Every couple dreams of sharing their wedding day with every important member of the family – including their dog. But ensuring your four-legged companion is cared for while you're busy celebrating requires careful planning.
We recently chatted with Elisa from Oscar Meets Hugo, a professional wedding dog chaperone servicing the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, to learn more about what goes into creating a relaxed, memorable experience for couples and their dogs.
From pre-wedding planning to coordinating transport, ceremonies and photos, Elisa shares her insights into one of the most rewarding roles in the wedding industry.
1. What does a wedding dog chaperone actually do on the wedding day?
A wedding dog chaperone ensures couples can fully focus on their wedding day, while family and friends can be there as guests without added responsibility.
At Oscar Meets Hugo, we support dog-friendly weddings across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast taking care of all logistics, including pick-up, transport to and from the venue, and settling the dog back home or into accommodation afterwards.
On the day itself, we support during guest greeting, the ceremony and the photo session, and can assist with sourcing attire and some light pre-wedding training if needed.
Above everything, our top priority is always the dog’s welfare – making sure they feel safe, comfortable and not overwhelmed.
2. What information do you need from a couple before the wedding day?
To plan a smooth dog-friendly wedding experience, we start with key details such as the wedding date, venue, ceremony timing and the dog’s name and breed. It’s also really helpful to understand the dog’s personality, temperament and what they enjoy doing.
A lot of the finer details – like behaviour, routines and how they respond in different situations – are discussed during our Meet & Greet, which is an important step in preparing the dog for the wedding day.
3. What are the most common mistakes couples make when including their dog?
We’ve been very lucky – most couples we work with at Oscar Meets Hugo know their dogs incredibly well and are realistic about what they can handle when including their dog in their wedding.
If anything, the main challenges tend to be around loose lead walking, limited exposure to larger groups of people, and being comfortable in new environments. These are all things we can guide couples on ahead of time, as they can make a big difference on the day.
4. What does a typical wedding day timeline look like from your perspective?
For every wedding, we create a tailored runsheet for the dog to ensure everything runs smoothly. It usually starts with pick-up, transport to the venue, a potty break, and some time to settle in before the formalities begin.
The key moments we’re involved in are guest greeting, the ceremony, and the photo session. After that, most dogs are quite tired and ready to head home or to a nearby pet-friendly accommodation for some rest and downtime.
5. How do you handle unexpected issues on the day (nerves, barking, toileting, weather)?
When working as a wedding dog chaperone, it’s important to remember that a dog will always be a dog – it’s about managing situations calmly and proactively.
We closely watch body language and adjust as needed. If a dog shows signs of stress or anxiety, we’ll remove them from the situation, go for a short walk, or find a quiet space to decompress.
Knowing the typical seasonal weather conditions for Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, we prepare with water stations, shade, towels, or rain gear.
One important consideration for outdoor dog-friendly wedding venues is that if weather forces everything indoors, it may mean the dog can’t attend due to venue restrictions.
"For every wedding, we create a tailored runsheet for the dog to ensure everything runs smoothly. It usually starts with pick-up, transport to the venue, a potty break, and some time to settle in before the formalities begin. "
Elisa Weiser
OSCAR MEETS HUGO - PET CHAPERONE
6. Do you stay with the dog for the whole wedding, or just certain parts?
Typically, we stay with the dog for the key parts of the wedding — guest arrivals, ceremony and photos. However, depending on the dog and the couple’s needs, our support can start in the morning and continue right through to doggo’s bedtime.
At Oscar Meets Hugo, our wedding dog chaperone services are flexible and tailored to each couple and their dog.
7. What should couples provide for their dog on the wedding day?
Other than the dog and their usual walking equipment, we generally provide everything needed for the wedding day. If the dog has specific dietary requirements or if the couple has chosen particular wedding attire, those would usually come from the couple – otherwise, we come fully prepared to support a smooth and stress-free experience.
8. Are there situations where you recommend not bringing a dog to the wedding?
While many couples love including their dog in their wedding, there are situations where it may not be the right fit. Dogs without foundational obedience, or those who struggle in busy, high-stimulation environments, may find the day overwhelming.
If a dog is not comfortable around children and there will be little ones at the wedding, that’s another important consideration.
Other scenarios include dogs with high anxiety, reactivity towards people or other dogs, medical conditions that could be impacted by heat or stress, or very long wedding days with limited quiet/rest areas. In these cases, we often suggest alternative ways to include the dog, such as a pre-wedding photoshoot.
9. What’s the most memorable (or unusual) wedding you’ve worked at with a dog?
The most memorable weddings are always the ones where the dog has a story.
Rescue dogs, in particular, often have such a special bond with their owners, and you can really see and feel that connection – especially during the photo sessions.
The same goes for senior dogs. Including them in such an important moment is incredibly meaningful, and those are the weddings that tend to stay with us.
A huge thank you to Elisa from Oscar Meets Hugo for taking the time to share her experience and advice with the Pawfect Weddings community.
Her passion for ensuring every dog is safe, comfortable and included throughout the celebration is evident in everything she does.
If you're planning your wedding and want your beloved pup by your side without the added stress, a professional dog chaperone can make all the difference.
Be sure to visit Oscar Meets Hugo to learn more about their personalised wedding dog attendance services and how they can help create your own pawfect wedding day.
Oscar Meets Hugo is a specialised wedding dog chaperone service helping couples across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast include their beloved dogs in their wedding day.
Founded by experienced dog handlers, the business focuses on creating a calm, well-managed experience so couples can enjoy their day while their dog is professionally cared for throughout the event.
