5 Ways to Include Your Dog at Your Wedding

We love our mini Australian Shepherds, Falkor, Zelda & Blue. Dog owners have a strong bond with their fur babies so we totally understand if you want to include your pup in your wedding or engagement shoot!

We’ve photographed so many couples with their dog and have learned some tips along the way to ensure your shoot goes smoothly with your four legged bestie (-:

1 – Make sure the location you choose is pet friendly.

Don’t just assume that a location is pet friendly! Make sure you do your research. 

Some of the wedding venues we considered here in Charleston while wedding planning didn’t allow pets – but I’ve seen 2 year olds coloring with markers on their 200 year old floors, so IDK. It is what it is I guess. 

2- Buy your pup a new collar & pretty leash 

We always keep our dogs dapper in pretty collars & bowties for every day wear but we purchased a beautiful teal blue leash for our own engagement session & the wedding! You may also use a dog brightening shampoo to make sure your dog looks great on your photos.

3 – Leave your pet with a friend, family member, or pet sitting service

During your portraits, since we won’t be photographing your dog for the entire session, it’s nice to have someone there to play with them or take them on a walk while we shoot without them.

We also plan to photograph you with your pet towards the middle & end of the session, for two reasons.

First, we want YOU to be comfortable in front of the camera before we introduce the dog into the mix. This also gives you peace of mind knowing we already got some really incredible shots.

Second, we know that dogs get super excited and distracted when they arrive to a new place, so by photographing them towards the middle or end of your shoot allows them to get used to the new place and calmed down a bit. 

If your engagement session or wedding is here in Charleston SC we highly recommend Dog Tired’s wedding nanny service!

4 – Bring their favorite treat or toy!

Jay used to work at a vet clinic so he’s really amazing at working with animals, but sometimes, even he has a hard time getting their attention without the help of a favorite toy or treat during the portraits! Aaaand sometimes he can’t make it to engagement sessions – he has his own photography studio to run during the week!

Good behavior should be rewarded (-: If you don’t give your dog treats, bring a small ziplock bag of their food to be used instead.

5 – Be extra patient with your dog

Know that we may not get very many usable images if they are overly excited.

TRUST US ON THIS ONE.

Our dogs were a handful at our engagement session but they were even more so on the wedding day and we ended up only being able to take 4 photos with them (that we of course treasure!).

Know that its ok if your pup doesnt look at the camera.

I hope these tips help! 

Katie + Jay of Catherine Ann Photography are Charleston SC Based Wedding & Elopement Photographers specializing in candid & fun wedding photos that feel like you!

Ready to book your wedding with us? Get in touch here!