Practical Advice · December 8, 2017 · 2 min read
Bringing Your Dog to Your Wedding: A Practical Guide
Almost 50% of the couples who celebrate their wedding at Rixey bring their dogs. Here is everything we have learned about making it work.
Almost 50% of the couples who celebrate their wedding with us bring their dogs along. These furry friends come in all shapes and sizes, from teacup pups to hefty, energetic beasts.
If possible, take your dog to the venue several times before the wedding day. This is especially important if there are other animals on the property. Even if there are none, getting your dog familiar with the space ahead of time makes a real difference on the day.
Bring your dog to a family gathering or your engagement party before the wedding. It gives you a chance to see how they handle being around a crowd, and lets your family and friends get to know them. It is also a good opportunity to find out if anyone has allergies or fears.
Make sure your dog has solid recall and basic obedience. Obedience classes are worth it if you have time. Teaching them a "watch me" command is particularly useful for photos — it gives the photographer something to work with.
Consider dressing your dog for the occasion. A flower collar, a small tuxedo, a color-coordinated bow-tie. It photographs well and people love it.
Assign someone to be your dog's handler for the day. This person is responsible for walks, for bringing the dog to photo sessions, and for keeping them comfortable throughout the celebration. Do not leave this role unassigned. Whoever it falls to by default is going to have a harder time enjoying the reception.
Decide in advance how involved you want your dog to be. Will they attend just the ceremony, or the whole reception too? Will they roam freely or stay with their handler? Communicate this clearly so the handler is not improvising.
Make a packing list: food, bowls, a crate, puppy pads, and whatever else they normally need. Age is not a barrier. Rixey has hosted weeks-old puppies and 16-year-old dogs. Your dog can be part of your day.
We welcome not just dogs, but cats, horses, and other animals. Many couples consider their pets family, and we do too. Just let us know in advance and we will make the necessary arrangements.