Oct 184 min read

Can we have dogs at weddings?

For me, the answer is nearly always YES! Dogs are family and should be there if it's important to you.

A dog at a Perth backyard wedding - a large red-brown dog with a grey muzzle is being patted by a bride in a long white dress — Many of my favourite weddings have included dogs

Should every dog be at every wedding ceremony?

If I ruled the world, yes. But there are some things to consider when having your dog at your wedding or elopement. Ask yourselves:

Would our dog/s be stressed by the event?

Some dogs are anxious, don't like groups of people or feel stressed around excited vibes - for their safety and health, they may be happier staying at home. Maybe you could book in a family photo shoot with your pup as a wedding present instead?

Where is the ceremony being held?

If you're marrying in a National Park or venue where dogs are prohibited, obviously they can't be there.

If it's in your own backyard where the dog is familiar and comfortable, that may make it a no-brainer. Or they may still be happier somewhere else depending on how they are around groups of people. See 6 reasons to choose a backyard wedding for more on this.

Top tips for having dogs at weddings

I recommend having an allocated person to be responsible for the dog at the ceremony. You can give them the cool title of 'Dog Wrangler'
This person will need to be someone with whom the dog is comfortable, and someone who the dog responds to - the person will need to have good command of the dog
The Dog Wrangler will need a lead, treats, possibly your dog's favourite toys and bed - whatever your dog may need to feel comfortable
This includes water and a water bowl so the dog can have a drink
Don't forget poo bags! No one wants to step in dog poo on their way down the aisle!
For peace of mind, there are professionals you can hire to do all this. Good ones will even pick up your pet from your home and drop them back to your house after the ceremony. We love Wedding Tails WA

a small black and tan dog wearing a flower collar is on a pink lead at a Perth elopement — Watching Mum and Dad elope by the beach

Top tips for having dogs at elopements

All of the above may apply, depending on what your elopement looks like. Generally there are less people at elopements at they are more casual, which may make it easier to include your dog. If you're eloping in an airbnb, make sure you check the one you book is are dog-friendly.

How can we include our dogs in our wedding ceremony?

A large dog is watching his mum and dad get married while lying on an aisle carpet runner at a backyard wedding as guests are seated on wooden chairs — Front row seats for important family members

You can include your dog/s in your wedding in a few different ways. Consider the following options and think about what might work best for your pup.

You can mention them in your vows
I can mention them as being important family members
They can walk down the aisle or make your entrance with you
They could be on chief meet and greet duty and say hello to everyone
They may be happiest just sitting quietly and observing, and being near you as you say your vows
They could bring your wedding rings to you*

*Dogs as ring bearers: a word of caution

There are many, many cautionary stories in celebrant circles of when a dog is the ringbearer. The most common one is that the expensive wedding rings were irretrievably lost (even by a retriever - see what I did there?) From running off and jumping in a dam with the rings tied to their collar - rings at the bottom of the dam never to be seen again! to scratching off the irritating ribbon that the rings are tied on with and rings dropping into a garden never to be seen again. Let's be real - it's super cute to have your pup bring the rings but no-one wants to risk losing your rings before you even get them on your partner's finger!

So I suggest:

having dummy, cheap rings -eg an o-ring or cheapie that came in a Christmas cracker - that the dog is in charge of. We can either make a feature of exchanging those rings for real in the ceremony and you can put the 'real' rings on in private later.

have a responsible person tie the real rings on very close to you and walk with the dog on lead to you, then untie the rings and hand them over.

We really want our dog to be at our wedding, but....

If you have concerns about your pup's behaviour at the wedding ceremony, consider involving a dog trainer in the weeks before to get them familiar with what will be happening at the ceremony.

How do I know if a wedding celebrant is a dog person?

Sally Bruce Celebrant is squatting down and smiling as she pats a Boxer dog at a Perth backyard wedding — Sally Bruce - dog lover and celebrant

Ask them, look at their about me page on their website, and check our their socials feeds. If I'm your celebrant - unless dogs aren't allowed at your National Park venue or your dog would be stressed our by being there - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have your dog at your ceremony!

All photos on this post are by Kat at Red Eclectic.