Photo by Mark Shaw
Do you dream of having your dog at your wedding?
We can help with that! It is very likely that if you have a dog they are like one of the family to you. It is also likely that you would want to have them there to share your special day with you.
Like any part of wedding planning, you can definitely include your furry friends but it is a good idea to do a little planning before to ensure they are as happy on the day as you are.
At Ashridge we have hosted several weddings where the couples have included their dogs. Having dogs ourselves we totally understand why you would want them at your special day.
Will your dog cope with being included on such a busy day?
Photo Chris Armstong
Before making any plans, think about what is best for your dog/dogs. Will they get stressed being there all day or are they likely to be quite comfortable in a crowd of people they don’t know? You know your dog best, so planning how much he or she will be able to handle ahead of time makes it easier on the day.
Some couples get a friend to bring their dog over for a short period of time, someone that they know and trust. They can come just for some photographs, which we can help arrange behind the scenes.
If you decide it will be overwhelming for your dog, why not use it as an excuse to get dressed up again? Have a little photo shoot fun with your four legged friends?
Or incorporate them into the stationary or signage. We have seen cake toppers which include dogs which is a lovely way to include them.
We do also have a space in our cottage where the dog can stay during the ceremony. They could join you for photographs later if you think your dog would cope better that way.
Check with your venue about their rules
Photo Chris Armstong
There have been several doggy weddings here at Ashridge and we welcome dogs to join you on your special day. We do always suggest an allocated entrusted person to look after the dogs for the day to take the stress away from you.
We have space in the cottage for the dogs to stay and we are a very dog friendly site. We have hosted weddings with several doggy guests on site during the day but not all venues can accommodate dogs all day.
Special roles for your dog on the big day…
We love seeing dogs dressed up in a little bow tie or if they are trusted enough they could be the ring bearer or part of the wedding procession.
Don’t forget that you will be pretty busy on the day so it is a good idea to allocate a family member or there are services that you can hire to care for your dog during the day.
If you are looking for a dog friendly wedding venue please do get in touch. We would love to help you plan your dream day to include all your family members, even the four legged ones!
Photo by Paul Aston
