Houston Wedding Blog

15 Fun & Heartwarming Ways To Include Your Pets In Your Wedding

A bride and groom holding their puppy during their wedding portraits.
Photo: Chris Bailey Photography | Stationery + Registry: Bering’s | Cake: Susie’s Cakes | Wedding Entertainment: EastCoast Entertainment

Hey there, fellow pet lovers and soon-to-be newlyweds! Dreaming of a wedding that’s not just about the love between you and your significant other but also honors that adorable fur baby in your life?

Whether your four-legged friend can witness your ‘I dos’ or they’re there in spirit, we’ve got you covered! From invitations to cake toppers, here are some fun ways to make your pet a star of your big day. So, let’s dive into these ideas to include your pet, presence or not.

1. Invitations

Kick off your wedding buzz with save-the-dates, RSVP cards, or invitations that feature your pet. Imagine your guests’ smiles when they see your pet’s face peeking from the envelope! Not to mention, these fun details will be a treasure in your invitation suite photos.

A pink-and-white invitation suite with a black french bulldog on the top of the RSVP card.
Photo: Mustard Seed Photography | Florals + Decor: Plants N’ Petals | Wedding Coordinator: Irresistible Events & Services | Cake: Cakes by Gina
A blue and white invitation suite with a napkin with a print of a brown cat reading "Cheers!"
Photo: Marco Wang Photography – Mark Simmons | Venue: Royal Oaks Country Club | Cake: Susie’s Cakes

2. Engagement Photos

Your engagement photos and wedding portraits are ideal moments to include your pet, especially if they can’t be at the wedding. It’s a chance for your furry family member to be part of the journey right from the start.

Couple kissing in front of the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa while holding the leashes of two dogs in tuxes.
Photo: Tee Tran Studios | Venue: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

3. Behind-The-Scenes Cuteness

Capture those heartfelt, getting-ready moments with your pet by your side. They can be your furry stress reliever!

A bride in white pajamas posing with her yellow lab before the wedding.
Photo: Kati Hewitt Photography | Cake: Cakes by Gina

4. A Surprise Puppy!

For a truly unforgettable moment, imagine a groom surprising his bride with a new dog on the wedding day. Talk about a wedding gift that keeps on giving love!

A bride wearing white satin-feathered pajamas with a dog name tag reading "Gelato" in her hands.
Photo: Carhart Photography | Venue: C. Baldwin, Curio Collection by Hilton | Grooms’ Bands: Zadok Jewelers | Wedding Entertainment: Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band | Cake: Susie’s Cakes

5. Four-Legged Groomsmen

Imagine your dapper dog joining the groomsmen for some memorable photos. Whether sporting a matching bow tie or a custom bandana, your pet can add a playful and heartwarming touch to these special moments.

A groom walking with four groomsmen and a gray French Bulldog wearing a matching tux to the groomsmen.
Photo: Mustard Seed Photography | Florals + Decor: Plants N’ Petals | Wedding Coordinator: Irresistible Events & Services | Cake: Cakes by Gina

6. Dress To Impress: Pup Edition

For the ceremony, deck out your dog in a cute little outfit. A bow tie or a chic lehenga? Yes, please! They’ll steal the show (just for a bit), walking down the aisle.

A brown dog wearing a red and gold printed lehenga.
Photo: MnM Photography | Venue: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa
A white Australian Shepherd with his tongue out wearing a gray suit.
Photo: Amy Maddox Photography | Wedding Entertainment: Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band

7. Ring Bearer Style

Let your pet play a special role by being the ring bearer. A tiny pouch around their neck with the rings? Adorable!

A gray french bulldog riding on a mini Mercedes down a white marble aisle.
Photo: Mustard Seed Photography | Florals + Decor: Plants N’ Petals | Wedding Coordinator: Irresistible Events & Services | Cake: Cakes by Gina
A black and white dog walking down the aisle wearing a pink bow-tie and a leash decorated in greenery.
Photo: John Winters Photography

8. Wedding Portraits, Plus One!

If your pet can attend your wedding, seize the opportunity to include them in your wedding portraits. Imagine capturing those magical moments with your beloved fur baby right there with you. They can pose proudly at your feet or maybe even sneak in a kiss! These photos will not only add a dose of cuteness to your wedding album but also symbolize the complete family portrait on your special day.

A bride and groom posing with their two dogs in front of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.
Photo: Christina Caroll Photography | Venue: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

9. Pet-Inspired Details

Infuse your wedding with charming details inspired by your pet. Think of food picks with your dog’s face or even a flower replica of your pet. These details ensure your furry friend’s presence is felt throughout your special day.

