As a pet lover, bringing a dog to a wedding is a life-and-death situation. No matter how trained or behaved your dogs are, they may be circumstances where you may lose control of your pet, which can result in some serious problems.
I’ll be attending a friend’s wedding in a week, and my dogs are tagging along. To be honest, I’m nervous. But it’s harder for me to attend knowing that I don’t have someone looking after them while I’m away.
If you’re attending a wedding anytime soon, and you’re thinking about what to do with your dogs, I hope you find this helpful.
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Reasons why you should bring your dog to a wedding
If you’re planning a wedding (or invited to one), you must be very excited to spend the day not just with family and friends, but also with your beloved dog.
There’s nothing wrong with bringing your pet to a wedding. In fact, there are several reasons why you should:
1. Your dog is a service dog
Service dogs are trained to perform tasks for individuals with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental disabilities. Service dogs are supposed to be with their master at all times. Moreover, service dogs have rights compared to regular pets.
2. The wedding is pet-friendly
You’ve always wanted to have a wedding where you can bring your dogs with you. And now that the time has come, your feelings haven’t changed. On the plus side, your family and friends love your dog, too, which makes it an easy decision to make.
3. They’re family, too
A wedding is undoubtedly an important milestone in anyone’s life. As much as we want our loved ones to be a part of it, so do our pets. They’re family and having them as part of an important occasion like a wedding will make it unforgettable even more.
4. The photos!
Jealous of Pinterest wedding photos with dogs in them? Well, this is your chance to join the club. Tell your wedding photographer to snap as many photos of your dogs as he can. I’m sure he’d love to have it in his portfolio, too.
5. Your dogs will enjoy the love and attention
Our dogs may not understand what’s really going on but seeing a lot of people having fun for sure is an indication that it is indeed a special event. For sure, your dogs will join the fun as well.
Reasons why you shouldn’t bring your dog to a wedding
If you’re planning on bringing your dog to a wedding, there are a few reasons why you should reconsider.
1. Your dog may cause trouble, no matter how trained he is
You’ll want to ensure that your dog doesn’t get into trouble while they’re at the wedding. They could easily run away or get lost and cause problems for everyone else.
2. Your dog is not comfortable and happy on your big day
If you’re planning on taking your dog to a wedding, then you’ll want to make certain that they’re properly taken care of.
You’ll also want to make sure that your dog isn’t stressed out before the big day. It’s important that they’re calm and relaxed because they’ll be spending a lot of time around other people and/or dogs as well.
3. Your visitors may be allergic to dogs
Planning for a wedding may require months of preparation, and you should always consider telling your visitors what they need to know ahead of time. Things like, wedding motif, venue, date, time, seating arrangement, and informing them that your dog is a special guest.
But if a visitor or two informed you that they’re allergic to dogs, that is a clear indication that you shouldn’t bring your dog to the wedding. Painful as it can be, you need to consider the health and safety of your visitors beforehand.
What should I do if I can’t take my dog to a wedding?
It is unfortunate that you can’t have your dog on your special day. But there are things you can do for him while you’re away.
1. Hire a dog sitter
A dog sitter is someone who can take care of your dog for a certain period of time. He/she can provide the service at your home or in their business establishment, like doggy daycare.
2. Make sure his needs are taken care of before leaving
Don’t forget his food, drink, vitamins, and treats. He’s going to miss you terribly, and you will, too. So make sure that his basic needs are taken care of for your peace of mind.
3. Get a doggie camera
The Netvue Indoor Camera has 2-Way Audio and a 2.4 GHz Wifi Connection. I love how this camera has a built-in speaker that creates a perfect two-way conversation with noise filter technology. It has a 1080P FHD for 360 Degree Full View plus night vision. Lastly, this camera works well with Alexa.
4. Bring home some tasty treats from the wedding
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, the vet will often prescribe a special diet to boost their immune system. But if your dog doesn’t suffer from digestive problems, or he’s not a picky eater. A small portion of chicken or beef from the wedding won’t hurt.
Wedding essentials for dogs on wedding
Ready to go shopping? Here is a shopping list of things your dog would need if you decided to bring him to a wedding.
1. A super absorbent dog diaper
To prevent “accidents” from happening, make sure your dog is wearing a diaper at all times. I found one that’s super absorbent, breathable, and has a wetness indicator that tells you it’s time to get changed.
A washable dog diaper is also a stylish and environment-friendly alternative to disposable ones.
For female dogs, this washable diaper is super cute and economical. There are two designs to choose from, animals and flowers, and come in a pack of three.
2. Dog wipes
Again, we’re talking about accidents here. To prevent smelly situations at a wedding, you have to have dog wipes to prevent your dogs from leaving traces of pee or poop in the venue. This plant-based wipes from Earth Rated is hypoallergenic, compostable, and comes in two varieties, unscented and lavender scent.
3. Poop bag with dispenser and leash clip
Can you imagine yourself carrying dog poop on your wedding day? If you’re planning to bring your dog, that’s definitely a scenario you need to be ready for. Thankfully, there are waste disposal bags that are scented. This one from Amazon comes in brazilian mango, cucumber, lavender, talcum powder, unscented. Moreover, you can get this poop bag in 3 different sets, 19-piece, 37-piece, and 55-piece set.
4. Chew toys
Before our dog loses its patience waiting for the wedding ceremony to finish, he needs something to keep him busy. This is where toys come in handy. You can bring his favorite toys to the venue or buy something new. I found one that is made up of rubber, easy to wash, and dispenses dog treats.
5. A sturdy dog leash
Lastly, you would want your dog secured and having fun at all times. If possible, you don’t want him out of your sight. Just to be on the safe side, a sturdy dog leash is perfect for the job. This one from iYoShop comes in different colors. But more so, it has a removable zipper pouch perfect for your phone, poop bag, and treats. Finally, a sturdy dog leash like this will let you enjoy the rest of your wedding day, without worrying about your dog going astray.
Wedding day outfit ideas for your dog
1. Washable wedding dog bandana
This 4-piece set is simply adorable. This bandana is soft, breathable, and lightweight, perfect for dogs who are not in the mood to dress up for the occasion.
2. A dog tuxedo
You can never go wrong with a tux. Guess what, I found one in gray that comes with a top hat and leash. Super cute. Meanwhile, you can also try this tuxedo set with a vest, a detachable bandana/scarf, and a bow tie. Moreover, this tuxedo set uses a hook and loop strap around the neck which makes it super easy to put on and off.
3. A princess wedding dress
This one’s for the ladies. Boys love their tux. But girls want to look fancy as well. I found a cute one with a fluffy skirt and a big bow at the back. It is made up of silk (that’s right) and comes in pink, blue, and white.
4. A white tutu
Would you like to have your dog look like a ballerina on your wedding day? Have her wear a tutu. This fluffy skirt is made up of tulle or nylon that can be tied around your dog’s waist using a ribbon attached. This tutu comes in white which is perfect for the occasion.
Final thoughts
Bringing your dog to a wedding has its pros and cons. Regardless, remember to put the best interest of you, your dog, and your guests on your special day.
There are things that you can’t control. And the only way to prevent bad things from happening is to plan ahead.
Congratulations, and best wishes!
