Wedding guests with 4 legs...

For our couples with a four legged companion, it is often the number 1 burning question they ask when they enquire...''Can my dog come to the wedding?"

Hell yeah!  If you have a dog in your family, they've got to be there!

Dogs at your wedding can be lovely - it can help relax you and make you feel at home, makes for lovely photos, and they enjoy having the attention too!

However, it can go right, and it can go a little wrong.  So here are the tips we give any wedding couple who want to bring their waggy ones to their wedding day....

Dapper! Love this photos of Amy & Ben by Clare Randall photography

Love this photos of Amy & Ben by Clare Randall photography

Love this photos of Amy & Ben by Clare Randall photography

Number 1, and most important!
Have a dedicated 'dog sitter' incharge of said hound at all times. 
​What you don't need is to be worrying about the dog needing a pee, chewing your nieces teddies leg off, or going missing when you need to be concentrating on getting married.  Your pooch should enhance your day and not be any kind of extra 'thing' to worry about, so plan in advance for his/her care.  How they'll travel from A to B, who with, what time they'll arrive and most importantly - leave.  The environment and atmosphere on your wedding day is 'full on' even for the most laid back of weddings - for a lot of dogs (like the children!) all their most favourite people are in one place...all at the same time! Hoorar!  That is a bit tiring after a while so plan accordingly to ensure they are comfortable - better to send them home early on a high than let them get tired and ratty (again...much like children!).

Hayleys elegant hounds beautifully captured by Emma Migden one of our recommended photographers.

Number 2.
Safety and comfort - ensure the waggy one has a collar and lead, and is secured on them at all times.  By all means let them off when under your close supervision for photos, but at all other times they should be on a lead for safety reasons, so the handler can be sure they are kept under control and most importantly - to avoid a humongous faux pas of epic proportions - that said handler can then ensure they pick up after them!!
We have water bowls, but feel free to bring his/her own if they prefer to sip from a diamond encrusted trough on their big day out.  Also if they are the sort to need a lie down, please do bring their bed or crate, make them at home.  We recommend for their comfort they are present for a specified period, perhaps arriving before the ceremony and departing before seating for the meal.  It would rarely be advisable to keep them at the wedding throughout the meal and evening reception, but you know your pets best.

Vanessa & Roberts 4 amazing dogs rocked their floral collars and were beautifully behaved.  Photos by one of our most faves, Rob Power

Number 3.
Photos!  Don't get so swept up on the day you forget to have some pictures with your beloved Fido!  Let your photographer know in advance or pop his debut appearance in your photo request list.  Que amazing photo bombs to treasure forever.
Your canine may prefer the au naturale look, or if they are a little bit extra, milk it for all its worth...full on floral glory, a tux, a new lead - the possibilities really are endless!

This is our very own Lauren, and her darling Barry, on her wedding day to Patrick. Captured by Rob Power again.

I am pretty much pinning all my hopes on you 2021 couples... surely its time someone's dog had a floral crown ?!  When else will you get to make your dog look this pretty !?!?!?

View this post on Instagram

Joey in her flower crown always brings a smile to my face. ☺️ . . . □NEW collar attachments are going up on the site TODAY at: 4:30pm PST!!! . . □NEW twine-tied piece for this smol beans aka. small dogs and cats will be going up on Wednesday!!!

A post shared by Freya’s Floral Company (@freyasfloralco) on Oct 8, 2018 at 10:53am PDT

But most of all... just enjoy having your [real] best friend there for the day, whilst you marry the one you have to pretend is your number 1....

I hope this was helpful - do you have any tips you can add to help VIP wedding guest hounds have a happy wedding day??

Loves, Victoria.

oh p.s... Dogs aren't the only 4 legged wedding guest we've had, here is a throw back to 2011, but that is a story for another day!

Author - victoria burden

Lover of all things countryside - most often found in the garden, on a horse, or chasing a wild child across the fields.