Wedding Reception Forum

Including the dog?

2

Re: Including the dog?

  • fulloflove...we were in the same situation as you, we have been speicifically looking for locations that will  allow our 2 dogs to be there (in Cincinnati, Ohio..but maybe other cities have similar places). One place we found that had no problem at all was an historic school building that has recently been converted into an arts center. They didn't care if the dogs were there or where they went. Also, a renovated barn owned by the city will allow them. The building has actually held dog traning events before. We have received no negative responses regarding having our dogs their from venues or attendees.

    I also want to reitterate that you are not crazy. We take our dogs everywhere we know they will be allowed. If they are allowed somewhere, what is the point of leaving them home alone? Some people just don't get it.


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I actually clicked on this link becasue I wanted to include my dog too. I thought the doggie ring bearer idea would have been really cute. I don't really care if ppl think I'm weird. I think the image that comes up in my bio on the side is seven of my dog. But for reasons ppl stated, it would have been too much of a logistical issue for me trying to work out how to handle during the entire time - plus our ceremony site wouldn't have allowed it anyway. We are probably going to have a picture or something of him - or the pictures on the reception tables was a cute idea too. Once again - it is up to you how you want to incorporate your dog. Yes, ppl may be allergic, ye, there are other issues you will have to work out, and yes, some ppl may think it's weird. But at the end of the day, who cares? The ppl that love you will love you even if they think your too attached to your dog (I'm speaking from personal experience here)
  • Our dogs are our kids so there was no way I wouldn't include them. They won't be able to make it to our reception because it was just going to be too much for us and them but they are going to walk down the aisle as ring bearers and stay for some pictures. Then head to puppy play time. I view including them as a personal choice much like whether to have your ceremony inside or out, or whether to ask your FSIL to stand or not. Some people aren't going to like it but honestly, I am 10 days out, my nerves are friend and my patience is shot so I could really care less what they think.
    KRHagen November 2009
  • Hello fulloflove. I think it's a shame that people are being so rude to you; they should be ashamed of themselves. This is your wedding, not theirs, so just ignore them! 

    There are a lot of outdoor venues that allow dogs. I'm not sure where you live or what season you are planning your wedding for but if you choose a park or an outdoor bed and breakfast, etc., most allow dogs.  Just call them and ask.  I have seen dogs be ring-bearers and flower girls and I think they're adorable.  There is nothing wrong with you for wanting your beloved pet to play a special role in your big day. All of these haters need to grow up and learn that if they don't have something nice to say, they shouldn't say it!

    Best wishes to you and if you give me more details about what you're thinking for your ceremony I may be able to provide more advice.
  • Wow. I feel kinda bad for you that some total strangers have had such personal & strong reactions to your reasonable query!  Seems to kind of go against the whole spirit of the rest of the Knot/other wedding advice of:  "feel free & individualize your wedding to you & your spouse to be and particular family and situation". OK, regardless -- you might check around if there are perhaps any restaurants  with outdoor patios and such that they promote as "dog friendly" (we have a few in KC, and when I lived in Chicago area there were many. I know there are some health rules & such in place but they do welcome well-behaved pets). Parks are obviously another reasonable avenue to consider, maybe one with a covered shelter or porch option? Sorry I don't have more specific reccomendations since I'm not local. Mainly just wanted to chime in with support that of course everyone might have different opinions about involving pets, and pro or con it's just a preference - only you can determine what's right for your particular guest list and situation. And definitely doesn't indicate mental illness, promise (I'm a clinical psychologist! :)  )
    Good luck and best wishes on your wedding! 
  • Just wanted to add that there are some websites like dogfriendly.com and petfriendly.com and stuff like that that show you places that allow dogs when you travel.  These places will probably list bed and breakfasts, restaurants and other places that allow dogs and you can look into these for your venue.  They may even include wedding spots.
     
