Yappily Ever After !!

 

Originally posted in Women’s Voices for Change 

 

Photo: Morgan Yang

  By Roz Warren    July 16, 2011

How do you feel about dogs being part of a wedding ceremony?  If you’re a dog person,  you’re probably thinking, “Great idea!” If you aren’t, it’s apparently like suggesting that aardvarks or squirrels be included in the wedding party. A likely response is, “Why on earth would anyone want to do that?“ From personal experience, I can tell you why.

 My son and his beloved are crazy about Jack, their Bichon Frise,so when they told me they were engaged, I joked, “I can’t wait to see Jack in a tux!” Little did I know that the kids wouldn’t dream of getting married without including not only Jack, but Jack’s “Uncle” Max, the Bichon belonging to the bride’s parents. Both dogs, wearing tuxes, would be part of the ceremony. Max, the older and better behaved of the two, would be the ring bearer. Jack would be the “flower dog.”

Photo: Morgan Yang

 When my son told me that Jack and Max would be members of the wedding party, I thought it quirky but adorable something that would make the ceremony uniquely theirs. My ex, who was footing the bill for the otherwise traditional shindig (and who is not a dog person), was less enthusiastic at first, but soon came around. He loves the kids enough to want to give them exactly the wedding they wanted. 

Telling folks that your son’s wedding will include four-legged participants is a litmus test for discovering how they feel about companion animals. People who see their own pets as “family” were charmed and delighted. “Wonderful!“ they enthused. “Tell me all about it.“  But people who don’t much care for dogs were repulsed. “That‘s  weird,” was not an unusual response.  I was also told that including Jack and Max was “offensive,” “disrespectful” and “ridiculous.”  

 When I told one friend that the kids were not only planning on a canine-inclusive ceremony but also planned to have a dog-themed wedding cake, she joked, “Better put plenty of nuts on it!“ As far as she was concerned, including the dogs at all, let alone putting them on the cake, was just a nutty an idea. Luckily, we’re not that close so she wasn’t invited. I hoped the nobody who WAS invited would be dismayed or repulsed by the sight of two beloved dogs in formal attire trotting down the aisle.

But what if they were? Tom and Amy love those dogs and it’s their wedding. The ceremony should reflect who they are as a couple (dog lovers!) and what matters to them (Living happily ever after — with Bichons!) and not be about the comfort level of my friends. 

Sure, a canine-inclusive ceremony used to be unheard of, but things are changing. Google “dogs in weddings” and you’ll find dozens of photos. Bulldogs in tuxes. Poodles in veils. Labradoodles wearing garlands of flowers. A beaming bride carrying an impeccably groomed Yorkie down the aisle in a small white basket.

Photo: Morgan Yang

The way I saw it, meeting the challenge of pulling off a wedding that included Jack and Max would bode well for Tom and Amy’s ability to meet the many challenges of married life. A wedding ceremony that ran smoothly despite the presence of two lively dogs would be a small miracle. But so is any loving, enduring marriage. And what mother doesn’t want that for her kids?

 “Are the dogs well-behaved?” one dog-savvy friend asked me.

 “One of them is,” I told her. Max, the older dog, is a perfect gentleman. Jack, the younger dog, is more mischievous. She laughed. “Well, it should be memorable.” 

And so it was.

Unique, memorable and joyful.

As mother of the groom and “grandmother” of the flower dog, I had the time of my life.

Woof! How to include your dog in your Wedding Ceremony!

Posted by Kelly from  From Tucson Bride and Groom ….

Originally posted Feb. 3, 2011

Many topics divide people when it comes to weddings…assigned or open seating, buffet or plated dinner, open or cash bar, in a place of worship or outside, you get the idea, but one topic that really seems to get under people’s skin is dogs at weddings.

Some think a wedding is no place for an animal (unless it’s the best man dancing up a storm) and some feel that dogs are family members who shouldn’t have to miss out on the fun.

Now that I have dogs and see how unruly they can be, I personally would not have dogs at my wedding, but only because they are just another piece of the wedding puzzle that needs to be coordinated. (Editor’s Note: Kelly’s objection, while certainly understandable, is exactly why we started Vow-wow-wow – to provide the information and Wedding Pro’s to make inviting Sparky a walk in the park..no pun intended) 

Regardless, many couples are increasingly incorporating their furry babies into their special day, and that’s OK (hear my group therapy style acceptance?).

Dog lover and animal expert Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of Camp Bow Wow and Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow, offers some insight for those of you planning to include your pooches on your wedding day. Camp Bow Wow® is a premier doggy daycare and overnight camp that has grown to include over 100 Camps across North America so I am thinking she knows her stuff!

 Heidi weighs the pros and cons: The image of Fido walking down the aisle as a ring bearer is a memorable occasion for pet lovers. Before proceeding, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of having your pet at your wedding. Unfortunately, very few religious and indoor venues will allow dogs on location other than service animals. If you are open to an outdoor wedding, including your pet is more realistic.

Additionally, it is important to consider your pet’s personality. If you have a free-spirited animal, he may not abide to walk down the aisle on his own. Also, be cautious of guests with pet allergies; warn them in advance that your dog will be attending. However, the benefits are endless. Since proud pet owners consider their dog as part of the family, Fido’s attendance will add a special touch to your day.

