Should Your Dog Be Part of Your Wedding Day? A Guide to Including Your Dog
For many couples, their dog is a huge part of their family. It’s completely natural to want them included in one of the biggest days of your life.
Over the years working as a canine chaperone, I’ve seen dogs take on all sorts of roles, from ring bearers to guest greeters, and they often end up being one of the most talked-about parts of the day!
Truth is.. weddings can be a lot for our dogs.
There are new people, unfamiliar environments, loud music, food everywhere, and a lot of excitement! While some dogs absolutely thrive in this kind of environment, others can find it overwhelming.
That’s why the most important thing when planning is choosing a role that suits your dogs personality and comfort level.
Ways Couples Include Their Dogs in Their Wedding
There are lots of lovely ways to involve your dog in your wedding day, whether that’s for a short moment or a bigger role
Getting Ready Together
Some couples love having their dog with them during the morning preparations. For dog parents, this can be a really special moment.
Your dog can bring a sense of calm and familiarity while everything else around you feels busy and exciting. It also creates some beautiful and personal photos before the day really begins.
That said, the getting ready environment can sometimes be quite busy with hair stylists, makeup artists, photographers and bridesmaids all moving around. Some dogs love the attention, while others might prefer a quieter space.
Guest Greeter
One lovely way to involve your dog is having them greet guests as they arrive at the venue.
This is particularly perfect for friendly, social dogs who love meeting new people. It instantly puts a smile on everyone’s face and sets a relaxed, joyful tone for the day.
Ring Bearer
One of the most popular roles is ring bearer.
There are lots of ways to do this depending on your dog’s temperament… sometimes the best man will bring the dog down the aisle at the right moment, or I may escort them down the aisle myself.
For confident and well-trained dogs, some couples even choose to let them walk down the aisle off-lead.
It’s a wonderful moment, and one guests absolutely love.
Walking Down the Aisle
Another popular option is having your dog walk down the aisle with the bridal party.
This might be with a bridesmaid, groomsman, or with me as their chaperone. After their big moment, they can either sit quietly with the bridal party, stay with me, or head outside for a short walk if they’d be more comfortable.
Every dog is different, and part of my role is making sure they feel relaxed throughout the ceremony.
Just for Photos
For dogs who might find a full ceremony overwhelming, a great option is having them join for photos during the drinks reception.
This is often when photographers take couples away for portraits, which tends to be a quieter and calmer moment. I can bring your dog over for some beautiful photos without them needing to be present during the busy parts of the day.
This works particularly well for dogs who are nervous, reactive, or easily overstimulated.
Sometimes the Best Option Is Leaving Them at Home
As much as we love our dogs, sometimes the kindest decision is letting them stay somewhere familiar and comfortable.
Weddings can be long days with lots of noise, excitement, and unfamiliar people. If your dog tends to get anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed in busy environments, they may simply enjoy the day more relaxing at home with a trusted pet sitter.
You can still include them in other ways, perhaps in engagement photos, on your cake topper, or in your stationery!
Signs Your Dog Might Be Feeling Overwhelmed
Part of my role during a wedding is advocating for the dog and watching carefully for signs that they may be feeling stressed.
Dogs communicate through their body language, and sometimes the signs are very subtle.
Some early signs I watch for include:
Lip licking
Yawning when they aren’t tired
Whale eye (showing the whites of their eyes)
Shaking or trembling
Turning their head away or avoiding eye contact
If a dog is becoming more overwhelmed, the signs might become more obvious, such as:
Barking or whining
Jumping up more than usual
Pulling strongly on the lead
Trying to escape or hide
Behaviour that feels out of character for them
These signs don’t mean your dog has done anything wrong, they simply mean they may need a break, a walk, or some quiet time away from the crowd.
The Most Common Wedding Timeline for Dogs
In most weddings I work, dogs are present for the ceremony and drinks reception, which tends to be the most relaxed and photo-friendly part of the day.
After this, they usually head home before the wedding breakfast begins. This allows couples to enjoy those special moments with their dog while making sure the day doesn’t become too long or overwhelming for them.
Planning Ahead Makes All the Difference
Including your dog in your wedding can be incredibly special, but it does take a little planning.
That’s where a canine chaperone can help.
From transporting your dog safely to the venue, to walks, water breaks, supervision during photos and watching for signs of stress, my role is to make sure your dog is happy and well cared for throughout the day.
That way you can focus on enjoying your wedding, knowing your dog is in safe hands.
If you’re planning a wedding and thinking about including your dog, I’d love to chat about the different ways we can make it work for both you and your pup.