Expert insights: Julie Muir wedding celebrant

When it comes to creating heartfelt wedding ceremonies filled with personality, warmth and genuine connection, Julie Muir Celebrant has built a reputation as one of the most loved celebrants in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region.

Known for her vibrant energy, inclusive approach and beautifully personalised ceremonies, Julie brings a refreshing mix of humour, emotion and authenticity to every wedding she officiates.

With a background in event management, a passion for storytelling and a strong focus on making couples feel completely seen and celebrated, it’s easy to see why so many couples rave about working with her.

In this interview, Julie shares her insights into dog-friendly weddings, meaningful ceremonies and what she loves most about helping couples say “I do.”

Credit: Dara Munnis

1. What inspired you to become a dog-friendly wedding celebrant?

Dogs are considered family for a lot of couples, so it makes sense that people want their pets involved in one of the biggest days of their lives.

I’m all about creating ceremonies that reflect people’s real lives and personalities — and for many couples, their dog is a huge part of their story.

I’ve married couples who met at the dog park, couples whose dog was considered their first baby, and couples who would probably cancel the wedding before cancelling the dog’s attendance.

I also just love the energy dogs bring. They instantly make things feel more playful, relaxed and real.

2. What role can dogs realistically play during a wedding ceremony?

It depends entirely on the dog’s personality.

Some dogs absolutely nail the ‘walk down the aisle with the rings on their collar’ moment but that’s not the only way to include them.

Dogs can be ring bearers, flower pups, aisle escorts, or just VIP guests soaking up attention.

3. What are your favourite ways to include dogs in a ceremony?

I love when couples include their dog(s) in ways that feels natural instead of overly staged.

As the celebrant, I love including the couple’s dog in the couple’s love story. Before I start specifically talking about the dog, we bring them over to the couple and encourage a genuine interaction.

Then I talk about the role their dog has played in their lives. The photographer inevitably gets some gorgeous, relaxed shots during these moments — especially when I start describing the dog’s personality and often their bad habits too! That always makes the guests laugh.

For the rest of the ceremony, the dog is welcome to stay with us if they’re settled and relaxed. But if they’re feeling a bit active or overstimulated, it’s usually best not to expect them to stay with the couple or bridal party for the entire ceremony.

Some of my other favourite ways to include dogs are:

• walking down the aisle with one of the couple
• a cute floral collar
• paw print signatures on the marriage certificate
• couples acknowledging their dog in their personalised vows

4. Have you had any particularly funny, emotional or unforgettable experiences involving a wedding dog?

The thing about dogs is they create unscripted moments and often those are the moments everyone remembers most.

One of my favourites was a very enthusiastic Labrador who got so excited during the ceremony that he kept trying to sit directly between the couple every time they held hands. It was like he could feel the excitement and energy in the air and wanted to be part of it.

After a while, he settled down, relaxed into the space, and spent the rest of the ceremony lying across the bottom of the bride’s dress. It was adorable, wholesome and unexpectedly emotional — one of those moments that somehow made the whole ceremony feel even more warm and genuine.

5. What advice would you give couples who want to include their dog on the day but are feeling nervous about it?

Lower the pressure and embrace the chaos a little. The best dog-friendly weddings are the ones where couples are relaxed and understand that perfection is overrated anyway.

If the dog barks, gets zoomies, or decides halfway through the ceremony that a wee is suddenly more important than the love story… you’ve just got to roll with it.

That said, I think couples sometimes underestimate just how much attention a dog can attract. Most guests absolutely love dogs, so if your pup is wandering around during key emotional moments, people can end up watching the dog instead of being fully present in the ceremony.

It can affect the couple too. A good celebrant works hard to create a space where people feel emotionally connected and present in the moment. You don’t want to be halfway through your vows worrying about whether your dog is trying to make a break for freedom.

That’s why having a clear plan makes such a difference — where the dog will sit, who’s responsible for them, when they’ll make their grand entrance (and exit), and what happens if they become overwhelmed or overstimulated.

