How to include pets on the big day
When Toronto couple Ursula and Larry Hummel tied the knot, they were determined to include Ursula’s Rottweiler, Arko, in their special day. “It wouldn’t have felt right excluding my best dog friend as I married my best human friend,” said Ursula, a dog trainer. So, for their wedding day, Arko dressed to impress, sporting a custom-made tuxedo shirt. Some may feel that including pets in a wedding is barking mad. But it’s a trend that is clearly catching on. Snippy, the mixed breed dog, walked down the aisle at Gene Simmons’ and Shannon Tweed’s celebrity ceremony. Actor Adam Sandler’s late bulldog, Meatball, wore a yarmulke. Slice channel’s new series Four Weddings Canada premiered with one bride making quite an entrance — riding in on her horse. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly half of all pet owners consider their pets to be family members. It’s no wonder then that pet-loving couples want all cherished companions present at their wedding. Personalizing a wedding with the addition of a pet might be tempting. But it’s not for everyone. Plan carefully with the following tips to ensure your pet adds — rather than detracts — from your ceremony.
Begin by objectively evaluating whether the animal’s tempera- ment is suitable. Anxious, fearful or aggressive pets will become overwhelmed. Untrained social butterflies may jump on guests, knock over flower arrangements and steal food. Even worse, they might start marking their territory. If in doubt, leave the pet out. Explore other options. Have them take part in the engagement photos or order a custom cake topper that represents your pet. You can also take a page from the Simmons/tweed ceremony. Ask guests to donate to an animal charity in lieu of gifts.
Discuss plans with members of the wedding party. Listen carefully to any objections. Some guests may be frightened of dogs and others might be allergic. No one wants the maid of honour wheezing or breaking out in hives.
Obtain permission from venues such as the church, reception hall and hotel before booking. Give professionals advance notice. Photographers can be better prepared to get those important shots. Ca- terers, florists and decorators can adjust plans to ensure everything is pet friendly.
Assign or hire one trustworthy individual to do the job of petsitting. A dedicated dog handler can make sure your cherished pet is safe — providing water, food, bathroom breaks, rest and constant supervision. Remember to give the handler a detailed itinerary of the day’s events.
Choose outfits with care. Intricate clothing may bind or constrict. Animals may need time to adjust to wearing clothing. If the pet continues to fuss and scratch at an outfit, a fashionable collar may be a better option. When choosing embellishments, avoid using flowers that are toxic to pets.
Remember that practice makes perfect. Hire a trainer. Your pet needs to learn how to walk down an aisle and greet guests in a reception line. These training sessions need to take place in realistic settings with the distraction of onlookers to be truly effective.
Have a plan “B” just in case and be realistic. Not even human guests will be perfect. Antics and mistakes usually lead to smiles and memories. The addition of a pet should be fun. But be ready to lead the pet to the sidelines if it is unable to sit still during the ceremony. In the evening have a crate or ride home arranged in case your pet needs to rest.