Food picks in clear glasses with a white dogs face at the end of each food pick.
Photo: Bates Photo Studio | Venue & Catering: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa | Flowers & Decor: Plants N’ Petals | Cake: Susie’s Cakes | Registry & Stationery: Bering’s
White florals by Plants N Petals creating a replica of a white dog with an LSU collar on.
Photo: Bates Photo Studio | Venue & Catering: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa | Flowers & Decor: Plants N’ Petals | Cake: Susie’s Cakes | Registry & Stationery: Bering’s

10. Signature Cocktails with a Twist

Add a twist to your bar menu with signature cocktails named after your pet. Each sip will be a tribute to your four-legged family member.

An acrylic signature cocktail menu with a husky's face next to "The Norman" cocktail.
Photo: Erika Geier Photography | Cake: Cakes by Gina
A silver framed cocktail menu with a his, hers and ours signature cocktail with a black cat in the corner of the menu.
Photo: Pepper Nix Photography | Registry: Bering’s

11. Cocktail Hour

Enhance your cocktail hour with menus, napkins, and coasters adorned with your pet’s image. It’s all in the details!

A tray of cocktails garnished with flowers abd a hand holding a napkin with a print of a black and white dog and a brown dog underneath the tray.
Photo: Caroline Lima Photography | Venue: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa | Wedding Entertainment: Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band
A pink cocktail sitting on a napkin wit a print of a french bulldog wearing a bowtie reading "I Do Too!!"
Photo: Mustard Seed Photography | Florals + Decor: Plants N’ Petals | Wedding Coordinator: Irresistible Events & Services | Cake: Cakes by Gina

12. Seating Chart: Guided by Paws

Guide your guests to their seats with a seating chart incorporating your pet’s adorable face.

A white and green seating chart with a print of a black and white dog and a brown dog at the top.
Photo: Caroline Lima Photography | Venue: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa | Wedding Entertainment: Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band

13. An Extra Dinner Guest

Enhance your dining experience by featuring your pet on the menus and coasters. Picture a menu with a small, fun illustration of your furry companion, adding a personal touch to the meal.

A tablescape with green linens, gold flatware an a custom menu with a print of a black and white dog and a brown dog at the bottom.
Photo: Caroline Lima Photography | Venue: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa | Wedding Entertainment: Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band
A white coaster on a black table with a gold etched photo of a dog with words underneath reading "Please don't take my drink, I'm Dancing" with the couples' name and wedding date.
Photo: Jason Smelser Photography | Venue: Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston | Cake: Cakes by Gina

14. The Icing on the Cake

From a custom cake topper featuring your pet to a replica cake of your dog – let them be a sweet part of your dessert table.

Three tier white cake with gold animal print and white florals with two cake-sculpted dogs made to look like they took a bite of cake.
Photo: K-Ruiz Photography | Cake: Cakes by Gina
A groom's cake made to be a replica of a brown dog with it's tongue sticking out sitting on a patch of grass next to a soccer ball.
Photo: Jason Smelser Photography | Venue: Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston

15. Wedding Favors

Put a smile on your guests’ faces with personalized wedding favors that nod to your pet.

A blue canvas bag with a print of two dogs on the tag with a wedding itenerary, cactus painted cookie, topo chico bottle, Tito's Vodka shooter and Austi-Nuts.
Photo: Caroline Lima Photography | Venue: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa | Wedding Entertainment: Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band

Your pet has been a part of your journey, and including them in your celebration is a beautiful way to acknowledge their role in your life. Whether through playful portraits, thoughtful details, or a special role in the ceremony, they add a unique and loving presence to your big day. Here’s to making wonderful memories with all your loved ones, two-legged and four-legged alike!

“15 Fun & Heartwarming Ways To Include Your Pets In Your Wedding” Spotlight WiH Partners- Bering’s | Susie’s Cakes | EastCoast Entertainment | Plants N’ Petals | Irresistible Events & Services | Cakes by Gina | Royal Oaks Country Club | The Houstonian, Hotel Club & Spa | C. Baldwin, Curio Collection by Hilton | Zadok Jewelers | Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band | Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa | Amy Maddox Photography | Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa | Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston 

Contributing Vendors- Chris Bailey Photography / Mustard Seed Photography / Marco Wang Photography / Mark Simmons / Tee Tran Studios / Kati Hewitt Photography / Carhart Photography / MnM Photography / John Winters Photography / Christina Carroll Photography / Bates Photo Studio / Erika Geier Photography / Pepper Nix Photography / Caroline Lima Photography / Jason Smelser Photography / K-Ruiz Photography 

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