Large Dog as Ring Bearer

For the reasons you have mentioned above, FH and I have decided not to include our two beloved dogs in our ceremony. As it is, we are already sad enough that we have to board them overnight. We do not want them scared and upset with all of the people, and chaos that surrounds a wedding. I even tried to figure a way to get them to the venue just for pictures, but I still think it would be to stressful for them. It would have been perfect too; I have a boy dog and a girl dog.

No suggestions, but he's really cute

Same as Mrs. L 2 Be. The logistics of having our dogs there just got to be too much so they won't be joining us on our day. However we do plan on doing a special engagement shoot with all three of them because they mean so much to us. I'm DIYing flower collars for them all

NotFroofy at one point proposed having our dog as our ring bearer. But she's really uncomfortable with strangers, so we decided against it.

Only you two know both the dog and the guests well enough to know whether it would work.

Mrs. L 2 Be, allysia02 - I agree with both of you as well. Samson would probably have a better time running around with the other dogs at his doggie day care center, than being told to sit by us all throughout our ceremony. Lol. I now wish we would have included him in our engagement shots. I just wonder how other people with dogs do it, you know? I see photos with included in the ceremony and I can't help but wonder the secret.

Silan - Thank you!

I had both my dogs in my wedding...even though they are not as large as Samson, one is 30 pounds and the other is 50. I was very worried about my smaller dog crying to be with me during the ceremony so I ended up having one of the girls walk him down the aisle and then he sat at her feet for the ceremony. My larger dog stood with a bridesmaid, however he did end up crying for like one second because he was upset he couldn't be near his brother. The bridesmaid let him go, he walked over to my other dog and just stayed there and quiet for the rest of the ceremony.

A couple things: my dogs really only went with my bridesmaids. They never got close to anyone else (though they did wait with the guests before the ceremony) so the only time they were with other people were when the person decided to come pet them. My dogs are also really good with large crowds as we have brought them to all sorts of different events and places so being around 100 people did not stress them out. I had no doubts in my mind that they would have a problem and they left right after we took pictures. However, if I thought they couldn't handle it or that they were going to jump/drool/be around people they couldn't behave with...I wouldn't have had them there.

Thank you all for the suggestions!

2 Bride Samson is okay with crowds as long as my FH is around, so that's a plus.

Great idea, Heather A! Now that I think about it more, I'm sure one of the GM could walk Samson down the aisle and Samson can sit at the GM feet during the ceremony.

JSARGE, I'll ask my FH if any of his friends who will be in attendance would be okay with being in charge of Samson as another option.

We are having our Boston's be our ring bearer and flower girl, I am also riding my horse into the ceremony. They are part of our family and want them to be involved as much as possible. My two will be lead down in a wagon by my mom (one is blind so I didn't want him to be scared trying to walk) I would suggest that you have someone he listens to walk him down the isle and have them carry a slobber rag just incase, if you give him a good groom beforehand there shouldn't be too much shedding. I think it is a great idea!

OMG he is so cute!

My friends had their dog as "ring bearer" but really the bride's nephew had the rings while he walked Ginger the dog down the aisle. They also got married at their house so Ginger was able to go wherever she wanted after that. As long as there is someone (a friend who's not part of the wedding?) designated to watch Samson, I think it will be fine.

I would love to have our dog in the wedding, but he's very anxious around people he doesn't know, let alone a huge crowd. If you think Samson will behave, then go for it! Or maybe have someone walk him down the aisle?

He's adorable But I agree he would be more comfortable in day care. It will be too stressful to have all of that going on and him whining from not being able to be next to FH constantly. If you are taking pictures before the ceremony you could have a family member bring him along Or he could get ready with the guys so he'll be in the pictures and be a part of the day!

I thank all of you so much for your suggestions!

I spoke with FH last night and we both couldn't think of a person who would be willing to have Samson duty during the ceremony, so we agreed he will go to doggie day care for the weekend.

We're going to include extra treats for his stay, though. We don't want him to miss out too much on all the goodies!

We would both love our 110# g.s. to be there. he's pretty well trained. But he will be staying home

My dog is my child, so I understand wanting them in the wedding! But I would say, unless he is extremely comfortable and well behaved with large groups, leave him out. We took pics at our house, so I did get a picture with my dog (profile pic!). Would that be a compromise?