How to plan a wedding with your dog as a ring bearer

Dog lovers who agree their furry friend is part of the family surely want to include them in all of their best moments, including the wedding. And as we know, dogs absolutely love to be part of your activities, even if it only means sitting by your side. 

In the past years, a cute wedding trend emerged on the internet, where newlyweds made their pets the official ring bearers, and it’s one of the best occasions to make waves on social media. 

However, for the wedding to be successful and the dog to be comfortable, you must add a few more steps to the wedding planning list, so here’s what to do. 

Try to plan according to the dog’s needs 

Dogs have different personalities, just like humans. While some are confident, others are more timid, so not all dogs might feel comfortable in the middle of a crowd, with people cheering. But some furry companions absolutely love the attention and will be the star of the show without much fuss. 

Regardless, consider your pet’s needs and comfort by:

• Remembering how they react in new environments or crowds;

• Ensuring they have basic training and can practice their role easily; 

• Designating a trusted person to take care of them;

• Choosing an attire that’s not uncomfortable; 

A great idea would be to match the dog’s outfits with the bridesmaids’ dresses or the groomsmen's suits. A color palette will help the photographer take some of the most visually pleasing pics, but the venue also matters, so make sure to align all these factors. 

Consider a different role 

Maybe your dog is not the kind to walk confidently down the aisle with the rings. Some roles might be too challenging for them to fulfill, which is why you can choose between:

• A flower dog role, in which they walk down the aisle with flowers (pet-safe); 

• A best dog, or canine of honor role, where the dog stays beside you during the ceremony; 

• A dog of honor role, where the dog stays with a family member, like a special guest; 

• A greeter dog, which greets guests in a designated area (perfect for sociable dogs); 

• A photo session star dog to participate in wedding photos for you and your guests; 

So, you can make your dog do something other than be a ring bearer, which is the most common role in weddings. Regardless, your furry friends may need some preparation to fulfill it. 

Look for a dog-friendly wedding venue

While the idea of bringing your companion to your wedding is fantastic, it’s best to ensure the wedding venue allows pets and can provide certain amenities for them. For example, when the dog needs a toilet break, the venue organizers can guide you to a specific spot that’s both comfortable and out of sight of people. 

It’s also recommended to have a designated area for necessities like poo bags, cleaning supplies and their favorite treats. Consider that the person responsible for your friend might not be able to carry them all, so discussing this with management and finding a quiet area for these items would be ideal. Moreover, if your dog tends to get anxious, it’s ideal to offer them their favorite toy to chew on. 

Research ideas for your dog 

If your pet companion is capable of withstanding crowds and is not easily startled by noise, you can research several ideas on how to improve their presence at your wedding. Of course, the attire is required only if they can wear it, but you can dress them up with a fancy bandana if a suit is too much. 

However, if your pet would rather not be alone, you could ask the flower girl to carry or walk them down the aisle, so they’ll be less overwhelmed by the task. This is an excellent idea if you want to introduce a wedding wagon, which includes more flowers and garlands for an impactful moment. 

You can also hire a professional wedding pet assistant who will be able to manage things better. For example, they can gradually acclimate the pet with the venue by helping them practice the role a few days before the event. 

Check in with the guests 

Some guests might not be comfortable around dogs, so instead of making the situation uncomfortable, ensure everyone is comfortable with canine guests as well. Aligning the companion’s feelings with people’s preferences can be challenging, which is why it’s best to be 

flexible in your options. 

Even if you opt to include your dogs in the photographs only, it will matter to them and you as well. Forcing your dog to participate in activities when they’re not feeling it won’t make them feel good. Remember that this is your wedding day, and you should be able to enjoy it. 

However, if people are more than happy to have your pet around them, allow them to meet guests and play happily. Entertaining guests can be easier with a fluffy friend that loves being the center of attention.

What are the signs of an uncomfortable dog? 

Luckily, dog body language is more than enough to read their feelings, so try to watch for these signs when they’re:

• Relaxed: loose ears and tail, mouth open and smiling;

• Alert: tail is up in the air, ears pointed forward, and mouth is closed;

• Anxious: ears pointed backwards, tail between legs, and body hunched; 

• Playful: tail is wagging, ears are facing forward, and they adopt the bowing pose;

• Fearful: they avert their gaze, seem fidgety, and have their ears pinned back;

• Threatened: their bodies are tense, ears are alerted, and they might expose their teeth; 

Final considerations

Bringing your life companion (not your husband, but your dog) to the wedding is a great opportunity to create unique memories of a lifetime. You can offer them the role of the ring bearer, or let them walk down the aisle with the flowers, or simply greet guests. As long as your pet is well-trained, loves people, and can be comfortable in loud crowds, everything will be fine. But make sure not to force them into the activity if they’re rather timid or anxious.