Including your Four-Legged Friends
All Images by Jo Moore Photographer
Warning: this post contains ridiculous amounts of cuteness guaranteed to have you going “awww!”
If you’re anything like me, your four-legged fur baby is absolutely and one-hundred percent a part of the family - even to the point of having their own spot on the couch, their own Christmas stocking with the rest during the festive season, and their own series of ridiculously embarrassing nicknames that get called out without shame from the front door.
Sound familiar? Then, no doubt, you’re trying to figure out whether you can involve them in the big day, in any way shape or form. Nope, they can’t sign your marriage licence as a witness (unfortunately a paw-print is yet to be legally binding) - but they can absolutely be included!
There are a number of factors that’ll need to be considered - so we spoke to Jo Moore Photographer, wedding photographer extraordinaire meets amazing pet photographer, for her top tips for including pets in your wedding day!
1. Include them in the engagement shoot
Perhaps your pup gets a wee bit nervous in front of an audience. Jo recommends having a portrait sitting/engagement shoot with them before the wedding. Or if they’re of the stay-at-home variety, why not bring the engagement shoot to them?“The same goes if you have a cat/rabbit/bird that can't come to a venue - then you could have a shoot at home and use the photos in the reception or for invites/wedding book.”
2. Cake and invites
Can’t bring them along on the big day? Bring in some adorable animal decorations to the other elements of the day! “If your pet can't be part of your wedding day but they are a huge part of your family and you'd like them to be "present" you could design their likeness into your wedding invites and the cake!”, says Jo. “I've seen quite a few wedding cakes with little dogs and cats on them (and even paw prints!)”
3. Bring them to the creative shoot
If the venue specifically requires no pets on-site, you could bring have your dog join you for your creative shoot off-site instead!
There are a few things to plan ahead of time here - Jo breaks it down for us below.
Make sure the area you are shooting in is dog friendly i.e. dogs are not prohibited from the area or they haven't dropped poison in the area. If you are near a river make sure there are no toxic algae warnings in place.
Take your dog to the area a few times before the wedding so they are familiar with it.
Bring water, treats and anything your dog loves - like a tennis ball.
Make sure their collar or harness is fitted correctly - last thing you want on your wedding day is your pup slipping their collar and running off.
You'll either need a guest or friend to be in charge of your dog during the shoot. And it needs to be someone who can just leave with the dog if your pup starts getting stressed (or bored) without it affecting the rest of your shoot (as in if it's the best man - he can't just take the dog and go if he's supposed to be in the photos). You may want to consider hiring a dog walker or sitter to be this person.
Be aware that if you are in a dog off lead area that you are likely to have other dogs interrupting your shoot and the bridal party will need to be "on guard" to make sure they don't jump on your wedding dress.
Also be aware of what the other dogs in the area are doing in case any become aggressive towards your dog.
Know how your dog shows signs of being stressed
4. Include them in the ceremony and at the venue
If you’re hosting at a venue that is more than happy for pets to join in the celebrations, or your having it at home - and if your pet loves being around people and excitement - then consider including them in the ceremony and in the venue photos!
Have a dedicated person who is experienced in handling dogs looking after them (you can hire dogsitters for the day!)
Take your dog to the venue a few times so they become familiar with it. This is really important if it is a venue with farm animals. You do not want to find out on your wedding day that your dog is terrified of the cows/horses/sheep in the paddock next to where you are having your ceremony - or that they bark the whole way through your ceremony at them.
Even the most relaxed dog can become stressed or agitated at a wedding. Imagine all the hands constantly coming down to pat them out of nowhere and all the high pitched voices/loud music/breaking glasses/people crying. If your dog is timid or reactive at all do not take them to your venue.
Find a space they can be taken too - or a place to go for a walk to chill out and be away from the chaos.
If it's a hot day and your ceremony is not on grass - put your hand on the ground to check the temperature of the ground. If it's really hot on your hand (sand and concrete especially) then your dog may end up with burnt paws. If it's really hot consider putting a nice rug or something for them to stand/sit on.
Keep your dog away from the human food and be conscious of what food is being served to your guests during canapés if the dog is still present. Some of the food we eat is toxic to dogs and you don't want an emergency trip to the vet because your dog ate something off the ground it shouldn't be eating.
If you are putting flowers on your dogs collar or head - make sure they are not toxic to dogs! Also make sure nothing you on them is not going to choke them or inhibit their eyesight.
If you do want your dog to wear a cushion with the rings on it or a flower collar etc. train your dog for a couple of months before hand. If you just chuck a flower collar on them on the day they may instantly try to scratch it off (which might make you cry if you have paid a lot of money for it!)
5. Donate a gift to charity
Wanting a more symbolic way of including your pet in your celebrations? “In honour of your current fur-child or past fur babies you could have the option for people to donate to specific animal charities instead of giving you a wedding gift,” Jo suggests. “I haven't seen this happen yet but I think it's a nice idea!”
A massive thank you again to Jo Moore Photographer for her wise words in this piece - be sure to check out her listing, and see more gorgeous photos on her website.
Brought to you by the wonderful Deanna Walker.