Now that wedding season is in full swing, I’m noticing a recent trend towards including dogs and other household pets in the wedding ceremony. I don’t know about you, but this seems to me to be fraught with potential worst-case scenarios!

I first read about this dog-as-best-man idea back in 2003, when Adam Sandler married his longtime girlfriend Jackie Titone and their beloved bulldog Meatball (left, via AdamSandler.com) was included in the wedding party; wearing a custom made tux no less!

At the time, it seemed like another one of those crazy Hollywood trends, like Priuses and recycling. You know, only in California! But according to USA Today, the notion of  having both a best man and a man’s best friend, is going mainstream.

From USA Today: “Pet-loving couples are increasingly including their dogs (and other pets, to a much lesser degree) in the wedding parties of some very formal weddings — decking them out in silk and satin and including them in the receiving line, on the program and in the portraits. Many people think of their pets as family members, and they wouldn’t think of having a special day like this without that member,” says Celina Bojorquez, co-owner of Beverly Hills Mutt Club, purveyor of upscale accessories like doggie tuxedos ($70 and up) and couture dresses ($170 to $500).

The shop has outfitted canines for scores of weddings in the last couple of years. Not all have been done up in full-dress regalia; some have merely donned accessories for a little special-day elegance. Bojorquez has sold dog-besotted soon-to-weds silk ties and bow ties for their four-legged pals, satin bandanas, crystal leads and collars, and, in one case, a gold harness and leash to match the bride’s gold dress.”

Apparently they’ve even cut down a Vera Wang bridesmaid’s dress to fit a beloved pug.  Check out their website here.

We’re not talking about just those casual bare-foot nuptials on the beach or in the backyard, either. These are formal weddings, where dogs are central to the ceremony; acting as ring bearers, bridesmaids, and groomsmen or simply lending a paw to bear witness to their owner’s big day.

Another wedding planner in LA told Palmspringlife.com that she’s finding that 30 percent of the weddings she’s coordinating involve pets. I guess it makes sense, considering how many people consider their pet part of the family and treat their beloved dogs like kids.

If having a pooch as ring bearer is your idea of a perfect day, before you proceed, check out his advice from Dave and his Worst-Case Scenario editors:

How to Teach an Old Dog New Tricks (from The Worst Case Scenario Pocket Guide: Dogs, page 51)

• Be patient – You are asking a dog not just to learn something new, but to unlearn her previous way of doing things. This takes time.
• Credit the dog – Convince the dog that she came up with the new trick on her own. If teaching an older canine to “sit,” do not try to force her into a sitting position. Instead, praise and reward her when she sits on her own, all the while repeating the “sit” command. Eventually the dog will perform the appro- priate behavior when she hears the appropriate word.
• Keep training sessions short – Older dogs tire more easily, so spend only about 10 to 15 minutes on any one training session. Do one in the morning and one in the afternoon, always at the same times.
• Keep sessions fun – Many older, savvy canines “play dumb” during training sessions in order to get out of learning something new.
• Reinforce good behavior – Use praise and treats to strongly reward compliance.

And if your dog is not cooperating, here’s some tips on How to Stall the Ceremony from The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbooks: Weddings (page 101). Though the advice is intended for missing grooms, it can also help you out if Fido doesn’t cooperate.

How to Stall the Ceremony

• Keep music playing.
• Announce a shortdelay – The best man or maid of honor should deliver the message: “Sorry, we are running a little late. We will let you know when we are ready to begin.”
• Serve food and alcohol – If the ceremonyand reception are happening in the same place, instruct the caterer to pass cold hors d’oeuvres and glasses of champagne.
• Stay out of sight – The bride should not mingle with the guests while the hunt for the groom continues. With neither the bride nor the groom present, guests will not become as suspicious.
• Show photo albums/videos of the happy couple.
• Ask if anyone else wants to get married – Aspontaneous wedding is a memorable opening act, and doesn’t increase the costs.

Mazal tov!

Liza.

Tags: Adam Sandler, Beverly Hills Mutt Club, The Worst-Case Scenario Pocket Guide: Dogs, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbooks: Weddings