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Updated Oct 14, 202422 Simple (and Adorable) Ideas for Including Pets in Weddings
The most paw-fect wedding ideas for dog lovers, cat lovers and more.
Photos, from left to right: Caroline Tran Photographer,Shelby Danielle Photography
There's likely no one you spend more time with than your pets. Well, maybe your future spouse. But even then, our fur babies are truly part of the family, which is why we've seen even more pets in weddings lately. From including them in first looks to using their image in decor, signage, wedding guest books and more, having your favorite furry friend on the day itself can come in many shapes and forms.
We chatted with professional pet care attendants, Ilana Karcinski of FairyTail Pet Care based in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Monika Kreinberg of Furever Us in Miami, about how to incorporate dogs into a wedding, or cats and other creatures. There are many unique ways to incorporate any type of pet in your wedding—just be mindful about what matters to you and your partner, and consider your pet's personality and energy levels—and you can come up with the perfect way to say 'I do' with your best friend by your side!
In this article: Ideas for How to Include Pets in Your Wedding | Pet Wedding FAQ
Ideas for How to Include Pets in Your Wedding
So, are pets allowed at weddings? Some venues are pet-friendly, but there are many moving pieces on how to include pets in a wedding so that they (and you) aren't stressed out. And if you're wondering how to incorporate cats into a wedding or how to honor your dog at your wedding, we've rounded up photos from couples as inspiration. If you're signed into your account at The Knot, use the heart icon to save ideas and go back to access your favorites once logged in.
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1. Dapper Dog Ceremony Shot
Having dogs at weddings instantly makes the day more fun. Letting your pup stand by your side during the ceremony is a reminder of what the day's really about: your union as a family. One pro tip from Kreinberg is: "When it comes to outfits, we love seeing dogs dressed up—but sometimes a tuxedo bandana or a flower-inspired collar is just as perfect… Always consider the weather: keeping pets cool is essential."
2. Cute, Custom Dog Wedding Favors
Incorporating your favorite furry friend into the wedding favors is as simple as a custom bag or sticker. Use an illustration of your pet or transfer a photo onto the bags for a keepsake your guests will really enjoy.
3. Matching Bar Sign and Cat Wedding Napkins
Make your whole bar into an homage to your fur baby, like with these custom cocktail napkins and bar sign. Your drink station will be the cat's meow, and naming your signature cocktails after your pets is a clever way to keep their spirit at the party.
4. First Look With Your Pet
For the shy pets or bigger weddings, Karcinski says, "There are several ways to still include your pet in photos, even if they're not allowed at the venue. You can have your pet come by to your getting-ready location to spend some quality time together and get some adorable photos."
5. Wedding Puppy Postceremony Photos
Is there anything cuter than puppies at weddings? Bringing your newest family member to the wedding doesn't have to involve too much (especially since their nap times are precious at this age), so bringing them along for a few snapshots makes for a lovely memory.
6. Include Your Dog in the Wedding Ceremony
You may now kiss the pup! This dog of honor is giving us some adorable flower dog collar ideas, and it's the perfect way to ensure they're dolled up for the wedding day. Kreinberg recommends using pet-friendly leaves and flowers for this adornment.
7. Welcome to the Paw-ty Cat Sign
Welcome your loved ones to the wedding weekend with a paws-itively cute welcome sign, featuring your pet. Sprinkling little nods to your four-legged friend makes all the pet lovers at your wedding rejoice.
8. Drinks on Me Dog Cups
Cheers to the newlyweds (and their cuddly creature). These drink cups are a must for cocktail hour or backyard weddings, and matching custom pet portrait coasters are the perfect added touch.
9. Pet Drink Stirrer for Cocktail Hour
For the nervous dogs who need to sit this event out, include your favorite fuzzy face on a drink stirrer so you still feel their presence. Pairing them with custom wedding cocktail napkins gives an effortlessly chic and whimsical vibe.
10. Dog and Cat Wedding Attire
Adding portraits of your pets to your wedding day look is a thoughtful and subtle choice. This boutonniere has both the couple's dog and cat, so they're right by the groom's heart.
11. Doggone Good Time Stationery
Wedding invitations with dogs will definitely end up on your guests' fridges. Working with an artist or brand who can craft custom pet portrait invitations will guarantee a smile once this lands in your friends' and family members' mailboxes.
12. Customized Wedding Dogs Drink Wafers
Here's one of those dog wedding ideas that leaves a serious impression. These drink wafers pair paw-fectly with signature cocktails named after your pets.
13. Adorable Cat Cutouts at Reception
Including even the most social cats at weddings can be tricky, so having their likeness makes for a great alternative. These giant cat cutouts are fun on the dance floor, in the photo booths and more during your reception.
14. Here Comes the Bride (and the Pup)
Karcinski says, "If you have a high-energy dog, make sure to give them plenty of time to get acclimated with the venue (all the new sniffs!) before photos or the ceremony." And this sweet moment with the bride and her pup before they walk down the aisle ensures a peaceful atmosphere before their big debut.
15. Cuddly Cat Wedding Cake Toppers
Photo: Kelly Czupkiewicz
Does it get any cuter than a cat wedding cake topper? How about two of them? These decorations make for a bit of an Easter egg for your guests, especially if you and your new spouse are known as the cat parents.
