How to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding (and Why It Always Makes for the Best Photos)
There is something that happens when a dog shows up at a wedding, and if you've ever witnessed it, you know exactly what we mean. Every adult in the room immediately loses their composure. Guests who were just making polite conversation are now crouched on the ground making sounds no human should make in public. The couple shares this private little look the moment their dog comes trotting down the aisle, and in that look is this whole world of shared history and joy that no posed portrait could ever capture.
We've had the pleasure of photographing weddings with one dog, two dogs, and on one very memorable occasion, three dogs of genuinely different sizes and personalities. In all of those cases, some of the best images of the day involved the dog. So our honest, professional opinion? Bring your dog to your wedding. You will not regret it, and we will be absolutely thrilled to photograph them.
Here's everything you need to know to make it go smoothly.
Why Dogs Make Wedding Photos So Much Better
Dogs don't know it's a big day. They don't care about the centerpieces or the seating chart or whether the timeline is running 15 minutes behind. They just know their people are there and they're happy about it, and that uncomplicated, wholehearted happiness is incredibly contagious.
When your dog is sitting between you and your new spouse during portraits, tongue out, leaning into whoever is closest, the resulting photo isn't just cute. It's honest. It's actually you and the life you live together, caught on camera. We've seen couples who were a little stiff during posed portraits completely melt the second their dog came over. The shoulders drop. The real smiles come out. It's exactly the kind of authenticity we're always chasing as photographers.
There's also research to back this up: dogs genuinely reduce stress hormones, which means having your pup nearby on what is, let's be honest, one of the most emotionally charged days of your life can actually help you feel more grounded and like yourself. And when you feel like yourself, that's when the best photos happen.
Getting the Logistics Right
Including a dog in your wedding takes a bit of planning, but it's much more manageable than most couples expect. A little forethought goes a long way.
Get a Dedicated Dog Handler
This is the single most important thing you can do. Your dog needs one person whose only job for the day is looking after them. Not a bridesmaid who also has 14 other things to do. Not a parent who needs to greet guests. One person, ideally someone your dog already trusts and loves, whose full attention belongs to the dog.
That person handles feeding, water, bathroom breaks, keeping the dog calm during downtime, and making sure they're in the right place at the right time. It sounds simple, but wedding days move fast and having someone fully dedicated to that role makes everything easier for everyone.
Be Realistic About What Your Dog Can Handle
Some dogs are genuinely built for this. They'll happily meet every guest, sit still for portraits, and charm the entire room without breaking a sweat. Other dogs find crowds, noise, and unfamiliar places stressful, and there's absolutely no shame in acknowledging that about your pup.
If your dog does best in quieter settings, consider bringing them in just for portraits and then having someone take them home before the reception. If they get overwhelmed easily, maybe they skip the ceremony entirely and come in for a dedicated photo session afterward. The goal is for your dog to be happy and comfortable, because a relaxed dog photographs beautifully, and a stressed one makes everyone in the photo look stressed too.
Build in Bathroom Breaks
We cannot say this enough. Talk to your handler about where the grass is, put bathroom breaks on the timeline, and make sure someone has cleanup supplies nearby at all times. Just cover this base and you'll be completely fine.
Practice Whatever They'll Be Doing
If your dog is going to walk down the aisle or carry a ring box, start practicing well before the wedding, ideally at the venue or somewhere similar. Dogs do much better with repetition and familiarity, and a little rehearsal will make the real moment feel calm and easy rather than chaotic.
What Role Can Your Dog Actually Play?
Quite a few, and we've photographed most of them.
Walking down the aisle is the classic choice, and it works wonderfully. Your handler, a child in the wedding party, or even a trusted friend can walk them down. The guests will love every second of it and we'll be ready to catch the whole thing.
Carrying the rings is charming and completely doable, especially for smaller dogs. A little pouch or box attached to a collar or harness does the trick. Just know that this one takes real practice and requires the handler to stay close, because dogs have been known to decide mid-aisle that the rings are actually not their problem.