    I go to these sites because I travel with my dogs a lot and take them a lot of places so the people who don't like that better stop reading this now. ;)  There are restaurants in my city that allow dogs on the patios and they are extremely popular.  (And the Europe comment is true -- I lived in Spain for a year and Germany for half a year and there  were often dogs at restaurants at the table beside their owner and walking in stores with their owners who were shopping.  Now I live in an obviously dog-friendly city in the US and I am shocked by these dog haters who say always leave your dog at home... ummmm no.)

    In fact, dogs that are familiar with people and places are often the most well-behaved because they are not anxious.  So your dog sounds like it will be just fine at a wedding. I love Pooh's comment about how a flower girl is probably more likely to cry (or, like my little sister in my brother's wedding, laugh and jump around as she went down the aisle because she was nervous) at a wedding than a dog who is accustomed to being around people and in public.  Honestly I would rather see a dog at a wedding than a bunch of unruly kids but that's just me... everyone has their own tastes and what these people say have nothing to do with your original question of WHERE can you have a dog included (not IF you should have a dog included... I guess they don't know how to read the question right!)

    Actually hon I just read a really good book called How to be Your Dog's Best Friend by the Monks of Newfoundland and they say that owners *should* include their dogs in their daily outtings etc. and look for dog-friendly places as much as possible because this helps train the dog and dogs are pack animals who are most comfortable when they are included as part of the pack/ friendly.  And to the people who say you are crazy for not knowing the difference between animals and human... ummm I don't know where they went to school but humans are animals duh. ;)  I just wanted to stick up for the doggies and give you some additional tips, from one dog lover to another.  Best wishes.
  • Fulloflove,
    I too am including my lil pup in our wedding. Its outside and we love him and will love having him sitting at our feet while we do our vows. My pup is my baby, i still treat him like a dog, but he IS my baby. He will most likely not be around during the reception, becasue i agree that he may feel overwhelmed, but i see nothing wrong with including your baby in your wedding. I know not everyone will agree with this, but who cares?? Its your wedding ( and your FI) and thats who matters. Have a great day!!Laughing
    Mrs Marino
  • We are planning on including our golden retriever in our wedding.   He is going to be our ring bearer.  i think dog's are more than appropriate in weddings if they have meaning to the relationship. 

    Weddings are suppose to be fun, why not include your dog then.  I'm thinking an outdoor wedding venue is the best bet,  maybe a state park?
    I think our dog is going to be taken to doggy daycare for the reception part bc we'll be having more than 200 guests at our wedding but since yours will be only 50 i think your doggie should be fine at the reception.

    good luck to you!

  • I think it's awesome that you are including your dog! I would do the exact same thing if I could, but my dog is a little wild! I bet the pictures are going to be great, and something that you will cherish even more because your pet can be a part of it! Good luck and have a great time with your  four legged family member!!!
  • we are having our two pugs as ringbearer for our wedding. its on the beach so they are allowed. however our beach house we rented for reception doesnt allow pets so we have to have someone take them to doggie daycare.

    glad you found a place to have it at. being that your dog is well trained i'm sure you will be just fine. sorry you had to see all the rude responses that didnt help..its one thing to give advice, its another to be just plain mean. good luck with your wedding planning!Cool
  • WOW...Some of these responses shocked me. My dog is like my child. I don't have kids so shes the next best thing.No she doesn't go "EVERYWHERE" with me. She gets to visit family and friends often. She loves to ride..she goes to the bank with me sometimes...only through the drive-thru. She sleeps with me at night, has since she was first brought home. She depends on me to live. Dogs are like children that never grow up. You always have to take care of them whether they are 6 weeks or 100 dog years. I see nothing wrong with including a pet in your wedding, it is afterall your wedding and no one elses. I do not plan on including Tink in mine because shes too hyperactive she doesn't know how to sit still and she would probably cry the whole time. My sisters dog did that...it was so funny because it was like he was crying the way the brides mom cries when the bride is given  away...just heartwrenching sobs lol...its definately great to remember it...very personal.  It depends on where the wedding and reception end up. Right now, we're planning it in my moms backyard and if we do that...Tink will be there for pictures afterward and for the reception because it won't be formal..so she will be able to run and play in the back yard.
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  • you know, someone i knew in ny actually got married at the bronx zoo. it seems like it would be rather hypocritical to not allow dogs in zoos. or what about a public park?

