Practical ways to include your dog in a ceremony
This is the question that I actually never imagined I’d get asked as much as I do: can I include my dog in my ceremony? Yes! Of course! Please! I would love you to include your dog because I now love your dog. Your dog can be an incredible addition to your ceremony, whether wedding or funeral, and as your celebrant I’m more than happy to incorporate your pets into your special day.
Pets at ceremonies can be so important because they are a member of the family. I’ve seen brides ride their horse (or favourite cow!) to the wedding venue and people use their dogs as aisle escorts or ring bearers. No one has ever mentioned including their cats and I think that’s just as well. I have a cat, he’s a magnificent beast called Max and his resting bitch face is extraordinary. I know he loves me but I’m not convinced he cares. That’s the problem with cats, they remember that they were once worshipped as Gods and they’ve had a complex ever since.
But dogs are truly something special in a ceremony. They’re adorable, will absolutely get involved and want to celebrate with you. There is nothing better that makes your dog happy then when you’re happy.
I’m a dog lover, I dog sit for my friends all the time when they’re away at festivals, fayres or holidays and up until recently I had my own dog, Pippin. That’s him in the picture above. Pippin would have made an extraordinary addition to my wedding and I know this because he accompanied me to my best friend Katie’s wedding at Eilian Donan castle in Scotland where I was a bridesmaid and read a poem at her wedding. He kept us company while we all got ready the morning of the wedding and then came for some food at the wedding breakfast, He even made the photo album. He was gorgeous and knew how to catch the eye of the photographer.
But it also taught me some valuable lessons about including dogs in ceremonies which, as your celebrant, I’d want you to consider. It will make everyone’s life easier, your dog happy and hopefully ensure you get the wedding or funeral ceremony you want.
1. Will your dog actually be able to cope with a full ceremony? I’m convinced that dogs can only really hold 2 or 3 safe locations in their head at once: their home smell, their favourite walk smell and the house of that person who always gives them unlimited treats (usually your mum or best friend). After that, it can all be a bit un-nerving for your dog. Is your venue a place that’s familiar to them or is completely new?
2. How is your dog around people? One or two people; they’re perfect. A house party; mmmmm they’re ok but then I tend to put them upstairs. Now what about a room full of people, over 50, maybe even 100?
3. If you’re giving your dog a job to do, will they listen. Ok now be honest with yourself, will they listen? And consider the previous two points. Will they listen in a room they’re not familiar with, with lots of people they’ve haven’t met before? It might be that this is their dream scenario in which case you might lose them to the crowd. Or it could be a moment of stage fright.
It is actually something you really need to think carefully about, but rest assured, everything is manageable. As your celebrant we can work out a plan so that I can do my job and that you can have a ceremony where your dog is included as much as possible.
These are the kinds of ideas we’d explore as part of the planning for the ceremony.
1. Do you need to have your dog present at all? You could have a picture of them on a chair to symbolise their presence, a dog bed in pride of place, you could add their dog tag to a hand fasting ribbon or I can include stories about them in your ceremony script.
2. This is my favourite option: have your dog present for a portion of your ceremony. Maybe they accompany you into the ceremony, have those special pictures taken then go off with a trusted friend for a snack and a nap somewhere safe. Your venue will be able to give you some options.
3. Have your dog present for the entire ceremony but ensure that you have a familiar basket set up and a trusted friend who can look after them and take them out during the ceremony if needed. If you are giving them a set role, like a ring bearer, what’s the back up plan in case they run to the back, get the zoomies or have had to leave? I can absolutely roll with changes of plan in the moment but it’s so important to know alternatives.
Whatever you decide, I will work with you to help plan a ceremony that includes your pet thoughtfully and reflects the loving bond you have.
Top Tips:
- Give them a small role,
- Have a trusted friend briefed who can look after them during the ceremony,
- Ensure there’s a quiet space available with treats,
- Put poo bags and treats everywhere imaginable,
- Have a back-up plan just in case,
- Please, please, please let them wear a special neckerchief or bow.
Get in touch!
Next week’s post will be about having wedding fayres and, in the meantime, if you want to know more you can check out my Insta @elizabeththedorsetcelebrant.
These moments don’t need to be grand.
They just need to mean something to you.
And if you know you’d like to include something but aren’t sure how, or you’ve got lots of ideas and want to shape them into something simpler, or even if you know exactly what you want but not quite where it belongs — that’s where I come in.
I’ll help you find the right place for it.
Be well!