The Wedding Guide for your Dog by Danica Oliva | Wedding + Pet Photography | Toronto ON
by danica oliva
The Wedding Guide for your Dog by Danica Oliva | Wedding + Pet Photography | Toronto ON
If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’re my kind of people—dog parents!
Welcome to a space where the love between humans and their dogs is not just understood but truly celebrated. I know firsthand how deeply our furry companions shape our lives, and that includes being part of life’s biggest moments.
Your wedding day is a reflection of the love and partnership you’ve built, and your dogs are an important part of that journey. Whether they’ll be there in person or honored in spirit, I’m here to help you weave their presence into your celebration in a meaningful way.
Let’s create a wedding experience that tells your love story—one that embraces every precious detail, including the paws that have left a lasting mark on your heart.
This past May I myself got married to the man of my dreams and incorporated our pup Moira into family photo time with our amazing photographer, Catherine. It was the perfect day and weekend for a friends and family and Moira had the best time in between the main event. Like I say to all my clients “you know your pup the most,” and we knew that it would be too much for Moira to come down to the ceremony in front of many people in one place. So we opted to have a small moment with her in between our day. Photos by Catherine Goce Photography, THANK YOU!
Add your Pup’s Self to the Dessert
I love the idea of supporting a local baker to create something special inspired by your pup! Whether it’s adorable dessert toppers or cookies shaped like them, it’s a sweet and thoughtful way to include them in your celebration. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love cookies?
Family Cake Topper
In addition to adding them to your dessert you can add them to your official cake/cupcake! This cake topper can be saved and always cherished in your home afterward. There are only so many tangible things that you’re going to be able to take from your big day (in addition to your photos, video, wedding outfits, and maybe dried up flowers). Why not have one more special item be of your family at that moment in time?
Table Setting
I’ve seen it a few times and love that my couples go out of their way to capture their pet in different photos to represent the numbers per table. Such a unique way to bring their pet right to the table.
Custom Drinks
Something that has really been on trend the past year is incorporating your pups into the party! Etsy has some amazingly talented artists that are offering custom designs of your pups to place on party items like napkins + drink menus. If creating alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks is your vibe I think this is a fun way to honour your furry family. Having your guests toast to your pups!
Invitations
As mentioned from the engagement session, these are photos you can include in your official invitations. Or you can reach out to an artist (Etsy has great ones) to create a custom invitation with your pup as the center of it all. I love this idea because it gives your guests their first impression of your special day with your furry family!
Embroidered on You
Another way to reach out local small businesses or someone you know who has the talent of embroidery. Having your pup be a detail on your veil, wedding dress, or pocket square is personally one of my favourite ideas I came across. Having them right on you all day long, a little reminder when you look down, I don’t know what pulls at the hearts strings more!
Wedding Logistics
These may sound obvious but it’s great to communicate a little bit of a schedule that the handler feels comfortable with. For example, you will see the beautiful sister of the groom below who had the responsibility to make sure Bernie got to the places he needed to be. Bernie was with the groom during the getting ready time and once it was time for the ceremony his sister took over and had Bernie for the rest of the time. Once Bernie went home his sister was able to join us again. AGAIN simple arrangements that can be made with no fuss.
How exactly?
Yes it’s great to have them all dressed up as your ring bearer, flower girl or best man, but what goes into setting those arrangements up for the wedding day. What about potty breaks? Let’s get real, there are a few things to have in place for all of this to happen. I want to give you the facts behind making these memories a reality for your special day and, of course!, the photo opportunities that they should be a part of.
If you’re wondering whether or not to do a first look on your wedding day, here are some ideas to consider.
Dog Handlers
This can be a friend, family member, or their regular dog walker. You want an individual that is designated to this role. The worst part is too have too many people handing off your pup, not keeping track with their potty breaks, and then an accident happens. I always suggest your pupper come for your GETTING READY photos so they can be a part of it. Of course the CEREMONY.
In most cases they have a role in your wedding. Scheduling your photos with your pup BEFORE all the FORMAL PHOTOS with family or wedding party (whether it’s after or before the ceremony). That way there’s no fuss, your dog handler doesn’t need to wait around and they aren’t over stimulated from all the action of the day.
It’s great to have someone that isn’t scheduled to be in too many formal photos but who is able to come and go with your pup. That way there isn’t a demand on your dog handlers time but they are also available to hand the pupper over for photos.
Trusted Vendors that I Love
East End Canines
Our personal dog walker for our sweet Moira, we love Zoltan and his team.
“We here at East End Canines Love dogs! We use the most up to date training methods available. With our approach we create lasting relationships by building trust, confidence and understanding. All of our staff is a highly trained canine professional with a deep understanding of dog behavior.”
www.eastendcanines.com
Royal Paws Pet Services
“I truly believe that our pets are part of the family, and therefore they should absolutely be included in your big day! If you’re searching for a reliable and experienced Pet Wedding Chaperone, look no further. I’ll take care of your beloved pet as if they were my own — with love, kindness and endless patience.”
www.royalpawspetservices.ca
Black Dog Weddings
“Whether your dog is a groom’s dog, dog-of-honour, a flower dog, or a VIP wedding guest, Black Dog Weddings is here to accommodate your dog’s care needs on your wedding day.
We vow to treat your beloved dog as one of our own, complete with transportation, one-on-one dog care, a wedding day timeline for your pup, and canine first aid-ready wedding dog attendants.”
www.blackdogweddings.com
The Actual Day
For the pups that are able to join in the actual wedding day, I cannot tell you how involved they can be or NOT be. You know your pup the most and what their limits are. As your photographer/videographer I never ask for them to stay present the entire day. But there are some moments that we can prep for. Here are some examples!
Getting Ready
This is a perfect option for the pups that aren’t able to make it to the wedding day itself. Depending on where you were getting ready, and if those moments are desired to be captured, your pup can just be around in there safe environment. I create a safe and quiet space in between your getting ready moments to have them come and give you some love. That way they can still play a role in your wedding day!
Walking Down The Aisle
Like you I am obsessed with my pup and would want her to have a starring role in my wedding. You will have seen these photos of pups walking down the aisle, pups as the flower girl, pups at the altar. No matter what title your pup will have the only piece of advice I would give you is to have them sit in the front nearby with their handler. Once their duties are done they are doing to want to be close to the two of you. Hey your “mom and dad” after all.
First Look Together
First looks are in! And having this moment together before the big day starts is a time I protect for my couples. So when it comes to first look with family and friends it’s extra special. I can’t even express how BADLY I want this to happen. This will spark a special couple (I just know it) and if it’s you reading this, let’s do it! I think this is so special and if your pup is good about “stay” and “sit” I think this is totally possible. OR we can always set your pup up around a corner (a place where they can’t see you) and have them run to you as you call their name. Lots of options to set this up for success.
First Dance
Yes it’s possible, and yes we can totally make this happen! I would suggest you start your dancing together with your pup in a location where they can’t see you. Once you both have had your moment together we then reveal to your pup where you are and allow them to run to you (clean paws of course). Hopefully they will want some snuggles and kisses enough to join in.
Signing the License
I couldn’t believe this creativity and amazing moment this creates for you both. Their time with us can sometimes feels like “a blink” of time. Having their paw print alone is SO special. And having that piece of them on a paper that already means SO much to you I think is something to cherish and frame.
Family Photos
Truthfully, these are gonna be the photos that you were going to frame and have live on your walls forever. A huge reason why people hire me!I like to have these right after your first look (if you’re having one) or right at the start of your couple portraits. That way they aren’t over stimulated from the day and happy to be with you before returning home or going with a handler for the day. This time frame I ask that they be around for 20 minutes.