Pet-friendly weddings: Melbourne city guide

Dreaming of the day your furry friend walks you down the aisle? Imagine you and your partner exchanging vows on a beautiful gazebo lawn or in a stunning wisteria courtyard, surrounded by your friends and family, which of course includes your precious fur baby – no way are you going to leave them out! 

Well, dreams do come true. All you need is a great team, a paw-friendly venue, and a few insider tips and secrets for pulling off your dream pet-friendly wedding in Melbourne. This guide is your key to a wedding day where every tail wag adds to the joy and memories. Read on for our top tips!

1.   The Perfect Location for a Pet-Friendly Wedding in Melbourne 

As every Melburnian knows, Melbourne and its surrounds are laden with picturesque locations and hidden gems, and what is even better is that many of these are happy to accommodate pets, which fortunately gives couples quite a lot of options to choose from. 

As more venues open their doors to dogs and other furry friends, the challenge lies in choosing the perfect spot where your pets are not just allowed but celebrated.

We’ve simplified your search by curating a list of pet-friendly wedding venues in Melbourne, ensuring your big day includes every member of your family, paws and all. 

Check the venue’s compatibility with pets

Before you get too attached to any location, it’s crucial to confirm that it’s genuinely pet-friendly.

Pet-friendly wedding venues available around Melbourne include Vue On Halcyon and Potters Receptions, both lovely destinations renowned for their pet-friendly policies, offering specific zones where your pets can safely enjoy the festivities.

Just be sure to inquire about the possibility of your pet being allowed indoors, especially if they have a special role in the ceremony or reception, as other venues may only allow pets outside.

2.   A Great Team

From the Oscars to the local book launch, every great event has a wonderful team of people working together to create magic. When planning a pet-friendly wedding in Melbourne, you need to make sure the team you hire loves dogs or other pets and will be happy to work with them on your big day to avoid drama.

Hiring Professional Pet Wedding Attendants in Melbourne

For the well-being of your animal, hiring professional pet wedding attendants in Melbourne can be invaluable.

In Australia, there are several reputable services designed to cater to your pet’s needs during your wedding. Pet wedding assistants like Dogdayz and I do Paws specialise in ensuring your pet is well-cared for, happy, and present at those key moments, without you having to worry about their well-being.

While professional services expert care for your pet, you might also consider assigning a trusted, pet-savvy guest to this role. They can oversee your pet’s needs throughout the day, from ensuring they’re ready for their photo op to providing a quiet retreat when the celebrations get too much.

That way, you have peace of mind knowing that your pup is in good hands so you can focus on enjoying your wedding day!

A Pup Loving Wedding Photographer

It’s essential to have a conversation with your photographer about how you envision your pet’s involvement in your wedding photos.

Whether you want them by your side during the ceremony or prefer a dedicated photo session before the big day, make sure your photographer is prepared to capture those special moments. You might dream of an elegant garden series at your chosen venue or in the Royal Botanical Gardens, or prefer a bit of an edgy laneway shoot. Whatever your vibe, discuss the best way to incorporate your pet with your photographer ahead of time.  This ensures that your pet’s presence can be commemorated just as beautifully as the rest of your wedding.

3.   Insider Tips and Secrets 

With the venue and team sorted, it’s time to focus on some aspects we find can be overlooked when planning a pet-friendly wedding Melbourne. Here are some top tips to ensure your dream doesn’t get rained —or pooped on! 

 Tip 1: Weather Permitting—Or Not

Every Melbournian is all too familiar with the city’s four-seasons-in-one-day, but it still warrants a mention for any out-of-towners planning a destination wedding. Be prepared for rain, hail, wind and shine, and this means for any pets too!

If you’ve settled on a venue that allows pets indoors then you’re likely sorted. But for outdoor weddings, you might need your pet handler or a guest to stash a towel somewhere to dry off those wet paws in the case of rain, or somewhere calm and dry to shelter if your furry friend tends to get spooked by storms.

 Tip 2: Make arrangements for keeping your pet well-fed

A hungry pup doesn’t make the ideal guest! Ensure your pet has easy access to appropriate food and water (not the buffet!), and keep treats handy to reward their patience and good behaviour. 

You could even indulge them with a piece of your wedding cake, making them feel truly part of the festivities. Or work with your caterer to create a pet-friendly menu or include pet-themed treats in the overall catering.

Ensure there’s a variety of options for both human and furry guests to enjoy. These gestures can help keep your pup content and well-behaved throughout the event.

 Tip 3: Your Pet’s Preferences Matter

When choosing a venue, décor and even their dress, consider your pet’s temperament and how they react to new stimuli and environments.

Many Melbourne venues provide a serene setting, but it’s important to consider if your pet will be comfortable with the unfamiliar sights and sounds. Would your dog spend the day barking and chasing birds?

The goal is to ensure your pet feels safe and happy throughout the event, avoiding any unnecessary stress for you.

Tip 4: Social Preferences of Your Pet

Weddings are bustling with activity and interactions. If your pet enjoys socialising, they might relish the opportunity to greet guests. However, if they’re more of a solitary creature, it might be best to include them in the quieter parts of the day, such as the morning preparations. This approach ensures they’re part of your special moments without feeling overwhelmed.

However, if your pup loves being the life of the party, go ahead and have a pet-friendly photo booth or even a designated dance floor where he can join in the fun and dance the night away!

Tip 5: Seating Arrangement

If Uncle Geoff and your pup aren’t big fans of each other, you don’t have to choose between the two of them (although, just between us, we know you’d choose your pup!) But just to avoid chaos and keep all guests happy, make sure you have a thoughtfully-planned seating chart that separates your pet from any guests with animal allergies or aversions.

Tip 6: Plan a Break

Pets, like humans, need breaks.

Schedule short breaks during the ceremony and reception for pets to stretch their legs and take a breather. This helps them stay calm and enjoy the festivities without feeling overwhelmed. Naturally, any good wedding pet handler will be on top of this and will have some strategies up their sleeve for calming your pet to avoid overstimulation.

With the above tips in mind, you can relax and focus on enjoying your big day!