Here comes the…dog? Yep, you heard that right: More and more couples are including their furry family members in their nuptials. Wedding planners like Rachel Welland, the owner of Bliss Events in San Diego, say that approximately 50% of their weddings this past year have included at least one dog at the ceremony, a huge increase from years prior. Cat parents are also on the trend, including their feline family members in their celebrations of love as well.
Whether it’s having someone in your wedding party walk your pet down the aisle, coordinating photos with your pet, or including them in your wedding decor, there are many ways to honor the special relationship you have with your pets on your special day. Check out Rover’s top tips and tricks for incorporating your pets in your wedding and get ready to say “I do” with your pets in tow.
Tips for a pet-inclusive wedding:
1. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and has been recently groomed.
2. Ask your wedding photographer to capture photos of you and your pet together.
3. Dress up your pet in wedding attire, such as a tux or dress.
Pet parent on Rover spotlight
Photo: Jimmy Ho
“Dexter walked me down the aisle (along with my father) and had a front row seat to watch the wedding with my parents. He had a custom made tux made just like the groomsmen’s tuxes.”
— Sarah, Dog Parent on Rover, Gainesville FL
4. Find a pet-friendly wedding venue: some venues allow certain pets in the outdoor areas but not inside and some allow pets in all spaces. Be sure to review this with the venue manager.
Wedding planner spotlight
“Remember, your pup doesn’t have to be onsite the entire day! Arrange for a friend to come to take them home after photos, during the cocktail hour, or another time when they won’t be missing key festivities. Or even better, hire an experienced pet pro to entertain your pup(s) if taking them home isn’t an option while you continue with your celebrations.”
— Nora Sheils, Owner and Planner, Bridal Bliss
5. Have your florist create a wearable pet wreath, using nontoxic flowers, for an extra festive touch.
6. Outfit your dog’s leash with wedding greenery to add some pizzazz to photos.
“There has definitely been an increase in couples including or honoring their pets on their wedding day. As pets tend to be “first children” they play a special role in a couple’s life and at times have even been a part of the couple’s meeting or the big proposal. Couples are waiting longer to get married than they were in years past, so by the time a wedding rolls around, there is likely a very strong bond with a pet. So it only makes sense to include an important family member on a very important day!” — Nora Sheils, Owner and Planner, Bridal Bliss
7. Dog or cat not a fan of clothes? Try a bow tie or a bow to dress up their look. “If your dog isn’t used to wearing clothing or bandanas, slowly introduce them to having something around their neck or attached to their collar,” says Carlene Hartline, owner of Naturally Yours Events.
8. Include your pet in your rehearsal so everyone knows where to go. If you’re walking your dog or cat down the aisle, choose someone who’s comfortable walking with them. And don’t forget your pet in the seating arrangement (and a backup spot just in case).
Pet parent on Rover spotlight
“It was important to add our dogs [to our wedding] because they are our life. They have been a part of our journey from the beginning and have seen us grow from two individuals to a family of five. Our first date consisted of us introducing the dogs along with ourselves. I also took her and them to propose at the same spot.”
— Connor, Dog Parent on Rover, Buffalo NY
9. Add your pet to the event timeline, noting where, when and how they will be specific places. Share with the person you’ve assigned to help with your pet.
10. Consider making your pet a ring bearer or flower girl.
11. Have a backup plan in case your pet becomes overwhelmed or anxious. Create a designated area for your pet to rest and form a plan for where your pet will be at each stage of the wedding.
Pet parent on Rover spotlight
Photo: Stephanie Chase
“Our wedding was outside in Central Park where he [Diego the dog] served as man of honor, best man, ring boy, flower boy, all the things! However, for the reception he was not allowed at the restaurant. Diego did have some separation anxiety so to avoid the hotel calling us and saying we needed to come back because he was barking, we decided having someone sit in the hotel room with him was the way to go. Not a typical request but our Rover sitter was great and provided peace of mind!”
— Janene, Dog Parent on Rover, Falls Church VA
12. Consider finding a sitter on Rover to be the dedicated pet handler for the day. A sitter can help in many ways including taking your pet home after the ceremony or photos. A sitter can also be the go-to person for your pet on your wedding day, making sure they’re taken care of and calm. Ask a sitter to help your pet get ready before bringing them to the venue!
Wedding planner spotlights
“The best weddings make things personal and give all your lovely guests a chance to share in the things that are special to you as a couple. One of the best ways to show off the life you have built together is to include the furry friends that you share your love with. While some couples find it daunting to include their pets, it simply doesn’t have to be. There are no fast and hard rules about how much or how little you include them so let them participate in a way that doesn’t add to your anxiety or detract from your peace of mind on your big day.”
