Would you like to have your dog walk down the aisle with your wedding ring?
It’s all part of a service offered by wedding dog chaperone Katie Abbott, who looks after couples’ pooches during their special day.
The Knaresborough-based professional dog walker first heard about the trend from America, and she thought she could offer newlyweds something a bit different in Yorkshire.
“People were getting family members in to look after their pets, but it took the day away from them.”
Prices start at £225 to hire Ms Abbott as a wedding dog chaperone. She usually stays with the dog for the wedding service and photos afterwards.
She can also stay overnight with the dog whilst newlyweds enjoy themselves at the reception and evening party.
Ms Abbott said the service is particularly popular with millennials who look at their furry companion as a member of their family.
“They want their dog there for the biggest day of their lives.”
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Ms Abbott is trained in canine body language, so on the day, she looks out for fear or stress signals to make sure the animal is not overwhelmed.
At a recent wedding, an excitable labrador charged down the aisle, so she took the dog outside for a walk to calm it down.
One of her jobs is ensuring that the bridal dress is not spoilt by mucky paws — and the dog is kept safely away from the cake.
She’s been to two weddings this year where she walked the dog down the aisle, and there are even custom collars with on them pillows so they can carry the ring.
She said:
“I love my job so much. As an animal lover, being able to work with dogs is amazing, as is being at a wedding, which is the happiest day of people’s lives.
“Having a dog there is the cherry on top of the cake.”
