The wedding dog guide
So you've just got engaged and you're now looking at your perfect venue and suppliers. You're also looking at options for your dog. Here you'll find a comprehensive guide for every step of your wedding journey, and how you can make sure you're making the best decisions for your dog too.
Before the wedding
Is your dog suited to a wedding:
Every dog is different, some may relish in all the attention and be used to big parties and busy environments, whilst others may find it daunting.
You may find it is best to consider if they are going to cope in an environment full of new smells, loud noises, crowds, all their favourite humans, and them not always able to be with you for comfort.
Decide if it would be more sensible to have them there just for the drinks reception for some photos. Or make sure they have a room at the venue they can decompress in.
Introducing your dog to your chaperone:​
With ourselves you are required to attend at least one bonding session. These sessions are in a neutral environment so we can get to know your dog and they can get to know us.
Lots of treats and fun is compulsory!
If your dog is nervous, takes a little while to warm up to new people or is reactive, booking in more sessions will go a long way to making sure the wedding day with your dog goes smoothly
Wedding dog training:
You could look at training your dog to settle in busy environments, it's basically a great excuse to head to the pub!
A good 'sit and wait' is really helpful when it comes to posing for photographs.
If your dog is coming down the aisle, it's useful to practice that recall too. If you can, try it out at your venue, often they will be set up for a ceremony on wedding fair days so you'll have the chairs and aisle set up to have a go!
The wedding attire:
There's so much choice when it comes to choosing what your dog will wear on the day. From suit style harnesses and bow ties to flower collars and dress style coats.
Things to make sure you do before the day:
- check it fits properly and is sturdy enough that it can with hold pulling
- make sure your dog is comfortable with it on and they are used to it, especially anything that hangs off the collar or harness such as a ring box or flowers
If you are using real flowers make sure you have researched poisonous plants and flowers and that your florist is aware.
Choosing your wedding suppliers
Choosing a dog friendly venue:
Some venues are more dog friendly than others, which means you'll need to ask the right questions:
- Are they allowed inside the venue? And are there any rooms/areas they can't go?
- Are dogs allowed to stay in the accommodation? And do they have to be accompanied at all times?
- Are they allowed on site during the wedding breakfast?
Your photographer/videographer/content creator:
Check out their work on social media and chat to them about your dog, you'll want to know if they're happy to be around your dog and are comfortable working comfortably with them in close proximity. And they will need to be capable of photographing a fast moving, erratic bundle of fluff, and coming from a person who has dabbled in dog photography, it is not the easiest!
It's important that your on the day team are aware your dog will be coming. Let them know if they have a role on the day so that they can be there to capture those moments and can position themselves accordingly.
The registars/celebrant:
It's really important to let your registrar/celebrant know your dog is involved in the ceremony.
If they are ring bearing they will need to cue to person who is in charge of the dog. Although as a chaperone I know the moment by heart, and will work with your registrar and coordinator to make sure the moment happens seamlessly.
On the day
Where will your dog be in the morning:
You're all getting ready, there's people coming in and out of the room/house, it can be noisy and busy. Where will your dog be best suited to be?
Often being at home with either partner or a family member is the easiest and most sensible. To then be picked up by your chaperone and taken to the venue.
If your dog is staying at the venue the night before, assign a couple of people to be in charge of the dog until your chaperone arrives. That way that person can be in charge of any toilet breaks and making sure they are safe and there's no escapes when doors are opening and closing.
What role your dog will play:
Will your dog have an active role or do you want them to just be around in the background?
You can involve them in just the drinks reception, they can mooch with your guests before and after the ceremony.
They can be involved in the ceremony. From standing with the groomsmen from the beginning to walking down with the bridesmaids. You can surprise your guests with them coming down the aisle with the rings,(on or off lead) or they could be the first to congratulate you when you've officially signed the register!
During the wedding breakfast and beyond:
If your dog is staying on site, do they have somewhere to whilst you eat? Ideally this is the time that having a rest in the quiet, so access to a hotel room would be best.
The room you choose should be away from the action, and preferably be somewhere that people aren't going to be coming out of all the time. An unsettled dog is an unhappy dog.
During the evening party:
Consider when your dog will need your chaperone until:
- does your venue allow your dog to stay in the hotel room alone? And will your dog be happy to be alone?
- Will you worry about your dog being alone and want to keep checking on them? Or will your dog be sick of the company and is used to being left alone?
You could even choose to have your chaperone stay over at the hotel with your dog, so you don't have to worry about them until the day after.
The practical stuff
The weather:
Whether it's super hot or pouring down with rain it's worth making sure you pack appropriate items for the weather conditions:
- towels/coat/equifleece/wipes
- cooling coat/cooling mat/portable water bowl
Consider your options for if it is hot. Are there air conditioned rooms on site? Or cool shaded areas for your dog to hang out in?
If it is raining, is your venue dog friendly indoors? If it is, has your dog got space to get out of the way of people? It will be busier and louder with everyone hanging out inside in the dry.
What to bring as standard:
- High value treats (cheese, chicken, hotdogs etc)
- A favourite toy
- A blanket/bed/crate
- Long lasting chew/kong/lick mat
- bowls for food and water
- poo bags and wipes
Testimonials
Molly and Anthony
Annabel was an absolute dream to have looking after our dog, Wilbur, at our wedding. She was amazing from start to finish and made the whole experience completely stress-free!
We also had a second handler to look after my parents’ two dogs, and both handlers were incredible. They listened to all of our worries, completely put our minds at ease, and were absolutely amazing with all three dogs throughout the day.
We couldn’t have wished for anyone better to have our dogs with us on such a special day. We would highly recommend Annabel and the team to anyone looking for a wedding dog handler!
Christina and Jamie
Annabelle looked after our Labrador Ralph on our wedding day and we couldn’t be happier with everything 🥰 from the moment we met Annabelle we knew we made the right choice! She is so kind and lovely and Ralph absolutely loved her! I was really worried when we were thinking about having Ralph as our ring bearer and at our wedding, but we needn’t have worried at all because we found Annabelle and she made sure Ralph was happy, calm and amazingly looked after all day whilst also making sure he was a big part of our day. We can’t thank you enough for everything, Ralph was in the safest hands possible and had the time of his life! X
Hannah and Andrew
Thank you so much Annabel for being the best dog chaperone for Duggie, for our wedding at Eaves Hall (22.05.26). From the beginning at our bonding session, I instantly knew you were the right person for Duggie. You covered all aspects for ensuring all his needs were met. Your priority was always Duggie, which made us feel so relaxed, knowing he was in the best hands. Thank you for helping us get the best photos with Duggie, those memories we will treasure forever. Thank you for putting Duggie first before anything else, it was a warm day and you ensured he was comfortable and safe. It meant the world to have our dog at our wedding, even better knowing he was taken care of so well and we didn't have to worry.