Your Special Day, Your Special Friend
7 Tips for Four-Legged Wedding Guests
New York, New York-The month of June is the month of marriage! As television programs, such as Bridezilla
and Rich Bride, Poor Bride have shown, brides get whatever they want for their fairy tale day…even if it
means the participation or attendance of their four-legged friends.
In recent years a variety of celebrities, including Adam Sandler and Gwen Stefani, have incorporated their
furry companions as part of their wedding day celebration. You don’t have to be famous like, soon-to-be bride
Jennifer Hudson, or rich, however, to follow the trend. A little foresight, planning, training and discussion
can have your pooch parading down the aisle in no-time!
The following 7 tips by lifestyle pet expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog of
Etiquette, Charlotte Reed, explain how to properly, respectfully and easily incorporate your dog into the
wedding.
Calm Canines-Having your dog stand up as a part of your wedding party requires a relaxed, well-behaved and
adaptable dog. Dogs prone to barking, behavioral problems, erratic tendencies or potty training issues are not
suitable to participate in the ceremony.
Pooch Permission Please-Before planning on your pet’s inclusion in your wedding, obtain a green-light from both
the venue and your wedding day officiate. If your wedding is taking place at a place of worship, remind clergy
and personnel of the many houses of worship that your pooch will be in attendance. For ceremonies taking place
on a beach or local park, do not be surprised if your request is denied. In most cases, pets are not allowed
in such municipalities during specified times of the year. Indoor venues, such as hotels, may approve a pet’s
presence, but a fee will likely be required. Assure all venues and officiates that the pet will be chaperoned
throughout the ceremony and, in the event that poor behavior arises, will be removed promptly.
Two-Legged Dialogue-Discuss your plans for your pet’s participation with other wedding party members.
Allergies, fears or feelings of discomfort should be addressed before the big day. Once you receive feedback
from your wedding party participants it will be easier to determine exactly how to include your pet in the
ceremony.
Puppy Primping-Just like the bride and groom, your pet deserves to look their best on your big day. After all
they are starting a new life together too! Arrange for your dog to be groomed before the wedding. Ask the
groomer to thoroughly brush your dog to remove all shedding hair from their coat and to treat them with an
anti-allergen product like Allerpet.
Doggy Dress-Many brides and grooms prefer their dogs to dress similarly to the wedding party, with female
dogs wearing gowns and male dogs donning tuxedos. In many cases, fine pet retailers like www.doggieclothesline.com
will carry such products in multiple sizes. A more expensive and customizable option is to employ a seamstress
to create one-of-a-kind pet apparel for the ceremony. Have your canine bridesmaid practice wearing the outfit
prior to the wedding day.
Training Time-Your maid of honor and best man need to practice walking down the aisle…your dog does too! Hire a
dog trainer to work with your participating pooch, simulating the wedding day ceremony. Play the music and have
your pet practice sitting or laying down for extended period of times in the wedding day apparel. The more
conditioned your pet is, the better they will perform during the wedding.
Safety First-With your pet participating, you want to be sure everything being used is pet-friendly. Before
purchasing flowers, check with your florist to ensure that your flowers are not harmful to your pet or that
your pet will not have access to them. Hire a a dog walker or pet sitter to keep your pet out of harm's way.
The doggy date can keep your pet hydrated, make sure your dog is not snacking on inappropriate foods or behaving
badly toward guests.
For more suggestions on how to incorporate your pet into your wedding day celebration and to learn more
about Charlotte Reed, her services and expertise, please visit www.CharlotteReed.com.
About Charlotte Reed
Since abandoning life on Wall Street as a corporate lawyer to open Two Dogs & A Goat Incorporated, Charlotte
Reed has grown her company to a premiere, full-service, pet care provider with loyal clients and countless
veterinarian referrals. From working with hundreds of dogs over the years, Reed has learned how to be a good
pet parent and model pet owner, and she doesn’t see any reason to keep what she knows a secret. Reed has been
seen as a guest on television shows like Inside Edition, The View, Today's Show; quoted in publications like
the Boston Herald, Chicago Tribune, The Herald Tribune, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Family
Circle, Good Housekeeping, New York Magazine, US Weekly and Woman’s Day; and heard discussing responsible dog
ownership on many of the country's most popular radio shows. In July 2007, her book, The Miss Fido Manners
Complete Book of Etiquette (Adams Media), hit store shelves across the country. In her book, Reed instructs
dog owners how to behave with their dogs so that they can be better dog owners, neighbors, customers,
travelers and co-workers. Reed also works as a pet industry consultant. Although many manufacturers have
hired her as a spokesperson, she also works with advertising, marketing, PR and social media firms as a
pet trend expert, providing a unique understanding of what drives pet consumer behavior. Charlotte is
married to Philadelphia Chef Matthew Babbage and is the owner of four dogs, two cats and one parrot.
Press Inquiries Contact:
Eunice Farnsworth
212-631-5878
EuniceFarnsworthPR@gmail.com
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