Weddings bring together our most cherished loved ones, and for many couples, that group wouldn’t be the same without their beloved pets—even if they don’t set paws on the ceremony grounds. Hoping to incorporate yours into the big day? We asked a few wedding pros to share the ways they’ve seen dogs and cats help their parents say “I do.”
Making your pet a part of your nuptials can begin long before the wedding day itself. For Francesca DiSalvo-Follmer, owner of Pure Luxe Bride, a favorite way for clients to celebrate furry friends is by designing them into invitation suite artwork. “It’s a fun, slightly whimsical way for couples to make invites incredibly personal to them,” she says. Even if your invitations favor formality, consider incorporating your pet into a detail card, envelope liner, or RSVP card, she adds.
Mac & B Events owner Carri Tanner notes that the same custom crest, monogram, or other illustration can easily be carried through to day-of decor. “Guests always love it because they know how much the couple loves their pet,” she says. Tanner and her team have helped transform art into everything from menus and place cards to bar decor and even an emblazoned dance floor.
Day-Of Dos & Don’ts
If you’re planning to have your pup guest star on your wedding day, keep these pointers in mind.
Check With Your Venue - Not all are pet-friendly. First things first: confirm with the on-site manager that they allow pets on the premises.
Hire a Dog Nanny - They handle everything from transport to timeline, grooming to boarding. It’s a great alternative to asking a guest or wedding party member to take the reins.
Consider the Crowd - Pets can get day-of nerves too! Even normally social pups might become overwhelmed being surrounded by so many people.
Inform Your Vendors - Let vendors know in advance that your pooch will be in attendance, and communicate any special measures you’d like them to take, be it creating a floral collar or snapping special photos.
Schedule a Practice Run - Bring your dog to the ceremony site before the big day so they can explore and get familiar with the setting. If participating in the wedding, they should also attend rehearsal.
Get Ready Together - Even if you don’t incorporate your pet into your ceremony, they can hang with the wedding party as you get ready for the main event.
One of the things about being wedding-obsessed is that we’ve seen (more than) our share of Big Days thrown here in Charleston. So for us to pass on a post to you, it’s got to be an event that was...
Emily and Alex’s Big Day may look effortlessly picture-perfect (thanks to the expert styling skills of Blythe Hill at Hill & Co. Creative), but according to Emily, there was a moment before the...
Beer, pizza, and donuts each play a pivotal role in Brent and Lauren’s romance, which hit a majorly high note last fall when they wed at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. But before we get to the big...
If, after looking at these photos, you find yourself scrolling down to the vendor credits to see which planner was at the helm of this traditional-meets-artsy fête at The Cedar Room, you won’t find...
There’s a lot you can tell about a wedding from photos—the color palette, what kind of dress the bride wore, how amazing the cake was—but we’ve learned that the best wedding info often comes straight...
Watch out, Lowcountry, there’s a new wedding venue down the road. Previously a private home, Coosaw Plantation sits just outside Beaufort, making it a short (and scenic) drive from Charleston. And as...
There are so many cool details about this couple and their sleek black-tie wedding by Bouquets and Bowties that we hardly know where to start. How about let’s back up for a sec and start with the...
We got a live one, y’all! You know when we get a great first-person(s?) story from a couple that we like to let them tell their tale. Well, meet Kingslea and Preston. Get ready to take notes because...
With a ceremony in her childhood church, a reception (for 350!) at the beach club where she grew up, a groom who’s her best friend, this winter wedding was all this bride could hope for
What does a gurney have to do with a wedding this posh? Let’s just say that love can take the oddest twists and turns rolling toward happily ever after
