Why and how to include your dog in a wedding + list of dog-friendly venues in Nova Scotia
7 reasons on why including your dog in your wedding is a great idea
If you are lucky enough and booked a wedding venue in Nova Scotia that will allow your beloved dog to participate in your wedding day (see below), but you’re still on the fence about whether or not you should do so, read on - here are the top 7 reasons on why including your dog in your wedding is a great idea!
On your big day, you'll want to be surrounded by your friends and loved ones, but have you ever imagined your big day without your beloved puppy? Of course, you can't even imagine it!
Dogs are part of the family for dog lovers, and it's hard to imagine for them not to have their dogs on the most important day of their life. That's why many couples are joining the growing trend of including their dog in their wedding ceremonies.
Your dog is your first love and your loyal companion. So, if you need reasons why you should include your dog as a participant at your wedding, I’m here to provide them! Here are the top 7 reasons that are enough to change your mind whether or not you should include your dog at your wedding ceremony!
1. Include Your Best Friend:
All your loved ones and best friends will no doubt be with you on your big day. So why should you just exclude your beloved dog from your best friend list? Whether you want your puppy to be fully involved in the ceremony or just sit on the sidelines, your dearest Best friend deserves to see you shinning on your wedding day!
2. Great Entertainment For Guests:
Let your dog walk down the aisle or greet guests when they arrive. This will be such a fun surprise for your guests, especially for those who have never had a chance to meet your doggy. Also, there is added benefit that dog cuddles will provide the guests great enjoyment while they wait for the reception or event to begin! Dogs are almost guaranteed to do something silly - and it’s always a comical release for and for the guests and the couple, whose emotions are running high.
Gus here was led by the page boy and wanted to say hello to everyone and made everyone smile!
3 Out Of The House:
Beyond meeting your dog's needs, planning for your cute puppy to participate in your wedding means your pet will be on an adventure out of the house. In addition, your dog will receive all the attention and love from the guest and the opportunity to spend time with you. This is especially more favourable for dogs with separation anxiety!
4. Adorable Pictures With Your Cute Pup:
The possibilities for adorable candid pictures with your cute pup are endless. A happy dog can make a picture ten times prettier. These memories will be highly beloved and cute, and you will appreciate these moments whenever you look back at your album for years to come.
5. Stress Relief For You:
Let's be honest here: weddings are stressful! You'll most likely get really overwhelmed at some instant on your wedding day, but how nice would it be to have your cute cuddle companion there to give you hugs and soft kisses when you are pretty overwhelmed and need them? This evening wedding for Tom and Laura was so emotional so when Milo, one of the pups made a run for it and Laura’s brother had to come down and get him, it was a stress release for everyone involved, and lots of laughter made for unforgettable moments.
6. Your Puppy's Best Day Ever:
Decide your dog's role depending on their personality and obedience level. By doing so, your big day will be their best day ever. You have many options while choosing a remarkable role for them, such as ring bearer, pup of honor, and so on. There is no doubt that they can sense the love they would get on your wedding day, even if they may not know exactly what is happening. They will be super excited to be surrounded by their beloved owners, whom they love the most!
7. Pets Are Family:
If you consider your loved dog a part of your family, then it is more than just a reason to have your pup involved in your wedding celebrations. Actually, they are your fur baby who has spent most of their life with you. Since there's no bad reason to exclude them from the wedding ceremony, so how can we leave them alone at home on one of the biggest days of our life?
Dog-Friendly Wedding Venues in Halifax and Nova Scotia
I contacted a few wedding venues in Nova Scotia to check if they are dog friendly, and so far here’s the list of where your dog is welcome! I sure hope the list will keep growing and as I hear back from a whole bunch of other venues, I will keep updating the post. Please inquire with the venues directly about the details of including your dog in your wedding and happy planning!!
Ideas for how to include your dog(s) in your wedding
Let the best man or a bridesmaid walk them down the aisle
Have your dog be a ring bearer
Walk down the aisle with your dog yourself
Have your spouse-to-be walk down the aisle with the dog
Have your pageboy walk down the aisle with the dog
Add your dog’s figurine to your cake topper
Have your groomsman wear socks with your dog’s silhouette embroidered on them
If your guests are dog lovers just like you, make wedding favours for the pets — dog biscuits and dog treats will be well-received by the four-legged friends!
Canine-inspired wedding table numbers — they don’t even have to be numbers - why not make each table a different dog breed?
Cuff links in the shape of your dog.
This article was inspired by my sweet, sweet, sweetest dog ever Dimka. He’s amazing and I kind of want to get married again (to the same husband 😂) so that I can include him in my wedding.
If you forgive me now, I have to run and take him out for a well-deserved, super long walk, he’s been just a peach waiting for me 🥰
Update — December 26th, 2022
This is a heartbreaking update to share with you, so I won’t hold it against you if you choose to close the tab before reading the next few paragraphs. It is a good, but heartbreaking read though if you’re still on the fence about whether or not include your best friend in your wedding or wedding ceremony.
My sweet Dima passed away on December 19th, just a few weeks short of his 3rd birthday. I’ve noticed he became quiet lethargic and when he didn’t even raise his head when I said the magic word “Walk!” I knew I had to take him to the vet, which I did on Friday, December 16th.
I will spare you the details, but Dima licked my nose for the last time the next day. Three days after his surgery Dima crossed the rainbow bridge. I know he’s happy where he is now, but for me, as a first time dog owner this was the most shocking event and I am crying writing this. He truly was the most gentle, playful, sweetest, most patient dog any owner could have asked for. I thought we had so many more years together.
If you’re not sure about whether or not to have your pup with you on your day or in your ceremony — I’d say go for it. Life is so short and unexpected and we never know what’s around the corner.
Even if there was just a quick thought about including your pup in your ceremony — share your day with them. Create those memories and cherish them forever.
And if they fart during your vows exchange, you know you made the right choice by including them in your ceremony.
Sincerely,
Anka