We love seeing happy pooches at weddings, and it made us wonder how many dogs are heading off on UK honeymoons too! If your doggo is a big part of your life and you can’t bear to be away from each other after your wedding, here’s our essential guide to taking them on honeymoon with you!
As more Brits include their furry friends in significant life events like weddings, this trend is beginning to extend beyond the big day – many couples are now choosing to bring their dogs along on their honeymoons as well.
With searches for ‘minimoon destinations’ rising 150% in the last 90 days, many are opting for UK-based getaways that include their canine companions, as you might have seen in a recent viral TikTok.
A recent TikTok video by @maybetamsin shows her experience of travelling with her dog on her honeymoon. In the video, Tasmin shares how she brought her dog, Rhubarb, along on their UK staycation ‘minimoon,’ offering a glimpse into a dog-friendly getaway after their wedding, where Rhubarb also made a special appearance.
To explore this trend further, Shark surveyed 2,000 pet owners about their views on traveling with pets, as well as what you should prioritise when taking them with you. They found that just over 1 in 5 of us (28%) think dogs should be at weddings, with 34% of millennials agreeing.
According to the research, 39% of Brits are in favour of taking their pets on holiday, and 35% are comfortable with their dogs joining them on long car journeys – perfect for UK staycations and honeymoons.
Photo by Ja San Miguel on Unsplash
THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE TAKING YOUR DOG ON YOUR ‘MINIMOON’
Inspired by Tamsin’s video, with advice from the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, here’s what you need to prepare if you’re taking your dog(s) on your “minimoon” or UK honeymoon!
Prepare for all weathers
Take whatever you’ll need to keep your dog cool on hot days or cosy on cold ones. Carry water for your dog on long walks; keep them out of the heat when it’s really warm. Be especially considerate with older dogs – and always make sure you’re able to find shelter at short notice: plan your routes.
Pet-friendly accommodation
Find a genuinely dog-friendly hotel or cottage. The best will consider all of your pooch’s needs so they’re comfortable and calm.
Dog-friendly dining
Research where you’ll eat out, and look for dog-friendly gastropubs where your furry companions will be happy and welcome!
Plan dog-friendly activities
Country walks and dog-friendly beaches will ensure your dog has the best honeymoon ever! It’s best to research beaches before you go. When walking your dog on the beach, please always, always use poo bags!
Pack everything your dog needs for a super holiday
Ensuring you’re well prepared with your dog’s bowls, food, favourite toys, and any other necessities contributes to a seamless experience. Here’s their packing list!
- Their lead, collar and up to date ID tag
- A comfortable bed
- Your dog’s seatbelt and harness or travel crate / boot guard
- Some favourite toys and chew toys
- Poo bags
- Something that smells familiar, like a blanket from home
- Enough food for the whole holiday
- A cool mat for hot weather
- Dog safe sun cream
- Treats and rewards
- Towels for muddy paws
- High-vis or LED collar for night time walks
- Any medication your dog needs
ID your dog’s collar
As well as being microchipped, your pet should wear a collar with an identity tag with your name, holiday address and contact details, so if they get lost you can be reunited as quickly as possible.
Happy holidays and doggy honeymoons
You know your dog best – and you’ll know their limitations better than they do! It’s always best to stick to a routine with feeding times and food brands. Try not to treat your dog too much on holiday, to avoid an upset tummy.
Longer walks can be lovely but dogs often don’t know when to stop. Mountain rescue teams have come to the rescue of paws too sore to walk on – so be prepared and know when your dog’s had enough.
Be aware of any changes in your dog’s behaviour on holiday. Watch for signs of stress and remember quiet time is as important as all the excitement.
Have a wonderful honeymoon, all of you!
A guest article by our friends at Truly Experiences with images by lovely Sheryl at Oobaloos Photography
When the time comes and you’re ready to start planning your wedding, finding ways to include your loved ones becomes a critical part of it all. From finding ways to include your parents and siblings to those long-lost relatives that start popping up, it can be a real juggle!
One way to lighten the mood and bring back the warm and fuzzies is to include your pets in your wedding. After all, they’re a special part of the family and should be included in your big day too!
Of course, this begs the question, how do you actually go about including them?
