How to involve dogs, pets, or other animals at your wedding
If you're anything like me you'll definitely consider your pets to be absolutely part of your family. and as such, you might want to involve them in your wedding ceremony - if they’ll let you!
A Humanist Wedding Celebrant can help you involve animals in your wedding ceremony
As your celebrant, I can help you think about different ways that you could do this. It's really important to think about your pet's personality and how they're going to feel happy, safe and secure.
There might also be times when you want to involve animals, nature or creatures that aren't your pets, maybe you’re hoping to have your wedding ceremony on a farm or in a meadow that comes with some furry friends.
If you're thinking about involving animals in your wedding ceremony, here are some ideas of how you can do so in a way that is safe, fun and looks after everyone involved - furry or otherwise. Note: Most of these will work best with dogs...but I’m always happy to think about how to include other animals!
Ideas for how to involve pets in your ceremony
Walkies down the aisle
Whether you’ll be walking into your ceremony together, or joined by another human, why not also be supported by your fur-baby. This is an especially lovely way to include them if you are joining the ceremony together or including your (human) children in the wedding party too as it really cements that your pet is equally part of your family.
Pawfect Ring Bearer
This is often the first idea that couples think of - and it can work if you have a very calm pet and someone you know and trust to support them during the ceremony. It is a really lovely way to include your pet in a key role!
Company in the wedding ceremony space
This is an especially lovely way to include any (land-dwelling) pets if you are having your ceremony in your garden where your pets can join you at the front and come and go as they please. It is also lovely for dogs in a wedding venue that allows them. Ask someone to bring your dog along and sit with them until you arrive in your ceremony space with your celebrant. Your furry friend can then come and join you at the front - nothing is cuter than a dog snoozing at your feet during the ceremony!
Have them mentioned in your Humanist wedding ceremony…
If it just isn’t feasible to have your pet join you, there are other ways to make sure that they are remembered and acknowledged. For example, I often talk about animal family members while sharing the couple’s story. Equally, there are some lovely readings that also reflect the importance of animals in our families and our lives.
Choose a wedding venue with animals as a backdrop…
If you’re an animal lover generally - why not think about choosing a venue where animals are integral. There are lots all over the country but two that I’ve come across are The Oak Barn Frame Farm, where their sheep are often the backdrop for your outdoor ceremony, or Reuthes Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks who have their own resident Alpacas!
A note on Therapy and Assistance Animals
It's worth thinking about how you can meet the needs of any animals also coming to your wedding to support your guests, for example therapy or assistance animals. One important thing to consider is making sure you have water bowls available, one per animal, and some quiet spots where they can rest during the ceremony, especially when they may not need to be as active.
Supporting your furry guests at your humanist wedding
Are you keen to have your furry friends at your wedding but not sure how to make sure they are happy and safe during the rest of the day? Why not check out a pet wedding chaperone service such as @thatspawfect, @FurrytailWeddings and @fureveralways. (I’ve not personally used these but they are highly recommended online)