A lot of single people form close bonds with their dogs and it becoming quite popular to include your favorite canine in your wedding plans.
Once the bride and groom decide to include a dog in the wedding arrangements, there are a few important things to consider before you start making plans that include your pet. One is the temperament of your dog. Ask yourself if your dog can handle the situation. Can the dog tolerate crowds? Can the dog handle a lot of commotion? Is he or she well behaved enough to make it through the ceremony without causing an uproar? Will you need to leash your dog to insure that he or she behaves?
Once you decide that your dog is going to be part of the ceremony, the first order of business is to check with those in the know at the wedding and reception venues so that you are absolutely certain that pets are allowed to participate. In some areas, health code regulations will not allow commercial establishments to allow any pets other than service dogs. You don’t want to wait until the day of the wedding only to find out that your plans are not going to work out. Wedding days are hectic enough without having to make last minute changes.
Are you going to use a wedding planner? If so, make sure the planner is willing to work with your dog.
The next order of business is to decide what role your dog will play in your wedding plans. Do you want your dog to walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid or an usher? Would you rather have your dog be a ring bearer? If so, will he or she carry the rings in a basket or will the dog wear the rings on its collar? Do you want a female dog to be your maid of honor?
Be sure to consider the feelings of family and friends when including your dog in the wedding plans. Will your best friend be upset if he is not the best man or she is not the maid of honor? People that don’t love your dog as much as you do may not be happy about being upstaged by a canine.
You need to let your wedding party know that you plan to include your dog. You need to know if someone in the wedding party is allergic to dogs. The last thing you need is a member of the wedding party suffering from allergens that make them feel terrible. In addition, some people are terrified of dogs. You don’t need a maid of honor that feels the need to jump on the minister’s shoulders if the dog sniffs her during the ceremony!
It is important to appoint someone you trust to watch the dog as you get ready for the big event on the day of the wedding. Prior to the ceremony, you will be busy grooming yourself and dressing. During the ceremony, you won’t be able to focus all of your attention on your dog.
After the ceremony, you’ll be busy greeting guests. You’ll have a much better day if you know your dog is in competent hands while you’re taking care of business.
Make sure your appointed sitter walks the dog just prior to the wedding ceremony. The last thing you need is a dog whining to go outdoors for a potty break.
It is a good idea to run several practice sessions with your dog before the final wedding rehearsal and ceremony. Most dogs will perform better if they understand what is expected of them.
Dog grooming is an important part of the wedding plans. You want your dog looking its very best for the big day. If you do the grooming, make sure you bathe, brush and comb the dog the day before the wedding ceremony. However, you may want to consider taking the dog to a professional groomer so that you can keep your attention on other last minute issues that may crop up.
Think about what you want your dog to wear. Are you going to buy Rover a doggie tux or will you be satisfied if he wears a bow tie on his collar? Will you put your female dog in a special doggie dress that matches those of the bridesmaids? Are you going to deck your dog out with flowers? A new collar and leash may be in order. These may seem like trivial matters, but they can cause a hassle on the wedding day if they are not taken care of in advance.
There are a lot of “dress clothes” available for dogs. Check with your pet store on shop the Internet to buy the best for Rover. Be sure that any clothing items you purchase fit the dog. A comfortable dog is a lot more apt to relax during the ceremony that one that is squished into an outfit.
It is also important to give serious thought to honeymoon plans. Are you and your spouse going alone or do you want to take the dog along?
If you decide that the dog is going to accompany you, you will need to make sure that you have a pet-friendly hotel at your destination. Find out if there is a kennel or pet sitting available for those moments when you and your spouse may want to do things that the dog cannot be included in.
If you decide to leave your dog at home, you will need to make arrangements for its care. While this may seem like a ridiculous reminder, planning a wedding is hectic business and it is very easy to overlook simple things.
Including your dog in the wedding ceremony can be a lot of fun and it helps you make a personal statement. A little preplanning will go a long way in keeping things running smoothly so that the big day is a pleasant event.
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