Four-Legged Family: Tips for Michigan Couples Incorporating Pets into the Big Day!
From Your Wedding Photo/Video Team: AA Studios LLC
Since your pets are members of your family, it makes sense that you would want them to celebrate with you on this important day—your wedding! Including your furry friends in your wedding will add a personal touch and make it even more special. There are numerous ways to include your pets in your wedding celebration. We've seen dogs, cats, horses, and even parrots at weddings. After years of filming and photographing weddings throughout Michigan and beyond and seeing all the adorable pets, we decided to share with you some adorable examples and ideas on how to integrate your favorite pets into your wedding day.
Before you include your pet in your wedding, you need to decide what role they will play. Will they be part of the wedding party or walk down the aisle? Will they be in the wedding photos? When determining your pet's position, it's crucial to take into consideration their behavior and personality. If your pet is nervous around crowds or loud noises, it may be best to have them skip the ceremony and just attend the family portraits part of the day or perhaps the reception.
DETERMINE YOUR PET’S ROLE IN THE WEDDING
Before you include your pet in your wedding, you need to decide what role they will play. Will they be part of the wedding party or walk down the aisle? Will they be in the wedding photos? When determining your pet's position, it's crucial to take into consideration their behavior and personality. If your pet is nervous around crowds or loud noises, it may be best to have them skip the ceremony and just attend the family portraits part of the day or perhaps the reception.
2. PLAN AHEAD
Once your pet's participation in the wedding has been determined, it's time to start making plans. Verify whether pets are permitted at the wedding venue and inquire about any restrictions or rules that may apply. Additionally, you want to make sure your pet is comfortable with their outfit or any accessories you plan on using, such as a bow tie or flower collar. It is also a good idea to bring your pet to the venue beforehand to familiarize them with the surroundings.
3. HIRE A PET SITTER OR HANDLER
To make sure your pet is well-behaved and looked after throughout the wedding, hiring a pet sitter or handler can be extremely helpful. They can also be responsible for bringing your pet to and from the ceremony and reception, so you don't have to worry about it. Especially if you choose a handler that your pet knows, they can keep your pet calm and attentive during the ceremony if you intend to include them in the wedding party.
Some of the adorable pets that were part of the weddings in Michigan
4. INCORPORATE YOUR PET INTO THE WEDDING PHOTOS
Having your pet in your wedding pictures is a wonderful way to capture moments that will always be cherished. Whether it's a group shot with the wedding party or a candid moment with the bride and groom, your pet can add a unique and adorable element to the photos. If you want to incorporate your pet into the pictures, make sure to let your photographer know in advance so they can be ready and ensure that all the right moments are captured. Also, it is a good idea to mention this before securing the vendors. Because even though many people adore pets, there are those few vendors that would refuse being around the dogs or some other types of animals, and you would want to know that before paying the deposit.
Cute and simple way to incorporate your dog in your Wedding Day is to make a cake topper!
There are many other more simple ways you can personalize your wedding with your pet. From a custom cake topper to personalized cocktail napkins with your pet's name, there are plenty of fun and creative ways to incorporate your furry friend into the wedding decor. You can even include your pet's photo on the wedding invitations or create a signature cocktail inspired by their favorite treat! How fun is that?!
Now that we've shared some general tips and ideas for including your pet in your wedding, let's take a look at some adorable examples from the weddings we've filmed.
One of our favorite weddings was in Port Huron, where we had the pleasure of meeting an adorable dog named Maple Syrup. This sweet pup couldn't contain his excitement when he saw his mom in her wedding gown, and we captured some absolutely adorable shots during the bride and groom's first look. Check out the video clip we've included to see for yourself!
Puppy got to do a first look with a bride too! This is just adorable!
Another memorable wedding took place at Tarbor Hills Winery, where we met the charming golden retriever, Teddy. This pup was by the bride's side during all the getting ready moments, sporting his own tuxedo with a bow tie! We got some amazing shots of Teddy with his mom throughout the day, including when he ran down the aisle to join the bride and groom during the ceremony. We've included some video clips so you can see just how precious it was.
Cute way to incorporate your dog in bridal party and wedding video
In Delton, Michigan, we had the opportunity to film a wedding where the bride, Hanna, had her beautiful horses join her for a few portrait shots. We were lucky enough to capture some stunning photos with the horses, and we've included a video clip to showcase just how beautiful the moment was.
Cute video of a bride and her favourite horse on her Wedding in Michigan
A wedding video in Michigan with horses incorporated in bridal portraits
A wedding video in Michigan with horses incorporated in cute bridal portraits
Chelsea and Nick's wedding is another great example of how to include your furry babies. While their pets happened to be cats, they found a way to personalize their big day with a cute cake topper that featured their beloved feline friends. We've included some photos of the cake topper, so you can see how adorable it was!
Lastly, we have to mention Leslie and Paul's Hawaiian wedding! They have a few adorable parrots living with them in Michigan, but unfortunately, they couldn't bring their feathered friends with them to the wedding in Hawaii. Nevertheless, after talking to Leslie about wedding plans, we found a creative way to include them by using a bird cake topper to symbolize their love for their pets. It was a thoughtful final touch to their beautiful celebration.
Including well-behaved pets in your wedding can be such a joy, and they always bring a smile not only to you but also to all your guests. We want to encourage you to think of creative ways to make your pets a part of your big day! And if you know of any other ways that pets could be included in the wedding, please share with us!