Should I Include My Dog in My Wedding?

Here comes the dog, here comes the dog…

Weddings are a momentous occasion. They're filled with love, pride, joy and (sometimes) stress. Couples spend months, even years, planning every detail of their big day, from the venue to the flowers to the guest list. And for some, it’s a time to celebrate love with their families… their WHOLE families. You get the gist?

Much to our delight, this can often mean including furry family members.

Including dogs in weddings is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason – dogs can bring so much joy and happiness to an occasion.

This beautiful English Bulldog wears the soft blue harness in size large to her parent's wedding.

KRINKLEWOOD ESTATE - Luxury Dog Friendly Wedding Venue, NSW

We interviewed the good folk at Krinklewood Estate to help us delve into this dogs at weddings trend.

FYI: Krinklewood Estate is a fifteen-year-old Organic & Biodynamic winery in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. They’ve also opened their doors to weddings since the end of Covid-19 related lockdowns in 2022. Want to know the added bonus of this stunning estate? It’s completely pet friendly! Dogs are asked to be on their best behaviour and leashed at all times. Whilst the roaming peacocks and resident doggo, Polare, are the exception to the ‘animals on leash’ rule.

Management’s inspiration behind allowing dogs at Krinklewood is that the whole cohort are truly dog people and most have had dogs their entire life. They say, anyone who has ever loved a dog would probably prefer their pup at the wedding over most of the guest list… Plus, dog’s are family too. For many couples, their dogs are just as much a part of their family as their human relatives. And this doesn’t just extend to dogs, the estate has also hosted a wedding with a VVIP – a horse!

With only a couple of year’s experience at hosting weddings under their belt, the folks at Krinklewood say they see about one in four couples request for their pooch/es to be part of their big day. In fact, they’ve even been asked for Polare, their resident Maremma, to be part of the big day.

Is there something more to this? This warm and fuzzy feeling thinking about having your pup included with you on your big day? Well, the trend to include dogs in the big day is definitely accelerating. It follows the trend in better, more luxurious accessories for dogs, hotels becoming dog friendly and dining options with pet-friendly menus. Dogs are like children for some, and at any rate, a valued member of the family. So it’s natural that dogs in weddings is becoming more common in this day and age.

Plus, let’s not forget that dogs bring SO MUCH joy. They have this special way of bringing happiness to any occasion. Their wagging tails, happy faces and cheeky antics can brighten even the most stressful of days.

The pups providing all the laughs at the wedding! Both dogs wear the Taupe ST ARGO harness in size small with matching luxury vegan leather leads.

Nervous about the big day? Including a dog at your wedding could be your solution. Experts say it could be a great idea to include your pooch to soothe those nerves. Let’s face it, getting married will most likely be stressful at times. There’s a lot of planning; time; logistics; and money at stake. Most owners will attest to their dog being a calming presence - what better time than to have this than on your wedding day? 

Let’s not forget the added benefit of those photo opportunities… Dogs make great props. They’re adorable, they’re excited, you’re emotional – boom! The perfect memory captured in a stunning wedding photo (and your hair and makeup’s done).

Our Top 5 Tips for Including Your Dog in Your Wedding:

1. Know your dog. Not all dogs are suited for large social occasions like weddings. Make sure your dog is well-behaved, comfortable around large groups of people, and won't be stressed out by the noise and excitement of the occasion. If your dog loves the spotlight, it will probably be the best day of their life! But, if you have a nervy pooch, chances are they will be even more nervous on the big day with the additional stimulation. The addition of a stressed out doggo won’t create the calm atmosphere you are hoping for, and it won’t be good for them.
2. Assign a dog handler. While it's tempting to have your dog by your side throughout the ceremony, it's important to assign a handler to take care of them during the reception. This will ensure that your dog is safe and happy, and won't cause any disruptions. If you were looking to hire a handler for the ceremony, there are hundreds of dog wedding handler businesses out there. This ensures your dog is cared for, they know their cues and you and your guests can relax and enjoy the wedding. A hired handler will ensure your dog is fed, watered and retired at the right times.
3. Dress them up. If you want your dog to be a part of the wedding party, consider dressing them up in a cute outfit. Just make sure it's comfortable and won't restrict their movement. The ST ARGO taupe collar and leash is a popular choice for weddings, because of it’s neutral palette. We also dress lots of pooches in our sage, pale pink and lilac items for weddings – it just depends on the vibe and time of year. Darker colours like bottle green and navy are great for winter weddings, peach and ruby red for autumn weddings and the pastels for spring and summer. Consider the colour palette of your flowers or bridesmaid’s dresses. Accessorising your dog to match these is always a nice touch.
4. Consider the venue. Not all wedding venues are dog-friendly. Make sure you check with the venue beforehand to ensure that your dog will be allowed.
5. Have a backup plan. While we all hope for the best, it's important to have a backup plan in case your dog becomes overwhelmed or misbehaves. Consider having a friend or family member on standby to take your dog home if necessary.

This bride chose the taupe collar for her desert wedding. Size extra-large pictured.

Whether you're for it or not, there's no denying the dogs in weddings trend. It can mark the coming together of the WHOLe family, the importance of your goodest girl or boy in your life and can make for some really special memories. Consider whether your dog enjoys being around lots of people, the dog-friendliness of the venue as well as who your handler will be for the day. Oh, and don't forget to tag us in any ST ARGO accessorised wedding photos! We love to see it!