A leading role for pets
This was in evidence just this summer at Catherine and Nathan’s wedding at Lapstone Barn. Nusa, the bride and groom’s dog, arrived wearing a collar hand-decorated with flowers to match the bridal party’s bouquets, then walked down the aisle alongside one of the bridesmaids.
Partway through the ceremony, she settled beside the father of the bride for a quiet, comforting pat while the vows were read. Later, as everyone else sat down to the wedding breakfast, Nusa had her own bowl of dinner set out behind the top table, close to the couple all evening, giving her enough energy to join the couple for their first dance!
“We always knew that Nusa would be a special part of our day; she is the most important being in our world and we wanted her to enjoy it as much as possible,” said the couple. There is no way we would have gone ahead with any venue if they didn’t allow dogs. With all the vast enclosed outdoor space at Lapstone Barn, she was so happy and comfortable, making this a beautiful fit for her and us!”
Nusa’s involvement was more than just having a fancy lead and bow tie – it took planning to get right, and the couple worked closely with our wedding coordinators to make sure everything was just right for Nusa.
So if you’re picturing a dog friendly wedding of your own, here’s what our team has learned from the real couples they’ve helped plan for.
5 top tips for including pets in your wedding day
1. Give your pet a role
Dogs are regularly given a starring role in the ceremony itself. “We have had dogs be ring bearers and be dressed as part of the bridal party,” says wedding coordinator Agi – and dogs walking the rings down the aisle is a particular favourite among our team. It isn’t only dogs, either: Agi recalls one wedding where a barn owl took on ring-bearer duties – resembling a ceremony straight out of Hogwarts!
Smaller touches count too, and they don’t have to involve a formal role. A colour-matched collar, like Nusa’s, ties a pet into the bridal party’s look without asking anything more of them, and it’s a simple way to make a pet feel part of the day even if their part in it doesn’t extend beyond looking the part.
2. Make guests part of it
Not every dog is instantly comfortable around a room full of new faces, and it’s important to plan for that. Equally, not all guests will be comfortable around animals and that is something that needs to be taken into account.
To help bridge the divide, guests were given treat bags along with a note explaining that Nusa could be a little shy, so treats were a good way to introduce themselves properly. There was even a nod to her on the table plan, playfully inviting guests to ‘SIT!’
Little details like these tell guests what to expect and turn a pet’s presence into something meaningful, rather than something people have to work around.
3. Appoint a dog chaperone
Every piece of advice from our coordinators comes back to the same point. “Have someone to look after them – a dog chaperone is a must,” says Agi. Emily agrees: “We trust our couples to know what works best for their dog – but the minimum we ask is that a guest is assigned to dog duties.”
That doesn’t have to be a family member or friend. Nusa’s usual dog walker was invited to the wedding, so someone she already knew and trusted was responsible for her throughout the day. There are also professional dog chaperone services who will do the same if you’d rather not ask a guest to step away from the celebrations – dog chaperone services in the Cotswolds that we recommend are Short Legs Dog Care and Bramble and Bark.
4. Book pet-friendly accommodation
If you’d like your dog to stay for the whole occasion, including overnight, Lapstone Barn’s Farmhouse and Cottage are both dog friendly. It means your pet can be there for the morning after as well as the day itself, without anyone needing to arrange a separate pickup.
5. Think beyond dogs
Dogs are the most common request, but they’re not the only animals that have been part of a Lapstone Barn wedding. One couple hired alpacas for the day as a surprise for guests. Another had their cat come and stay at the cottage during the celebrations – not for a starring role, just so their pet could be nearby without the noise and crowds of the wedding itself. As Agi says, it’s “maybe not just pets – but animals” that couples want to share their big day with.
Planning to include your pet in your wedding?
If you’re getting married at Lapstone Barn and want your dog, cat or another animal involved, talk to your wedding coordinator early on. As Emily says: “We will always chat through the options with couples and explore what might work best for them.”
Whether it’s ring-bearer duties or finding a quiet spot in the cottage, we’ll help you find the right level of involvement for your pet.
FAQs: Pets at weddings
Can I bring my dog to my wedding at Lapstone Barn?
Yes. Dogs and other pets are welcome to be part of your ceremony and celebrations at Lapstone Barn. Let your wedding coordinator know in advance so they can help you plan around it.
Do I need a dog chaperone at my wedding?
Yes. Every wedding involving a pet needs someone other than the couple responsible for looking after it on the day. At minimum, that means assigning a guest to dog duties, though a professional dog chaperone service or your pet’s usual dog walker can take the pressure off entirely.
What roles can pets play in a wedding?
Dogs are most commonly given a role in the ceremony, from walking the rings down the aisle to joining the bridal party in matching accessories. Other animals can take part too – weddings have featured a barn owl as ring bearer, hired alpacas, and a cat kept comfortably at nearby accommodation instead of at the ceremony itself.
Can pets stay overnight at a Cotswold wedding venue?
Some can, though it depends on the venue. At Lapstone Barn, the Farmhouse and Cottage are both dog friendly, so pets can stay with the couple beyond the wedding day itself rather than needing a separate pickup.
Main Image credit: Ana Parker Photography
