For couples who can’t imagine saying “I do” without their beloved dog by their side, finding a celebrant who truly understands the special bond between people and their pets can make all the difference.
Melissa Soncini is a wedding celebrant who embraces the unpredictable, funny and incredibly heartfelt moments that come with including dogs in a wedding ceremony.
From dogs walking down the aisle to simply being remembered in a meaningful way, Melissa believes there’s no one right way to involve your four-legged family member – and, as someone who has even conducted an entire wedding for two dogs, she certainly knows a thing or two about letting dogs take centre stage!
1. What inspired you to become a dog-friendly wedding celebrant?
I think the answer is actually pretty simple: I love dogs, and dog people tend to find dog celebrants!
Over the years, I’ve had more and more couples who have dogs ask me about including them in their wedding, and I completely understand why. I know how much our dogs mean to us, so I love making them part of the ceremony.
I’m also very comfortable with the fact that dogs don’t always follow the plan. They might wander off, decide they need a cuddle or suddenly become very distracted. That’s all part of the fun. I’ve even conducted an entire wedding for two dogs, so I’m well past the point of simply being “dog-friendly”!
2. Have you had any particularly funny, emotional or unforgettable experiences involving a wedding dog?
I’ve had the rather unusual but fabulous honour of conducting an entire dog wedding!
Muppy Puppy and Boomer were two gorgeous Oodles who had fallen in love on the set of a TV show. The dogs were the stars of the show, and I became their “Puppy Celebrant” for the day.
On the day there were celebrity guests, a huge crowd of PUP-erazzi outside and, naturally, a very glamorous venue. The dogs entered to music, exchanged wedding collars and even had their collars delivered by Puppy Security in a police car, complete with sirens.
The best moment, though, happened before the ceremony started. Muppy Puppy and Boomer saw each other and immediately started licking each other. I had to interrupt them with, “Hold up, we aren’t up to that part of the ceremony yet!” It was ridiculous, hilarious and completely perfect. And really, that’s what I love about having dogs involved at any wedding. They have no idea they’re supposed to follow a script, and sometimes the moments they create themselves are the best ones.
3. What do you love most about seeing dogs included in their owners' wedding ceremonies?
I love the reactions of the couple and the guests. There’s something about a dog appearing at a wedding that instantly changes the energy at the wedding. Everyone lights up, the couple usually can’t stop smiling, and suddenly the ceremony feels a little less formal and a lot more authentic.
I also love that dogs bring a completely different kind of emotion. Dogs don’t understand that they’re walking into a wedding ceremony. They’re just walking towards their beloved humans, which make those moments incredibly genuine (and sometimes completely unexpected and funny!)
4. What role can dogs realistically play during a wedding ceremony?
I’ve had couples who want their dog front and centre, and others who prefer something much more understated.
There are the obvious roles, like walking down the aisle, being the ring bearer, or have them there ready for post-ceremony family portraits.
Couples know their dogs best and what they are capable of. I’ve had couples who wanted their dog involved without having them physically at the ceremony – with a favourite photo of them on display, a life size cut out, a little story about them or a special mention during the ceremony can be just as meaningful as them playing a physical role on the day.
"You can plan a lot of things for a wedding, but you can’t script a dog, and I think that’s half the fun."
Melissa Soncini
SYDNEY WEDDING CELEBRANT
5. What happens if a dog decides not to behave according to plan during the ceremony?
We keep going! You can have a plan, but there’s a very good chance your dog has their own.
If they stop halfway down the aisle, wander off to say hello to someone, decide they’d rather sit somewhere else or suddenly become fascinated by something happening in the crowd, we just work with it.
The couple’s job is to get married. My job is to make sure the ceremony keeps flowing and that everyone enjoys the moment. I’m always happy to pause, adjust or change direction if we need to. You can plan a lot of things for a wedding, but you can’t script a dog, and I think that’s half the fun.
6. What advice would you give couples who want to include their dog on the day but are feeling nervous about it?
I’d recommend having one person whose only responsibility is your dog. It means you can get married without spending half the ceremony wondering where the dog is, whether they’ve had water or whether they’ve just eaten something they shouldn’t.
I’d also keep their routine as familiar as possible. Bring things that smell like home, make sure they have access to water and allow plenty of time for a walk and a toilet break before the ceremony.
Also, don’t leave all of this until the morning of the wedding. The less you have to think about on the day, the more you can concentrate on the rather important business of getting married.
7. How do you work alongside wedding dog chaperones, photographers and venues during dog-friendly weddings?
It’s a team effort, and good communication makes everything easier. I like everyone involved to know what the plan is, particularly when the dog’s appearance is a surprise or there are specific moments the couple want captured.
The photographer needs to know when the dog is arriving and what’s happening. The venue needs to know where the dog can and can’t go. The person looking after the dog needs to know exactly when they’re needed and when they can quietly disappear.
The best dog moments are rarely the ones that feel overly managed, so a little planning behind the scenes gives us much more freedom to let the good stuff happen naturally.
8. If the couple's dog could give them one piece of wedding advice, what do you think they'd say?
Don’t worry, Mum and Dad. I know what I’m doing.
I’ll walk down the aisle when I feel like it, stop for a quick hello if someone looks particularly friendly, and stand beside you for the important bits. I’ll look good in the photos. I’ll keep an eye on the rings. Your job is to get married. My job is to be there, look adorable and make everyone smile.
So stop worrying. You’re getting married to your favourite person. That’s the important bit. Don’t worry if things are not perfect. Eat the cake. Dance. Kiss each other lots. Stay close. And please, for the love of all things delicious, don’t spend the whole day telling me to behave.
I’ve got this. Now, where are the treats?
Perhaps Melissa’s best advice for couples including their dog is also the simplest: don’t worry too much about making everything perfect.
Dogs have a wonderful way of bringing spontaneity, warmth and genuine emotion to a wedding, and sometimes the moments that don’t go according to plan become the memories you treasure most.
As Melissa puts it, your dog’s job is to “be there, look adorable and make everyone smile” – while your job is to marry your favourite person, enjoy the moment and not spend the whole day worrying about whether your dog is behaving.
And if your four-legged guest happens to have other ideas, Melissa is more than happy to roll with them.
Melissa Soncini is a Sydney-based marriage celebrant who creates warm, personal and memorable wedding ceremonies for couples who want their ceremony to reflect who they really are.
Her relaxed approach and ability to simply “keep going” make her a wonderful choice for couples who want their dog to be part of their special day without the pressure of everything having to be perfect.
