Pets are often considered part of our families, so it’s no surprise that many couples want to include them in important life events like their wedding. Before planning on having your pets at your wedding, here are a few important things to consider. 

Questions to Ask Yourself About Having Your Dog or Cat in Your Wedding Ceremony

If you’re considering having your pet participate in your wedding ceremony, you should ask yourself some questions (and be honest in your answers). Think about the best- and worst-case scenarios and your pet’s instincts and reactions. 

Before you decide, ask yourself: 

• Is my pet completely comfortable around strangers? How are they likely to react to a room full of new people? Will they stay focused or want to say hello to everyone? Will they be confident or scared? If people start clapping and cheering, will they get anxious or keep their cool? 
• Are they completely comfortable in new places and situations? There aren’t frequent opportunities to work with your dog or cat on handling a wedding or getting them comfortable with the surroundings. Can you confidently predict how they’ll do in this scenario?
• Are there any random fears or phobias that could be an issue? A car horn, big hats, and many different things can cause a stress reaction in our pets that we may not understand but should respect. 
• Has your pet ever reacted unexpectedly? This could be something like the occasional snapping or growling or a sudden show of fear over something you couldn’t identify. Unexpected displays of fear or aggression can make it risky to put them in an unpredictable environment where they won’t have your full attention.
• Do you have someone you and your pet trust completely to watch after them? You’re going to have your hands full. Someone else will need to be responsible for getting your pet to the wedding venue, making sure they have someplace quiet to relax, getting them through their part of the ceremony, managing any interactions they have with people, potty walks or litter box set up, getting them back home, and everything in between. Your pet needs to feel completely safe with this person, and they need to be okay with missing a lot of the action. Your dog or cat should be their top priority. 

Questions to Ask Yourself About Having Your Pet at Your Wedding Reception

The reception may be more relaxed than the ceremony or a time to party. This environment can be highly unpredictable and may impact your decision to include your pet. In addition to the questions above, consider:

• Do you have someone who will commit to watching after your pet 100% of the time? You don’t want your dog being passed around to whoever isn’t on the dance floor. It’s best to have one person tasked with pet patrol (and that can be a big ask in the middle of a celebration). You might consider hiring a pet sitter for the job.
• How loud and rowdy are things going to get? Will the music volume or guest reactions overwhelm your pet, or are they used to loud environments? 
• Is there someplace quiet your pet and their handler can go throughout the reception to rest and relax? All animals need a safe space they can retreat to when they feel they need a break. 
• Do they have the proper training? Your pet will have to avoid jumping on guests in formal clothes, control themselves around people who may be uncomfortable or scared of them, and know not to hop up on the cake table or eat the chocolate-covered almond that just fell on the floor. 

Ways to Include Your Pet in Your Wedding

Having your pet in your wedding is a big decision. If you feel they have the right temperament, would enjoy being included, and have a designated “wedding pet support team,” there are some fun ways they can join in the festivities. And if you know that they (or you) will get stressed by their being involved, there are still ways to include them in the celebration.

• If you’d like your dog or cat to walk down the aisle or stand with you during the ceremony, be sure to do some training ahead of time. They should be on a leash/harness for safety. You might have someone on standby who can step in quietly and remove them if they get uncomfortable or overexcited as part of the wedding party.
• Schedule a quick appearance for a specific part of the festivities when things will be a little quieter, and you can be more involved with their care before sending them home.
• Have your pet be part of the wedding photo session that happens away from the guests and before the reception. This is a great way to incorporate them in the wedding memories. 
• Make a cutout of your dog or cat that guests can take photos with. You can even make it a fun theme throughout the night, asking people to include the cutout in their action shots.
• Take your pet’s collar or favorite little toy as your “something borrowed.”
• Have your pet’s image incorporated into your cake or cake topper.
• Use your best judgment when it comes to dressing your pet up for the wedding. Ensure a proper fit and give them plenty of time to get used to wearing the items before the day.

Including your pet in your big day is for you and the memories you want to create. Whatever decision you make, be sure your pet’s wellbeing and your guests’ safety are the top priority. And keep it simple, so you aren’t adding more stress for yourself on such a special day.