How to Include your Dog in your Elopement

Your dog is family. When you decide to skip the traditional 200 person wedding and plan an elopement, you gain complete freedom to design a day that reflects what you love most. For many couples, that means bringing their four-legged best friend along for the journey.

Planning a dog-friendly elopement takes a bit more prep work, but it’s definitely worth it to create those memories with them. Here is a practical guide on how to include your dog in your elopement, top Wisconsin location recommendations that are dog friendly, and meaningful ways to honor pets who cannot be there in person.

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Ways to Include Your Dog in your Elopement

Having your dog physically present adds spontaneous joy and unforgettable photos to your elopement day. This also give you the change to get professional photos of and with them.

Take Them on a Hike: If your pup loves the outdoors, take them on a hike with you. You can hike together to your vow location, let your dog stretch their legs, and get those candid adventure photos with them. Even better if it’s a location where your pup can run around off leash while you both say your vows.

Include Them in the Ceremony: Designate your dog as the official “ring bearer” or “best dog.” You can attach a secure pouch to their collar for the rings, dress them up in a collar made of florals, a bandana or bowtie, or simply let them stand alongside you while you exchange vows.

Have Them “Sign” the Marriage License: In states that allow dog-paw marriage licenses, bring a pet-safe, non-toxic ink pad. Stamp their paw onto a keepsake certificate or the official paperwork if permitted by local laws. In Wisconsin specifically, your dog cannot legally sign as your witness, but you can do a ceremonial license signing to have as a keepsake.

Have a Picnic: Set up a ground-level picnic after your vows. Pack your favorite meal alongside a special dog-friendly treat, like a puppy cake or their favorite treats so your dog can join in on the celebration. Only do this one if your dog is trained not to eat your food though, otherwise this could be a stressful scenario!

Hire a Dedicated Dog Handler: Ask a trusted friend or hire a professional pet coordinator to manage your dog’s leash, water breaks, and potty stops. This lets you focus entirely on each other during private moments and vow exchanges without distraction. This is also the perfect solution if you only intend to include them in part of your day.

My Top Recommended Locations for a Dog-Friendly Elopement

When eloping with dogs, its important to look into the rules around the locations you intend to use. Many locations aren’t dog friendly for wildlife/nature conservatory reasons or whatever else. These are three Wisconsin locations that offer both amazing scenery and dog-friendly access:

Door County

Door County is incredibly dog friendly as a whole. Many nature locations are dog friendly or have dog friendly spaces. Quite a few restaurants have dog friendly patios, and there’s plenty of lodging that will allow dogs as well. Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park both have pet-friendly trails and beaches where your dog can explore. There is a dog friendly beach a 3/4 mile hike down an easy trail at Whitefish Dunes.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Located along Lake Superior at the top of Wisconsin, this area is my personal favorite location for elopements. Madeline Island is a great dog friendly option. Most locations on the island are dog friendly and there are dog friendly beaches and hiking trails. The other 22 islands are also dog friendly, given that they stay on a 6 foot leash and do not enter building. Those can be accessed via a chartered sailboat or boat taxi service. Most mainland hikes in the Bayfield Peninsula like the sea caves are dog friendly as well.

The Northwoods

The Northwoods has a lot of freedom to offer for a dog friendly elopement. You can take them on one of the dog friendly forest trails, swim in a Northwoods lake, or go out on a canoe or paddle-board. I recommend renting a spacious dog friendly cabin to stay at with a larger property. That way they will have plenty of room to run around, and you might just be able to have your full celebration there as well.

Want even more detail recommendations on where you should elope with your dog? Tap the link below to book a free consult call with me!

Honoring Dogs Who Cannot Be Present

Maybe your dog just cannot join you physically on your day. Whether they passed away, get anxious in travel settings or new locations, or need to stay comfortably at home, you can still make them a part of your day.

Custom Accessories: Incorporate details like custom cufflinks, embroidered dress patches, or custom favors, signs, or drinkware featuring your dog’s face.

Pet-Inspired Signatures: Print custom illustrated drink menus featuring your dog’s likeness for your post-elopement dinner or toast.

Memory Table or Keepsake: If honoring a pet who has passed, bring their tag, collar, or a framed photo to your vow location. Placing their collar or a locket with a photo around your bridal bouquet stem keeps their memory close.

Doggie Bag Favors: If you invite a few close guests, hand out custom treats “from” your dog as a lighthearted nod to your pup back home.

Wisconsin Elopement Photographer