To continue with this this morning’s topic of tips to include your dog in your wedding, we’ve come up with a list of resources and fun doggy ideas! We’ve got clothing and accessories for your pup himself, or other fashion and decor items that will give a nod to the dog in your life whether he is attending the wedding or not.
Adorable bow ties, neck ties and even little cuffs with cuff links at Fur Kids Closet on Etsy.com
“The Hottest trends in Canine Couture” from B*tch New York
All kinds of designer dog fashion and accessories at UrbanPup.com
Dog collars, leashes, bow ties and more from Sooper Tramp on Etsy.com
Fun custom illustrated wedding cake toppers from Star House on Etsy.com
Wooden dog wedding cake toppers from Knottingwood on Etsy.com
Calling all dog owners! No doubt you’re head-over heels in love with that pooch of yours, and you may even be looking for a creative way to include your beloved dog in your wedding. Whether that means a fully tuxedoed pup walking down the aisle, or a nod to your pet on your save-the-dates, there are endless ways to show your love for Fido. To help bring a few tips to the table, today I’m excited to have a guest post from by Joy Bianchi Brown. She’s the business partner, sister, and biggest fan to wedding photographer Jules Bianchi, who has a deep love for dogs and photographs them often…
From Joy: If you have heard of Jules Bianchi, you have probably heard of Olive, Jules four legged side-kick (This sweet duo is seen above!). Jules love for her dog is well known, and many brides who feel the same way about their furry children have commissioned her to photograph their weddings.
If you are thinking about including your favorite four-legged child to your wedding plans, here are some tips for you:
The first thing to consider is the personality of your dog. Does she do well in crowds? Is she social or shy? How old is your dog? Will this be physically challenging for her? If the event will be more stressful than fun for your dog, you may want to weigh in how important it is to include her. There are lots of fun ways to honor your pet at the wedding without actually having her there.
If youve decided that Fido is in fact going to make an appearance, the next thing you want to do is make sure that dogs are allowed at your wedding venue. For example, a restaurant wedding would not be an option for you if you wanted to include your pooch. Talk to the officiant of your ceremony as well as the venue to make sure all are comfortable and aware of your plans. You may need to follow some specific rules or pay an extra fee to include them.
Another place to check in with is your hotel. If you book with a hotel that is dog-friendly youll have a place where your dog can relax and get some space from the hustle and bustle of a crazy wedding day. If your dog will tolerate a crate, make sure they have one so they can feel safe.
Think about what role your dog will play. Will she carry a ring-bearing pillow around her neck or will she simply accompany you down the aisle? Will you want your dog to wear a special outfit? There are lots of fun companies that can help with custom made collars or other wedding accessories so your dog will feel right at home with the rest of the well dressed attendees. Just make sure that you give the outfit a “trial run” before the big day, especially if your dog isn’t used to wearing extra clothing.
Before the wedding day, its a good idea to take your dog to visit the space a day or two ahead of time, so you can both be comfortable with how they will behave there, and check out any foreseeable trouble spots.
Make sure you arrange for care before, during, and after the ceremony and reception, so a handler has specific responsibility for your dog at all times. This should be someone she trusts, so she feels comfortable in an unusual environment. You don’t want to be worrying about your furry child on your wedding day. Make sure the handler has supplies for any accidents, such as doggy bags and paper towels, and that the handler allows for many potty breaks. Also, bring their favorite treat and toy to help distract them if they get upset or squirrly.
Youll need portable food and water on hand and to feed and water your dog early and often, since dogs can easily get over stimulated at events like this.
Make sure to have an exit plan if they can’t sit through the ceremony, or things dont go as expected on the wedding day.
Always make sure your dog is on a leash, even if she is very well trained. This will make the guests more comfortable as well as eliminate the dog getting lost during the reception. You also want to be aware of guests with allergies or a fear of dogs.
One last thing is you might consider wedding insurance, especially with a dog in attendance.
If you choose NOT to bring your pooch to the party, you can still honor her in a number of significant ways. Perhaps she can be part of your engagement shoot, and you can include portraits of the three of you to decorate the reception, put in your save the date cards or wedding announcements. One bride included her dog in a sweet pendent she attached to her bouquet. Another used their dog as inspiration to decorate their wedding menu and napkins, and another used the image of their dog to light up the reception dance floor!
There are so many fun things you can do to include your dog as part of your wedding day festivities, whether or not she is able to actually attend. I hope these images give you some fun ideas!
Thanks so much Joy! And thank you to Jules Bianchi for all these fabulous wedding dog photos!
Readers, stay tuned this afternoon for more doggy wedding fashion and decor resources!
Happy Monday! While I hope your week is off to a great start, I’m going to work on extending your weekend a little. Because Elaine and Todd’s wedding on Vero Beach, Florida is the perfect escape. The soft, muted color palette of shale, sand, and beach glass will transport you away and Vitalic Photo’s pretty, pretty pictures are as romantic and ethereal as it gets. I love this softer interpretation of a beach wedding – it’s simply sublime!
What adjectives best describe your wedding day? Miraculous, Modern-Vintage Beach, Comfortable
Was there a decor theme that ran through your wedding? What was the inspiration for that particular idea and how did it reflect you as a couple? We wanted the decor to feel natural to the beach environment, without using seashells and sand. We also didnt want it to feel too formal. We used natural materials like burlap, twine, sea glass, succulents, some coral and white flowers throughout. We liked the idea of mixing vintage and modern vases and mixing different flowers, so that no two tables were a like. As individuals, we are different in so many ways. I think this mixing of different things and having them come together and working cohesively is reflection of us as a couple.
What were some of the different ways you used decor elements (fashion, flowers, linens, lighting, paper products, food, etc.) to create the beautiful, cohesive event you were envisioning? For the most part I think color kept everything cohesive. We kept everything dusty shale, grey, tan and ivory. The mixing and matching of different things made it fun and unique. The bridesmaids dresses were all the same color and material but each bridesmaid chose the style of dress they wanted to wear. The flowers were all white. Monti did a great job mixing and matching different flower varieties to make each table unique. We used burlap table runners, wrapped votive candles in burlap and twine, our guestbook/advice board had a burlap backing. On the invitations, we mixed and matched fonts and used twine to wrap the invitation package together, all staying within the same color palette.
Where did you choose to hold your wedding, and how did the location influence your decor decisions? We chose Todd’s hometown of Vero Beach, Florida. We always knew we wanted to do a beach wedding and after scouting a few other places, we felt that the Vero Beach Hotel was the perfect place. The fire pit outside, the view of the ocean, the beautiful patio, and the dining room made the decision easy.
Looking back, do you have a favorite project or successful decor idea from your wedding? Tell us what you loved about it! My favorite projects were the invitations, and all the printed materials. I am a graphic designer by trade, so designing the save the dates, invitations, programs and name cards was fun for me because they set the tone for the event. Once my design was figured out, planning and decorating the rest of the wedding the came easy. And, we have to give a special thanks to Debbie Collins for volunteering her help and time to making everything perfect.
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