    i have a chihuahua with stage fright, otherwise he would absolutely be included. our cat is just being his usual disinterested self :)
  • I think its really great you're including your dog. Its awesome that he/ she is so obediant and well trained. I dont think itd be a problem at all, especially if youre outside where allergic people wont really be affected. I wish I could bring my dogs to the reception and I probably could, but theyre not well mannered at all, they like to jump and lick and be annoyingly cute. I plan on getting the 2 boys tuxes and get my female a doggie wedding dress. My female and fi's male dog have already had 2 littlers and my other male is their kid. So i think it'll be appropraite that they get married when we do. Im just gonna have them outside during the ceremony so we can get pictures with them all dressed up and make sure everyone gets to see them, then let them go with their baby sitters for the night.
    also, with a small party like youre talking about, Im sure you know everyone whose coming and can make sure theyre ok with it, which Im sure they will be. good luck
    oh yeah, and post pics!!
  • We are having our reception at a Hilton hotel and since we are staying there that night we are allowed to have our dog with us. However, he is not allowed in the reception hall because animals are not allowed where food is served (fine with me!) We will take some pictures with Riley around the hotel between the ceremony and reception and then it's back to the room for him. He is our fur-child and I'm excited to be able to have some cute pics with him on the day he becomes legit :) Long story short...try your local Hilton, they even put a doggie bed in the room with a couple treats on the pillow...
  • You could find a nice hotel or resort that allows dogs...we are getting married in FL at the Jupiter Beach Resort (flying from MN) and bringing our pooch (she's a westie, perfect in every way) and she's flying cabin with us :) Good luck, have fun! On another note, we are not allowing children of any age (or babies) at our wedding but any and all dogs are welcome as dogs behave better than most people's children (and I'm certain my dog behaves in general, better than most people) :) Try typing into google, something like, "hotels that allow dogs" otherwise as previously stated, most community centers, parks, etc. will allow dogs and have a shelter to go to for bad weather! Let people think you're crazy for brining your dog, I don't care what people think, I guess I'm a wacko too! When was the last time your dog upset someone or threw a tantrum in front of a line of people at a store? Probably never...can't say the same thing for some people's obnoxious human children... Good luck! :) P.S. King Charles...they are soooo cute!!!
  • WOW I've never posted before but some of the mean responses have prompted me to put in my two cents...

    Like you, our dog is a HUGE part of our life.  We try to travel with her and take her as many places as we can.  She is our "baby" and we absolutely want to share our big day with her -- she really is like a member of the family.

    She is going to be our "ring bear" for an outside ceremony and then will be taken back to our house while we go to the reception.  We also will take pictures with her and are trying to incorporate dog-things into other aspects of our wedding -- we are thinking of having little dog place card holders and kissing dogs on top of the cake.

    Honestly, if a guest has that big of a problem with it  they will not come and that's FINE---  having my dog present is WAY more important to me than turning off a few guests (esp since all those closest too us are supportive of including our beloved dog)
  • I think is is totally fine to include you dog, I'm sorry people are giving you such rude comments when all you are trying to do is find a dog-friendly venue :(  I'm not any help on specific places but I can tell you to at least ask places even if they aren't accepted.  My reception hall doesn't allow dogs but I told them how important it was to include them and they said since we are having the wedding outside at the place they can be there for that part and the pictures afterwards, just not during dinner/dance, which is fine with me.  I have two little chihuahuas and they are being walked down the aisle by the flower girl and ring bearer! :)
  • I didn't read everyone's responses, but I would like to say: we had our dog in our ceremony. Our ceremony was outdoors so it was okay with our venue. He was 16 1/2 years old, I had had him for most of my life and my husband and I had taken him in for the last 3 1/2 years. We were both very attached to the dog (especially my husband believe it or not!) that we wanted to make sure he was there. He was very old, so we didn't really worry about his behavior - he was pretty chill by then, he didn't even whine much anymore.

