For many couples, a wedding isn’t complete without those they love most — family, friends, and increasingly often, their four-legged best friends. Including a beloved pet on the big day can feel just as important as finding the perfect dress or booking the dream venue.
That’s where Harriet Beaulieu comes in. As the owner of Harriet’s Hounds, a pet chaperone service in New Hampshire, she’s helped couples include their dogs in their big day without the stress of managing leashes, bathroom breaks, or keeping the pooch from stealing hors d’oeuvres.
“Every single couple that includes their dog in their wedding is completely obsessed with their dog,” said Beaulieu. “It’s very meaningful for them to be able to have them there and so it always feels nice to be able to allow people to be able to do that right.”
From escorting a couple’s dog down the aisle to keeping an eye out for signs of restlessness, ensuring they get a walk when needed, and safely returning them to a hotel or designated spot, Beaulieu takes care of it all. She also makes sure they’re fed and have plenty of fresh water throughout the day.
Before deciding how big of a role your dog should play in your ceremony — especially if you’re not hiring a professional — wedding expert Beaulieu has a few key tips to keep in mind.
Know your dog
Start by considering your dog’s personality and past experiences. Are they calm and easygoing? Have they been around large crowds before? How do they react to new people? Understanding their temperament will help you determine whether they’ll thrive as part of the ceremony or if a smaller role might be a better fit.
Choosing flowers
When selecting flowers, Beaulieu advises caution, as many common blooms can be toxic to dogs. She recommends consulting with your florist to find the safest options. She also suggests considering artificial flowers for your dog’s collar, as they’re both durable and pet-friendly.
“You do sometimes see couples who will use fake flowers for the dog’s collar which I always say is not a bad option because they’re much sturdier,” said Beaulieu. “So the dog can be a little bit more of a dog and you can worry less about it like just falling apart.”
Weather considerations
Take the weather into account when planning your dog’s big day. Beaulieu recalls a summer wedding where she worked with a Husky, a breed better suited to colder climates.
To ensure the dog was comfortable, she kept the dog in the car with the air conditioning on until it was time for the ceremony.
“In those situations, you just have to be cautious of making sure that you’re not pushing them too hard,” said Beaulieu. “So you just have to make accommodations depending on what the day brings.”
Aesthetic appeal
When couples include their dogs in the wedding, it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture and overlook the finer details. To ensure the photos with their dog are picture-perfect, Beaulieu always has a clean leather leash ready to swap out for the old, worn leash, which often comes with poop bags hanging from it.
Apart from all of this, Beaulieu said let your dogs be dogs – give them treats, plenty of fresh water, bathroom breaks, belly rubs and take them on a walk or hike to burn off some energy before it’s time to walk down the aisle.
“I’ve always had just the most amazing experiences helping people include their dogs in their wedding days,” Beaulieu said. “It always adds such a spark to the day. All the guests are so excited to see the dog and people aren’t necessarily expecting it.”
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