Dog In A Wedding Ceremony

I feel that I can answer this one because I'm planning to be married next year and will  have all 5 dogs in the ceremony.  I found this place who has a special ceremony FOR the dogs.  I'm sure it would be different if I were having a religious ceremony, but since I'm not and the dogs are an integral part of my life, they should be there.

Get married with your best friend in attendance. Male dogs make great ring bearers. And girl dogs get into being the "flower dog," (that is, when you decorate a stick with flowers!). Anytime they are present, these treasures add joy to any event. Let them help you celebrate their new family! Pet blessing included upon request.

 http://www.weddingsonawhim.com/extras.asp

Oh man!  The flower dog is such a cute idea!!  I've never heard of that before...I've only ever seen dogs as ring bearers.  I'll have to remember that if I ever get married. []

Duke was 6 months old when I got married. We worked really hard on trying to get him somewhat trained so he could be in the wedding, but he was CRAZY! So someone held him during the ceremony. We got pictures with him though! I will try to find some that I can scan later.

I think it's a great idea to have your dogs involved in the ceremony.  I'm trying to picture Grady as a ring bearer.  He'd be fine untill he got whiff of a small furry & off he'd go with rings in tow. ~L~

Well with 5 dogs, I figure we've got two on my side, two on his and then a ring bearer.  Apparently, my wedding colors need to be beige and white. 

My vision:

Smidgen and Figment as bridesmaids (no clothes, just fancy collars).  Smidgen is sable, Figment is white.
Malcolm and Hurley as groomsmen (same - no clothes, just fancy collars) Malcolm is sable, Hurley is white.

Dora will be the ring bearer.  She's tricolor (black/white/tan) so will look "sharp". 

I've got time to perfect the pups' obedience commands, but they've all got a good stay and perfect leash manners, which is really all we need!

She told us that her pastor told her it wasn't "appropriate" because the focus of the day is supposed to be god.  I don't see how having your dog - a family member - involved in the wedding!  What do you all think?

 
All I can say is, if I had to do it over, FeFe would have been our flower dog!  I see nothing wrong with it, in fact, dogs are members of the family, why should they be excluded?  I think the pastor is assuming everyone's focus will be on the dog... of course, everyone will oooh and aaah because it would be ADORABLE -- and just as much emphasis is placed on a baby in a tux for a wedding, am I right?? So what's the difference?  As for the focus of the day being God... I think it still can be WITH a dog there too.  Besides, I don't think God would mind []
 
Colliewog... I sure hope you post some pics!  Your idea is just too cute!!

Umm no thanks.
 
I had ENOUGH to stress out about before during and after the ceremony that having the additional worry of if the dog(s) would take a dump on the aisle, lift a leg on an usher, or freak out when the music started. That would have sent me over the edge....and we had a QUIET small wedding in a park! The dogs we had were kenneled during that time.
 
They also would have been stressed by all the strange (eventually drunk and goofy) eople and at the reception, and the smell of alcohol and cigars!

ORIGINAL: GlitterGirl

She told us that her pastor told her it wasn't "appropriate" because the focus of the day is supposed to be god. 

i thought the wedding day was all about the bride (1st) and the couple (2nd)?

I think that is a wonderful idea to include the dog.  I would love to do that whenever I get married.  I do think it does depend, though, on the couples belives.  I was raised a catholic and I know even the mention of having a dog in the church would be out of the question.  Once a lady came to a sunday mass with her chi in her arms the priest ordered her to get out and preached about it and how wrong it was to take a dog (or any animal) into the church.
 
Really just depends on the type of wedding and the belives of the couple.

ORIGINAL: cyclefiend2000

ORIGINAL: GlitterGirl

She told us that her pastor told her it wasn't "appropriate" because the focus of the day is supposed to be god. 

i thought the wedding day was all about the bride (1st) and the couple (2nd)?

 
Yeah that's what I thought too!?!  Who knows...the pastor clearly didn't want the dog there.  And Missy - I agree with you.  Of course everyone would ooh and ahh but people do the same thing for a little kid in a suit or cute dress. 

I tried to convince Brett to let Brown be in the wedding, but he swore Brown would steal the show and that the day was supposed to be about "us." Brett's so girly sometimes lol.

Sorry, but I'm with Gina on this one.  I'm getting married next April.  The building the ceremony is in is several hundred years old.  The hotel the reception is at is a landmark in the city I live in.  In either place, I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to juggle looking great, keeping my dress clean, smiling, remembered to say "i do" in the right places and trying to make sure 140 guests were having a good time if I have to worry about the way a large, 1 year old black lab was coping with the stress.
 
Ben's my baby, but he won't know what's going on and I think the crowds of people, loud music and inevitable drunkenness would eventually get to him. I don't want to test him like that.  Even just having him at the ceremony might be too crazy for him.  I will enjoy my day MORE if I know he's happily kenneled, playing with other dogs and running around like a crazy thing, the way he does best.  Having him at the wedding is, IMHO, humanising him a little too much for my taste.  I know other people are happy to do it, but I don't want to dress him up, nor do I want to force upon him the expectation of behavior that would be required at a wedding.  Good manners at the park, or at someone's home are one thing, but a wedding?  Another level of best behavior entirely.
 
Kate

I think you have to consider what is really best for the dog. I know as much I love to include Kobi in everything I do there are lots of places I just won't take him. Many times when I leave him at home, I wonder if he is lonely and missing me. I know I am missing him! But when you go somewhere that you cannot just get up and leave when the dog has had enough, it just isn't fair to the dog. Also even the most well behaved dog should be supervised 100% in any public situation. If you cannot do that, your dog should not be there.

If it is that important to have your dogs at your wedding, I would plan to have someone bring them for a very short period and then take them back home.

I read in a local aper that a couple had a member of the family (that the dog bring their dog to the ceremony and reception.  That member was responsible for the dog at all times so the bride & groom didn't have to worry about it. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: GlitterGirl

She told us that her pastor told her it wasn't "appropriate" because the focus of the day is supposed to be god. 

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i thought the wedding day was all about the bride (1st) and the couple (2nd)?

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Ultimately, it should be what the couple would want... what they want to be included or excluded, their beliefs, etc.  Of course, everyone knows it's all about the bride [].  The way I was brought up, God was always included in the ceremony but like I said before, I don't think God would mind if the couple wanted their four legged friends to be there as well.