If you’re planning engagement photos with a dog or want to see your furry buddy go down the aisle on your big day, here’s how to make the experience wonderful, charming and importantly stress free.

Including your dog in your engagement or wedding photos is more than just a cute idea; it’s a chance to make your most treasured memories even more special. Your pet is a family member, and adding them to these special occasions can result in beautiful memories that reflect your particular bond. Plus, who can resist a playful addition to an already happy day?

Why Have Your Dog in Your Photos?

Your little (or maybe big) friend brings so much life, energy, and love to your daily routines, and they can do the same for big milestone moments. Having your dog at the heart of your engagement or wedding photography adds warmth and authenticity, whether it’s their wagging tails, goofy expressions, or the comfort they bring and it also allows us to tell your whole story, with your whole family present!

On top of that, they can lighten the mood if it is your first professional photo session, help make your comfortable and make everyone smile, even those who feel camera-shy. While posing can sometimes feel awkward (and that’s why it is important to find a photographer who knows how to prompt instead of pose you – check that out here: How to find an engagement photographer), your pet’s presence makes everything more relaxed and natural. They remind us to live in the moment, perfect for capturing candid, heartfelt photos.

Including your fluff ball also tells your love story in full. If they’ve been with you through thick and thin, they deserve a spot in the pictures that reflect your new adventure together as a couple and family!

Tips for Paw-some Engagement Photos with Your Dog

Great clicks happen when thoughtful planning meets a sprinkle of spontaneity. Below are some essential tips to help you and your fluff ball shine in front of the camera.

But first, a note: All dogs are great dogs! All weddings are great weddings! But, not every dog is a wedding dog and that is OK! It’s incredibly important to consider the temperament, maturity and reactivity of your dog before making a decision about whether or not to have them at your wedding. If you have a dog that does well at large events and is neutral with humans and noises and all of the things that can happen at a wedding, then a dog friendly venue sounds like your jam. Here’s one in CT to consider: Stonehurst at Hampton Valley.

If however, your sweet pup may get easily overwhelmed and stressed in a situation like a wedding, you can consider bringing them to your engagement session instead! It’s much lower stress for both them and for you! Regardless let’s dig into my favorite ways to ensure either is stress free, and a big part of them comes from a very important vendor highlight. We’ll also get into some other alternatives!

Prep Your Dog Ahead of Time

Want your little friend to shine during the photo session? Ensure you have some of the basics down, and practice simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” “down” and “look here ” or another prompt that gets their attention or eye contact. This will make photos so much easier! Try it in a lot of different places. Practice when there are other people around, and in new environments. Honestly, walking around home depot with your dog, or at a new leash on park, are great ways to help them learn to stay focused when there are distractions. New locations are full of smells and distractions and can be overwhelming. Helping your dog practice a little neutrality goes a long way!

For those in the greater Hartford area, I always recommend: Tails-U-Win Dog Training in Manchester, right by Elicit Brewing which has a dog friendly patio (and a 9pm curfew for your four legged friends).

And don’t forget to burn off their extra energy. A good walk or a fun play session before the shoot can help them stay calm and camera-ready. Additionally, if you’re also bringing a third party to help with your pup, ensure that they have walked on leash for more than just you in the past!

Pack for Comfort

Don’t forget your dog’s essentials. Bring water, a bowl, a leash, doggy pick up bags and their favorite high value treats. A beloved toy or blanket can keep them safe if they get overwhelmed. Pack like you’re planning a mini doggy adventure.

Choose the Right Location

Pick a spot where your pup feels at ease, think parks, beaches, or your backyard. These open spaces make for beautiful backdrops without stressing your dog out.

If it’s indoors or at a venue, ensure pets are allowed, and the space is dog-friendly. A calm setting means a happy, photogenic pup.

Dress Them to Impress

Your pup should look as good as you do! Ensure that they have been bathed recently, groomed if needed, and that their nails are trim and tidy! If you want to bring a prop to dress them up, make sure you try it on them before hand, whether it’s a fancy bow tie, a cute flower wreath, or a stylish bandana that matches your outfit. Ensure it’s comfy and doesn’t restrict their movement because a happy dog means happy photos.

Take Breaks

If we are being honest with ourselves, dogs can’t stay focused for too long—plan for little breaks where they can sniff around, stretch, or just chill. Not only will this keep them happy, but you’ll also get those adorable candid shots of them being themselves.

Plan for Timing

Nobody’s at their best when they’re tired or hungry, including your dog. Aim for cooler times of the day (especially in summer), and make sure they’ve eaten breakfast (or dinner if it is the evening) and rested beforehand. A well-fed, well-rested pup is likely to be a photo superstar. With that being said, if your dog isn’t very food motivated when they have just eaten, sometimes waiting to feed them their second meal until after your session means that treats will entice them and keep their focus and attention on you!

