Get your pup wedding ready with help from Laura Findlay, owner of dog chaperone company Solo Paws
Imagine getting not one, not two, but three pretty pups ready the morning of your big day! Luckily, dog chaperone services like Solo Paws can come to the rescue with an extra pair of hands (Photo: Robyn's Boudoir Photography)
Anyone with a beloved furry family member will know how time-consuming they can be.
No matter how much you enjoy your usual morning walk with your precious pooch, there's bound to be a lot of to-do list juggling happening the morning of your wedding day – so passing your pup(s) to a trusted friend or family member, or even a professional, like Laura of Solo Paws, can be incredibly helpful in reducing just a bit of your getting-ready nerves.
What does a dog chaperone do?
With service offers ranging from 2 hours to a full day (10am until midnight) or even overnight, wedding dog chaperones are on hand to tend to and take care of your pet. This can include everything from picking them up and dropping them off, ensuring they're fed and walked, clean and dressed and even walking them down the aisle for you!
Obi looks dapper as ever in this blue and green tartan style
Jasper's humans are getting married!
It's a big day for you and your partner, but any event with a large crowd of people is a big day for your furry friend too! Laura explains that mingling is exciting for them when all their favourite people are there, but it is exhausting too.
"It's important to consider how long your dog will be in attendance and what their 'duties' will entail while they're there," Laura says. Will you want them included in the ceremony and the photos? And are you considering dressing them up for the occasion?
Let yourself be inspired by these super cute photos of dogs at weddings
What can we dress our dog in for our wedding?
According to Laura, the list is long when it comes to stylish selections for your pup!
"This can include items such as a matching bow tie to the kilt, a floral collar, a mini sporran or even just a decorative lead."
And if you're booking Solo Paws' services for the day, Laura is more than happy to ensure they are dressed to impress.
Meet Solo Paws' owner Laura's own pup Leo (Photo: Craig Cantwell Photography)
Yoda here wears a pop a red for his pawrents' big day
To ensure both you and your pooch are prepped for the day ahead, fully-insured and first-aid trained pet pro Laura shares five top tips for including a well-dressed dog in your wedding.
1. Try your dog's wedding outfit on them ahead of time
“Make sure your dog is used to whatever you decide to put on it. Don’t just put it on for the first time on the wedding day.”
2. Practice using dog treats to pose for photos
“If you would like your pup in your ceremony and/or photos, then it’s useful if they can sit for a period of time. Practice this beforehand with treats or toys and bring them along for your dog chaperone to use.”
3. Carefully choose who will walk your dog down the aisle
“If you’re planning to have your dog walk down the aisle, consider whether you want them to walk down on their own (yes we have had this!), with someone from your wedding party, or your dog chaperone.”
4. Remember to schedule in a pre-ceremony dog walk
“Ensuring your dog has had a walk before wedding-day duties is useful for tiring them out a little, but be sure to take into account the weather and what type of ground you are walking on (watch out for mud). This is something your dog chaperone can deal with for you.”
5. Avoid dressing your dog too early in the wedding day
“Wait until just before the ceremony or photos to put their dress item on so it doesn’t get dirty beforehand.”
Louis sports a sweet bow, kept sparkling white thanks to Solo Paws owner Laura’s watchful eye
