7 Tips to Consider Before Including Your Pet on Your Wedding Day

So you're getting married and you've decided to include your pet on your big day. Exciting! However, there's more to having your pet be a part of your wedding than just picking out a cute outfit for him to wear. We pulled together a few tips to keep in mind when planning for and celebrating your big day.

• Find a pet-friendly location. Once you've decided you want your pet to be included in your big day, make sure all the venues you choose to use will allow pets. Ask up front when you make the reservations and make your plans very clear to the staff at each venue. Then you want to make sure that each location is safe for your pet. Walk the venue(s) and make sure there are places for your pet to hang out and have downtime, go to the bathroom, and be able to enjoy himself. Also check around to make sure there are no dangers like toxic plants or other animals. Lastly, consider your guests. Make sure everyone's comfortable with you having your pet along, because even though it's your big day, you want all your guests to be comfortable and happy as well.
• Consider his comfort when picking an outfit. In case you didn't already know, wedding days are LONG. Take this into consideration when picking out an outfit for your pet to wear during the festivities. Ideally, your pup will probably thank you if he only has to wear wedding clothes when he's on display, like during the ceremony if he's your ring bearer. If you have a reception area outside, maybe consider allowing your pet to be outfit free at that point.
• Remember his food and water. The last wedding I was in, I had to remind my friend the bride several times to eat or drink something on her big day. When everyone is caught up in the excitement and celebration, sometimes things like food or water end up forgotten. Make sure your pet has food and water dishes readily available to him at each location you will be at.
• Make sure he has a buddy. And this is the perfect person to make sure your pet is eating, drinking, resting, and going to the bathroom at all the necessary times and places. You should designate someone, or someones, to be in charge of your pet. Because it is your pet, you should also know who is in charge of him and when. Due to the day being a long one, consider making him a schedule, just like the one you might make for yourself for getting ready. Include your schedule on his schedule and assign him a buddy for several time blocks. Make sure all buddies you put him with know where he should be and when and also where you are.
• Show him a good time. It's a wedding! Everyone should be having fun — including your pet. You're getting your hair and nails done for the big day, and so is the rest of your wedding party, so include your pet! Take him to a pet spa either in the morning or in the days leading up to the wedding, and have him bathed and clipped and even given a manicure. During the festivities, also make sure he's happy, and if not, consider giving him a break. You should have a designated area where he can get away from everything to chill out if need be. But if he's totally loving everything, then by all means, let him keep enjoying everything.
• Keep his personality in mind. If your dog doesn't do well in crowds or with loud noises or music, consider giving him a very small role in your big day and then allowing him to go somewhere else and hide. You don't want to stress him out and upset him.
• Most importantly: have fun! It's your wedding day, and you have the love of your life at one side and your best furry friend at the other. Live it up and make it a day you'll always remember.