Where To Find Pet Friendly Elopements?

By Dave Westfall

The excitement of planning your elopement should not needlessly be dampened by worries of leaving your cherished pet at home or in a kennel.  Understanding the connection couples have with their animals is an important part of a couple’s life, and thankfully some venues are happy to include your furry friends as part of your elopement party. But, there are things to consider if you elope with your pet.

The trend to include your pet in your special day has lead to many suggestions on how to make the day run well for everyone, pets included.  PetSmart.com has suggestions and a checklist to facilitate your pet-friendly elopement.

1. Choose Pet Friendly Vendors/Inns

We have vendors who carry elopement packages with the purpose of accommodating you and your pet. As you communicate with the vendor you have chosen that suits both you and your pet’s needs, ask them to suggest a local groomer (if needed), for your furry friend. Also ask if the Inn has additional charges to bring your pet.

2. Does Your Pet’s Temperament Enjoy Parties

Eloping is an asset over a large ceremony when including your pet, as they won’t need to endure crowds, or encounter the risk of being over fed cake by too many guests. Your main question here is would your pet rather be with you and around a few strangers; such as, Venue staff, or at home in a kennel? You already know the answer to this helpful hint.

3. Assign a Pet Chaperone

Depending upon the size of your wedding party and your pet’s role in the elopement ceremony, having a chaperone for your pet is helpful for walking the bride down the aisle or simply sitting with your pet in the front row. A pet chaperone is definitely something to consider.

4. Keep Everyone Fed

With travel and elopement last minute to dos it will be best to plan your pet’s meal needs in advance. Will your furry friend prefer you bring his or her familiar food and water dishes or does the venue provide pet dishes in their package?

5. Don’t make them Suffer for Fashion

We humans find some fabrics and styles uncomfortable; apply that understanding to your pet. Do a trial dress rehearsal run to note the reaction that your veil or his top hat may elicit. (Eloping Grooms don’t normally wear Top Hats)

6. Put Your Pet To Work

Find a part for your pet to play in the wedding party, even if it’s simply being held in your arms, not suggested if your pet is a Saint Bernard.

WhereToElope.com has several pet friendly elopement vendors listed who are ready to assist you. Just enter “pet friendly” in the Search Website Box on the bottom of any of our Web Pages. Please send us your pet friendly elopement pictures and tell us about your Pet Elopements.

For many people, pets are a big part of the family. In fact, they can often take a similar role in the family as a child. With that in mind, it stands to reason that many couples want their beloved pets to be a part of their wedding day. It is not unheard of for people to have their pet act as their best man, walk them down the aisle, or even serve as a ring bearer. Others are content to just have their pet included in their wedding photographs. However, including your pets in your wedding if you are choosing to elope can be a little bit trickier, but not impossible.

Did you take your pet with you when you eloped? We would love to hear from you.

Photo Courtesy of Kerrie Mitchell.