Being in portraits is honestly the easiest and most successful option for most couples. We love dedicating 15 to 20 minutes to a portrait session with just you, your partner, and your pup. Some of our most genuinely beautiful wedding portraits have come from exactly that, and it requires almost no choreography on your dog's part.
Joining the reception can be wonderful if your venue allows it and your dog is comfortable with crowds. They'll become the social highlight of the evening, and the candid photos of your guests meeting them are some of our favorites to capture.
Hanging out during getting-ready is meaningful in a quiet way that photographs really beautifully. Your dog curled up on the bed while you do your hair, or sitting beside you while you get into your dress or zip up your suit, tells a real story about your daily life together.
What Should Your Dog Wear?
We fully support wedding attire for dogs, and we will photograph it with the same enthusiasm we bring to your dress or suit.
A floral collar or wreath made to coordinate with your arrangements is stunning in photos and feels elevated without being over the top. Ask your florist if they can make one. Most of them are delighted by the request.
A bow tie or bandana is simple and classic and works across every wedding style. It photographs well and is usually comfortable enough that your dog forgets they're wearing it.
A little suit or formal wear is exactly as incredible as it sounds, and yes, we will absolutely get on the ground to photograph your small dog in a tuxedo with complete sincerity.
A custom embroidered harness with your initials, wedding date, or something like "Ring Bearer" is both practical and genuinely sweet.
Whatever you choose, make sure it fits comfortably and doesn't restrict movement. A dog who is constantly trying to shake off their costume is going to be a little harder to photograph.
How to Get the Best Photos with Your Dog
As the people behind the camera, here's what we know actually works.
Bring the good treats. Your dog will make direct eye contact with the camera exactly as often as someone near the camera is holding their absolute favorite snack. We are completely fine with using a piece of cheese or a bit of hot dog to get a great look.
Let them be themselves. Some of the most joyful photos we've ever taken of dogs at weddings were completely unplanned: a jump, a spin, an unsolicited face lick at a very formal moment. Let the chaos happen and we'll be there to capture it.
Give us a few minutes to say hello before we start shooting. If your dog doesn't know us yet, a calm introduction where we crouch down and let them sniff around makes a real difference. We want them comfortable with us before we're in their space with cameras.
Don't put pressure on getting the perfect shot. Wedding portraits with dogs are wonderfully unpredictable, and that unpredictability is honestly the best part. The blurry ear, the mid-sneeze, the moment they turn away to look at something only they can see: those are often the images you'll love most when you look back at your gallery.
A Quick Word on Venues and Other Vendors
Before you commit to anything, confirm that your venue actually allows dogs. Many do, especially outdoor venues, private estates, and parks, but get it in writing and ask specifically about which areas of the property your dog can be in and whether there are any restrictions.
Let your other vendors know too. Your caterer, officiant, and planner should all be aware that a dog will be present. Most people are genuinely excited to hear it. Occasionally someone has concerns, and it's much better to sort that out ahead of time.
If your ceremony venue doesn't allow dogs but your portrait location or reception venue does, that's a perfectly workable setup. Plenty of couples bring their pup in just for portraits and a few reception moments, and it works out beautifully without complicating the ceremony logistics at all.
Your Dog Is Family. The Photos Should Reflect That.
The wedding photos we treasure most are the ones that honestly reflect who a couple is and what their actual life looks like. For so many of the couples we work with, their dog is genuinely family. Not a pet in the background, but a real, central member of their home and their daily life.
Leaving your dog out of your wedding photos means leaving out a piece of who you really are. And we'd love to help you include them in a way that feels natural, joyful, and completely true to your relationship.
We'll get on the ground if we need to. We'll wait through the wiggles. We'll get the shot. And we promise you'll be so glad you brought them.
If you're planning a wedding and hoping to include your pup, reach out to GVP Studios. We'd love to hear about your dog, your day, and how we can document all of it beautifully.