    He ended up passing 5 days later. We didn't know at the time that he was very sick.



     

  • Wow i can't believe some of these responses either!! I say go with it!! We have 3 dogs and love them all as if they were our children! I think it is a wonderful idea to ad a more personal touch to the wedding & i think this will be seen more and more often over the next year or two as people decide to do things their own way and inclue more elements that make their wedding more personal. A wedding is a blending of families and the dog is a part of that family so I think it is perfectly fine!
    I hope it works out wonderfully for you!!
  • edited November 2009
    Well... my dog was the reason I got out of bed many days.

    At one point in my life I went through something very traumatic. I was drugged and raped by a very good friend of mine.  I was depressed for a long time. I climbed out of that and met someone.  I married that someone who went into the military and we moved to North Carolina. After about 2 months living there he was deployed and I was there alone a lot of the time with just her. I didn't know anyone. She got me through the rediculous amount of 13 hour road trips back and fourth, just she and I.

    He was injured in a paratrooping accident when his parachute had not fully opened. He had a traumatic brain injury and we found out later that he had actually broken areas in his back and neck (which the army tried to hide) because they did not do an immediate required investigation on how the accident occurred. We struggled through getting help with his injuries for a long time. When they started transitioning to sending him home he sent me home to get a place to live and a job. When I got there he called me and told me that he was going to divorce me when he came home because he didn't want to be responsible for our future anymore. He didn't want the stress of worrying about me, providing for me or having to have me provide for him. I fought him for a long time but he did. He came home and divorced me. She got me through that. She was there every day. She gave me reasons to get out of bed.

    One night I went out to get some mail and she was sitting on the curb waiting for me. Some big guy drove by me about 40 feet. He stopped his car opened the door, left it open, and ran down the street at me. He didn't see her at first until she ripped after him and chased him back into the car. (She's a 65 lb lab shepherd mix). He took off.

    She was the reason I didn't proceed with calling the police when I used to wake up screaming in the middle of the night to the person breaking down my front door because she wasn't barking.... that was how I realized it was a nightmare.

    I have a lot of friends. This friendship is worth acknowledgement. This dog may be just a dog to many but she's much more than that to me for so many more reasons than I listed here. There may not be a ton of back and fourth human coversation but there are things that make her special because of the things we've been through together, just she and I.

    I've been considering having her at my wedding. She may sit with my parents or she may stand up with my fiance. She's also very well behaved and well trained. She's older and has always been very mello. I have no worries.

    We are getting married at a park, a rose garden, with ponds and fountains. Its about 5 blocks from my home. Its a park I grew up going to quite a bit and it's GORGEOUS. It allows pets. If it rains we have the wedding at the reception hall. She won't be able to come but I took her to some parks this summer when I found out she was sick and took some really good pictures which I was planning on incorporating somehow. I'm definitely not going to have her wear clothing of any type or anything like that because I'm not a fan of that kind of stuff.

    This dog, she's had cancer removed this year... She almost didn't make it  through that and there is a high probability that they didn't get it all. We've decided against anymore surgery. She's had some side effects that make me believe... she may not be around too much longer.

    I want her in the pictures. I want her apart of our day. Once the ceremony is done... we drop her off at home (on the way to the reception) and continue having ourselves a merry time.

