The Do’s and Don’ts of Dogs in Weddings

Check their policy on pets before you sign a contract. Don't just show up with your pup on your wedding day and beg for forgiveness. If your four-legged best man gets bounced, your big day will be a bust.

If he's obedient and outgoing, he should do fine at a wedding. Make him ring bearer, flower girl or let him walk down the aisle with you and sit by the altar while you say "I do." If he's an obedience school dropout who doesn’t do well around strangers and children, you may be wise to leave him out of the wedding.

Dogs in clothes are blindingly cute. But choose his attire with an eye to how tolerant he'll be of doggie duds. Not all pups will go for a full-on doggie bridal dress. But any dog will be down with a decorated collar and leash.

You will not have time to do this yourself. Assign a family member or friend to be your wedding day dog handler, or hire a pet wedding attendant. Some kennels specialize in sending a person to supervise pets at weddings. Be sure you pick someone who has a way with your dog and will feed, water and clean up after him.