This article on how to include pets in your wedding was written by a veterinarian, Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS. Writers T.J. Banks and Melissa Smith also contributed. This article was last reviewed on September 18, 2024
If you have questions or concerns, call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See additional information.
How to Include Pets in Your Wedding: Start with Your Dog
Strike up the band because you’re planning the happiest day of your life — your wedding day! Everything is falling into place, except for one important detail: What will your dog or cat do while you take your vows?
Many couples choose to include their pets in their weddings, whether they are simply attendees or take on more active roles. If you’re getting married and want your faithful companions by your side, here’s how to include pets in your wedding, starting with dogs:
- Assign them the role of ring bearer or flower dog.
- Dress them up with a festive bow tie or floral collar.
- Prepare a comfortable place for them to rest during the ceremony.
By following these tips, you’ll ensure your dog is part of your big day without causing any disruptions.
4 Things to Consider When You Include a Dog in Your Wedding
The Dog’s Temperament
Before including your dog in your wedding, ask yourself: Can they handle the event? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Some dogs thrive in busy, noisy settings.
- Others may struggle with the excitement and unfamiliar surroundings.
- Sociable dogs tend to cope better with attention, while shy dogs might feel stressed or overwhelmed.
- If your dog is excitable or prone to jumping, make sure to train them before the ceremony (How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping).
Bottom line: If your dog is anxious in new settings or uncomfortable with crowds, it’s safer to let them stay at home where they feel secure. You can still include them in wedding photos!
The Venue
One of the biggest considerations when you include pets in your wedding is whether your venue allows them. There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect venue, only to discover they have a strict no-pets policy.
Here’s what you can do to avoid this issue:
- Call ahead to check if the venue allows pets.
- For destination weddings, research pet-friendly hotels and venues.
- Outdoor venues are more likely to allow pets, but not all do—verify with each location.
- For indoor venues, policies vary; some may allow pets but restrict them to certain areas.
- Planning a beach wedding? Contact the local town hall to check if dogs are allowed.
As wedding planners Maggie Daniels and Carrie Loveless recommend in their book Wedding Planning and Management, it’s essential to confirm these details early in the planning process (Wedding Planning and Management).
Your Dog’s Role
What role your dog performs in your wedding depends on not only their temperament but also your needs. Some of these roles are:
- Ring bearer
- Best dog
- Dog of honor
- “Dog of the Bride” (where the dog accompanies the bride down the aisle)
- Flower pooch
This happy couple couldn’t imagine their wedding day without their dog, Murphy:
Depending on your dog’s size, they can perform other duties as well:
- Larger dogs can carry a sign around their necks that tells guests the ceremony is about to begin.
- Smaller dogs can fit into totes and be carried along with the bride as part of her bouquet.
Preparation Is Key
Proper preparation is essential when you include pets in your wedding, especially dogs. Make sure your dog is well-trained before the ceremony:
Additionally, it’s courteous to inform your guests that your dog will be attending or playing a role in the ceremony. As Maggie Daniels and Carrie Loveless suggest, ensure that no one in your wedding party has pet allergies or anxiety around animals (Wedding Planning and Management).
5 Ways to Incorporate a Cat Into Your Wedding
Cats are such an important part of our families that including them in big events like weddings can feel like the perfect choice. Below are some practical ways to include a cat in your wedding:
Keep Your Wedding Cat-Friendly and Safe
Let’s be realistic — it’s probably not a good idea to have your cat walk you down the aisle. But there are still ways to keep your wedding safe for your feline friends:
- Have several people watch the doors to prevent cats from escaping, especially if the venue opens directly to the outdoors.
- Consider using harnesses or pet strollers for added safety.
- It’s a good idea to take your cat home before the reception to avoid any mishaps, like your cat jumping on tables or sneaking into guests’ food.
Choose Donations Over Wedding Favors
Instead of spending money on artistic or expensive guest favors, consider making a donation to the animal shelter or organization that rescued your cat.
- Tatiana Garrett from the Anti-Cruelty Society suggests sending donation information to the shelter of your choice, either along with or in place of gift registry details.
- The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) offers a Biscuit Wedding Registry and Favor Program, allowing couples to donate in honor of a family pet or in memory of a beloved pet that has passed away.
For an even more meaningful touch, ask your guests to bring donations of canned or dry cat food instead of traditional gifts.
Play Up the Cat Theme at Your Wedding
If you’re a cat lover, why not opt for a cat-themed wedding? Here are some creative ways to incorporate a feline flair:
- Centerpieces: Consider yarn ball-inspired centerpieces or quirky signs like “Hiss” and “Purrs” for your chairs.
- Decor: Go flea-market chic by finding vintage cat figurines and collectibles at thrift shops. These can serve as unique cake toppers or centerpieces.
With a bit of creativity, you can create a fun and whimsical cat theme that adds personality to your special day.
Put Your Cat in the Wedding Photos
Including your cat in your wedding photos is a great way to ensure they’re part of your big day. You don’t even need them at the venue to make it work:
- Have your photographer take pictures of you and your cat at home before the ceremony.
