Yes, Your Dog can Participate in Your Wedding

Anyone who knows me is aware that I’m a sucker for a dog. A dog of any shape and size will do. I just want their attention and want to give them mine. In fact, my wife and I have a little, 6-year-old Malshi (Maltese and Shih tzu) named Ellie who is constantly being smothered with our affection. It is always a joy when a couple tells me that their furry friend will be accompanying them for some photos on the wedding day. The bride and groom get photographed with all other family members so why not dogs when they are considered members of the family too? I got married last year and we made sure that Ellie was a part of some of our portraits and our ceremony. Here is some advice abut how to have your fur baby take part in the big day.

The wedding day is long so you will need a trusted friend or family member to act as a handler for a short time while your dog is coming in for photos. Make sure they have treats on hand to ensure that your dog behaves and can be easily posed for some “family portraits.” Have a game plan in place so that the handler knows exactly what time to arrive with the dog. By eliminating the time that your dog is waiting around for its turn to be in photos, it is less likely to get bored. This increases the chances that they will sit and look at the camera so we can nail our shots and be on our way.

Tip: Make sure that you and the handler have coordinated where your dog will go after photos and who will be feeding/letting your dog out during the wedding and reception.

Dogs are important members of a couple’s family and I always encourage their involvement in some photos (provided that they are allowed at the venue). A wedding day can be stressful at times and having your dog there, even for a short time, can help bring down your nerves. Just be sure to let the venue and your photographer know that you’re looking to bring them along because not all people or places are dog-friendly. I’m always up for incorporating pets into your photos, it just takes a little bit of extra planning. Having photos with your dog is a way to capture unique portraits of your family, while also providing a calming force on what is sure to be a frantic day.