— Kiara Hancock, Owner of K. Hancock Design
“Be realistic about your pet’s capabilities and stamina. If your pet tires quickly, plan on only having them at the wedding for a short time, then having a pet sitter pick them up and bring them home. Or if your pet is shy or scared of people, perhaps only have them there for pre-ceremony photos, since it might frighten them to be there for the big ceremony. Arrange for a pet sitter in advance, to drop off and pick up your fur baby at the appropriate times on the wedding day.”
— Rachel Welland, Owner, Bliss Events
Tips for a pet-themed wedding:
13. Include your pet in your wedding vows.
14. Display photos of your pet throughout the venue.
15. Create custom cufflinks with your pet’s face on them.
16. Create custom koozies with your pet’s face on them. They’ll keep canned beverages cool and also double as a fun party favor.
Wedding planner spotlight
“Many couples incorporate their pets into their wedding day as a four-legged member of their bridal party or as a personal touch to their decor, such as a photo of their pet on napkins or drink stirrers! Some couples love having their furry friends at the wedding to include an important part of their family and add charm to their day. It has definitely become more popular to show love for the ones who love us most!”
— Susan Cordogan, Owner of Big City Bride
17. Custom cocktail stirring sticks, with your pet’s face on them, are a nice and simple touch to add to your wedding decor.
18. Looking for a fun hashtag for your wedding? Incorporate your pet’s name.
19. Use your pet’s paw print as a signature on the guest book.
20. Include your pet in wedding details like invitations, save the dates, or your wedding website.
“In the 10 years that I have been in the wedding industry, I have seen a huge increase in couples incorporating pets into weddings, yet incorporating pets has been a “thing” since I started. The very first wedding I worked on featured all sorts of pets — miniature ponies, sheep, dogs, cats, and even a bird in a bird cage walked down the aisle! Since then, it has not only become more common, but it is almost always something I ask couples about from the get-go!” — Kiersten Rooney and Sarah Dollar, Event Producers & Designers at LB Events
21. Create a custom pet-themed wedding cake topper.
22. Offer guests pet-themed wedding favors, like a to-go bag of treats for their pets.
23. Use your pet’s photo on the program, thank-you cards, or other signage.
24. Serving a custom cocktail? Name it after your pet or use their image on the bar menu and napkins.
“My #1 tip for couples looking to have their pet join them on wedding day is to not overwhelm the pet! Weddings are typically large crowds, loud music and clothes that the pet has never seen you in before, along with new environments. If your pet has not been well socialized, or you know will get overwhelmed easily, perhaps it’s best for them to sit out on your wedding day. Perhaps use them during your engagement session when it’s just the two of you and your photographer in a much more relaxed environment. Or bring them in on your wedding day graphic details.” — Rebecca Grant, Owner, New Creations Weddings
25. Include your pet in your engagement photos.
26. Schedule a quick video call with your pet sitter on your wedding day to say hello to your dog or cat.
27. Having a photo booth? Include a cutout of your pet as a prop so that they can sneak into your guests’ photos.
Pet sitters on Rover spotlights:
“My number one tip for anyone looking for pet drop-off/pickup for a wedding would be to have a bridesmaid, groomsman or wedding coordinator be the point of contact for anyone coming to collect the dog. With all of the things happening for the bride and groom, I really was happy I didn’t feel like I was bothering them – they had enough on their plate!”
— Katie, Sitter on Rover, Alexandria VA
“Being part of their special day was probably one of the biggest, if not the biggest takeaway for me! I knew that I provided [the couple] ease, knowing their fur baby was taken care of so they can enjoy their one special night together. They had the best of both worlds of having their dog at their wedding for photos and doing their entrance with him. When they wanted that alone time to party and talk with family, and they knew their dog was in good hands with me!”
— Gianna, Sitter on Rover, Levittown NY
“It was really cool knowing that I was the person who was making their dream of their pups being in their wedding come true. It felt really fulfilling, and I had so much fun with it. I love weddings, love, and dogs, so it was truly the perfect fit for me and made me feel good knowing I could provide that service to them.”
— Morganne, Sitter on Rover, Buffalo NY
“It felt really good knowing I helped make their day more special and less stressful for them! I had a lot of fun spending time with the pup and seeing how happy it made their pup to be such a important part of his parents’ special day.”
— Meagan, Sitter on Rover, Layton UT
Whether caring for a pet while their parents get married, transporting a dog or cat to and from a celebration of love, or attending a union as a very important pet-person–pet sitters can play an important role in life’s special moments. Check out Rover’s top tips for wedding related bookings, below.
- Make sure your calendar is up to date in the Rover app: Be sure to mark yourself unavailable for weekends or other days you’re not able to accept bookings.
- Include wedding or special event keywords in your Rover bio: Update your profile in the Rover app to reflect your special event experience or interest.
- Request reviews and testimonials from pet parents whose wedding or special events you’ve pet sat for in the past.
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