Furry Friends: How To Include Your Dog in Your Wedding
Your big day is coming up, and you want your wedding party to be full of your closest relations to share the special moments with you. You might ask your sister to be the maid of honor, your childhood friend to be the best man, and your niece to be the flower girl. But it just won’t be complete unless your dog occupies some place of privilege too. After all, he’s been with you through thick and thin. Why shouldn’t he witness one of the most important days of your life?
If your dog has the right temperament and you plan adequately, you can absolutely feature your dog in your wedding in a memorable way.
Twenty Mile House explains the legality of having a dog as a witness for a wedding and how to decide whether you’ll be able to pull it off. We’ll also discuss different roles your dog can play in a wedding and tips for making his participation a success.
Can a Dog Be a Witness for a Wedding in California?
Legally, no. The purpose of a witness is to testify that the ceremony took place under an officiant and both parties freely consented to be married. Since dogs can’t provide this testimony, they cannot be witnesses in the legal sense. California requires one witness to sign a marriage license, and that individual “must be old enough to know that they are witnessing a marriage ceremony, and be able to sign their name on the official marriage license.”
Your dog’s pawprint won’t count as a signature, but, as long as you have another witness to sign, he can still serve as a ceremonial witness.
Twenty Mile House works to fulfill your wishes for your wedding and can help you creatively incorporate your dog into the festivities.
Should Your Dog Be a Ceremonial Witness at Your Wedding? 3 Considerations
Having a dog as part of a wedding is a lovely highlight that can enhance both your and your guests’ experience. But it might equally turn into an abysmal failure. You know your dog, and to some degree you know your guests. It’s important to consider beforehand any obstacles that stand between you and reasonable assurance the dog won’t crash the wedding.
#1: The Venue’s Pet Policy
Because many government buildings and wedding venues allow only certified service animals, it’s important to thoroughly clarify your venue’s pet policy before signing a contract. For example, ask about:
Size/breed restrictions
Extra deposits/fees
Leash requirements
Restricted areas, such as food preparation areas
If your dog’s participation is excluded by the venue’s pet policy, you can still feature him in your photo session if it’s scheduled in a different location.
#2: Your Pet’s Temperament
You know your dog better than anyone, but the wedding scene is very different from a relaxed home environment. A dog that behaves well at home may prove unable to cope with the boisterous unfamiliarity of a wedding. Some indications that your pet may be able to handle it include:
Reliable responses to basic commands (sit, stay, and come)
Calm around crowds and loud noises
Content while being handled by another person besides yourself
Self-control even around catering smells
Tractable on a leash
If you can’t confidently affirm your dog possesses these traits, it is probably best he doesn’t take part in the ceremony itself. But that doesn’t mean he won’t excel as an addition to your photo shoot or in some other role that isn’t as demanding.
#3: Designating a Dog Handler
Needless to say, you’ll be occupied during your wedding. Someone else should be responsible for your dog during this time, ensuring they perform their role as scripted and responding appropriately when things don’t proceed according to plan. This may be a willing friend who is familiar with your dog and is not busy with other duties.
If you’re willing to pay the fee, you might opt for a professional pet attendant, who will care for your dog before, during, and after its scheduled appearance/role. The attendant will handle:
Transportation
Coordination with other vendors
Outfit changes
Other relevant care your dog may need
3 Possible Roles for Your Dog in Your Wedding
So what exactly will your dog do, besides look pretty and evoke expressions of admiration from the crowd?
#1: Photo Guest
Let your photographer know ahead of time that you want several shots featuring your dog, whether they be during the wedding, reception, or photo session. Specify the kinds of shots that are most important to you, such as the dog:
Posed with you and your partner
Interacting with guests
Walking down the aisle
In the midst of the full wedding party
This is the least demanding role for your dog, as it need not take place during the ceremony or require long periods of quiet and stillness. If your dog gets antsy easily, this may be a good way to include him without a lot of pressure on the part of you or your pet handler.
#2: Dog of Honor
This role is for exceptionally behaved dogs. Rather than a quick in-and-out, your dog will stay present for a large portion of the ceremony: walking down the aisle like the rest of the wedding party, standing or sitting beside the couple during vows, and posing for formal photos. You may even choose to dress up your dog in a special outfit, such as:
A bow tie
A groom’s suit or tuxedo
A flowery collar
Including your dog in this way adds a personal, heartwarming touch that can bring a joyful energy to your wedding day.
#3: Ring-Bearer or Flower Dog
This is another important role, as all eyes will be on your dog. If your dog can stay calm while walking down the aisle with unfamiliar people on each side, this would be a good way for them to make an entrance. The dog can wear either a petal basket that lets petals fall naturally as the dog walks or a ring-bearer pouch secured to the collar. If you wish, you can arrange for the pet attendant to make a discreet exit after the “rings” have been delivered or the flower petals strewn.
Tips for Helping Your Dog’s Debut Go Smoothly
Practice Beforehand
The more involved your dog’s role in the ceremony is, the more critical it is that you rehearse regularly well in advance. If you can’t practice at the actual venue, try to simulate the path your dog will have to walk and the arrangements, as closely as possible, with your pet handler and dog.
Dress your dog in their wedding outfit several times before the wedding so they can become accustomed to it and don’t end up pawing or biting at it irritably during the ceremony.
By practicing often, your dog will become more comfortable with the various aspects of the role you have planned for them and cooperate more fully on the day of the actual event.
Come Prepared With Supplies
Pack a bag that you’ll hand over to your pet handler along with your dog on the day of the wedding. Supplies to pack include:
Food, treats, and medications
Water bowl and bottled water
Leash/harness and collar with identification
Wipes for drool and muddy paws
One or two toys
Baggies for waste
Accessories/outfits for the wedding
Brush
These necessities should be packed carefully in a backpack to allow easy access with minimal disruptions. The dog should be bathed and groomed a day or two before the wedding to avoid anxiety on a day that may already be high-pressure.
Don’t Make the Dog Stay for the Whole Ceremony
No matter how confident you are in your dog’s easygoing nature, it’s best not to push it to the limit. Overstimulation and boredom are two extremes you want to keep your dog from at all costs during your wedding. Your handler can prevent these by removing your dog from the ceremony to a quiet place to rest, play, and recover.
Have a Back-up Plan
Everyone will chuckle if your pup commits a minor infraction, like eating the flower petals (by the way, make sure they are non-toxic!), but you don’t want the dog to literally “steal the show.”
If things start to go south (such as if the dog bolts through the crowd or won’t stop barking), your handler should tactfully intervene and remove the dog from the premises. This requires a planned “escape” route and/or a fail-safe method for helping the dog recover its poise.
Have Your Heart Set on Including Your Furry Friend on the Big Day? Choose a Dog-Friendly Venue Like Twenty Mile House for Your Wedding
Twenty Mile House is an outdoor wedding venue in Northern California known for our beautiful scenery, all-inclusive packages, on-site accommodations, and multiple wedding location options. An outdoor wedding is great for couples who want their dog to participate. You can choose from several different backdrops for your ceremony, including:
Even if your dog can’t be a legal witness for a wedding in California, that doesn’t mean you have to leave him at home! Call Twenty Mile House today to ask about our pet policy and how we can help make your pet the perfect complement to your wedding.