First of all have a look at some of my favourite Weddings with dogs!

Abbie, Carl, Echo & Flint at Dodford Manor, Northamptonshire.

Sarh, Sam & Graham at The Chilli Barn in Otley.

Nicky, Liam and their Dalmatian in a Tipi at Aubourn Hall in Lincoln.

Leanne, Michael & Bracken at Skipbridge Farm.

Stacey, Daniel & Monty at Loversall Farm in Doncaster.

Ryan, Rheanne & Sherman the Pug! at New Craven Hall in Leeds.

Ell, Richard & their four dogs of all shapes and sizes! at Sandburn Hall in York.

Becky, Mort & their lovely dog at Victoria Hall in Saltaire.

Becca, Chris and Monty the dog at Cubley Hall in the Peak District. Now enjoy reading below for lots of lovely tips and tricks!

Dog of Honour or Best Dog?

Dogs are such a huge part of our lives, it’s not a wonder we want them to be a part of our weddings. Whether they are holding the rings, walking you down the aisle, or just showing up for photos, there’s plenty of ways to ensure they’re included in your big day. Dogs come in all different shapes and sizes, but more importantly, their temperament and personalities are massively different. I specialise in Photographing Dogs at Weddings, so I know these are the kinds of things that need thinking about before just plonking a nervous dog in the middle of a crowded ceremony and expecting them to sit quietly! I have just booked a date for my own wedding too and couldn’t imagine Loco, our German Shepherd not being there. She however is nervous, very excitable and can be dog-reactive, so I have put several strategies in place before and during the event, which should help it all run smoothly.

Not All Dogs Are Well Behaved All of the Time!

From German Shepherds and Dalmatians, to Pugs and Staffies; from Greyhounds and Lurchers to Border Collies and Labradors, all dogs are different! Some dogs are wonderfully behaved in large crowds, can sit quietly without much encouragement and will meet and greet people for hours without question. However, with a lot of people choosing to adopt rescue dogs (Yay!) this isn’t always the case. Some dogs come to us with behavioural or temperament issues that might make a wedding a scary – or super exciting! – place for them. Others just love the sound of their own voice (hah), and might disrupt a ceremony.

Our Lovely Daft German Shepherd Loco

We have had Loco for nearly 4 years now, and she has come on absolute leaps and bounds since then. (Make sure you follow me on Instagram to see her on my Instagram Stories!). When we first got her she was incredibly nervous of everything. Her first owners didn’t want her because she cried and whined all the time and was incredibly nervous. We took her home regardless, and I took her to puppy classes, socialised her with all kinds of dogs, took her to different environments and trained her almost every day. She was like a different dog! However, life isn’t always quite that simple, and a year or two later she went through some serious injuries and vet stays, and encountered some less-than-friendly dogs along the way that have set her back. She adores people and some dogs, but others make her nervous so she reacts, and being a German Shepherd, this is something we are incredibly careful of, as they get a bad rep! Between now and the wedding, we are putting in some time with a dog behaviourist, who will help her feel more comfortable and will also be there on the day to handle her. Having someone I trust with her is so important and lets me just relax and enjoy the day fully.

There’s Still Always A Way to Involve Your Dog

Photographing dogs at weddings is one of my absolute favourite parts of the day. I’m an huge dog lover, so this just bring so much joy to a wedding for me! However, having a nervous and reactive dog means I understand how different pups can be. I have seen so many different ways of involving them, so why not shoot me a message with any questions that aren’t covered below. Anyway, here’s some of my top tips on how to make sure you all have a good day – dogs and humans!

Having Your Dog there From Start to Finish

Some of us have put in the hours of training or have been blessed with a really well behaved dog that copes with the stresses, noises and excitement of large events. If your venue is happy with it, then your options are wide open. Think about maybe having your dog bring the rings for you, in a little bag on their collar. Perhaps they could walk you down the aisle. The position of Dog of Honour or Best Dog is definitely up for grabs! However, do make sure to think about having a dedicated dog person who can look after them whilst you enjoy the day. Also make sure this person always has water and poo bags on them! Also no matter how awesome they are, a whole day is a long time for a dog, so think about getting someone to take them home or to a dog sitters at some point so they’re not over exhausted.

Getting Ready with Your Dogs at Home

Having your dog or dogs there at Prep in the morning is a great way of having them in some photos if they’re happy at home, but might not enjoy a Ceremony. This is also good if your venue or Registrar can’t accommodate your pooch. I love photographing Getting Ready Shots in the morning, and think it’s great to capture a dog in the environment where it’s most comfortable.

A Special Appearance for Some Photos

I love going for a walk with a newlywed couple and their dog just after the Ceremony. It’s such a great time for a couple to relax and feel normal after the chaos and emotion of a day. There’s not usually a lot of quiet time at a wedding, so this is ideal. If this feels like the right choice for your dog, have a think about getting a dog sitter to bring them to you after the ceremony. Why not try out someone like Bow Wow Vow who are Dog Wedding Chaperones! They can bring your dog to you and help take care of them on the day. Have a chat with your photographer and/or videographer and make sure this fits in with their timeline too. For me, this part if one of my best bits of the day! If you’ve booked me for your wedding, this will definitely be high on my list of priorities!

Having A Separate Shoot Just with You Two and The Dog(s)

So maybe your dog is a nutter and would 100% get mud all over your dress or suit? Or maybe you want to get your walking boots on and get some epic shots up in some scenery that you wouldn’t be able to get to on your day? This is all a great excuse to go for a walk with your dog and your other half and get some lovely photos at a pre-wedding shoot. I have done this loads of times, and it’s always such a laugh. You’re taken away from the stress and time constraints of a wedding, and given the freedom of walking around for a few hours in a secluded spot. It also means you can ensure you’re comfortable in front of the camera before the big day too!

Sometimes it’s just not Right for Your or Your Dog!

So if it really is a no go at all – and your dog can’t be there – maybe you are eloping and they can’t come with you. Perhaps it’s just too difficult to organise or their health prevents it. Maybe your dog isn’t with us anymore and you want to have something dedicated to them – then why not have them be apart in another way. You can have an image of your dog made into a cutout like the one below. Or knitted into a gorgeous little dog teddy! A cake topper is another great alternative. The options are endless and there are countless wonderful people out there who can help you create something lovely.

Dogs and Weddings are My Favourite

I have covered a whole range of options – but I am a bit of an expert on the situation, and know a lot about dog behaviour and temperament, so give me a shout with any questions or worries. Make sure you follow me on Instagram to follow my dog, who makes an almost daily appearance on my Stories! If you’ve not booked a photographer or videographer for your wedding yet, then why not have a look at some of my Real Weddings and Wedding Films, or a little About Me!. Also have a scroll through a few of the lovely dogs that I have had the pleasure of photographing at weddings in and around the UK these past couple of years.