How to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding Ceremony:

1. Training Day: Weeks, then days, before the wedding, take your pup to the location so that he is well acquainted with the area. Have him practice walking down the aisle and reward him with a treat.

 2. A Doggy Makeover: A fresh bath and a trip to the groomer is necessary the day before the wedding.

3. Dress Up Your Pup: Everyone in your wedding party will be dressed up and so should Fido! Consider buying a dog collar and leash that matches your bridesmaid dresses or a cute little bowtie to go with the groomsmen. This will make your wedding party more uniform.

4. Energizer Puppy: To avoid having an overly hyper dog at the wedding, take them to Camp Bow Wow to run, play and gets lots of energy out the days leading up to the wedding, or take your pet for a long walk or run before the ceremony, or hire Home Buddies by Camp BowWow to walk the dog and care for them before and after the wedding so you don’t have to stress about it.

5. Stage Fright: If your pet is nervous around strangers, limit his role and have him leave after the ceremony. If you have a friendly dog, then let him stay for the reception.

 6. Doggy Chaperone: Don’t leave your pet unattended. Designate someone as the dog’s sitter to make sure that he is taken out for bathroom breaks, or hire Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow to take the responsibility on.

from Elle's Barkery

7. Doggy Buffet: Make sure your pet doesn’t sample human food and have dog food handy at the reception to ensure that he is well fed. Don’t forgot to have a bowl with fresh water!

8. Let Them Eat Cake: Since the wedding cake is strictly off limits, consider investing in a special cake from a dog bakery.

Brides, if you are going to include your dog in your wedding, just follow Heidi’s advice… for everyone’s sake!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Bring your Pooch to your Wedding, one way or the other!

 Vow wow wow Presents ….

 

  

  

  

  Lisa, from Sweet Grace Cakes (named after her sweet daughter, Grace) is the consummate artist, working in sugar and spice rather than paint. Her delicious and adorable creations are the perfect addition to any woof-worthy soiree in New Jersey. Speak Lisa, speak!  

1. My fiance and I can’t wait to have our wedding and include Sparky and Rocco. How can you help us?

If the venue prohibits dogs at you wedding, a fun way to include your furry friend is to have us make a groom’s cake replica of him. This bride surprised her fiancee with a groom’s cake of his dog Dino. Based off pictures, we colored Dino as he appears in real life. In all the pictures we received, Dino had his tongue hanging out, so we made sure to also include that detail. The groom loved the cake and it was the talk of the rehearsal dinner.  “Dino” is completely edible and serves about 40 guests.

  

 2. Tell us about your business.

 Sweet Grace Cake Designs is a custom cakery. We work with each client to personalize their wedding or groom’s cake. It’s fabulous to have an elegant, on-trend wedding cake and also a 3D high-fun-factor groom’s cake. It’s such a special way to include the interest of the groom in to the wedding or rehearsal dinner. Also, the groom’s cake is typically a different flavor than the wedding cake, which provides variety to the guests. 

 

 

  

Lisa Hackman Freda

917.533.7425
email: designer@sweetgrace.net

website: www.sweetgrace.net

blog: www.sweetgrace.net/blog

facebook: www.facebook.com/SweetGraceCakeDesigns

twitter: www.twitter.com/SweetGraceCake

Let Them Eat Cake! Include your Pup on your Cake – Your Day, Your Way!

Lynne, an artisan baker extrodinaire, delights her lucky fans in Canada with the most amazing creations!  And how appropriate is it that the baker’s dog is a Chocolate Shih Tzu?

1. Our dog can’t be at our wedding, but she is so important to us, how can we include her in spirit?    It’s really quite simple, just send us pictures of your treasured pets and we’ll build them into your wedding cake.  Please don’t expect absolute perfection, if your animal is a dalmatian, we really can’t put every spot in the right place, but everyone will know it’s a dalmatian for sure!  Lots of information is helpful such as age, size, colour, breed. Size is especially important if there are two dogs on the same cake.     2. Tell us about your business.      Let Them Eat Cakes started by accident.  As a foodie who loves to eat, cook and sculpt I offered to host and cater a friend’s wedding in my back yard.  I decided that it wouldn’t be a proper wedding without a cake and set too to make every flower in my back yard that would bloom on the wedding day out of sugar!  But first, I had to buy a book and study all the movements, mediums and little by little and with lots of practice I made my first wedding cake.       3. How do you accommodate dogs and their owners?   Being a food shop, we cannot allow our furry friends into the building, so I can meet them outside, or just look at   pictures. Sometimes just the way their owners talk about them helps me get some information on their little quirks and foibles.           4. Do you have a great dog/wedding story?   Oops, not really, I’d love to wow everyone with one, but I have to be honest – I don’t yet.         5. Tell us about YOUR dogs!    I have two amazing dogs.  Oliver is a chocolate Shih Tzu is a beautiful specimen and often admired by Shih Tzu lovers because of his colour and his stature and also his wonderful personality.  Our other dog Rosy is tiny, black and white with such a huge overbite that it’s difficult to tell if she’s ugly or just the darned cutest little doggy ever!  We keep Oliver trimmed and his hair short on the top and of course Rosy has long hair with a tiny pink bow, always.  I am besotted with both of them, did you guess?  Let Them Eat Cakes 154 James Street South Hamilton, Ontario L8P 3A2   Telephone:  905 296 3223     http://letthemeatcakes.com/home.html