Incorporating your Fur Baby into your Wedding
Article Written by Alyssa Beres of The Breakfast Social
We love our pets *almost* as much as we love our spouses, and it’s disappointing when such a large part of your life may not be able to be present on your wedding day. Whether your furry friend is able to make an appearance or if they’re at home living their best life, we’ve found some fun ways to make sure your pet is a part of your big day!
Incorporate your pet into your decor
We love a creative table number marker, and this is a fun and visual way to make sure your pet still gets some love and attention on your big day. If you have multiple photos or funny shots of your pet, framing them as table numbers or part of your centerpieces ensures your pet won’t be forgotten.
Open bar/bar area signs are another thoughtful way to incorporate your pet into decor, or even as a “welcome” or “thank you for being here” sign for guests to see in the entryway that showcases a cute drawing or photo of your pet.
Name card holders are such a cute way to add another personal touch to the tablescapes that showcases just how much you love your pet.
The bar area
We mentioned before that a bar sign with your pet(s) face would be a great and simple way to incorporate your pet into your wedding day, but the bar area in general is another way to customize even more unique details for your big day with some pet-related touches to your guest’s experience. One simple and budget-friendly way to do this is to name a featured cocktail after your pet - for example, if you had an aperol spritz as a featured drink, you could call it “The Buddy,” or whatever your pet’s name is. Another budget friendly option is getting a cocktail stencil to top drinks to ensure they are a true work of art and instagram worthy.
There are so many fun ways to go beyond this as well. Even with the featured drinks and creating a menu with verbiage and photos of your pet, guests will already get a smile and laugh.
Cocktail stirrers with your pet’s face on the end and coasters or cocktail napkins with your pet on them are also memorable details that your guests will love. Personalized koozies with your wedding date and pet’s face are a popular bar option and also a great party favor your guest is sure to use again, and think of your wedding every time they do! This could also be applied to a reusable cup that guests can take home after, or shot glasses that are engraved with your pet and wedding date.
Pastry
We love a good cookie, and who wouldn't love a cookie with a picture of a dog or cat on it?! This is great for so many reasons: they are delicious, budget friendly - as you would probably get some sort of decorated dessert anyway, - photographable, you can support a local baker, and it’s a way to subtly incorporate your pet into your wedding without it hindering the overall aesthetic.
“We do too!” Imagine having your pets as your cake topper rather than the traditional bride and groom figurines. This is also a subtle way to make sure your pet is a part of your day - and wedding cake is a memorable part of the reception and a star in the photos.
A dessert table tablescape with photos, figurines, and personalized pastries is a great way to honor the absence of your pet at your wedding, but also a functional area that checks multiple boxes in your decor and planning.
The subtle details
A small and special detail is adding your pet’s name tag with another engraved charm of their face attached to the bride’s bouquet. This is such a classy detail that adds a sentimental touch and will be in so many of your wedding photographs. This is a simple, budget friendly option - especially if you have more than one pet!
A unique detail for the groom to incorporate is personalized cufflinks engraved with your pets face on them. This is another example of a small, classy detail that makes a statement of “less is more.” I’ve also seen people have the inside of their suit jacket detailed, creating a fabric pattern with their pet’s face on it. This would be a cute detail to add to your wedding without it completely taking over the theme.
The fun extras
You know those big hand cutouts you see at sporting events? Imagine your pet’s head blown up and used as photo props! This is a silly idea to get a good laugh out of your guests and to ensure your pet is still a star in the show - even if it’s just them and the big head!
If you plan on having party favors, personalized sunglasses, flip flops for the dance floor, little stuffed animal keychains..the possibilities are truly endless.
These are only some of the many ideas out there that can help guide you in finding some ways to incorporate those furry members of your family, and we hope you’ve found some inspiration to add to your pinterest board and wedding planning! We love our pets and wish they could be involved in every aspect of our lives, and it’s hard to imagine not having them on the biggest day of your life. With these ideas as a guideline, your pet will be loved on from a distance and there in spirit as you celebrate this chapter in your life!