- Include your cat in engagement photos, wedding invitations, and even Save the Date notes.
This creates lasting memories and ensures your cat is a big part of your wedding.
Incorporate Your Cat Into Your Wedding Vows
You can even include your cat in your vows! As suggested by The Offbeat Bride, you might mention your cat in the ceremony or vow to commit to your furry family members as well (The Offbeat Bride).
This small but meaningful touch adds personal significance to your wedding day.
Safety Considerations When You Include Pets in Your Wedding
Including pets in your wedding can be a joyful experience for both you and your furry friends. However, it’s important to keep their safety in mind, as pets can encounter unexpected hazards during the festivities.
Keep an Eye on Your Pets
While the happy couple will be focused on each other, someone must keep a close eye on the pets to ensure their safety. Consider assigning a trusted friend or family member to be responsible for them during the event.
Watch Out for Wedding Hazards
When you assess the wedding venue from a pet’s perspective, several potential risks may arise. Here are some common ones to consider:
- Flower bouquets: Beautiful, but potentially dangerous. Some flowers, especially lilies, are highly toxic to cats (Lily Plant Poisoning in Cats).
- Cats can suffer from kidney failure if they ingest even a small amount of lily pollen. If a cat brushes against a lily bouquet and grooms the pollen off, this could lead to a medical emergency.
- Lilies are less dangerous for dogs but can still cause stomach upset, which you definitely don’t want on your big day.
- Immediate action: If your cat comes into contact with lilies, wash the pollen off immediately. If ingested, take your cat to the vet for urgent treatment (Signs Your Pet Needs Emergency Care).
To avoid these issues, be sure to do your homework and choose pet-safe flowers for your wedding. Keeping your pet’s safety top of mind will ensure your celebration goes off without a hitch.
Safety Tips for Pets Around Alcohol, Confetti, and Wedding Treats
While celebrating your special day, don’t forget that pets are sensitive to many common wedding elements. Here are a few things to watch out for:
Alcohol
With guests in a festive mood, it’s easy for someone to leave a drink unattended, putting your dog at risk. Alcohol is dangerous for pets because of its ethanol content, and their small size makes even small amounts dangerous.
- Beer: 3–6% ethanol by volume
- Wine: 10–14%
- Spirits: 20–60%
A small dog, like a Yorkshire Terrier, could get seriously ill after drinking just a small amount of alcohol (Yorkshire Terrier Breed Profile).
Signs of alcohol poisoning in pets:
- Agitation and excitability
- Sickness and diarrhea
- Wobbliness and depression
- Altered blood sugar levels and heart rate
Alcohol can lead to coma or death, so prevention is key. Ensure guests are aware not to leave glasses where pets can reach them (Ethanol Poisoning in Pets).
Confetti
Throwing confetti is a fun tradition, but it can pose risks to pets if they try to ingest it. While confetti itself isn’t usually toxic, if your dog swallows plastic or rice-based confetti, it can cause a blockage in their intestines.
Wedding Cake
Wedding cakes, especially rich fruit cakes, are often packed with dried fruits like raisins and currants, which are highly toxic to dogs.
- As little as 11.5 grams of raisins per kilogram of body weight can cause fatal kidney failure in dogs. For example, a 10-kilogram (22-pound) dog like a Corgi could be in serious trouble after consuming just over 100 grams of dried fruit (How Toxic Are Grapes for Dogs?).
Make sure guests understand that no matter how irresistible your dog’s begging may be, it’s crucial to avoid giving them any cake crumbs.
Rich Foods
The wedding banquet is often full of rich, fatty foods, which can cause pancreatitis in dogs. This condition occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed due to overproduction of digestive enzymes.
- Symptoms of pancreatitis include stomach pain, sickness, and diarrhea.
- Prevent this by ensuring your pet doesn’t consume fatty foods like sausages or high-fat snacks (Pancreatitis in Dogs).
Keeping your pet safe during your wedding celebrations ensures that both you and your furry friend have a happy and stress-free day!
This dog certainly delivers at her human’s wedding:
Sugar-Free Candies and Cookies
If sugar-free treats are on the menu for guests, make sure they’re not shared with any pets. Xylitol, a common artificial sweetener, is highly toxic to dogs and can cause dangerous drops in their blood sugar.
- Xylitol poisoning can cause a dog to lapse into a coma within 30–60 minutes.
- The toxic dose for dogs is around 0.05 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a 10-kilogram (22-pound) Corgi only needs to ingest about half a gram to experience serious side effects (Xylitol Poisoning in Pets).
To keep pets safe, make sure guests know not to share any sugar-free goodies with them.
Wandering Off
With the excitement of the big day, it’s easy for pets to wander off unnoticed:
- With so many guests coming and going, doors are often left open, making it easy for pets to escape.
- Assign someone to keep an eye on your pet throughout the event, ensuring they stay safe and don’t wander off.
Take these precautions when deciding how to include pets in your wedding. This way, your pets can enjoy the celebration without any risks.
However, if managing these potential hazards sounds overwhelming, it may be best to leave your pets safely at home.
