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Wedding Woofs and Meows: How to Include Your Furbabies in Your Big Day in Eastern NC

Planning your wedding is an exciting journey with many personalized details to determine—from choosing colors to selecting the tastiest food menu. For many couples in Eastern North Carolina, one special part can elevate & bring comfort to this day even further: including your beloved pets! Furbabies are family too, and they deserve to be part of the celebration. Here’s how to honor your furry friends on your big day coming from an experienced Eastern NC Wedding Venue!

Choose a Pet-Friendly Venue

Photo Credit: Z. W. Media

If you are wanting your four legged family member present at your wedding, finding the right venue that welcomes pets is crucial. Many venues that host a wedding in Eastern NC allow pets to join you & your partner on your special day.

Engaged Couples planning a wedding should consider wedding venues that provide enough space for your pets to explore comfortably. Checking for specific areas designed for pets or that may be more ideal for your pet can ease their stress and provide an easier experience for everyone involved. Additionally, review the wedding venues pet policies closely to avoid any last-minute surprises. Some venues may have leash requirements, time constraints, & other limitations to manage risk and liability of allowing a couple to have their furbabies present for their wedding day.


Include Them in the Ceremony


Getting ready to walk down the Aisle

Involving your pets in your wedding ceremony creates touching moments that reflect your life as a family. You could have them serve as a “ring bearer.” Picture them striding down the aisle with a small pouch tucked into a customized collar, making your guests smile. Have a 'flower dog' complete with a flower halo or collar. Or even a furbaby bridesmaid or groomsmen complete with a pet tux/dress (yes they do make them!)


If they are calm & trained have them present during the ceremony where they may be most comfortable Whether it's sitting near you while you are standing or going with someone they can sit with during the ceremony. This way, they can still be part of the day while enjoying their own space. We've even seen couples comfortable with their furbabies to carry a pouch with their rings inside. Couples should consider their pet's temperament & training in different settings when incorporating them into their wedding ceremony.


Personalized Wedding Attire for Your Furbabies


A dog dressed in a tuxedo, ring bearer pet, affordable wedding venue in eastern nc, outdoor wedding venue, crystal coast wedding venue
Dressed to impress! Photo credit: Z.W. Media

Like you, your pets can dazzle in their special outfits! Consider dressing them in matching colors or styles that go with your wedding theme. You may find or event create a Customized collar or bandana that goes along with your wedding colors showing everyone they are officially apart of your wedding party!


For dogs, you can find fun yet comfortable tuxedos or dresses online or at your favorite local pet boutique, For cats, a fashionable collar or bowtie can add a cute touch.


Be sure to capture their stylish looks in photos, creating cherished memories featuring all family members.



Designate a Pet Care Team


When things get started & the festivities underway, having a dedicated pet care team ensures your furbabies get the attention they need. Choose several trusted friends or family members to look after your pets before and after their big moment.


This group of people should understand your pets' preferences, such as their feeding times and any anxiety triggers. They should be comfortable to be around your pet & be capable of managing them whether your pet may be experiencing excitement or anxiety. Consider hiring a professional pet sitter. Whether they attend the event on behalf of your pet to care & handle them throughout the event or take them home shortly after photos are finished to continue caring for them. Recently at Butterfly Kisses Pavilion we experienced a couple hire a professional dog sitter for their little guy. They designated a person in the wedding party to walk their furbaby down the aisle to participate in the special moments of their ceremony. The pet sitter continued to care & handle the pup after the ceremony providing them with a person able to pay full attention and bring him into the picture when requested. Shortly after photos, the couple said good night to their pup & planned pick up the next day. This allowed them to enjoy the day worry-free, knowing their dog was relaxed and entertained.


Create a Furbaby Tribute at your wedding


If having your furbabies on-site isn’t possible, you can honor them thoughtfully. An Our story table is a great idea to have photos of you as a couple along with photos of your furbabies showing your off how you came to be and who you are now!


Another idea would be to include a heartfelt message in your ceremony program that acknowledges your pets. For instance, sharing a few words about how your pets have been there through thick and thin can create a meaningful connection to the celebration.


Fun Pet-Inspired Touches


Wedding favor, drink coozies, eastern nc wedding venue
Cat Coozies

Celebrate your love for pets by adding whimsical, pet-themed elements to your wedding. For example, craft custom cocktails named after your pooches & kitties! Or adding your pets to your cake topper!


Consider a nod to your pets with your wedding favors. We have had couples put their pets on coozies and cocktail napkins, or even have a dog biscuit bar for guest to take home to their furbabies, These playful touches are sure to show not only your love for each other but also for your furry friends.




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Wedding Bar Menu

Capture the Moments


Don't forget about the photography! Choosing a photographer skilled in capturing pet moments is essential. Discuss beforehand the specific shots you want of your pets.


Set aside dedicated time during the day for candid moments and posed pictures with your furbabies. Some couples opt for "pawgraf" sessions to highlight their pets, ensuring their personalities shine through in the final photos.




Embracing the Furbabies in Your Celebration


Including your pets in your wedding adds so much fun and unique personalization to your special day in Eastern NC. By selecting a pet-friendly wedding venue, incorporating them in the ceremony, designing fun attire, and creating enjoyable details that celebrate them, you can ensure your furry companions are honored and included.


Your wedding is a celebration of love, and that love extends to all family members, furry or not. Embrace the opportunity to create lasting memories and let your pets join in the festivities. After all, they have been by your side through countless moments—so let them share in your happiest day!


Pet inspired Craft Cocktails

We are dedicated to using our online presence to support locally owned wedding venues and wedding professionals. In every blog we write, we will include a few locally owned wedding venues who use their articles to support their colleagues and the wedding industry in ways that are not always recognized but are essential to our small businesses. If you are searching for a wedding venue, please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map from across our nation.


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