14 The Courier SUN • bridal • february 25, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com s bridal Best Friend don’t forget your By Tresa Erickson Do you adore animals? Do you own a variety of pets and spend much of your free time with them? Do you rarely go anywhere without one of your pets and fret when you do? If so, then you’ll be glad to know that when you get married, you might be able to incorporate some of your pets into your celebration. Almost any pet from a gerbil to a dog can take part in a wedding. Before you decide what your pets will do, you should ask officials at the venues where your ceremony and reception will be held if they allow pets on the premise. Some will have no restrictions in place, while others will. If you are given permission, then you can start thinking about the role your pets will serve. Some pets are best suited for a spectator role. Goldfish, for example, are spectators by nature. While you could have them carried down the aisle, they would work better circling in their bowl on top of the cake or at the main table at the reception. Shy, skittish pets should definitely be spectators, whereas more outgoing pets might be able to take more of an active role. Keep in mind that it is best not to involve too many of your pets due to the risk. You don’t want one of your pets to act up and cause the rest of them to go into panic mode, resulting in a chain of commotion. For active roles, select well-behaved pets. Depending upon their nature, they could serve as attendants or walk down the aisle with an attendant. A dog, for example, might make an excellent bridesmaid, whereas a snake would not and would best be carried by a bridesmaid. A hamster perched on the ringbearer’s pillow or rolling down the aisle in a ball beside the flower girl would make a cute addition to any ceremony. Whatever role you choose for your pet, keep in mind that they will need a handler other than you who can care for them and get them down the aisle if need be. Well-trained dogs may be walked whereas other animals will have to be carried or handled in some other way. Once you have designated your pets’ roles and found them a handler, you can start preparing them for what lies ahead. Have the handlers come over as often as possible and practice, practice, practice. Make certain you bring your pets to the rehearsal dinner. This will be your last chance to see if they are up to the task. Whether a spectator or a participant, all pets in your wedding should be given the opportunity to dress for the part. This can be as simple as attaching a bow to their cage or collar, or you can go all out and purchase formalwear for them. There are a number of companies that make formalwear for all types of pets. Dogs and cats, of course, will be easier to dress than snakes, gerbils and parrots. Do your best to dress your pets for the occasion, but don’t make them uncomfortable. If they refuse to cooperate, give them a good grooming and be done with it. There is no need to cause them any undue stress. A parrot perched on the minister’s shoulder, a dog trotting down the aisle in a tux, a kitten sitting in the flower girl’s basket...any or all of these make for a welcome sight at weddings. If you really love your best friend, don’t overlook having them in your wedding when the time comes. Just make sure the venue allows it and your future spouse approves.
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