Lessons learned: what couples would do differently with their dog

Including your dog in your wedding day is one of those ideas that feels perfect on paper. After all, they’re part of the family, they’ve been there through the highs and lows of your relationship, and the idea of them trotting down the aisle is undeniably adorable. But once the confetti settles and real life resumes, many couples admit the same thing: they would do a few things differently when it came to involving their dog.

That doesn’t mean they regret including them — far from it. Most couples say having their dog involved was one of the most meaningful parts of the day. However, hindsight brings clarity, and learning from other people’s experiences can save you stress, money and unnecessary guilt.

Here are the most common lessons couples have learned about including their dog in their wedding — and what they’d do differently if they had their time again.

“We should have planned for our dog earlier”

One of the biggest regrets couples share is leaving dog-related decisions until the last minute.

In the early stages of wedding planning, it’s easy to focus on venues, catering, dresses and guest lists. Your dog often gets mentally filed under “we’ll figure it out later.” Unfortunately, that’s when problems arise.

Couples often say they wish they had:

• Checked venue pet policies before booking
• Considered travel and accommodation logistics earlier
• Thought about who would be responsible for their dog on the day

By planning early, you open up more dog-friendly venue options, have time to book professional dog wedding attendants and can make thoughtful decisions rather than rushed compromises.

Lesson learned: Treat your dog like a key part of the wedding party from day one — not an afterthought.

“We overestimated how calm our dog would be”

Many couples assume their dog will magically behave perfectly on the wedding day. After all, they’re usually well-behaved at home… right?

The reality is that weddings are loud, busy, emotional and completely outside a dog’s normal routine. Couples often admit they underestimated how overwhelming the day would be for their dog.

Common surprises include:

• Dogs becoming anxious around crowds
• Overexcitement leading to jumping, barking or pulling
• Fear of loud music, clapping or sudden movements

Some dogs thrived in the spotlight. Others clearly didn’t enjoy it as much as their owners expected.

Lesson learned: Be honest about your dog’s personality and tolerance levels. Inclusion should be about their comfort, not just the photo opportunities.

“We should have practised more”

Another frequent reflection is not doing enough preparation or practice beforehand.

Couples often wish they had:

• Practised walking down an aisle with their dog
• Rehearsed sitting or staying for photos
• Introduced outfits, collars or accessories for their dog earlier

On the day, unfamiliar accessories or expectations can stress dogs out. Some couples found their dog refused to walk, froze in place or immediately wriggled out of their wedding outfit.

Even short, positive practice sessions can make a huge difference.

Lesson learned: Rehearse key moments in low-pressure environments and always use positive reinforcement.

“We should have had a dedicated dog handler”

This is one of the most common things couples say they would change.

Many couples initially ask a friend, family member or wedding party member to “keep an eye on the dog.” While well-intentioned, this often doesn’t work as planned.

On the day:

• Friends want to socialise
• Family members get pulled into other responsibilities
• No one is truly focused on the dog’s needs

Couples later realise their dog spent long periods unattended, became overstimulated or didn’t get enough breaks, water or calm time.

Those who hired a professional dog wedding attendant almost universally say it was one of the best decisions they made.

Lesson learned: Assign one dedicated person — ideally a professional — whose only job is caring for your dog.

Plan your wedding day, your way

Every couple is different, and so is every dog. Take a look around, explore our guides, and discover the best ways to celebrate your love – together with your furry family.

PLANNING A DOG FRIENDLY WEDDING

“We didn’t have a clear exit plan”

Many couples focus heavily on how their dog will be part of the ceremony but forget to plan what happens after.

Questions couples later wished they’d answered include:

• Where does our dog go once the ceremony ends?
• Who takes them home or back to accommodation?
• What if they become overwhelmed?

Without a clear plan, couples often found themselves worrying about their dog during speeches or the reception — the exact opposite of what you want on your wedding day.

Some dogs were exhausted by the time photos started. Others became restless during the reception, leading couples to leave early or feel distracted.

Lesson learned: A solid post-ceremony plan ensures your dog’s needs are met and you can fully enjoy your celebration.

“We spent too much time trying to get the perfect photo”

Everyone loves a beautiful wedding photo with their dog — but many couples later admit they put too much pressure on it.

Trying to capture the “perfect” shot often led to:

• Frustration when the dog wouldn’t cooperate
• Longer photo sessions than planned
• Increased stress for everyone involved

Ironically, the photos couples end up treasuring most are often the candid ones — a wagging tail, a nose sniffing the bouquet, or a moment of chaos that reflects real life.

Lesson learned: Let go of perfection. Authentic moments matter more than posed ones.

“We forgot about the weather”

Weather plays a huge role in how comfortable your dog will be, yet many couples only think about it in terms of guests and styling.

Couples later realised:

• Hot days can quickly become dangerous for dogs
• Cold or wet conditions can make dogs uncomfortable
• Outdoor ceremonies offer limited shade or cooling

Some couples wish they’d chosen earlier ceremony times, provided cooling mats or opted for indoor options when temperatures were extreme.

Lesson learned: Plan for your dog’s comfort in all weather scenarios, not just the ideal forecast.

“We should have prioritised our dog’s routine”

Dogs thrive on routine, and weddings disrupt everything.

Couples often say they didn’t consider:

• Missed walks
• Delayed meals
• Reduced rest time

On the day, this sometimes resulted in hyperactivity, anxiety or exhaustion.

Those who planned regular breaks, familiar food and downtime noticed a huge difference in their dog’s behaviour and comfort.

Lesson learned: Keeping parts of your dog’s routine intact can dramatically improve their experience.

“We didn’t expect the emotional impact”

Many couples are surprised by how emotional it feels to have their dog involved — especially if they’ve been part of their relationship journey for years.

Some couples say:

• Seeing their dog at the ceremony made the moment more emotional than expected
• They felt guilty when their dog looked stressed or confused
• They realised how important it was to honour their dog’s needs, not just their own

For some, this meant scaling back their dog’s involvement. For others, it meant adjusting expectations and being more flexible on the day.

Lesson learned: Emotional significance doesn’t have to mean full-day involvement. Sometimes less is more.

“We’d still include them — just thoughtfully”

Despite all the lessons learned, the overwhelming consensus is this: couples would still include their dog — they’d just do it more thoughtfully.

Instead of full-day involvement, many would now choose:

• Ceremony-only appearances
• Pre-ceremony photos
• A calm exit before the reception

Others would invest earlier in professional support via a dedicated dog sitter or adapt plans to better suit their dog’s personality.

Lesson learned: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The best choice is the one that balances meaning, comfort and practicality.

A happier experience for everyone

Including your dog in your wedding can be incredibly special — when it’s done with care, realism and flexibility.

By learning from couples who’ve already been there, you can avoid common pitfalls and create an experience that:

• Respects your dog’s wellbeing
• Reduces stress on the day
• Creates genuine, joyful memories

Your wedding day should be a celebration of love — including the four-legged kind.

With thoughtful planning and a few realistic expectations, your dog can be part of your story in a way that feels just right for everyone involved.

Need ideas, inspiration or practical planning tips?

Browse our other articles to find the best way to include your dog in your wedding, from ceremony roles to outfits, safety tips and more.

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