The traditional ideas of marriage are currently under scrutiny as the conventional principles of unity are redefined by alternative practices. Pet weddings, which are becoming increasingly popular, are adding to the changing landscape of marriage; challenging the sanctity of marriage and emblematic principles of matrimony. Since many owners treat their pets like members of the family, they want to include their best pals in celebrations and ceremonies, including the joys of marriage.  

The pet industry is more than $40 billion strong and includes items like: resorts, athletic clubs, boutiques, bakeries and social clubs for animals. As many owners try to ‘humanize’ their pets, it seems only natural that animal nuptials become more common. After perusing the internet, I was amused at how many different options I was able to locate on the subject of pet weddings. Staging a pet wedding can mirror a typical wedding with options ranging from backyard ceremonies to celebrations at a local dog park or a marriage on the beach in Oahu, Hawaii. Pet owners may choose from ideas as unique, extravagant or as basic as they desire.

Pet weddings can take a lot of effort on behalf of those planning the event; typically pet owners, because everything is made to order. It is difficult to buy pet-sized wedding garments, decorations, cakes and flowers right off the rack. Despite the extra energy needed to have a pet enjoy every aspect of their special day, most owners are not deterred and enjoy the preparations. They look forward to celebrating their dogs, cats, birds and rodents and bringing them into a new family or creating a new family because of their pets.

Pet weddings are becoming a fun way for people to get together, enabling them to spend time with family or friends and also have their pet get some social time. People also like the excuse to have a celebration and do something they consider as positive and hopeful. Some pet wedding participants view the ceremony as testament to their devotion to family, each other as well as their pets. Some view the event as a play-like ceremony for the family and some marry their pets during their own nuptials. Each of these weddings, while very different from each other, are a unique expression of the love pet owners’ may have for each other as well as an extension of the love they may have for their pet.

With marriage literally going to the dogs—and cats and bunnies, it is good to know there are several options to choose from when you plan your pet’s memorable occasion. The idea of pet weddings and celebrations only looks to gain popularity as celebrities like Pamela Anderson marries her dogs and Joan Rivers holds a ‘bark-mitzvah’ for her pup. With the generous amount of help and ideas on pet weddings found on the internet, pet owners can concentrate on the most important question associated with the subject, “Where are we going for the honeymoon?”

By Kirsten Goulet