if they are awful. Your dog idea is not awful but it is rather ill advised and you would be much much better off doing something like pictures of you , your fi and teh dog at each table with the table numbers

andy71781

And obviously that is why I love you ladies of the knot!  I have pretty honest bridesmaids but I totally hear you that they would sugar coat things for me.  I was mostly talking about their ideas on how to make the Frankie as ring bearer thing work - aka picking him up if scared and some cute clothing ideas.

lavieboheme73

RE: Frankie wearing clothes.  Do you dress him up often?  If not, you may want to do a trial run if you decide to use him as a ringbearer.I have the world's cutest Boston Terrier, but she will only be in a few of my pics.  She won't be anywhere near my wedding because she jumps on people when she gets excited and will usually just shake and go hide under something when she's stressed out.  That's also the reason I say you should try clothes on Frankie if he doesn't wear them regularly.  Clothes make my Berklee fall down.  She honestly thinks if she has clothing on, that she can't stand up.  I decided my desire to humiliate her with...er...dress her in cute outfits should come secondary to Berklee's desire to go all naked, all the time.  Collars with tags are non-negotiable.  Clothing is strictly optional.Just some thoughts. It could make for cute pictures, but I'm not sure the guests and wedding party will share in your delight. 

andy71781

So...after all of that....my FI and I had a long talk about Frankie.  I agreed to use his (pretty cute) cousin as the ring bearer in exchange for Frankie's presence at the pictures with a tux.  I think its a good exchange.  I would like to thank all of you ladies who gave their opinions, pro and con.  I'll obviously post the pics!

lavieboheme73

I'm confused...I thought the reason you wanted Frankie as your ring bearer is because you love YOUR dog so much.  Why would you want someone else's dog as your ringbearer, just to have a dog in your wedding?

lavieboheme73

Oh.  Duh...never mind.  You meant your FI's cousin, not your dog's cousin.  NOW I get it.  Sorry...I've been up since the butt crack of dawn today.

lilcassers

I would make sure to take pics with your pooch before hand (maybe have a cute tuxedo made for him) *giggle* but don't bring frankie to the wedding. It will cause distraction. This way, pics are proof of the memory of you and him, but you don't have to worry about him acting up or anything at the ceremony.