Terrific tips to make your pets' wedding day purrfect

Make sure you alert wedding party attendants and guests that animals will be in the wedding party--and make sure your event location is pet tolerant. We recommend that you host the wedding in your home garden (bride or groom's)

Hire a pet trainer for wedding event training a few weeks before the wedding and assign an attendant to each animal wedding participant.

Outdoor ceremonies should plan to keep animals in the shade and off hot surfaces so that the bride and groom can feel at ease during their ceremony.

Let your pets get a feel for their wedding attire (like veils, dresses, tuxedos and accesories) before the event so that they don't feel disorientated and uncomfortable on their big day.

Identify possible hazards to animals and avoid using plants toxic to pets. A little daisy or rose and baby's breath will do no harm, neither will any of your pets' creature comforts. Even on the groom's corsage! Just make sure the corsages and bouquets are not chewed up before, during or after the ceremony (especially for photographic purposes!)

Make reservations at pet friendly accommodations if you plan to take your newlyweds on honeymoon. (Great opportunity for you to take a little holiday, too!)

Exercise and make sure bride and groom have answered nature's call before the wedding ceremony.

Have an alternate plan for the ceremony and reception in case pets tire or refuse to cooperate. (As with people, a wedding is a stressful event, most people just want to collapse and take a nap after the wedding. Maybe let the newlyweds have a lovely treat - like a yummy chewy - as their wedding cake and then take a nap in their new marital love nest (a new basket bought for them as a wedding present, perhaps).

Make sure the photographer is at ease with animals and includes all guests and relatives in the wedding photos.

Assign a handler to pets at the ceremony and reception - and don’t forget a variety of healthy snacks for guests (people and animals alike!).