Once couples know those details are handled, they can properly relax and enjoy the moment with their favourite furry family member there (somewhere in the vicinity).

6. How do you help keep ceremonies relaxed and stress-free when dogs are involved?

My whole celebrant style is built around creating a relaxed atmosphere.

I keep things flexible, light-hearted and judgement-free. If a dog needs a moment, we roll with it. If they steal the spotlight, we laugh. Guests actually love those moments because they make the ceremony feel genuine and human.

I also communicate closely with the couple and the dog chaperone beforehand so everyone knows the plan and the backup plan!

7. Are there certain dog personalities or temperaments that work best at weddings?

The biggest thing is knowing your dog and not forcing them into an environment they’ll hate.

Weddings are loud, emotional, busy and overstimulating, so calm, social dogs who are comfortable around crowds generally cope best. But even very social dogs can get tired quickly.

I always encourage couples to ask themselves: “What would make this enjoyable for our dog?” Sometimes that means a short appearance instead of a full-day commitment.

Energetic or anxious dogs are often happiest popping in briefly for a cuddle and a photo before heading home for a rest.

A relaxed, comfortable dog always photographs better than a stressed one.

8. What should couples organise ahead of time to make sure their dog is comfortable and happy on the wedding day?

I recommend:

• bringing familiar treats and toys
• doing a venue visit beforehand if possible
• planning rest breaks
• checking weather conditions
• packing water, poo bags and a towel
• deciding who will be mainly responsible for the dog on the day — couples already have enough going on without worrying about toilet breaks and water bowls
• having an exit strategy if the dog has had enough
• figuring out where the dog will sleep that night

9. How do you work alongside wedding dog chaperones, photographers and venues during dog-friendly weddings?

Dog-friendly weddings work best when everyone collaborates as a team. Communication beforehand is everything. Once everyone knows the timing and expectations, the day flows beautifully.

I love working with dog chaperones because they take so much pressure off the couple. They know how to read the dog’s energy and keep things calm behind the scenes. I always make a point of chatting with the dog chaperone when I arrive at the venue so we’re all on the same page.

Photographers are usually obsessed with wedding dogs because they create such joyful candid moments. And venues are becoming increasingly open to dogs as long as there’s a clear plan in place.

And yes… if needed, I will absolutely jump around behind the photographer making weird noises and flailing my arms about to help get a dog look directly towards the camera 😂

10. What’s one thing couples often overlook when planning a dog-friendly wedding ceremony?

People sometimes forget that not all guests will be comfortable with dogs attending the wedding due to allergies, fears or cultural reasons.

It can be really helpful to mention it on your invitations or wedding website so guests know what to expect and can prepare accordingly. Something as simple as “our dog will be part of the ceremony” gives people a heads-up and helps avoid awkward surprises on the day.

A great celebrant does far more than simply officiate a wedding — they help create one of the most emotional and memorable moments of the entire day.

As this interview with Julie Muir Celebrant shows, Julie’s passion for storytelling, inclusivity and creating relaxed, meaningful ceremonies shines through in everything she does.

Whether you’re planning a large celebration, an intimate elopement or a dog-friendly wedding filled with personal touches, Julie’s warm and down-to-earth approach helps couples feel comfortable, supported and genuinely excited throughout the entire process.

Julie Muir is a Newcastle and Hunter-based marriage celebrant who creates relaxed, heartfelt ceremonies filled with laughter, personality and genuine connection.

An Irish, whiskey-drinking, story-telling celebrant, she brings warmth, humour and a down-to-earth presence to every wedding she’s part of. Julie is all about embracing the beautifully imperfect moments that make weddings truly unforgettable.

Since losing her beloved dog Sasha, Julie has become the unofficial go-to dog sitter for friends and family — happily filling the dog-shaped hole in her heart with plenty of borrowed pups along the way. In 2024, she and her husband spent a year dog-sitting their way around the world, caring for dogs across multiple countries while travelling.

Safe to say, if there’s a dog involved in a wedding, Julie is absolutely in her element.

Credit: Feather + Birch