Posted by Patti Wellington on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 @ 06:14 PM
Having a wedding that includes your dog or cat can be a lot of fun. You not only get to dress them formally, you also get to feel good about having your pet around during your wedding day. After all, there's a pretty good chance that your pet may have been around before your fiancé was.
Dogs can participate on the wedding day as a flower girl, ring bearer, best man or maid of honor - it's completely up to you. When deciding their role, always consider what your pet can handle. I recommend choosing someone you trust and who might be familiar with your dog to be your "pet-sitter" on your wedding day - they can walk him or her and allow them to do their business in a more discreet area. Toys, treats, a leash and water bowl should be included in the pet luggage. Bringing along a carrier so that your dog can nap during certain parts of the wedding would also be helpful.
Cats can sometimes be more difficult to include, especially if you have a fussy feline. A nice alternative would be to dress them up in little outfits and have them photographed for the save-the-date cards or wedding invitations. Some couples also choose to use the photos for their wedding reception place cards or in the wedding signing book. If you think that your cat is mellow and social then including him (or her) in the wedding day events should be fine.
If your pets are a big part of your life you can also include them in your engagement photos. I would practice shooting them before you head out with the professional photographer. That way they are used to the flash and clicking noise of the camera.
Do you have any questions or want more information about wedding planning? E-mail them to me and I'll contact you with an answer. Who knows, I might even write an article on it and post it in my blog. weddings@occasionsniagara.com