If you are planning a destination wedding, you probably won’t be able to bring your pet along and might be wondering how to include your dog in your wedding without them being there.
Last year, I was planning the destination wedding of this lovely couple from the States. Of course, they couldn’t bring their beloved pooch Ellie along, so they were thinking of ways to incorporate their dog in their wedding. Now, if you’ve visited my website or are following me on social media, you must know I’m a huge dog lover and I couldn’t be happier to try and help them! We came up with the cutest idea, and Ellie was somehow part of the celebrations! You’ll see below!
Since then, I’ve been planning weddings of other couples, proud pet owners, who wanted to include their dog or cat in the wedding. Always a pleasure for me to share ideas and help turn wishes into reality, whenever possible, especially if we are talking about dogs!
So here are my top 5 ideas on how to include your dog in your wedding without them being there.
Watercolour portrait
A watercolour picture is the paw-fect plan if you are looking for an elegant and versatile idea for including your pet into your wedding. Simply send a picture along and I’ll have a delicate watercolour portrait of your dog or any other pet painted. This could be used on the menu cards, or on the seating cards; or tied with a small ribbon to a “bomboniera”, the typical Italian favour we give our guests as a small present for being part of the wedding.
Drink on me sign
A sign that reads “Drinks on Me”, or “Drinks on Us” if you have more than one pet is another fun way to include your pet or pets in your wedding. The sign can be displayed during the cocktail hour before dinner, or the open bar during the wedding’s party time. It could be a small sign, to be placed on the bar counter, or as for one of my latest weddings, on a Spritz cart. A small sign can be easily moved from one place to another, so it’s a great choice if the cocktail hour before the meal takes place in a different area from the open bar/party/dancing area after dinner. Alternatively, you could opt for a much bigger sign, to be placed in front of the DJ console, definitely taking the limelight. Or the bar company I work with even provides a personalised bar counter, incorporating your pets.
Signature cocktail
Still talking about drinks, having a signature cocktail named after your pet could be another cute way to include your dog in your wedding. Or if you have more than one pet, you could have the barman creating more cocktails, even based on your pets’ personalities: a “spicier” cocktail, or a “sweeter” one.
Cake topper
The cake cutting! Having your dog with you at one of the most important moments of the wedding is also a great idea. This is probably the easiest way to include your dog in your wedding, since it’ll be very simple to bring a small cake topper along with you. You can choose from a variety of dog cake toppers online and you’ll probably find one that resembles your pet. Or you can order a small custom-made statue of your dog. Alternatively, a Rome-based cake designer could prepare an edible cake topper that will look exactly like your pet.
Jewel
A brooch, a tiepin, cufflinks… something precious with the small image of your pet to keep it with you for the entire day. This is the loveliest idea on how to include your dog in your wedding, if you want to somehow feel your dog besides you at the wedding, but prefer to keep it a bit more personal and discreet.
So if you are a pet owner wishing to get married in Rome, don’t hesitate to contact Dolce Vita Weddings. I’ll be happy to discuss ideas on how to include your dog in your wedding without them being there and also help you plan this part of the wedding with you. You couldn’t make me happier!