Dog Friendly Venue

Do you have someone that is willing to dogsit all day? Pick up dog shit? Bring the dog back to wherever it will be staying for the day or your HM?

I love my dog immensely and wanted her to be a part of the day too but it just wasn't fair to her or to the person we would have to ask to be her handler for the day.

Nikki, I'm playing devil's advocate: if your venue allows pets, ask if there's an upcharge for that. The venue is held liable for any pet incidents.

Does your dog do really well in crowds of unfamiliar people? Would she be able to walk up the aisle without getting distracted or possibly peeing/pooping on the aisle where you are about to walk? Are there any guests with severe allergies that cannot be around dogs?

Honestly it just doesn't seem like a good idea, no matter how much we all want our dogs there (we had dreams of our dog being our ring bearer, but it's not a good idea logistically)

I think 75% of the time I see pictures of dogs in weddings, their body language just screams "stressed."

If this is something you insist on, please make sure to do desensitization training for crowds and noises, as well as good behavior training.

You will need to consider a handler, and potentially having them involved in some of the training as well.

Also, there's a matter of dog poop, water, and all the other dog logistics.

Thanks guys! Yea, that's some of the stuff I didn't think of like allergies. She's great with people, but gets distracted easily LOL as much as I would want her to be part of it, it's best we don't. Besides, we'll have her in some of our engagement photos ??

Totally do it for e pics!

Yeah, I agree. I wanted my little one to be part of my wedding, and she could be, but outside in July is going to be hot, plus I'd have to get someone to watch her or take her back home for me. My aunt volunteered, but I didn't want her to have to worry about that as a guest at my wedding. Plus I didn't think it would be fair to my dog. Totally do engagement photos!

FH wanted his dog to be a part of it as well. I am not knocking your idea, but I said this to him "I will not be picking up poop in my wedding gown. Your parents will not be picking up poop in their attire. My parents are not cleaning up after a dog that is not their's and neither are any guests. That leaves you. So you can stay sober and be on poop duty for our entire wedding"

I am team no animals at weddings because it is not fair to whomever gets stuck watching the animal. And it is not fair to the animal either.

Date twins! That's really cool. Have you checked out any parks? Or are you looking for a more inclusive venue?

I really wish I could do this too but I don't think it's going to happen. I am NOT above making a cheesy cardboard cutout of her though so she can still "be there"

A week after my wedding I'm putting my dress on and doing a short shoot with my photog and my dogs! I want photos with them but having them there the day of just isn't an option.

I'm team no pets. The only animal that will be at ours is a service dog.

It's really not fair to give someone dog patrol. Nor is it fair to your dog to be forced to be around a ton of strangers. Do you really want someone to have to leave and come back? There's a long drive between Pasadena and Malibu even if you are in the middle.

Involve the dog in your engagement shoot.

@Daniella - I love that idea. I may have to steal it.