I am probably not going in the direction that you think…I am talking about my furbabies: Bella, Jetta, and Tug. Some of you may think that I have a screw or two loose, but in my eyes the Hawk pups are a legitimate part of our family. In fact, they are our family. When we first moved in together, the joining together of my Bella and Tug with Mr. Hawk’s Jetta under one household was the first real step in creating our own little family unit. In my head I’m picturing the intro from The Brady Bunch with dogs. (I probably lost a few of y’all with that statement, right? Yes, I’m the crazy dog lady.)
Tug
Bella and Jetta
(Personal photos)
They are my protectors (from the big bad mailman), my cuddle buddies when its couch time, and my all-around companions. They are such a huge part of me and shape my daily life. So it’s only right that they be part of the day where the Hawks officially and legally become family, right?
Can’t you just imagine our little flower girl walking “B” and “Jetta-pants” down the aisle? It would be such a sweet moment.
Image via The Knot / Photo by Missy Photography
And I love the idea of a floral collar.
Image via The Knot / Photo by Laura Ivanova
And how freaking handsome would “Tuggles McGuggles” look in a bow tie, carrying our rings? My heart melts…
Image via Etsy shop Big Paw Collars
Having them participate in our wedding would be priceless! Alas, reality has set in, and I’m having to accept that my furry family will not be able to be present on our day. Wren has very strict guidelines: NO. DOGGIES. ALLOWED. (Just because it’s a 300-plus-year-old building and historical monument? Psh. Who do they think they are?)
And if I think about it with even more scrutiny, I know that Bella would probably squat halfway down the aisle, Jetta would be knocking people’s hands to be pet, and Tug would surely jump up on half our guests to greet them with kisses. But in my head I can’t help but dream…
Are you incorporating your furbabies into your big day? (Or do you think I’m completely loony tunes?)
SUPER crazy dog lady here!
I wanted to include our babies in the wedding so badly! But we have a similar problem of church restrictions and practicality. They are going to represented for sure though! I found some adorable custom cake toppers on Etsy, so we will have a Boston Terrier bride and groom, and I am also seriously considering framed pictures of them somewhere at the reception.
In the meantime I will continue to gaze longingly at all the pictures of dogs in floral collars and bow ties.
We are, lol. Our dog (golden retriever) just too important to us to leave out! We are getting married on a golf course so they’re letting us have him there…we aren’t having any kids at the wedding so he will likely serve as our ring bearer or an usher ( we can train him to do pretty much anything) 
One of the few requests my hubby had, was that our dogs could be part of the wedding day. So we looked for a pet-friendly venue. It was awesome having them be part of the day, our male dog was the ring bearer-he wore a bow tie (and did carry the rings down the aisle) and our female dog was the ‘flower dog’ (no duties, except to look cute) with flowers attached to her collar. If you are crazy then so am I.
I would love to have our doggie included in our day too! You are so not crazy and your pups are adorable!
You’re lucky because dogs are so social, and love going to new places. I was so sad that I couldn’t include my cats in our wedding. Cats just don’t have the temperament to do something like this. I say do it, enjoy it, take lots of pictures, and don’t mind what other people think. We pet owners know how important to the family the 4 leggeds are.
<3 this!!
I am with you, I would love to include our girls, Faith & Barlie, but the Yorkie (Barlie) would probably “probably squat halfway down the aisle” (lol). And our 40 lb. Pit-Bull, Faith, would attempt to “jump up on half our guests to greet them with kisses” because she thinks she is a lap dog (which probably has something to do with the fact that FI spoils her and she sits on his lap while they watch TV together)
I wish I could have my Leeloo with us on our special day. But she’s a big dog, and not all of our guests are too fond of pit bulls, no matter how sweet this particular one might be. Our venue is super flexible about bringing dogs, but my spoiled rotten little pit isn’t crazy about crowds and would probably spend the day hiding under a table. I definitely want to include her in some pretty engagement pictures though. j
I am obsessed with our dog too! We included him in our engagement party (he wore a tux), in our engagement photos and he was even at the proposal! We can have him at the wedding but we’ve decided not to. I know that I’ll be worrying about how he is the ENTIRE time and won’t be able to really enjoy myself!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea! I am thinking about having our dog, Sai, a siberan husky in ours but he is super hyper and might be a little too crazy.I consider him like our “kid” though and would really like him to be our ring bearer….so we will see! decisions….
Everyone has been asking if our pet birds will make an appearance at the wedding, but it has never been in the plans. It would be very stressful for them, and i think most pets, to be around that much chaos! Maybe a cute cake topper?
I like this idea,we have two dogs , a Teddy and a Labrador.My fiance and i want to invite them to our wedding.
First of all…”Tug” is one of the cutest things ever! Secondly, I have always been a dog person but I realized that my dogs (who are big, rescues who have some issues) would be very unhappy at a busy event in a strange place. Instead, I have a friend’s dog (smaller and very used to busy places) that will be our flower girl. My dogs will be happy at home, and my friend’s dog gets another chance to shine and give our day a cute touch. Go crazy dog people!
Your little white furbaby looks like my little white furbaby!
My FI and I are very sad that we can’t have our dog be our ring bearer. We can’t have dogs on the property. I will miss my little guy all day!
@BostonTerrier: Your pup is adorable! I like the idea of dog cake toppers!
@Cala: That is awesome!
@mousegirl: I am so jealous!
@Miss Sunhat: Thank you!
@JulesSchnooks: I’ve never seen a cat in a wedding. I guess that could be a bit more difficult…
@soontobeMrsEschberger: Too funny. Tug also thinks he’s a lap dog even though he weighs around 60 lbs!
@Mariana: Including her in the engagement photos is a great compromise!
@LionLove: Aww. Dogs in tuxes. I think Tug needs one regardless of his inability to attend the wedding!
@Kimberly: Good luck! I hope you get to include him!
@justelope: I understand the stress portion. A cake topper is a great idea.
@sugarbox: Hopefully they can be included!
@ecogirlie3312: Thank you! You are in good company! That is great that you get to have a dog present on your day!
@Ms Seahorse: Thank you! He is such a goofy guy!
@soyjoy222: What type of dog is yours? Bella is a maltipoo.
Your puppies are so cute, I totally understand wanting to have them at the wedding!
For years I said I wanted my dog in my wedding and now that we’re planning it I’m still doing it-my mom was like “you’re serious?!”. LOL. When we looked at venues I specifically asked if dogs were allowed-no dog=no go. My lab mix will be our flower girl and I can’t wait to create her collar!
Awww, your pups are so cute! FI and I are cat people… But either way our venue has a strict no animals allowed rule. I have a feeling our cat will be much happier at home anyways.
@Laura S: That is so cool. I envy you!
@TinyTina: Thank you! I’m definitely going to miss my dogs, but I think when it comes down to it they will be happier at home as well.
Mrs. Hawk, Richmond, VA Age and Occupation: 26, Finance Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, District Supervisor Engagement Date: March 13, 2011 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: The Chapel of the Sir Christopher Wren Building, 2007 Legacy Hall About Me: I’m an Arizona-born girl who has spent the majority of my life living below the Mason-Dixon line. The South has definitely earned a special place in my heart (alongside my Virginia born and bred fiance, of course!). We are planning a traditional Christian ceremony at my alma mater in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, followed by a rocking reception filled with Southern cooking and vintage/shabby chic details. When we’re not wedding planning, we enjoy spending time with our three dogs, going for runs together, watching plenty of football (or baseball depending on the season), and sampling new wine.
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