16. Bar Wedding Dog Signs
"You can include your pet in so many special details of the day, without their physical attendance. You can have a signature cocktail named after your pup," Karcinski says. One thing we especially love about this sign is how it includes the newlyweds' pet rabbit, showing that any critter belongs at your wedding day.
17. Wax Seal Cat Wedding Favors
The only thing you need to add to these pint-sized wedding favors is custom pet favor bags for your guests to take home. Stamping your pets' silhouettes on the favors gives them a personalized touch. Or in this case, should we say purr-sonalized?
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18. Two Pups in a Pod Cake Accessories
You don't have to take a typical route for dog wedding cake ideas, so instead of a topper, place your pets somewhere beside the cake, like this showstopping dessert. There are so many ways to include your pups without taking the focus away from your cake.
19. Carved Ice Sculpture Pets at Weddings
Including your dog in your wedding (or your cat, rabbit, bird, etc.) can be elegant with this ice sculpture idea. Your pet wedding decor is whatever you make it, after all, and this artistic piece is especially cool.
20. Grand Reception Entrance Featuring Your Dogs
"If you have a happy dog that loves everyone and everything, go big! They can be a part of as much of the day as you can dream of and will probably have the best day ever," Karcinski says. This reception entrance will be unforgettable, especially for the extroverted pets in your life.
21. Portraits With Your Pet
Photo: Shelby Danielle Photography
Including cats or dogs in wedding pictures is about knowing what they'll be comfortable with. "While some pets love being the star of the show and can be a part of every aspect of the day, others may be better fit to just come by for some photos! Including your pet in your wedding portraits is a must," Karcinski says.
22. Darling Cat Themed Wedding Treats
Cookies make the perfect take-home treat, especially these custom bites decorated to look like the couple's cats. Don't you just love the bow ties and bridal crowns they added for the occasion?
Pet Wedding Frequently Asked Questions
With pets being so important in many couples' lives, finding the right cat or dog-friendly wedding ideas is a must. They're our family, after all, and what would the wedding day be without them there? Here's what to take into consideration while planning around having your pet at the venue or involved in some other way.
Should You Include Your Dog or Other Pets in Your Wedding?
Bringing your dog to the wedding reception: a good or bad idea? It's going to be different for each pet and their pet parents. If you're having a small backyard wedding at home, it would be easier for many reasons, but what about pet-friendly venues elsewhere? For that, it's crucial to consider all of your options.
"Great options include having them walk down the aisle as your 'ring bearer' or the 'dog of honor,' including them in your first look photos as a fun surprise for your fiancé, having them greet guests as they arrive for the ceremony, letting them mingle at cocktail hour with all of their favorite humans or even having them announced into the reception with you for the first time as an official married couple," Karcinski says.
"Couples love to put their own spin on [pet ring bearers], and we've seen everything from dogs riding down the aisle in motorized cars to being carried, proudly walking or even sprinting down the aisle…We've also seen couples add their dog of honor to the first dance. The couple begins dancing alone, then brings their pup in toward the end of the song—such a sweet way to share the spotlight," Kreinberg adds. This way, you can have plenty of chances to grab wedding photos with your dogs or cats.
However, dogs and weddings are a balancing act. What do people do with their dogs when they get married? Karcinski notes, "You may be able to figure out getting your pet to the venue, but once it's time for the reception (food, drinks, loud music, etc.), it is time for your baby to go home! Who will you assign the job of missing out on half your reception to drive your dog back to the house or to their pet sitter's place?"
"We always recommend hiring a professional wedding pet care company rather than relying on a sitter or friend," Kreinberg says. "These specialists know exactly how to handle pets in high-energy wedding environments, so you don't have to worry." And you can find a local wedding pet attendant on The Knot Marketplace by filtering by price, distance, services and more. This way, you and your pet have less stress on the actual day while still including them in your big moments.
What Do You Do With Your Cat or Dog if Your Venue Isn't Pet-Friendly?
If you can't find any local pet-friendly wedding venues, make sure you've got plan B in place for including your pets somehow. Our experts sound off on their favorite ways.
"Another option is to have your first look location off-site (or outside of the venue), where you can include your pet in photos, then have them head out right after. You can include your pet in so many special details of the day, without their physical attendance. Create a little graphic on the cocktail napkins that says 'Drinks On Me!' signed from your pet and a treat bar with goody bags for guests to take home treats for their pets as a gift from yours," Karcinski suggests.
Some other ideas? Kreinberg adds, "Schedule a mini session with your photographer before or after the wedding. Incorporate them into details like cake toppers, signage or drink menus, gifts, small pet-related embellishments on the dress or veil, flower bouquet, socks or even tuxedo buttons." You can even include them in the gifts you receive by creating a wedding registry with gifts for dog lovers.
Can I Have My Cats and Dogs in My Wedding Pictures?
Working ahead of time with your photographer and pet attendant or planner helps set expectations for portraits with your pets. Karcinski also has tips for what your pet needs before, during and after. She says, "Make sure they have time to explore and get energy out before they're actually needed for any wedding activities. If you have a couch potato who is sensitive to the heat, be sure to take it slow and really think about their role so that they don't overdo it."
And if you can't have them physically with you, another fun idea is to include your engagement photos with dogs or cats as a display at your welcome or favors table. That way, whichever photo session you have with your pets ahead of time is more focused on their comfort.
