Pets in your wedding?

OK... so, I'm getting married this fall, and so I have weddings on the brain! I came across this photo of   Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz's recent wedding and it got me to thinking!

I love their dog - I think he's totally adorable. However, I don't love their dog all dressed up and part of their wedding party.

I am an animal lover - I think that much is obvious. However, there is something about involving pets in weddings that just bugs me! Maybe it's because I have only cats. I just can't see my grumpy gray letting me put a collar on him and asking him to walk down the aisle with us!

When I worked at the Argus Institute at Colorado State University, one of the photos we used often in Human-Animal Bond presentations was a couple with their dogs at their wedding. The dogs had these huge peach colored bows on and just looked silly! I'm not sure why I think that, but it just rubs me the wrong way for some reason! It's good that you love your pets, but to quote from a fun movie... "We can love our pets, we just can't LOVE our pets!" (from The Truth About Cats and Dogs)  

What do you think? Is involving your pet in your wedding ceremony something you have done, or would do? Do you have an opinion about this trend of having pets in your ceremonies? I love my kitties so much, but I draw the line at having them in our wedding! (Our wedding will be far from our home, so we couldn't do it that way even if I wanted to - or even if our cats would cooperate!)

(photo from People.com)

Comments

[saintlover]

I absolutely would love to incorporate my dogs into my wedding. However I dont think it would be practical because of the stress for me and them of making sure they behaved, didn't poop or pee, or run off. Small private ceremonies I think are much more appropriate or for the photo shoot. But a large ceremony is too much stress on them.

[Shelly]

Since I have been married once and my next wedding will be small and intimate (with those we love the most) I would absolutely love for my dog Reily to be there. He was my Valentines gift to myself 10 years ago and one of the best things I every did for myself. He has been my best friend and closest companion since then. Any one that I would love enough to marry will have to love him too and all my friends and family always ask if "Reily is coming too?" when I go to visit. He is loved by all. Not having him at such a special day would feel really odd for everyone I am sure. I am blessed too because he is so well behaved. He would be no problem.

Now my cats? That's a different story. I would never want to cause them the stress of being present at such a social event.... and they would be much higher maintenance than Reily Roo. I'd would give anything to spend just one more day with my beloved friend and equine companion of 29 years, Chatter. To ride him in my wedding would be a dream come true. He was a very special horse.

[Tammy]

Thanks for both of your perspectives!! I will try to be more open-minded about this idea! :)

Pets really are special parts of our lives. It makes sense that many people would want them involved with ceremonies that mean so much like weddings, or memorials.

[Lindsay]

I guess I don't have a strong opinion either way. It depends on the people and their animals. Some dogs don't mind getting dressed up and hanging out with their people. Others would hate it. If someone wants his or her dog in the wedding, well, that's their choice. I have thought about getting married outside just so Ace can attend. He would be in the audience, however. Not the wedding party! And that's prbly a stretch. I doubt if I'd actually bring my dog. He'd probably just poop in the aisle or steal someone's cake.