Weddings are a family affair. Of course the happy couples want to include their dogs. The recently released photobook Wedding Dogs: A Celebration of Holy Muttrimony celebrates the many roles canines can play on the special day.
The images come from wedding photographers around the world, with authors Katie Preston Toepfer and Sam Stall providing the sweet backstories. Here are six of our favorites dogs from the photobook.
1. Banff
Banff waited patiently for his turn to kiss the bride, taking full advantage once he had it. After all, the Siberian Husky carefully carried the rings on his harness and did not allow local wildlife to distract him during the ceremony, which took place outdoors in Toronto. He earned the face time captured here!
Erika Hasler-Gentile and Mark Gentile shared their decision to cast Banff in the role of ring bearer. In the book, Erika says, “Seeing that we had no little cousins, nieces, or nephews to include in our wedding, he was the obvious choice. Although, to be fair, even if we had little cousins, nieces, or nephews, he would still have been the obvious choice.”
2. Oscar
James and Jennifer Montrose regret not giving their Jack Russell Terrier ring bearer duties in their Maryland wedding. Their three-year-old nephew chickened out at the last second. Oscar instead went as a guest, sitting calmly as he watched Jennifer head to the altar.
“He was a welcome distraction,” Jennifer says in the book. “One of my husband’s family members commented on how my face lit up when I saw Oscar. He helped me walk down the aisle.” What a good boy.
3. Sadie
For their wedding photos, Brice and Jacqui Russell decided to visit points of interest around Fort Worth on a Vespa. They did not plan for their Weimaraner, Sadie, to take part, but she found her way into many of the images.
Brice says in the book, “Jacqui’s father brought the Vespa, and her along with it. We decided, spur of the moment, to try a couple of shots with the dog. We wound up taking tons of pictures. … She hammed it up real nice.” Perhaps Sadie was hoping to tag along on the honeymoon.
4. Brutus
Brutus and Bulldog sibling Bella were in attendance when their humans, Ryan and Lindsay Christiansen, tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony in Colorado. This bride and groom also risked having their vows interrupted by nearby wildlife.
“Fortunately for us, during our ceremony they didn’t notice the deer grazing right behind the spot where we were married,” Ryan says in the book. “If they’d seen them, they would have been gone.” And mess up their fancy clothes? We think not.
5. Princess
What guest dares wear white to a wedding? A little Bichon Frise named Princess, that’s who. The dog of bride Danielle Mante’s father and stepmother, she did not have an official role in the South Florida wedding, but she made up for the lack of spotlight by appearing in as many photos as she could, such as this one of Danielle and groom Paul.
Danielle says in the book, “She greeted everyone as they entered the house, left everyone alone during dinner, then worked the crowd after the meal.” That sounds like behavior befitting a royal.
6. Toby
Travis and Jennifer Ward also did not include their dog in the Virginia Beach exchange of vows, for fear that the Chihuahua would bark the entire time. Toby made up for the slight by becoming fast friends with the wedding photographer.
“He helped corral the kids, because they wanted to be around him,” Travis says in the book. “Though it was hard to get them to stop looking at him and look at the camera.” Can you blame them?
Let’s hear from you, readers. Were your dogs at your wedding? Please share your memories and photos in the comments. If you’re still in the planning stages, we want to hear about that, too! You can even pick up a few tips in “7 Tips for a Dog-Friendly Wedding.”
You also can enter to win one of 10 copies of Weddings Dogs: A Celebration of Holy Muttrimony by following the directions below!
HOW TO WIN
- Create a Disqus account, if you haven’t already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster’s community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email.
- Comment below using your Disqus account, telling us how your dogs took part in your wedding or why they didn’t. Or, tell us your future plans! Our favorite comments win. Note: You must be a U.S. resident to win.
- Check your email for a “You’ve Won!” message from us after noon PST on Wednesday, May 1. We’ll give the winners two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comment.
If you don’t score the book, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes. You also can find out where to buy the book on the Quirk Books website.
