Here comes the…dog? Yep, you heard that right: More and more couples are including their furry family members in their nuptials. 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 honour 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: Focus Photography
“When the wedding planning started, my biggest concern was Koda. I wanted him to be our ring bearer and walk down the aisle when we exchanged rings but because how busy the entire day was, it was hard to find someone to trust him with.
I came across Rover and read great reviews from other people and decided to give it a try. We met Meagan a few months before the wedding to introduce Koda, and he immediately fell in love with her.”
— Srimalkie, Dog Parent on Rover, Vaughan ON
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
“If it is really important to have your dog included in the wedding day, you will want to find a ceremony spot that allows dogs onsite or consider bringing them for photos. Consider hiring a mobile pet sitter who can transport them to and from the wedding and take care of them in between, so you don’t have to worry.”
— Rebecca Chan, Owner and Lead Planner, Rebecca Chan Weddings and Events
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 honouring 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.
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).
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.
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!
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 favour.
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 favours, 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.
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 sitter on Rover spotlight
“I was the background person with arriving at the home, shuttling the pup to the wedding, handling before the wedding, handing off for his spotlight moment to walk down the aisle and handling afterwards. I was also caring for him during photos and shuttled him home. It was extremely honouring to have a couple request me to be apart of such a big day in their lives.”
— Meagan, Sitter on Rover, Brampton Ontario
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 include wedding or special event keywords.
- Request reviews and testimonials from pet parents whose wedding or special events you’ve pet sat for in the past.
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