Want to include your dog in your wedding vows? If you have a furry family member, this vow writing guide is for you.
As a professional vow writer, I work with couples who adore their dogs. So when it comes to ghostwriting their wedding vows, I make sure to include their favorite pet.
After all, weddings are about family. And if you have a pooch that you consider family, then you have to write about them in your vows.
Of course, there’s a fine line between honoring your dog in your vows as a way to further illustrate your love story, and teetering on the edge of your vows losing impact because you write more about your dog than your new spouse.
Follow these tips and you’ll be able to include your dog within your vows in a way that still allows your promises to sound and feel like romantic wedding vows.
Tip #1: Include a Specific Promise About Your Dog
My favorite way to include your dog within your vows is by mentioning them within the promises section of your vows.
The promises section should include three to six specific promises for your marriage.
Examples of Traditional Promises:
I promise to support your dreams throughout every year of our marriage.
I promise to make you my number one priority.
I promise to trust, encourage, and honor you.
I promise to continue taking adventures together and to always find new ways to make you smile.
Once you’ve written 3 to 5 traditional promises, write another promise about your dog.
Examples of Promises that Include Your Dog:
I promise to always take care of you the way you take care of Cooper…with unconditional love.
I promise that while it may often seem like I love Bear more than you, you are my one true love.
I promise to always make you and Peanut my number one priority.
I promise to put family first and that includes you and Oreo.
I promise to continue our weekend adventures with Freckles by our side.
Tip #2: Playfully Debate Who You Love More
If you’re looking to have funny wedding vows, consider a cheeky nod to the fact that you sometimes love your pooch more than your new spouse.
Examples:
I may be marrying you today but we both know, my one true love is Beatrix.
I love you more than anything in this world…well, unless we’re talking about Comet.
You may often think it’s a tie but know that no matter how much I dote on Felix, I really do love you more. Just don’t tell him that.
Tip #3: Keep It Short
While you adore your pup, the words you write are still your wedding vows and so the focus should be on your fiance.
Keep the dog-related content to one sentence, or two sentences at the most.
If you find that you have more to say about your dogs, include these additional details in a wedding day letter instead of the vows.
Tip #4: Use Your Dog to Show Positive Traits About Your Spouse
Your dog can be a great way to illustrate key qualities that you want to communicate about your new spouse within your custom written wedding vows.
For example, what kind of Dog Mom or Dog Dad is your partner? What does this show about their priorities and their personality?
The same traits that make someone a great dog owner translate to what will make them a great spouse.
Examples:
Dedication
Passionate
Caring
Kind-hearted
Motivated
Loyal
Shows unconditional love
Brainstorm a list of traits that demonstrate how they’re a good dog owner. Then review your notes. How can you use these details throughout your vows?
Tip #5: Have Your Dog Deliver the Vows
Maybe you choose not to write about your dog within your vows but that doesn’t mean they can’t be involved in your wedding ceremony.
Package your vow booklets in a decorative bag or a basket and have your dog carry this down the aisle.
Many couples nominate their dog to be their ring bearer. So why not have your dog deliver the vows instead of the rings? It’s a unique twist, will have guests smiling, and will make you feel like your dog played a special role in the ceremony.
And don’t forget to dress them in their formal attire.
Tip #6: Work with a Professional Vow Writer
Not sure how to work your dog into your vows? Get in touch to learn more about how I can help you to write vows that capture your love story and also include your dog.
The couples I work with love their pets and I regularly include their dogs within their vows. I’m excited to hear about your dog and come up with a fun way to honor them within your vows.
Tip #7: Write from the Perspective of Your Pooch
There’s a quote that goes, “Be the person your dog thinks you are.”
Well, if you were to read your dog’s mind, what would they say about your fiance?
Jot down some notes. Then, use this material to write a section of your vows from your dog’s perspective.
Example:
“If I were to listen to Biscuit, what he’d have to say about you is not too dissimilar to how I feel since he’d probably say…
Thank you for caring for me with your whole heart, even when I’m being annoying.
Thank you for the back scratches and late morning snuggles.
And thank you for the unconditional love.”