Weddings Are Better With Dogs: A Guide to Including Your Pup in Any Photoshoot
There’s something really special about couples who immediately say:
“Our dog has to be part of this.”
Honestly? It usually tells me everything I need to know about the kind of photos we are going to create together.
Not performative or overly polished.
Just intentional, personal, and full of the things (and beings) they genuinely love most.
As someone who photographs a lot of outdoor weddings, adventure elopements, backyard celebrations, ski weddings, and nontraditional couples, dogs are often woven naturally into the day. And every single time, they somehow make the experience feel even more emotional, grounded, and real.
Your Dog Doesn’t Need to Be “Perfect”
This is probably the biggest thing couples worry about, I promise they are great, and I love every second of the silliness of each individual dog.
“What if they don’t listen?”
“What if they bark?”
“What if they get distracted?”
“What if they’re chaotic?”
Truthfully? That’s kind of the beauty of it.
Dogs bring movement, unpredictability, humor, and honesty into photos. Some of the most meaningful moments happen when things aren’t perfectly posed. A nose pressed into a wedding dress. Zoomies after the ceremony. Muddy paws. Your dog trying to steal attention during vows.
Those moments usually become the ones people remember most.
Your photos are about your actual life together and for a lot of couples, their dog is a huge part of that story.
Ways Couples Include Their Dogs
There are so many ways to involve your dog without it feeling forced or stressful.
A few of my personal favorites:
walking down the aisle
kisses on the baby bump (treats are a must)
being part of first look photos
joining for portraits after the ceremony
custom bandanas or floral collars
playing with the little one on the ground (usually lots of kisses ensue)
sitting with guests during dinner
serving as “best dog” or honorary witness
adventure sessions in the mountains or desert afterward
And honestly, sometimes the best approach is simply:
Let them exist naturally within the day, I promise you- you will have more genuine fun, less stress, and a little bit of extra love (and slobber). I find that having dogs as part of the ceremony or any photoshoot really…lets a couple decompress a bit, and make them remember this is more then just one day, this is OUR life.
Not every dog wants to sit perfectly for 45 photos, and honestly, they don’t need to.
A Few Practical Tips
Having your dog involved usually goes smoother when:
a trusted friend or dog handler helps throughout the day
you bring extra water/snacks (lots of treats) and even when the treats run dry, having a plastic bag also helps with grabbing their attention.
you allow flexibility in the timeline
you choose pet-friendly venues and trails
you build in breaks for them to rest and get a little drink (you too couples!)
If your wedding is outdoors in Utah, especially in the desert or mountains, weather and terrain matter too. Hot rock in Moab, snow in the mountains, long hikes, loud receptions. All things worth planning around for your pup’s comfort.
** I know as a human, I get overstimulated with too much noise and too many new people, just remember dogs are sensitive creatures and they will get “pooped” by the end of the day. Make sure there is a spot you can dedicate, once they need to put themselves to bed (especially older pups).
Dogs have a way of pulling people into the present moment.
Why I Love Photographing Dogs at Weddings and Sessions
Couples loosen up and ultimately people laugh more.
Suddenly the photos stop feeling like a production and start feeling like real memories unfolding.
Some of my favorite wedding images I’ve ever captured happened because a dog interrupted the moment in the best possible way.
And years from now, those photos often end up meaning even more than expected.
Because at the end of the day, they were never “just the dog.”
They were part of the story too.