Bring Someone to Help

Trust me, having an extra set of hands is a game-changer. A friend, family member, or even better a pro pet attendant can keep your buddy entertained, hydrated, and out of the shot when needed, leaving you feeling much more relaxed. This is helpful for engagement sessions and I suggest it when possible, but for weddings? This service is BEYOND important. Weddings can be incredibly overwhelming for your pup even if they’ve been on crowded hikes or at parties before. There’s a lot of moving parts, the noises, smells and humans can be overwhelming, and we’re asking a lot of them mentally when posing for photos. So let’s dig into a vendor who sometimes gets missed in the planning chaos but is a must-have and absolutely worth their weight in gold, and dog treats!

Vendor Spotlight: Pawsitive Vibes Wedding Pet Attendant and Pet Sitting Services

Make your wedding unforgettable by including your dog as a ring bearer, a joyful guest, or just soaking up all the love by your side. But let’s be honest—big events can be a lot for pets. The loud music, crowded spaces, and all the excitement can leave your furry friend feeling overwhelmed. That’s where Ilona with Pawsitive Vibes in Connecticut steps in.

They offer full-service pet care, making sure your pup is calm, happy, and part of the celebration without any stress! All the tips I mentioned above? Those are possible for you during your engagement session but on a wedding day? Near impossible! Imagine if someone else could take care of that for you!

Pawsitive vibes is a full-service pet care company that expertly navigates wedding days, photo shoots, and addition related care! Overnight care? They’ve got you covered. Rehearsal dinner or other events? They’ve got that down, too! Pawsitive Vibes was inspired by Ilona’s love of her pup Rambo and knowing that this was a service that was needed for dog lovers alike!

Here are Pawsitive Vibes’ Services:

• Stress-Free Transportation: They safely pick up your dog from your home and bring your dog to the venue, whether it’s a lush garden, a cozy indoor setting, or a scenic beach.
  
• On-Site Support: Their team keeps an eye on your pup, handles leashes, offers water, and even gives your furry friend a break when needed. It’s easy to overlook this part of the wedding day. Let your family enjoy the wedding and hire a professional. Unfortunately, we’ve seen mishaps when pups have been left unattended. All of those situations ended up OK by sheer luck. However, when you hire, Ilona, Pawsitive Vibes will be watching for any signs of distress in your pup and will ensure their safety and comfort. They will make sure a situation like that doesn’t happen!
  
• Photo Coordination: They help position your dog for those picture-perfect shots, making sure they look adorable without any chaos. Your photographer should be willing to work with them to ensure successful photos!
  
• Comfort and Cool-Offs: Be it a sunny day or a busy indoor space, they ensure your dog stays comfortable, hydrated, and happy.
  
• Customizable Packages: Need them as a ring bearer? Just want them there for a few photos? They’ve got packages that fit your vision perfectly. Their services are worth every single penny. They all include a meet & greet to ensure that everyone is comfortable, and all of their standard packages include one dog and if you are within 40 miles of Middletown CT, there are zero travel fees! You can change packages based on the number of hours you need your pup at the venue. Standard packages range from $200 – $400. They’re worth every penny!

With Pawsitive Vibes, you can focus on making memories, knowing your furry friend is in loving, safe and experienced hands.

What if your venue doesn’t allow dogs?

First, consider ensuring you can have them present for your engagement photos! Alternatively, if you already have travel on your wedding day from a ceremony site to a reception venue, consider if there’s a pet friendly location off site, but nearby where Pawsitive could bring your dog to meet you for a few wedding day photos. If that doesn’t work for you consider honoring you dog and four legged family member in some other way – favors, cake topper, custom drinks, or with a large cut out for guests to take their photo with!

Final Thoughts

Adding your dog to your engagement or wedding photos is a surefire way to make the experience feel even more personal and unique. With a little planning, some tasty treats, and the support of services like Pawsitive Vibes, you can ensure your dog steals the show in all the right ways. You can get in touch with Ilona here: pawsitivevibes.ilona@gmail.com.

It’s all about capturing moments that matter, with every family member, human or furry, included. Your dog is essential to your story, so don’t hesitate to make them part of your happily-ever-after. Paws and cameras are ready, because this will be a picture pawfect!

Want to make your wedding or engagement photos with your dog unforgettable and ensure you have a photographer who knows dogs, gets you, and will work seamlessly with Pawsitive Vibes? Inquire with Catherine Johanna Photography today, and let’s create memories you’ll cherish forever, and your pup will have a new friend for life!