    So your question was about where to have it... it is unfortunate you got some pretty harsh responses about something you didn't ask about. Honestly, I'd say who cares about what other people think. At the end of the day it's about what is important to you. You know your history, you know your family and friends. That's all that matters. Don't question it.
  • I would never bring my dog to my wedding because I wouldn't want to have to keep an eye on it, but everyone needs to keep their opinions to themselves about it. The bride in question didn't ask whether she should bring the dog, she simply asked if anyone knew of places to service her needs.-- no one should care anyways, it's her dog and her wedding. Now let's all be happy brides and try to help each other out! :)

    ps- brooker, I'm sorry what you went through. My dog has helped out mom out tremendously when she and my dad got divorced. Sometimes animals are the best because they are there no matter what.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • First of all this is your wedding have the dog in it!! Look at country clubs that can do the wedding outside. Not sure where you are located but we looked at about 5 different country clubs and they all said that our dog was more than welcome and actually loved the idea. My dog is a therapy and CGC dog so like you I know that she will be perfectly fine. As far as plans go I am not sure because she is a trained obedience dog and comes when called but is trained to run not stroll. So coming down the aisle is an issue right now. I am thinking of moving my mother around in the procession and having her and my brother walk down with the dog and her "pillow". Oh and I am going to get a pretty color that matches my bridesmaid dresses. Then we will take picture her and have someone that will take her home so she won't be at the reception.

    Hope this helps....I know how negative people can be when it comes to animals because they don't understand how people can treat them like children when they are merely "pets". My dog is treated better than I am and is a HUGE part of the family. Remember there are people out there that feel the same way so just ask every place you go to because they may surprise you. In fact my priest is a dog lover and agreed to have her in the church. Ok I will stop going on about how great dogs are....good luck. 
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  • You might consider having the dog at only part of the wedding, and then have someone tuck him away for the rest of the night....I was originally thinking of bringing our dogs into the ceremony, and then having someone hired to take care of them during the day so I don't have to worry about them...but then I realized they are not well-behaved enough, ha ha! Good luck! We also used a pic of our pups as our postage on our Save the Dates! 
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  • You are not crazy for wanting to include your dog. It's your wedding, do what you want to. With only 50 people coming I'd assume you are close to all of the guests and they probably won't bat an eye. I'd have a backup plan in case he gets riled up at the recption. Maybe you could have a crate close by in a quiet place and put a bridesmaid/family member who he is familar with on call to put him up if necesary or maybe take him out for a potty break, that way you don't have to worry while mingling with guests.
  • I think including your dog is a great idea.  If my wedding was going to be around 50 people I would include my dog also.  It is your day so why not?  I read someone say something about the dog not caring or understanding...but you will care and understand if the dog is there.  Some people just have a certain idea of what a "proper" reception should look like...when in reality it should be one that makes the two of you happy.  Plus, it sounds like you have all the possible problems solved already (ie allergies).  Add to that the fact that your dog is probably better behaved than most humans!  Glad you found a place! :-)
  • I'll bet most people who were critical about your dog and talking about dog allergies are having flowers at their weddings.  What about those of us who have pollen allergies?  Also, most dogs I encounter are MUCH better behaved than children.

    Best wishes!

  • My dog (Cody) is going to be my ring bearer, and will also be at the (outdoor) reception since we're doing everything at the same place. The problem is, many places like restaruants don't allow dogs even on patios because of sanitation reasons. If your ceremony/reception is outside, maybe consider catering it there so your dog can stay. Renting a tent could be cheaper than trying to reserve a different place for a bad weather backup plan (at least it is here).

    This is tough. People in your area would have a better understanding of what's available... good luck!
  • We were considering using our dog in the wedding also. Most of the places we found that would let us required that he be crated during the reception. We looked at a golf course and some bed and breakfasts. Most of the outdoor venues allowed dogs. My dog is not as well trained as yours but we are still considering him to be the ringbearer....He has already had practice that is how my Fiance proposed was attaching the ring to collar :)  I wish you luck on finding a venue and again I would check into some golf courses, country club or pet friendly hotels
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