A recent survey reveals that 94 percent of dog owners planning weddings this year are including a special guest: their dogs.
The survey was released by Guide Dogs, a UK-based organization advocating for the training and use of guide dogs for people with sight loss.
A Variety of Paw-ssibilities
Dogs are playing all sorts of roles in weddings lately. Whether it’s ring bearer or Dog of Honor, the evidence is clear: dogs are part of the family and deserve their place in such a memorable occasion. Some pups are even partaking in a newly wedded couple’s first dance.
Over 50 percent of dog parents who took part in the survey agreed that including their pups is important. In particular, a majority stated that their pups are part of the family and deserve to be there. Not surprisingly, 32 percent admit that having their dog at the ceremony creates many opportunities for Instagram-worthy content.
To that end, dog parents including their furry friends are sparing no expense for their pets. 71 percent of respondents plan on spending nearly £100 ($120) on outfitting their dogs for the occasion. Decorations run the gamut from special grooming styles to flower crowns and bow ties to match.
More Dogs in More Weddings in More Places
Evidently, the survey also shows that having a dog as part of such a big day is becoming a trend. The number of people including their pets has increased by over 30 percent from pre-Covid. That’s almost 213 percent from 30 years ago!
Why the drastic increase? The Evening Standard reports that for couples, having their dogs at the wedding comes from being less religious (35 percent), wanting the wedding to feel less formal (31 percent), and seeking a more individual experience(29 percent).
As always, it’s wonderful to see people including their dogs at special celebrations. If you feel inclined to include your special friend in your nuptials, check out these creative ways people have included their dogs in their weddings.
