Pets in Weddings
Thinking about including your dog in your engagement or wedding? Pets in weddings are becoming increasingly common, as many couples want to include their four-legged family members in one of life’s most meaningful celebrations. Whether your pup walks down the aisle, shares a special moment at the altar, or simply enjoys the festivities alongside loved ones, sharing your big day with them creates unforgettable memories.
Here are four heartfelt stories of how real couples welcomed their furry companions into their weddings—with love, planning, and plenty of tail wags.
Kristina and Troy + Cedar & Cypress
For Kristina Howley and Troy, including their rescue dogs Cedar and Cypress was one of the first—and easiest—decisions they made while planning their wedding. “They are both rescues who started life living on the streets, and they’ve had to work through some serious timidity and anxiety,” says Howley. “So for the wedding day, we wanted them to feel comfortable and included.”
At the ceremony, Cedar and Cypress were walked in by their grandparents and stayed close by the altar. At the reception, Cedar spent much of his time mingling with the children—enjoying gentle pets and playful tail grabs, even if he looked like a “somber old man” in some photos. Cypress, meanwhile, became an enthusiastic fan of the taco bar, happily snacking on dropped cheese and beans.
When they needed a quiet break from the excitement, the couple created a calm, cozy space near a wood stove where the dogs could rest. The wedding was held on family land—one of Cedar and Cypress’ favorite places—making it familiar, joyful, and deeply safe. “I’m sure it made interacting with so many people at once a lot less stressful,” Howley notes.
The highlight for the pups? The custom dog cake. “Our Aunt Carol made a special applesauce cake with bone-shaped treats as decoration,” Howley says. “As you can imagine, they wolfed it down.”
Holly and Dan + Daly
Daly wasn’t just present—he was part of the love story from the very beginning. He was there when Dan proposed in the mountains of Steamboat Springs, CO, and again during the couple’s engagement shoot on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. So naturally, he joined the wedding reception too.
On the big day, Daly wore a matching dog bow tie to Dan’s. “We’d hired an on-site pet sitter for Daly, but he did pretty great,” says Holly Glisky. The reception took place in a large outdoor tent, and Daly had his own seat of honor—right behind his pet parents’ chairs.
Natalie and Jonathan + Jager & Jax
From the start, Natalie and Jonathan knew two things: they wanted an outdoor riverside ceremony—and they wanted their two beloved dogs, Jager and Jax, to be central to the celebration.
“Jager showed up on my husband’s doorstep 10 years ago, the summer we started dating, and it’s always been said that Jager is his true soulmate,” says Natalie Thomas. “They were inseparable, and Jager came with us on so many adventures.” The couple rescued Jax together in 2014—and he quickly became Natalie’s soulmate. “We always felt like they were our kids and such a huge part of our family, so we couldn’t imagine them not celebrating with us,” Thomas says.
On their wedding day, Jager served as the official dog ring bearer—walking out with Jonathan and the groomsmen and standing proudly beside them during the ceremony. Both dogs wore striped bow ties to match the theme. “Jax was walked down the aisle by the ring bearers and flower girls and stood with my bridesmaids during the ceremony,” Thomas explains. “With a mostly black-and-white themed wedding, they completed the look and made our pictures that much more special.”
While the dogs took a short break during dinner, they returned later—and promptly took over the dance floor.
Tragically, Jager passed away in December 2017. “We feel so lucky Jager was able to see his parents make it official after 10 years and before crossing the rainbow bridge,” Thomas reflects.
Betty and Todd + Jake
Betty Fraser and Todd describe themselves as “theater folk”—so it was only fitting their wedding became a full-blown production, complete with a vibrant Mardi Gras theme. When it came time to choose a ring bearer, they skipped the traditional human option. “And then it hit us: Why not use our own kid?” Fraser says.
Enter Jake—a spirited 5-pound Chihuahua appointed as the official dog ring bearer. “We only told one friend what our plan was,” Fraser recalls. “He was responsible for wrapping the rings around Jake’s neck, and at the right time, he put him down at the end of the aisle in the hopes he’d come to us.” With no rehearsals—and no guarantees—the moment was pure theater.
When the time came, Jake was set down—and paused. “As we started getting into that uncomfortable pause phase, he noticed us and started moving,” Fraser says. “But instead of sprinting to us like he normally would, our little guy sauntered down the aisle like he owned the place. He must have known it was showtime.”
Finding the Perfect Outfit for Your Wedding Pup
Whether you’re planning a formal affair or a laid-back celebration, FurPetVo offers stylish, comfortable options designed with your pup’s comfort and charm in mind—all available at furpetvo.com.
Dog Tuxedos
- FurPetVo Classic Tuxedo Dog Shirt
- FurPetVo Mr. Darcy Formal Dog Bandana
- FurPetVo Yappily Ever After Groom Dog Tux
Dog Wedding Dresses
- FurPetVo Yappily Ever After Wedding Dog Dress
- FurPetVo Heart Tutu Dog Dress
Dog Bow Ties
- FurPetVo Ethan Dog Bow Tie
- FurPetVo Day of the Week Soft Plaid Dog Bow Tie Collar Slider
