How to Plan a Successful Wedding With Your Dog
If you haven’t heard me saying this yet then just give us some time together and it’s guaranteed to happen! I deeply believe that pets are family members, so on the most important day of your life–they should be there! Knowing that this is your goal, we will structure your wedding day around making it happen! Find out how we can plan for a wedding with your dog!
Can we plan a Wedding With My Dog?
Your day is about the two of you getting married in a way that makes the most sense for your personality and love story. We want to include the elements that matter most by prioritizing the look, feel, and experience you desire. For many couples, that means planning for a wedding with a dog!
If you’re asking this DC wedding photographer–my answer is always YES! It’s true that not every pet will be comfortable being present and not all locations will allow for pets. There are still many options for how, where, and when this can play out. What makes it possible is planning and preparation, and most importantly, knowing your pup.
No one knows your dog’s personality better than you so you can determine best if they could handle being photographed in a new environment. You also know whether or not having your pet present will stress you out as well! If it vibes with both of you, then I 1000% recommend having your dog be a part of your wedding day.
Find more tips on making a wedding plan that includes your furry friend!
What are Some Common Concerns in Planning a Wedding With a Dog?
Some of the primary concerns in planning a wedding with a dog is related to keeping the white wedding dress white. To avoid getting wedding outfits dirty, particularly if the pup is a jumper, here’s what I recommend:
- Have the dog join you post-ceremony
- Avoid muddy areas and wipe the pup’s paws
- If it rains or is already muddy, we nix it
Other hesitations that arise involve coordinating who is going to care for the dog throughout the day. This can easily be resolved! You can either hire a puppy sitter (locally, I love recommending Pawfect For You!) or ask a family member or friend to be in charge of them for the day.
The dog’s caretaker has to be someone who isn’t already a part of the wedding party so that they have more flexibility. Often the pup will come and go for only parts of the day so it can also help to stay at a hotel close to the venue for easy access.
There will always be venues with a no-dog policy. While this is such a bummer, it is understandable, especially for the luxury historic wedding venues in Washington, DC. But, we can always meet up outdoors for some photos around the city. This couple found a pet-friendly wedding venue in addition to including their dog in their DC engagement photos.
As an alternative or as a warm-up to the big day, you can always include your dog in the engagement session too!
How Do I Incorporate My Dog Into The Day?
When to include your dog in the wedding is entirely up to your and your fur baby! I do have some general recommendations for when it is easiest to work them into the day. Also, if you want to include your dog but not in the wedding itself, you can instead have them visit for a brief 15-minute session. This works best during one of these points in the wedding timeline:
- Wedding Getting Ready Photos: depending upon the pup, they can join the bride or groom when it’s a calm getting-ready environment. This works well when couples get ready in their own homes or together for an elopement.
- After the first look during Wedding Portraits.
- Cocktail Hour.
- Golden Hour Couples Photos.
- Stepping outside during the Reception.
Once I know the flow of your wedding photography timeline, I can make more recommendations! While I will never refuse any part of the day, in my experience, dogs are generally not included during the reception. The noise, food smells, and commotion of the dance floor can be very overwhelming.
Unless you have a dog that will thrive in the environment, I also do not recommend the pup joining the ceremony. It can overwhelm most dogs which may cause you to worry about them instead of being fully present. If they can handle it then absolutely include your pets as the ring bearers!
Couples will also opt for creative ways to honor their pups even when they cannot be present. This includes naming signature cocktails after their pets, using them as cake toppers, or even adding their faces to dog wedding favors! This couple had their dogs present for the ceremony, the couple’s photos that followed and used their likeness as both cake toppers and as decor on the cocktail napkins!
Top Recommended Dog-Friendly Wedding Venues in the DC Metro Area
When planning for a wedding with your dog, these are the Washington, DC venues (or surrounding area) that I love working with the most!
- Walker’s Overlook – Frederick, MD – in the outdoors, everything at one location, easy parking & easy to step outside.
- Poplar Springs Manor – Warrenton, Virginia – in the outdoors, everything at one location, easy parking, easy to step outside, tent options.
- The LINE DC Hotel – Adams Morgan, DC – a dog-friendly hotel so your dog can stay with you too!
- U.S. National Arboretum – Washington, DC – all outdoors, everything at one location, expansive grounds so we can spread out if the pup gets overly excited.
- Airlie – Warrenton, Virginia – 300 acres of farmland that offers a variety of wedding locations spread out over seven buildings.
- Glen Ellen Farm – Frederick County, MD – this historic, rustic wedding venue offers an outdoor garden vibe including green farmland and year-round flowers.
Wedding Vendors
Venues | Washington, DC & DC Metro Area
Photographer | Shelly Pate Photography
Pet Sitter | Pawfect For You
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