Do you love your pet like family? You should! They enrich our lives in ways we can not even begin to understand BUT should you include your pet in your wedding? Many brides and grooms say -- yes! They want their four-legged - and even feather friends - to be part of their special day. So how do you incorporate your pets into your ceremony? We have some ideas to help you do that.

Things to Consider

If you have your heart set on having your furry,feathered, or scaly  in your wedding you are going to have to check with your venue first.  Some venues are pet friendly - especially if you are planning an outdoor wedding  - but many are not. If having your pet is a must for you, you'll probably want to research venues before you make your final decision.

You'll also want to consider how loud or crowded the venue will be and if that is something that you pet can handle or not. If you are going to include your best pal, you want to be sure they are comfortable and happy, otherwise it could be very disappointing to you.

 It is also wise to have someone who is not in the bridal party, be your pet's escort. This way you will know that your friend is safe and being cared for. It you have decided to let your pet be the ring bearer, the escort can bring them up to you if you like, unless they are very well-trained. Some brides and grooms want to have the flower girl or ring bearer escort their pet down the aisle. This might work okay if the child can handle the pet. You don't want either one to be dragged down the aisle.

If you decide it's probably not a good idea to have your pet participate in your wedding you can still inclue them in different way. Have a cute little (dog, cat, bird, etc.)  figurine placed on top of the cake -  next to your cake topper - to represent your pet. You can also put photos up of your pet or include your pet in your engagement photos. Another great idea, is to request that people can make a donation to one of your favorite animal charities such as the ASPCA or local shelters or rescues.