If you are anything like us here at Marylee Marmer Events, you are BIG animal lovers and what better time to celebrate our pets than National Pet Day on April 11th! Your wedding day is all about love, and what better way to show that love than sharing your big day with your furry friends! While we love a dog in a flower crown or tuxedo as much as any other person, here are some tips and things to think about before including man’s best friend in your wedding!
Photo: Allison Kuhn Creative
Pet’s Personality
Pet’s come in all different shapes, sizes, breeds, and temperaments. While all animal lovers would love to have their pet be part of their day, think about your pet’s personality and whether or not it will be enjoyable for them. Weddings can be stressful and overwhelming for a dog that has a hard time adjusting to new environments or people. Sociable dogs that are open to new people and extra attention often cope better in these situations.
Pet’s Role
Your pet’s role in your wedding is all up to you! Some can just be a guest of honor, while others have larger roles such as a ring bearer. Some folks just like to have their pets around for photo-ops and others like having their pooch at the altar with them! Whatever you decide your pet’s role to be, hiring a pet sitter for the day will help ensure that your pet is cared for throughout the day's events. Involving your pet in the reception tends to be a little overwhelming for them with the music and large numbers of people.
Photo: E. Leise Photography
Confirm that Pets are Allowed
With everything else on your list of things to do, it is easy to forget the simple, yet important step of confirming your pet’s attendance at your venue. You don’t want to show up the day of your wedding with your furry, four legged flower girl to be told she cannot be there. Even if you cannot have your pets at your venue, you can still include them in your portraits after the ceremony!
Inform Your Guests & Photographer
While we are all pro-pet, some people may not be! It is important to inform your guests of your furry friends in attendance in case of allergies or fears. Putting this information on your wedding website is the easiest way to help those in attendance plan accordingly for your “hounds” of honor. It is also a good idea to prepare your photographer to ensure they capture your pet in action and those unplanned moments. Working with your photographer and pets can also help brainstorm some fun photo ideas for after the ceremony.
Photo: Quarterman Photography
While there are many different ways to include your pets in your big day, it is important to remember these tips in order to ensure you AND your furry friends enjoy your big day! We always love to see pictures of how you included your pups in your big day so please feel free to send them our way!