One of my favorite dog wedding memories was when our client's flower dog walked down the aisle with a bucket of flower petals tied to its collar and the petals bounced right out onto the aisle, covering the aisle more perfectly than any flower girl. It was adorable!
A trend that we've seen becoming popular with our clients is to incorporate their dogs into their wedding day. We love this trend! We know that our client's pups hold a special place in their hearts as family and we definitely want to capture that into their photos. So here are our tips to incorporating your dog into your big day.
1). Check with your venue to make sure that it's allowed.
Before you get any further in planning to bring your dog to your wedding, check with your venue to make sure you are able to bring your pup there. If your dog is not allowed at your venue, consider bringing them to your engagement session instead. We have clients who treasure the photos we took of them with their dogs after they have passed. We love the joy, energy & spontaneity that animals can bring to a session!
2). Have a designated dog manager for the day.
This person will bring the dog to the venue and back home at the appropriate time. They will make sure that your dog is fed and comfortable throughout the day. Knowing that someone is caring for your pup when you aren't able will allow you to enjoy your wedding day without any added stress, while being able to have them at your celebration.
3). Bring a favorite toy or treats to help them look at the camera.
During the portrait session portion of your day, we love it when our clients give us dog treats or toys to hold over the lens of our cameras. This allows us to get that classic photo where everyone is looking, including your pup.
4). Bring water bowls to have at the ceremony for a hot day.
This is definitely an important one for our clients who are having summer weddings. If your pup is attending your ceremony, put a bowl up at the front to make sure that it is available if they need it! Even if you're sweating in your wedding formal clothing, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your pup has the hydration it needs.
Let us know if you have any questions about incorporating your dog on your wedding day or if you have any suggestions we should add to our list. If you are an existing client, let us know if you'd like to bring your pet to a session and we will work with you to make it happen!