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The most common way in which animals are involved in a wedding is when they are the beloved pets of the bride and groom. You particularly see a lot of dogs in weddings these days. If you cannot imagine excluding your four legged friends from one of the most important events in your life, then don't! You can have your dog not only at your wedding, but very possibly even in it as well.
If you are thinking of having your dog at your wedding, first be sure to choose your venue carefully. The chances are that no house of worship will allow an animal to enter, unless he is a service dog. However, private venues, farms, parks, and other outdoor venues are much more likely to be open to the idea. Talk to the site coordinator before signing a contract, and be prepared to pay an extra pet deposit.
The role your dog will take will depend in part on his temperament and training. The animal can accompany the bride down the aisle, either in lieu of her father, or on the other side. A small dog could be led by a flower girl or ring bearer (wouldn't that be adorable?), or even pulled in a wagon at an outdoor ceremony. One other favorite role for dogs in weddings is that of ring bearer. If your dog will tolerate it, a special ring pillow can be made for him or her to wear on his back. You might want to think about having fake rings tied on the pillow, just in case!
The special animal in your life might not be a dog. Brides and grooms who love to ride horses can make their way down the aisle in the saddle (or side saddle in the case of the bride). If you prefer a more conventional ceremony processional, think about riding in to the reception on horseback instead. To really make a splash, the newlyweds can make their grand entrance riding a more exotic animal, like an elephant. The most elegant way to handle this is to have a special coach atop the elephant. It might take a bit of practice to achieve a graceful dismount, especially in a long gown!
Any animal that will participate in your wedding deserves to be adorned for the occasion. With dogs it is fairly straightforward. Choose a special collar that ties in with the style of the wedding. For instance, if you will be wearing a pearl tin cup necklace, your dog can wear a pearl studded collar. The scattered pearls around the collar will look like a tin cup necklace on your pooch – so sweet! If you want to get more elaborate, a beautiful floral wreath can be created for the dog to wear over his or her collar. Some couples will go so far as to dress small dogs in miniature tuxedo outfits. It works for a pug, but would be humiliating for a Great Dane. Horses and other larger animals can be adorned with pretty ribbons woven in their manes or tails, as well as with flowers on their saddles.
There are other fun ways in which to include animals at your wedding. Fish tanks filled with vibrant tropical fish would be a nice touch for a summer reception. Or you can create a koi pond for an Asian theme wedding. As long as the animals are well cared for, you can get creative, and think of unique ways in which to have them be a part of your wedding day.