We’ve got a few ways to incorporate your pets into your special day. It’s really important you consider your pet’s wellbeing over and above anything else. Cats should never be taken to a wedding venue – please, always make sure they’re looked after at home! Some dogs will love a big exciting day out with all of your best people, but some won’t, so do consider your pet’s feelings and make sure they’ll be happy throughout all the excitement!
Naturally, some of the options will depend on the level of self-control your pet has. The last thing you want is to have them causing chaos in the middle of your “I dos”.
Another aspect you need to consider is whether your venue is pet-friendly or not. If you would like to have your dog with you (or another very tolerant furry or feathered friend!), you will need to find a space that is willing to accommodate them or make arrangements with your venue beforehand.
Should your pet be allowed at the venue, you’ll also need to look into using pet-friendly confetti, use decorations that cannot be easily destroyed, and, of course, ensure that they have food, water, and toys to keep them occupied.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can go about including your pets on your special day.
Here are a few simple suggestions to jumpstart your creativity. The options are endless, it all depends on what you’re willing to do and if your pets decide to cooperate of course! It might not always be an option to have them there in all their glory, but there are ways to work around it.
The Cutest Ring Bearer
The level of trust involved with this is quite high, as your dog will be responsible for carrying the wedding bands.
A simple way of doing so is to tie the rings to their collar. If you’re worried about them running off, you can always have them on a leash and have the flower girls walk them down the aisle.
Front And Centre
Have your dog attend your wedding, sitting right up front with your bridesmaids and groomsmen. They’ll be right there as you say your I dos while sitting amongst some of the most important people in your life.
If you know that they wouldn’t keep still, placing a framed photo of them on a seat is another special way to include them. For the more tech-savvy couples, you can also include them via Skype or Zoom.
Family Portraits
Including your pet in the photos on the day is bound to make it a memorable experience. This way, they don’t need to be there the entire time, but will still be involved in the day. You’ll need to have a pet sitter willing to watch them while you’re busy and help you manage the chaos when they join the party. Alternatively, shoot a few pictures with them beforehand and have someone take them home afterwards. If you’re getting ready at home, a ‘first look’ (where you see each other in your outfits before the ceremony) is a lovely way to include a cat or other pet who’d rather stay at home!
Wedding Announcements
If including your pet on the actual wedding day is not possible, you can easily include them in the build-up.
You can use them in your engagement shoot, wedding announcement and even include their pawprint or picture on stationery. For example, the save the date, wedding invites, seating chart, or menu – there are so many options!
Upgrade Your Decor
For the pets that can’t be there, you can find creative ways of featuring them in your setup. This can include an animal theme cake topper, a cardboard cutout of them at the photo booth, or even include pictures of them amongst the images featured on the day.
Rethink Your Menu
Instead of the run-of-the-mill cocktail menu or set menu, get creative with the names you use. For example, your welcome drink could be along the lines of “Rocco’s Favourite” and appear in a festive glass.
For menu items, you can look for ways to make them animal-themed. Or simply use creative napkins with funny messages. You can really get creative with this.
Name The Tables
If you have more than one pet, you could use their names to allocate tables instead of table numbers. The seating chart could feature a picture of them next to the table allocations and perhaps a paw print or two. You could even theme each table to fit the pet that it’s named after.
Themed Thank You Gifts
While these are not a must, most weddings tend to have some sort of thank you gift. A doggie bag is a great way to round off a pet-themed wedding – if you have dogs.
You can really get creative with gifts that have an animal association. Perhaps a hair of the dog pack to help guests recover the day after? Or a voucher for a unique animal themed experience?
Preparation Is Key
Another great way to incorporate your pet is while you’re getting ready. They can feature in the photos and help provide hugs and kisses if you start feeling stressed out.
Plus, this doesn’t need to be at the venue, which means that your pet isn’t stressed out or over-excited.
It’s Your Day, Enjoy It Your Way
At the end of the day, it’s your big day and you can choose who to spend it with. If you want to include your pets, you certainly can.
From having them at your side at the altar to having them feature throughout the decor, there are so many creative ways you can go about getting the job done. Of course, a lot of this boils down to what your venue allows, so be sure to get the thumbs up from them before you start planning!