Unique Wedding Ideas - Pets in the Wedding Party
Jennifer Hudson, Gwen Stefani & Ellen DeGeneres Can’t Be Wrong
Jun 29, 2009
While getting married can be the most formal affair in a person’s life, that’s not stopping pet lovers from including their beloved animals in the celebration.
Celebrity Weddings Have Gone to the Dogs
Throughout history people have fallen in love with animals. During Queen Victoria’s sixty-four-year reign she routinely signed remissions for the release of prisoners convicted of a variety of crimes. But the one offense for which she steadfastly refused to grant leniency was cruelty to animals. She referred to animal cruelty as one of the worst traits in human nature.
Queen Victoria’s legendary love of dogs was no greater than the passion millions of people feel today for the animals in their lives. That’s why non-human members of the wedding party are showing up to surprise and delight wedding guests everywhere.
Some of the celebrities who have included or intend to include pets in their nuptials are:
- Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale
- Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson
- Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
- Adam Sandler and Jackie Titone
- Montel Williams and Tara Fowler
- Tori Spelling and Charlie Shanian
- Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell
- Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga
Celebrities aren’t the only ones sharing their wedding day with animals. People from all walks of life, in all parts of the world, are doing the same.
Unique Ideas for Incorporating Pets into the Wedding
From brides on horseback to canine ring bearers to birds on swings and iguanas in pockets, there are many delightful ways to share the wedding with animal members of the family.
Whether the pet’s role is big or small, the most important consideration is the answer to a single question. Will the animal be delighted or terrified to participate? The wedding day is a beehive of activity, and while the plan to include a favorite pet is well-intentioned, some pets may be ill suited to sharing in the nuptials. Pets with mellow personalities will do best, but forcing any pet to participate that would not be at ease would make everyone, animal and human, regretful.
Dogs are the most common non-humans at weddings. Some are dressed to the nines in wedding attire that is available from doggie duds designers. Others simply sport a nice bow or a bit of flowers or jewels attached to the collar.
Here are some of the ways animals have contributed to the wedding day.
- Dogs have executed Ring Bearer and Flower Girl duties, with or without human assistance.
- Dogs have held the status of Best Man or Maid of Honor.
- Dogs have given the bride away.
- Tiny animals on satin pillows have replaced the bridal bouquet.
- Horses have delivered brides to the ceremony or galloped away with the bride and groom after the nuptials are concluded.
- Birds have adorned swings or twittered away in decorative cages at the altar.
- Iguanas, hamsters, turtles and snakes have gone along for the “I Do” ride, snug in the groom’s pocket.
- Dogs, cats, potbellied pigs, rabbits and other creatures have taken seats of honor in the family section of spectators.
- Animals have walked the bride and groom from the church to the reception.
- All kinds of animals have posed for wedding photos.
If a human can do it, chances are an animal can do it. Incorporating a pet into the wedding is limited only by the imagination.
7 Questions to Ask Before Planning Weddings with Pets
- Does the venue allow pets? Finding the right pet-friendly location may take time.
- Will the pet enjoy the experience? An animal likely to be traumatized by the noise or the strange faces and reaching hands, may do best by simply participating in off-site wedding photos.
- What if Fido opts out of the ceremony to chase a squirrel or bark at the minister? Animals can be unpredictable and have short attention spans. Deciding to accept their behavior, whatever that may prove to be, will bring peace of mind.
- Is the animal social? A loving dog, decked out in his wedding finery, meandering about the reception can be a treat. But a hound stealing food or gnawing on the shoes a guest kicked off under the table would be disruptive and an unwelcome wedding-day memory.
- Can the pet “hold it” and ask to go “out?” Excited animals can have accidents, inside or out. The animal’s "nature calls" and clean-ups, plus the need for water, attention and rest, must be addressed in advance and the necessary supplies secured.
- Does the animal trust someone other than the bride or groom? Designating a handler to be responsible for the animal throughout the day will help the event run smoothly.
- Is there time to practice before the wedding? Getting a pet accustomed to fancy attire or new circumstances requires practice—before the wedding.
A Wedding Unique to the Bride and Groom
One of the most significant ways to personalize any wedding is to include beloved pets. Some guests may object. Some human wedding party members may not wish to participate. But the wedding day belongs to the bride and groom. No matter what others feel, wedding couples should not abandon plans to include their pets if including them is what they truly desire.
Every wedding day should celebrate the bride and groom’s own unique style. If that style is to embrace the love of close-to-their-hearts animals, then no man, or no woman, should put asunder that pleasure.
Those considering pets at the wedding may also enjoy reading Outdoor Wedding Concerns and How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Limousine.
Sources:
- The Queen Victoria quote appears in the article "Queen Victoria and 'those four-footed friends no bride can buy" by Paul Johnson, April 15, 2000 as published in The Spectator
- People Magazine website
- Celebritycrazed website
- PeoplePets website
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