If you are considering including your dog in your wedding day, you very likely want to get a few great pictures with them. Below we have some of our favorite photo ideas to ensure you get pawsitively amazing images that will preserve those memories forever!
We recommend communicating with your photographer before the day of & letting them know when your pup will be joining you for photos. While we’re sure they’ll have some great ideas of their own, it can be helpful to go over a few key shots that you’re hoping to capture. This is especially helpful if your photographer has never shot a wedding where a dog was involved.
Here’s our inspiration & tips for wedding photos with your pup:
Getting Ready Photos
Photo Credit: Nate & Lori Photography
We love being able to stop by to visit the couple while they are each still getting ready. The excitement & nerves are just starting to really set in at this time. When we walk in the door with the pup, we often feel a sense of relief in the room & those wedding day jitters subside, even if only for a moment.
Before everyone is officially all done up is usually when we get some of the most genuine photos of the couple interacting with their pup, too!
Family Portraits
Photo Credit: Lauren & Nick Photography
If there is only one photo you get with your pup on your wedding day, the family portrait is it! You’re officially family & you’ll want a photo to commemorate such a special moment.
We do recommend getting a few photos at this time with a few different poses! Of course a classic is a standing photo where everyone is looking & smiling at the camera. To switch it up a bit, you could crouch down to your pup’s level to get a closer shot of everyone’s faces.
Some of our favorites, though, are of the couple interacting with their pup! Get silly, have fun, give your pup a few kisses or ear scratchies - the love you share for your baby will shine through in the photos & we guarantee you’ll love these action shots!
Individual Shots with Each Partner
Photo Credit: Jeremy Scott Photography
Of course it’s great to get a photo of the two of you with your pup, but we really love when the couple takes a few one-on-one shots with their pup, too!
If you are not doing a first look, consider taking these pictures before the ceremony & then plan for a family photo after the ceremony when it’s finally official.
Close Ups
Photo Credit: Sarah & Ben Photography
The bride & groom will each get solo portraits on the day of, so why not their pup, too!
We love when photographers capture a quick portrait of just the dog living their best life on such a special day. Plus, when will your pup ever be this dressed to impress again?
We also love the look of a close up on the pup, front & center, with their parent’s in the background. It’s so fun to see how your dog’s personality comes out when the focus is on them for a moment!
Bridal Party & Family Photos
Photo Credit: Ocean Bound Media
It can be great to assign a role for your dog on the wedding day so that they don’t get forgotten about. Even if they’re just the ‘Dog of Honor’! That way when it comes time to get a picture of the entire bridal party, you can be sure your ‘Dog of Honor’ doesn’t get left behind!
For so many of us, our dogs are a part of the family & often, that extends to more than just the couple. If your dog is loved by your parents, siblings, or extended family then you may want to pop them into a photo or two so you can truly include everyone!
Ceremony
Photo Credit: Amy Little Photography
If you’re including your pup in your ceremony in any way, then there’s no doubt your photographer will snap a few photos as they walk down the aisle. We love these shots, especially when you can see the guest’s reactions! Typically there are big smiles all around & it’s often a moment that the couple might not be able to catch on the actual wedding day.
Some of our favorite ceremony photos are actually taken once it’s officially begun. It’s not unusual to see a pup catching a quick nap up at the alter, or staring out into the crowd checking out familiar faces. It’s so cute to get a glimpse into their perspective while the couple is busy making one of the biggest commitments of their lives!
Cocktail Hour
Photo Credit: Meche Ausina Photography
Spending a little time mingling around cocktail hour is one of our favorite ways to end a FairyTail Wedding!
If your pup is friendly & doesn’t mind a ton of pets, this can be a great experience for not only them, but for your guests, too! We can’t tell you how excited people get to celebrate with the pup after the ceremony. For so many, they may have only ever seen pictures of your dog or maybe they just haven’t seen them in a long time. For others, they may just be excited to get a few puppy kisses in, especially if they traveled for the wedding & are missing their own pets at home!
We guarantee your pup will be the life of the paw-ty!
Photo Credit: Abundant Grace Photography
We hope that you found these tips helpful! Let us know in the comments if there are any other shots you think we should add to this list!
