Dogs.  They are truly our best friends.  And even more than that, they are our family.

We know – we have them ourselves and we treat them like our own kids!

So how do you make this special animal part of your special day in Orlando?  

There are many different options, depending on personality, behavior, and venue rules.  We love working with dogs and want to share ideas of what has worked well when having them part of a Central Florida wedding.

Here are some questions to get you thinking of what the right option is for your dog:

What is my dog’s personality?

Does my dog love meeting new people and is friendly to everyone?  

Is my dog laid back and loves people to pet him/her?  

Does my dog not shed too much? 

Does my dog obey commands?

If you say yes to these questions then considering your dog for part of your actual wedding is a reasonable request!

If your dog is friendly around people and loves to interact with them, then you may consider:

– the groom walking down the aisle with the dog (making sure to hand him or her off to someone who can take the dog back for pictures)

– the dog sitting in the front row with family and available to take pictures afterwards

– the dog mingling during the cocktail reception saying hello, children especially love this!

Be mindful of asking a flower girl or ring bearer to walk the dog down the aisle.  It can certainly be cute, but they have a big task of walking down the aisle in itself and we find an adult in charge of the dog makes for a much smoother and calmer experience!

What if my dog’s personality isn’t ideal for the wedding?

Then let’s be creative!  

Your dog doesn’t have to make an in-person appearance to be a part of your wedding day – you just have to honor him or her accordingly!

We love things such as:

– in lieu of a favor, a sign placed at the cocktail reception or at each place setting that states a donation to the shelter or humane society the dog came from has been made in the guests honor

– a small picture of your pup sitting amongst the flowers at your sweetheart table (and to think he/she won’t be begging for a scrap!)

– sweet treats at the end of the night from the dog, such as a cute bag of little candies or cookies with a message that says, “Thanks for celebrating with my mom and dad.  Happy Tails to you!  Love, Bowser”

What will my venue allow?

This is crucial for having your dog be at the actual wedding.  Make sure you ask your venue manager before booking if this is allowed if it’s a make or break deal for you.

In addition, some venues may allow the dog to be a part of the ceremony outside, but it is not allowed in the hotel or in a guest room.  If this is the case, think about who will take the dog back home right after the ceremony.

As cute as the idea is, and believe me, the pictures are even better, having your dog part of your wedding can have it’s challenges.  If you are interested in having this, we highly recommend having a wedding planner there to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible.  It’s worth not having to stress about!

We love dogs.  And we love dogs at weddings.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can help you find the perfect way to incorporate your dog into your special day.  Contact me at michele@michelebutlerevents.com now!

But be careful…he or she may just steal the spotlight!