Dogs and Cats at Weddings: 7 Ways to Include Your Pet
Do you hear that? Those wedding bells? They’re not just for the bride and groom. More and more betrothed couples are also proud pet parents—and they’re finding heartfelt, joyful ways to include their dogs and cats in their wedding celebrations.
“For a while, it was very common for couples to have their pets walk down the aisle during the wedding ceremony. While this is still a popular option, we’re seeing a rise in couples including their pets in pre-wedding festivities,” says Hannah Nowack, senior weddings editor and expert at FurPetVo.
So, what’s the best way to include your dog or cat in your wedding ceremony, reception, and beyond? Here are seven thoughtful, practical, and inspiring ideas—curated from wedding industry experts like Nowack and real couples who made their furry family members a meaningful part of their big day.
Key Takeaways
- There are many creative ways to include pets in weddings—whether in person, through symbolic gestures, or via beautiful keepsakes.
- Not all pets are suited for the ceremony; pre-wedding photos, custom portraits, or even life-sized cardboard cutouts are wonderful alternatives.
- Personalized wedding elements—like themed drinks, custom stationery, or memorial candles—can lovingly honor pets who can’t attend.
- Ensuring your pet’s comfort, safety, and well-being is the top priority. A calm, happy pet makes for a truly memorable moment.
7 Ways To Include Your Cat and Dog in Your Wedding
1. Include Your Pet in Your ‘First Look’ Photos
Not all pets are able to attend the wedding ceremony—and that’s perfectly okay! One gentle, meaningful alternative is to include your pet in your “first look” or pre-ceremony photos.
“Making the most of the ‘first look’ is a great option if you don’t want your pet to attend the actual wedding but you’d like them present at some point during the day,” Nowack says. “You can snap pictures with your animals—but then leave them home while the wedding takes place. This is a best-of-both-worlds solution that allows your pet to be part of the day without being a distraction or burden.”
Good for pets who:
- Can’t attend the ceremony in person
- Get overstimulated in crowds or tend to misbehave around unfamiliar people or settings
How to do it:
- Hire a trusted pet sitter (remember—your friends and family will all be at the wedding!) and coordinate timing so your pet can pose for a few pre-wedding pictures.
- Communicate clearly with the sitter about when the “first look” will happen and how long it’ll last. They’ll help ensure your pet arrives dressed to impress—and gets home safely afterward.
2. Make Your Pet the Ring Bearer
Your pet doesn’t need to carry rings in their paws—though it would be impressive if they could! Instead, consider enlisting them as an honorary ring bearer.
Take inspiration from Arne Klein and Brad Kisner, who included their Goldendoodle, Stanley Milton, in their 2018 Cleveland wedding. Dressed in a matching bow tie and leg cuffs, Stanley walked down the aisle with two handlers—and wore a custom harness with a secure pouch holding the rings.
“Many couples choose to include their pets in the wedding processional as a ring bearer of sorts,” Nowack says.
Good for pets who:
- Are outgoing and well-socialized
- Adjust easily to new people and environments
- Walk politely on leash
How to do it:
- Figure out the logistics: How will you attach the rings? Some couples use a harness with a pouch; others tie the rings onto a collar with a decorative ribbon. Whichever method you choose, give your pet plenty of time to practice wearing the gear comfortably.
- Practice walking down the aisle ahead of time—this helps prevent jitters on the big day.
- Wait until just before the procession to attach the rings. You don’t want them getting lost!
3. Make Your Pet the Flower Girl (or Boy)
Allison Tabor’s English Bulldog, Matilda, knew her fiancé Adam was The One—even before she did. “She was drawn to him from day one.” So naturally, Matilda joined the wedding as the “flower girl,” wearing a bright floral collar and led down the aisle by the groom’s young niece.
A fun floral collar that matches your bouquet and décor is an easy, elegant way to coordinate your pet with the event, says Valarie Falvey, founder of Kirkbrides—a Northeast Ohio wedding planning and design company that oversees more than 100 weddings each year.
Falvey notes that florists are increasingly familiar with this request—and many will ask for your pet’s collar in advance to securely affix the blooms.
Good for pets who:
- Are outgoing and well-socialized
- Adjust well to new people and environments
- Walk politely on leash
- Are comfortable wearing accessories
How to do it:
- Talk to your florist about adding a floral collar to your package—and provide a properly fitting collar if requested.
- Create a practice collar using silk or paper flowers to help your pet get used to wearing something around their neck.
- Have the person accompanying your pet (especially if it’s a child) practice walking together beforehand. As certified dog trainer Victoria Schade advises, “A few practice strolls down the aisle—with lots of praise and treats—will help the pup feel more confident during the main event.”
4. Include Your Dog or Cat in the Wedding Party
Your bridesmaids and groomsmen are the most important people in your life. Doesn’t your pet belong among them?
That’s exactly why Tina Gibble and Daniel Brauchli plan to have their dogs, Luna and Leo, standing beside them during their ceremony. “They’re a part of our family,” Brauchli says. “Including them together in our wedding is so important to us.”
Depending on your pet’s temperament and the length of your ceremony, asking them to remain calm and focused throughout may be a tall order. That’s why preparation—and support—is essential.
“Make sure someone is delegated as the pet’s official handler and point-of-contact for the day,” Nowack says. “Couples could hire a pet sitter for this task—or invite an animal-loving family member to handle it, if a loved one is interested.”
Some pets are uniquely qualified to stand up for you. Brauchli plans to take his dogs on a long run the morning of the wedding to help them stay calm and relaxed. (It might even ease the groom’s jitters too!)
Good for pets who:
- Have calm, steady temperaments
- Are outgoing and well-socialized
- Adjust well to new people and environments
- Know basic cues like “sit” and “stay”—or are comfortable being held or carried in a stylish carrier
How to do it:
- Keep ceremony length in mind—will your pet be able to comfortably “stay” for the full duration? If not, consider having them join only for key moments, like the vows or recessional.
- Assign a dedicated handler who knows your pet well—and has backup treats, water, and a quiet spot nearby for breaks.
- Ensure your pet wears comfortable, non-restrictive attire—and avoid anything that blocks vision, breathing, or movement.
5. Feature Your Pet in Custom Wedding Stationery
Even if your pet won’t physically attend, they can still be woven into the fabric of your celebration through personalized stationery. Think: Save-the-dates featuring your pet’s portrait, invitations with paw-print motifs, or place cards shaped like miniature dog bones or cat silhouettes.
Many designers at FurPetVo offer customizable templates—and some even partner with artists who create hand-drawn pet illustrations based on your photos. It’s a sweet, subtle way to say, “This day is for all of us.”
6. Create a Pet-Themed Guestbook or Memory Table
Set up a charming memory table where guests can write notes to your pet—or sign a custom “pawprint guestbook” alongside their own signature. Use ink-safe, non-toxic pet-safe ink pads to capture your dog’s or cat’s print beside messages like “Welcome to the family!” or “We love your humans—and you!”
This doubles as both a heartfelt keepsake and a conversation starter for guests who adore animals.
7. Honor Your Pet with a Symbolic Gesture
If your pet has passed—or simply isn’t able to join due to age, health, or temperament—you can still honor them meaningfully. Light a candle beside a framed photo, include their name on your wedding program, or toast them during the reception with a special “FurBaby Cheers” cocktail named after them.
At FurPetVo, we believe every family member deserves recognition—whether they walk on two legs or four.
