Dogs at weddings

Whenever I have seen couples dogs at weddings it is usually a visit during the photos after the ceremony and maybe for lack of a bespoke service like yours they tend to ask neighbours or friends to pop over with them such as friends that may be coming for the evening.

They stay for 1-1.5 hours and then leave, most of the time it is just for the photos but occasionally it is for the ceremony as well but this is rearer due to the venues rules or the couple knowing how their dog might react with a lot of people inside. Then there is the even rearer too when the dog is the ring barer

I'm surprised people don't realise they can have their dog at their weddings, since I've seen loads of weddings where dogs have been present.

My nervous rescue dog would have hated it, which was why we didn't even consider including her, but if you have a confident, outgoing dog and someone trustworthy to care for it, then there's no reason not to include a dog. I'm more surprised that there is so much interest in a doggy 'chaperone' service. Personally, I would never use a service such as you describe for any dog - I'd want them cared for either by a trusted friend/family member or by an existing dog sitter they had already spent some time with - the last thing I'd want on my wedding day would be to worry about how my dog was getting on with a doggy chaperone they'd maybe only met once before.

I haven’t experienced this with my clients and I guess it also depends on what kind of service you are imagining. I personally don’t offer a quick fix and I spend a lot of time getting to know the couple and their dog, their story, their likes and dislikes and having spent time volunteering in dog shelters, I have gained a lot of experience handling dogs with various needs and I'd like to think that any dog is in safe and loving hands with me!

Thank you for sharing your views, it’s always lovely to hear how other people see things and I guess everyone is different, with different needs and requirements and I am sorry you feel this way.

I'm surprised people don't realise they can have their dog at their weddings, since I've seen loads of weddings where dogs have been present.

Some venues are more dog friendly than others and also it could be up to the registrar -in England

I'm sorry, I hope you didn't take it as a personal criticism of your fitness to care for dogs - it certainly wasn't intended that way.

It's more that I would not want to be introducing my dog to a new 'dog sitter' just for my wedding day - it would be much easier to either leave the dog at home or in the care of someone who was already used to caring for it, rather than having to take the time to get the dog used to someone who would just care for it on that one occasion. But you've obviously found people who do need the service you are offering, which is great. Best wishes for your business.

it would be much easier to either leave the dog at home or in the care of someone who was already used to caring for it,

I think that is the problem that is trying to be sorted as all of those people are likely to be at the wedding.

Clearly the dogs owners have to be comfortable with it and know they are good with new people. Dogs -- Quite a few times, Church then onto reception I am just about to start taking a few groups and -- Dad - where's Dad

Mum -- Oh he has taken the dog for a walk inbetween travelling from the church to the reception.

Guest taps me on the shoulder "how long are you going to be because I am hungry" ( keep smiling Bill - Keep smiling )

I was thinking of a regular dog-sitter/house sitter rather than someone in the bridal party. There's obviously a gap in the market for one-off dog sitters, I'm just rather surprised that there is! But all credit to OP for spotting the gap in the market and filling it.

That's lovely. I'd have loved to have had our girl at our wedding, but she wouldn't have coped - we did get lots of photos of her with us on our honeymoon though!

Is that him in your profile pic? He's super cute!