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Fido and wedding may equal disaster

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By Amelia Robinson, Staff Writer Updated 11:04 AM Thursday, June 18, 2009

Celebutant Paris Hilton helped make it OK to take a pocket pooch into a fancy Beverly Hills shop.

But Cecilia Rose of Cincinnati-based Eventurous Inc. said area couples often find themselves barking up the wrong trees when they attempt to include the family dog in their weddings.

“A lot of people want to do it, but their ceremony location will not allow them,” said Rose, a wedding planner for 18 years. “When you are outdoors, it is really no big deal, but when you’re indoors, churches and facilities don’t allow it.”

Rose, who has had several Dayton-area clients, said dogs have only been successfully incorporated into only a few weddings she has planned.

Once a couple “blended” their families by walking their dogs down the aisle — she had a female dog, and he had a male dogs.

In a few weeks a pint-sized pooch will serve as ring bearer in a couple’s wedding.

When doggies are not allowed, couples have to get creative, Rose said. One of her recent clients created “doggie bags” for wedding guests containing cookies featuring the hound’s picture.

Kathy Piech-Lukas of Dayton-based Your Dream Day tries to deter couples from including Fido in the ceremony.

Instead, the member of the Dayton Bridal Connection one-stop bridal facility at 4140 Linden Ave. said she encourages couples to take photos with their canines before or after the wedding.

“People who have pets think of them as their children,” she said. “It is a way for them to get ‘members’ of the family involved in the wedding.”

Piech-Lukas offered the following tips.

Check with the venue

Many churches, restaurants and wedding facilities ban dogs who are not used for service.

“You really needed to check with the facility before you go buy a doggie tuxedo or special collar or a special bow,” she said.

Designate a handler

Assign a friend or relative to take care of the pup during the service. The dog will need to be fed and walked.

“They are like children,” she said.

Remember that  dogs will be dogs

Be honest about your dog’s temperament, Piech-Lukas said. Is your dog antsy around large crowds? Is he a barker? Does he jump on people or pee when he’s nervous?

“Are they going to behave themselves? Are they going to mark their territory?” Piech-Lukas asked. “You are removing them out of their comfort zone.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384 or arobinson@DaytonDaily News.com.

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