When Your Dog Is Family: Including Them in Your Wedding Day

By Scout & Company Companion Pet Care

For many couples, their dog is part of the family. They have been there long before the engagement and before a venue was chosen, long before anyone started talking about seating charts. They are woven into daily life.

It makes sense to want them present on a day that marks something important.

At the same time, weddings are long and loud, with constant movement throughout the day. In New Orleans especially, a wedding day can be warm and humid.

Once you begin mapping out the timeline, it becomes clear that including a dog requires more coordination than it might seem at first glance.

What People Don’t Always Think About

Weddings move quickly. The day starts early, transitions between venues, and rarely slows down.

When a dog is included, the logistics expand. Transportation, ceremony timing, portraits, hydration, breaks, and where the dog goes once their part is finished all need to be mapped out in advance. There also needs to be clarity around how long they will stay and how they will leave.

It can feel manageable when you’re first talking through the idea. Once the timeline is in place, though, it becomes clear that someone needs to be consistently focused on those details.

Even a well-trained, easygoing dog may respond differently in a setting filled with applause, music, unfamiliar guests, and constant activity. It isn’t about bad behavior. It’s simply the nature of a highly stimulating environment.

The Common Workarounds

Often, the solution is informal.

A bridesmaid agrees to hold the leash. A parent plans to drive the dog home after the ceremony. A friend offers to keep an eye on things during portraits.

The intention behind these plans is generous. The challenge is that each of those people is also part of the wedding. They are in photos, helping with transitions, greeting guests, or simply trying to be present.

If the dog becomes overstimulated or tired, attention shifts quickly. What started as a small favor can turn into a distraction at a moment when the couple is meant to be focused elsewhere.

It’s the reality of layering pet care into a complex event.

When There Is Dedicated Support

Some couples choose to have one person fully responsible for their dog during wedding events.

That care can look different depending on the couple’s plans. For some, it means ceremony and portraits only. For others, it may include rehearsal dinner involvement or even full weekend care. The level of support is shaped around what makes sense for the event and for the dog.

Dedicated care often includes transportation, supervision during key moments, portrait support, scheduled breaks, water, shade, and quiet space when needed. It also means paying attention to signs of overstimulation before they escalate.

Weddings are designed around the couple. The focus is naturally on the ceremony, the guests, and the celebration. Having someone whose only responsibility is the dog ensures their comfort and safety are not overlooked.

When one person is attuned to the dog’s needs throughout the day, small adjustments can happen before stress builds. That preparation allows the dog’s presence to feel integrated into the event rather than added on.

A Note from Scout & Company

At Scout & Company, dogs are treated as family. If they are part of your daily life, it makes sense to consider how they fit into your wedding day.

Thoughtful planning is not about overcomplicating things. It is about making sure your dog is safe, comfortable, and supported in an environment that is very different from home.

When those details are considered in advance, couples can stay focused on the celebration itself, knowing their dog is being well cared for.