10 Thoughtful Ways to Include Your Pets in Your Wedding

Whether you’re a dog mum, fur dad or one of those infamous childless cat ladies, you’ll know that pets are part of the family. You probably spend more time with your fur babies than you do with that family member your mum is adamant you have to invite, so it makes perfect sense that you’d want to include them in your big day!

Perhaps you want to dress your pooch in their own little tuxedo, use your pet parrot as the ring bearer, or have your cat walk you down the aisle - whatever your vibe, giving your pets a starring role in your wedding day is becoming more and more popular, and we’re totally here for it! If you’re wondering about how to make your fur baby (or feathered friend) an integral part of your big day, then read on for 10 thoughtful ways to include your pets in your wedding.

1. Host a pet-friendly wedding day

If you want to include your own pets in your wedding, then why not opt for a completely pet-friendly wedding? You'll need to secure a pet-friendly venue and consider hiring a dog walker or professional pet sitter for the day to keep your furry friends occupied. Admittedly, things might get a bit more complicated if your guests take this too literally and show up with hamsters, parakeets, or even something more exotic!

2. Walk down the aisle together

Make a grand entrance by walking down the aisle with your pet, whether it’s a dog, cat, or bunny on a leash (or even a parrot on your shoulder, if that’s your style), as it's a lovely way to include them in your special day. Your guests will be surprised and delighted at the sight of your four-legged (or feathered) friend accompanying you on your walk down the aisle - you could even decorate their leash to match your wedding flowers.

3. Use your pet as a ring bearer

In spite of some rather anti-social behaviour by a few disgruntled owls, animal ring bearers have seen a surge in popularity in recent years - from penguins to alpacas, it seems no animal is exempt from this role, so why not enlist your own pet to do the job? Whilst it might be cute and give your guests a laugh, you don’t really want an animal going rogue with your rings during the wedding ceremony, so the job of ring bearer is probably best reserved for well-trained and obedient pets only - your feline friend might make a better flower girl!

4. Make a wedding dog-umentary

We’ve all been at a wedding with a Polaroid, or maybe even a disposable camera on each table so that wedding guests can document the day from their point of view, but what about taking one step further away from the professionals and strapping a GoPro to your dog? Using a harness designed especially for dogs, you can have your pooch film your entire wedding day from their perspective, hopefully capturing lots of adoring faces during the cocktail hour - what’s not to love?!

5. Dress your pet up for the occasion

From doggy tuxedos and dapper bow ties for cats, to tutus and full-on miniature wedding dresses, there are so many ways to dress your precious pet for your wedding! You could even ask your florist to decorate a custom piece such as a floral collar or leash - after all, why should humans have all the fun when it comes to wedding attire?!

6. Include your pet in your wedding photos

If they’re a guest of honour, then it kind of goes without saying that you should include your pet in your wedding photos, whether it’s sandwiched between the two of you during your couples portraits, or in the line-up for the formal photos with your wedding party. Be sure to let your photographer and videographer know how important your fur-baby is to you, and ask them to make sure they get lots of photos of them interacting with you and your loved ones.

7. Use pet wedding decor

Using your pet’s likeness in your wedding decor or even stationery is a lovely way to include them, even if they aren’t physically there on the actual day. Perhaps you have chickens at home, or a pet that isn’t so wedding-friendly like a snake or tarantula - why not incorporate them into the design of your custom cake topper, welcome sign or table numbers, or even put them on your cocktail napkins so that they're ever-present throughout your wedding reception?

8. Create custom pet wedding favours

From cat-shaped cookies to shot glasses engraved with a paw print, custom wedding favours are another great way to honour a beloved pet who might not be able to attend the wedding. You could even set out baskets of doggie bags full of treats for your fellow fur-parents to take home to their furry best friend, or hand out charity pins from your local animal shelter.

9. Give your pets a heartfelt mention

Your wedding vows or speeches are the perfect place to pay homage to your four-legged friends, the impact they’ve had on your relationship, and just how much they mean to you. There won’t be a dry eye in the house as you wax lyrical about the bond you share with your pets and what a big part of your love story they are! If you want to go a step further, you could choose a wedding reading or poem that honours the importance of your pets.

10. Use animal photo booth props

Creating your own photo booth props using photos of your pets is a super fun way to include them in your wedding festivities - you could even encourage guests to send you photos of their own furry companions or feathery friends to make into masks. For best results, try to get front-on photos of your pet using flash - they'll look great in the photo booth photos!