A furry friend can be part of your family, and when you and the one you love share the special bond of a pet, you may want to include them in your wedding planning. There are tons of great ways to include your dog, rabbit, or even horse in your engagement or wedding photos. You may think that including them could be a hassle or make things more difficult so today, we wanted to share 5 tips on how to include pets in wedding or engagement photos that will give you a little peace of mind.
1. Decide how long they will attend your wedding.
If you are having your pet included in your wedding day, remember that it will be a long day. You need to figure out if you want your pet to be staying for the entire wedding or if you would prefer to simply bring them out during the ceremony or for specific times during the reception. Make sure if they will only be there for a few minutes, you plan that time out with your wedding photographer so you can be sure to get all of the photos that you would like during that time.
2. Ask someone ahead of time to keep watch of your pet.
You most likely do not want your pet roaming around by themselves, especially if it is an outdoor venue that is open. There will be tons of guests there and if your dog happens to get a little excited around a big group of people, or even if you just want to ensure that they are safe while you are pulled in ten different directions, ask a friend or family member who your pet knows well to keep an eye out on them. That will not only keep your pet happy, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing they are safe even if you are off doing other things.
3. Bring treats!
Make sure you remember to bring treats or their favorite toys to keep their attention if you plan to take posed photos with them. This will help to keep their attention when you need them to look toward the camera. Bring backup treats as well… you never know how many you may need!
4. Don’t stress if your pet is not cooperating.
Animals are very unpredictable and you do not want to get stressed or worked up if they decide that they do not want to cooperate during your wedding or even wedding photos. Sometimes those moments that do not go exactly as planned are the most memorable. If your dog decides he wants to bark all through your photos, laugh and play with him and make the most of it. It could provide you with an amazing and unforgettable shot of you and your new spouse with your companion!
5. If you think the wedding may be difficult with your pet, consider including them in your engagement photos instead.
Having your pet at your wedding could be difficult, especially if it is a larger animal or one who needs to be cared for constantly. If this is the case, but you still want to include them in your wedding in some way, consider having them in your engagement photos. Be sure to check out these great engagement photos that include pets to give you a little inspiration.
We hope these tips have helped you make the decision whether or not you want to include your pet in your wedding and give you a few tips on how to do so easily! Here are some great photos that we love where the couple included many different types of family pets in their wedding.
