John D’Ariano, the President of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), put it best when he explained that “a pet plays an important role in a couple’s life, and for many pet parents, family festivities would not be complete without their pet’s involvement.” And he could not be more accurate.

Adopting a pet is more than adding another living, breathing creature to the count of existing ones in your home, and there is sure a lot more to it than taking the dog on walks or cleaning the cat's litter box. Pets are seen as members of the family, and as such, they are inseparable from huge events - weddings included. Still, having our furry friends behave in a way that is black-tie appropriate is not exactly realistic, so we jotted down the best ways in which you can incorporate your pet on your special day.

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P Is For Personality

"It's becoming more common for couples to customize their wedding parties to include family, friends, and furry companions," said D'Ariano, but it is important to mention that the customization process works best when taking into account that not all pets behave the same. According to NAPPS, even the most outgoing and people-loving pet can feel overwhelmed when placed in the middle of a big crowd, so you can imagine how tough a situation like that can be for a shy pet.

That being said, if your pet is obedient and well-behaved, there is no reason you should not rely on them to be great ring bearers - but you also need to prepare yourself for the chance that they might flunk against all odds.

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E Is For Engagement

If pets are not allowed in the actual wedding venue, there are other ways to make sure they are a part of this big day. For example, they can be featured on the wedding invitation, the "save the date" card, the engagement announcement, or even the "trash the dress" photo shoot. Engage them in whatever way you can, and your four-legged friend will be a part of the happy occasion for all eternity.

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T Is For Telling

You should let your photographer and guests know in advance that they should expect a tail-wagging pup at the altar or purring puss in a tux at the reception. The guests with allergies will be properly prepared, and the photographer will make sure to have a finger on the trigger, ready to capture the perfect shots.

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