When you & your partner choose to elope, you are choosing to spend your day focused more on the love that you share & less on the many details that make up a traditional wedding day.
If this appeals to you, then you’ll want to spend time listing out what you truly want out of your special day.
We’re here to offer some professional tips for those that put a beautiful location in nature & including their furry best friend at the top of that list.
Our top tips for including your dog in your
National Park Elopement:
Choose Your Location
This may sound obvious, but it’s very important to do your research here. Most all National Parks have at least some restrictions in place for pets.
Some, like Acadia National Park & Shenandoah National Park have hundreds of miles of pet friendly trails. Be sure that your dog is properly leashed up & they will be welcome to adventure along right beside you!
Others, like Rocky Mountain National Park & Mt Rainier National Park, allow pets in the park, but only where vehicles are permitted. This means picnic areas, campgrounds, parking lots but not on trail.
Be sure to look into the exact rules of the parks you’re most interested in by visiting the NPS official website. However, do not get discouraged if the park of your dreams does not allow pets in the areas you’d hoped - look into nearby areas, like National Forests & State Parks, as they are typically much less restrictive.
You’ll also want to seriously consider the travel involved. Will you need to fly to this location? Has your pet ever flown before? If you are driving, will you need to stop along the way? Be sure to look for pet friendly places to stay, if so.
2. Plan out your day
Now that you have your location set, it’s time for the fun part - planning your adventure!
We already know that your pup made it on the guest list, but will anyone else be invited to witness your nuptials? Keep in mind in many states you may need a witness and/or an officiant to legally get married.
You’ll also need to decide which professional vendors you’ll be including in your day. For many, a photographer is an absolute must, but with an elopement, a planner may not be necessary. Some still want to have beautiful flowers incorporated into their day or maybe you want a delicious meal prepared to celebrate after the ceremony.
Even if you want to have flexibility in your day, you still want to put together a timeline & plan out the logistics of when & where you’ll need to be.
From there, work into the day how you’ll be including your pup. Perhaps they will only be joining you for a few photos, or maybe they will be hiking on trail with you.
This day is yours & the possibilities are truly endless!
Photo by Bethany Walter Photography
3. Bring Pet supplies
Once you have an idea of when your pup will be celebrating with you, you’ll need to put together the supplies needed to ensure their needs will be met.
The last thing you want on your special day, is for something unexpected to occur that you are ill prepared for.
Consider how long you will be out for & plan your dog’s meals accordingly. Be sure to have enough water for them to stay hydrated throughout the day. A pet first aid kit is always good to have on hand, especially when exploring backcountry trails, miles away from civilization.
A proper leash & harness/collar for your dog is a must. Some parks require shorter leashes & if you are going to be outdoors after dark, you’ll want something reflective for your dog to wear to stay safe.
4. inform your photographer
As we mentioned before, if there is only one vendor you hire for your elopement, it will likely be a photographer to capture your love against the beautiful scenery.
Be sure to inform your photographer that your pet will be joining you. They may want to discuss any specific shots you’d like with your pup and may be helpful in choosing exactly how to incorporate them in the day.
5. Hire a professional pet sitter
Last, but certainly not least, is to seriously consider who will be taking care of your dog for the day.
Even if you chose a location that is very pet friendly & your dog is extremely well behaved, will you & your partner want to be focused on ensuring your dog’s safety & needs are being met all day?
Think about who will be watching them while you exchange your vows. It is absolutely crucial when you are in the wild, that you keep a close eye on your dog. Even beyond the potential wildlife you may encounter, one step could be the difference between safety & danger.
Hiring a professional means that you will be rest assured knowing your dog is happy, comfortable & well taken care of throughout the day. They will properly pick up after your pet & their focus will be solely on their care.
This means you can remain present & flexible on your wedding day & that all of your plans will not need to revolve around where your dog is and is not allowed. The peace of mind this will provide is truly invaluable on your elopement day.
A professional will work closely with your photographer by posing your dog, when needed, & helping get their attention on the camera, too, so you’ll be guaranteed to capture that paw-fect shot!
