Your wedding day is one of the most memorable milestones in your life—after adopting your furry little friend, of course. So why wouldn’t you want to involve them in your big day?! If you’ve been Googling “how to include pets in your wedding,” we’re sure you’ve seen that including your four-legged friends in your special day is having a huge moment, especially for dog (or cat!) loving couples who consider their companion a part of the family. From pet-themed signature cocktails to adorable custom pet attire, here are our favorite fun, heartfelt, and TikTok-worthy ways to incorporate your pet into your big day.
Do the Honors: Make Your Dog the Ring Bearer or Flower Pup
One of the most common and adorable ways we see couples including pets in their wedding is to give them a starring role! Have your pup trots down the aisle as a ring bearer or join the bridal party as a flower pup, and it’s pretty much a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Just make sure your pooch is comfortable around crowds and assign a handler to keep things stress-free.
Pro Tip: Secure faux rings to a custom ring pillow attached to a harness for a secure and stylish look!
Paws-itively Precious: Dress Them for the Occasion
Don’t keep all the dress-up fun to yourself! Outfitting your dog or cat in wedding pet attire makes for the cuuutest wedding photos. Think: custom bandanas with your wedding date, bow ties that match the groom’s tux, or even miniature floral collars to match your bouquet. These small touches look great in pictures and show off your pet’s personality—the best of both worlds!
Cheers to That: Name a Signature Drink After Your Pet
Bring your pet’s cuddly charm to the bar by naming a signature cocktail in their honor! Whether it’s a “Meow Margarita” or a “Whiskey Wags,” custom drink signage featuring a fun sketch or photo of your pet adds a whimsical, personal touch to your wedding cocktail hour.
Bonus idea: Create matching drink stirrers or coasters with your pet’s face for a memorable detail guests will love!
Too Sweet: Incorporate Your Pet into Wedding Stationery
From save the dates to wedding invitations, incorporating a custom illustration or watercolor of your pet adds a sweet, personal element to your wedding paper suite. Picture their pawprint as a watermark?! Too cute! We also love to see pets featured in couples’ wedding websites, ceremony programs, or thank-you cards.
Furry Feature: Put Your Pets in the Wedding Pics
If your venue isn’t pet-friendly (bummer!) or your animal companion won’t or can’t be part of the ceremony, you can still include them in pre-wedding photos or a first look. Capture those candid, love-filled moments with your pet before the day gets too hectic.
Pro Tip: Bring treats and a favorite toy to keep your pet engaged and relaxed during the shoot.
Down to the Details
Bring your pet to life in the décor and details. Consider:
- Custom cake toppers featuring your pet
- Table numbers with pet photos
- Pet-inspired favors, like dog-shaped cookies or donation cards to your favorite animal rescue (or treats for your guest’s pups back at home!)
- A guestbook station with a paw print stamp
These thoughtful touches help guests feel your pet’s presence throughout your wedding celebration.
Don’t Forget: Consider a Pet Attendant
Worried about the logistics of handling your dog during your wedding day? Consider hiring a wedding pet attendant—a pro who handles pet care, transport, and coordination so your pup can participate without a hitch. Search for pet-friendly wedding planners or local dog wedding chaperones in your area to make sure everything goes smoothly—or just ask a trusted friend your pet is comfortable with!
Your wedding is all about celebrating love—and yes, that includes the unconditional kind that comes with a wagging tail or happy purr. Whether your pet struts down the aisle or just stars in your signature drink, there are SO many ways to make them part of your day (without it going full dog park chaos).
So go ahead: personalize that cocktail, rock the custom bandana, and let your furry friend steal a few hearts (and maybe the spotlight). Because when it comes to saying “I do,” every love deserves a moment in the limelight—especially the four-legged kind.
But we’re not finished yet! Adriana Brauckmann, host of The Pre Nup, sat down with Veronica Silghigian, Chief Dog Lover at Pawfect For You, the premier wedding day pet care company, to answer all your burning questions about incorporating your furry best friend into your wedding day. From navigating venue restrictions to ensuring your pup is photo-ready, Veronica shares invaluable tips to help your dog’s role in your big day go off without a hitch. Watch now!
Looking for more inspo? Check out Pearl by David’s for all the latest trends, advice, and more.
