While it's becoming more and more popular to include dogs in wedding ceremonies, it's not exactly a new trend. Our gallery below shows a picture of a 1920s bride holding her beloved pup, and paintings dating back to the 1800s show that dogs were occasional guests at their owners' nuptials.
Dogs in Weddings
Sometimes getting the pooch to pose is problematic, but we're betting some treats (and possibly a squeaky toy) were used here, with some terrific results. Most groomsmen don't even give that great a smile!
maoman on Flickr
Designating a dog walker can be a great way to include another friend in your wedding. Just make sure you choose someone who is, a) familiar with your dog, and, b), strong enough to keep the pooch from pulling them down the aisle is he gets excited.
aaronlockwoodphotography.com
It wouldn't be a family portrait without the four-legged members, would it?
mahalie on Flickr
Dogs have long been important parts of our lives, and sometimes even guests at our wedding. In some families, it might even be a tradition!
Getty Images
A sweet little bow is an easy (and inexpensive) way to dress up your pup for the big day.
jhonnyilbello on Flickr
Who needs a bouquet when you have a precious puppy to carry down the aisle?
revjim5000 on Flickr
As far back as the 1920s, when this photo was taken, dog owners were including the furriest members of their families in their nuptials.
Getty Images
Of course, sometimes dogs aren't just members of the bridal party -- some owners hold entire wedding ceremonies just for their pets! Obviously, to this bride, size doesn't matter ...
Getty Images
Think they'd look this happy if their dogs were stuck at home on this special day? We doubt it!
spannar00ni on Flickr
Remember, having a dog in your wedding puts a lot of pressure on them to perform, and chances are good that they won't be perfect. And it's okay -- it'll just give you more to laugh about later, right?
aaronlockwoodphotography.com
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We got married in Las Vegas, which -- much to my surprise -- we discovered was actually far less dog friendly than I imagined. But since having the Pooch with us was a non-negotiable, I hunted online for several days (and made about 30 phone calls) trying to find a place that would perform the ceremony with her in attendance. While we did find a Chapel that would do it, even they were only ok with it because she's small (shih tzu) and could be carried. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30306912&l=49da0fb4c3&id=1025035211
We certainly would. The wedding will be designed so they can be a part of it. We have 3 Lhasa Apsos & nothing is as much fun without them in attendance!
That is a great idea including well loved pets in the arrangements. I actually have found some great wedding greeting cards featuring all sorts that would be sure to be the happy couple smile.
I had my Two dobermans in my Bridal Pictures... they looked so good :) I even made them black rhinestone collars to wear... we didnt bring then to the wedding because there were alot of people there and the youngest one is VERY shy... so i had to be fair and leave them both at my moms house I made them both special dinner and beddies before we left... They are my bebes :)
Here is the link to see my bridals...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1115385&id=599811828#/photo.php?pid=1115385&id=599811828
We had our two dogs, Murphy (male terrier mix) and Samantha (female other-kind-of-terrier mix) in our outdoor wedding. I made Sam a lace-and-roses collar (she was very girly), and Murphy wore black tie. I hired a dog walker for them who was just great. They were both pretty excited to be around so many people they knew. Murphy, especially, puffed up with pride--I think he thought the whole thing was for him!
It really added to the quality of the wedding to have them there.
Pat
My daughter had her dog "Highway" in her wedding 6 years ago. She got him orignally from the pound. He was part chow and part pekinese. His color was black and he had very short legs.He was very affectionet. He died 3 years later with cancer. She was broken hearted. Charlotte
We sure did. She had her own flowers and all. Her name was Brewster and she was very much a part of our family. Even when she got old we put her in a wagon and walked her around, so she could see things. She eventually died of cancer and was put down, but to this day. We keep her ashes and we miss her greatly. She was definitely in our wedding. I wouldn't have it any other way. We have always treated our dogs like one of the family.
I would DEFINATELY let my dog go to my wedding or at least have a weddinig for my dog! =p
Absolutely - We were married last September at the Basset Hound Bash/Waddle and our little girl, Rachel, was the hound of honor and our boy, Charlie, was the groomshound. Rachel had a special dress made with lace and her hat had flowers, lace and pearls. Charlie wore a tux and tie. We even had the minister's basset as the ring bearer. The dogs stood on stage with us as the minister read the vows. It was our perfect wedding and we wouldn't have had it any other way. And, there were hundreds of bassets in the audience along with their owners. It all took place outdoors on a beautifully sunny day.
My son got married outdoors at his inlaws backyard several years ago and decided to include his dingo in the ceremony. Loki is a great dog and he was to be the ring bearer. They tied the rings in a pouch on a beautiful green ribbon (irish theme) around his neck and his was walked down the isle by one of the groomsmen at the appropriate time for the rings. Upon the minister stating that they were now husband and wife Loki let out a loud bark and everyone clapped. I guess he approved!
We were married last year in August. Unfortunately, both my dogs (male and female) who were brother and sister had died one and two years before we were married. That didn't stop me from having them at my wedding! I brought their ashes which were in beautiful boxes with me to our wedding. You see, I took care of their mother when she was pregnant with them every time her owner had to go into the hospital for cancer treatments. I was there when she gave birth to her puppies, picked out my girl and boy and had my dogs throughout their lives. My girl was 1 week shy of her 13th birthday when she died and my boy was 1 month shy of his 14th birthday when he died. These were my children and whether or not they were alive they were going to be with me at my wedding. My husband knew them for quite a while before they died and he was happy we had them with us for our wedding. There was no way I would get married without them!