Incorporating your Dog into your Wedding Day if they Can’t Come

There are so many ways to bring your pup into your wedding day without them being there. There are going to be couples out there that just simply can’t bring their pups to their wedding day. But don’t fret! There are so many creative ways that aren’t cheesy that makes their presence and importance known to your family and friends. I’ve deep dived into the web and pulled from weddings I’ve had the pleasure of documenting for the best of the best ideas to make this happen. Let’s dive in!

Add them to the Dessert

I think this is a beautiful way to support your local baker and have them create your pup into something savoury. Having them into toppers for the desserts or into cookies shaped as them, I liked these ideas for desserts the most. Everyone likes cookies especially!

Bar Napkins + 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!

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?

Favours + Doggy Bags

I love that your guests can take a little reminder of your pups love with them home. Do you have fellow pet parents on your guest list? You can include doggy bags for their pups too! Whether it’s something edible or not your pups can be the ones to sign out your guests for the night!

Donations instead of Gifts

If you’re in the position where a registry or asking gifts isn’t something you want to do, how about asking your guests to donate to a great cause? There are so many local rescues that need funds and I’m sure they would love to be included in your wedding day in this way.

Post Wedding Season

Why not get back in your wedding outfits for your pup? We can adventure to a fun location, stay at home, or even get a studio space just to grab extra photos with your pup. Since they won’t be there for your big day we can make this a fun addition to your official wedding photos with no pressure of a wedding timeline.

Engagement Session

I think this one goes without saying but including your pup into your engagement session is an amazing way to get content with them BEFORE the wedding. That way you can incorporate these photos into your big day. Things like invitations, table numbers, thank you cards, your wedding website, you name it! Evening bringing a little “Save the Date” sign is a great addition that isn’t cheesy into a few photos.

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!

What did you think of my picks? Did you have your pup a part of your wedding day without having them there? Making your special day truly FOR you is important for me to make happen as your wedding photographer/videographer. I always want my pet parents to feel close with your pups even if they can’t come on their wedding day. To know that there’s options no matter what.