I absolutely love including dogs in elopements! For many of us, dogs are more than our pets–they’re family members! And if you’re anything like me (a self-proclaimed crazy dog mom), you definitely want to include your dog in your elopement day. But bringing your dog to your elopement definitely requires some additional consideration and preparation to ensure that the experience is a positive one for everyone.

Considerations for a Dog-Friendly Elopement

Colorado is one of the most dog-friendly states in the country, which makes it a great location to consider if you want to bring your dog along on your elopement. And as much fun as a dog-friendly elopement is, it does also take additional planning to create a safe and enjoyable environment for both you and your fur baby! Here are a few considerations to take into account when including your dog in your elopement day.

Pick a location that welcomes dogs

The first consideration for bringing a dog along on your elopement is choosing a location or venue that allows dogs. There are a ton trails and locations in Colorado that welcome dogs, but plenty that have dog restrictions, especially National Parks, State Parks, and privately-owned land. Also, it’s important to research what the dog restrictions at your location are. Many public lands will allow dogs, but they need to remain on a 6-foot leash throughout; while others will allow your pup to explore off leash, making for an easier experience on your elopement day.

Choose a dog-friendly photographer

If your elopement photographer is not comfortable photographing dogs or including dogs on an elopement, then you should look for another photographer. To ensure both you and your dog have a good time on your elopement, you should find a dog-friendly photographer who has worked with dogs before and welcomes their presence. I love dogs and feel comfortable around most of the dogs I’ve met. But if I wasn’t a “dog person”, I’d likely refer you to another photographer who could successfully include your dog in your elopement day.

Be honest about your dog’s temperament

The biggest thing I ask my couples to consider when including their dog on their elopement day is whether this is the best decision for your dog. Some dogs are anxious in new places, around new people, or if they encounter unfamiliar dogs. If your dog isn’t enjoying the day, you won’t enjoy the day. And the last thing you and your partner want to feel on your elopement day is added stress because you’re having to deal with your dog’s reactivity toward its new environment. This is especially true if you plan to elope on a public trail where your dog may encounter some of these stimuli.

Bring someone along to help

On your wedding day, you’ll likely want to have someone there to help take care of your dog when you are doing things like exchanging vows, doing your first dance, eating a picnic, or doing other activities that a pup could potentially spoil. The person you choose to bring along to assist with your pup on your elopement day should be someone your dog trusts and respects.

Consider your dog’s experience in the outdoors

Understanding your dog’s limitations and experiences with hiking and the outdoors is essential to ensuring their success on your elopement! If your dog has never hiked, you may want to reconsider their first hike being your elopement day. Also consider factors like how rocky or sandy the trail is, how your dog does in heat, whether your dog enjoys snow or the cold, your dog’s age and athletic ability, etc. It would break my heart if you had to turn back on your dream elopement trail because you didn’t account for your dog’s ability.

Account for seasons and weather

Taking into account when you will be eloping and where is another factor for successfully bringing your dog along. If you plan to elope in Utah in June, the heat will undoubtedly affect your dog. Packing things like extra water and a cooling jacket would be essential, as well as protection for your dogs paws against hot ground. If you plan to elope in Colorado in January, you’ll want to pack your dog a jacket or a blanket to protect them from the cold. In terms of my ideal time to involve dogs in Colorado elopements, I think June-October is your best bet for comfortable temperatures, dry trails, and gorgeous views.

Packing essentials for your dog

An additional piece of bringing your dog to an elopement is ensuring they have their own supplies to keep them safe and content. For extended elopements, I ask couples to pack for their dog like they would on an overnight trip–that means food, water, bowls, toys, treats, tie outs, bones, ID tags, and more.

Beyond the essentials, having things like toys and treats will make it easier for your photographer to get your dog to look at them during photos, as well as to help anyone assisting with your dog to get them to listen.

What to Pack for your pup

To ensure that your dog has the best time possible, here are some things to pack:

Dog food and water. Make sure you bring enough for your dog's entire stay with you, as well as extra treats!
Leash and collar. You'll want to make sure that their collar is comfortable enough for them to wear all day long (and maybe even overnight). If they have a special leash or harness that makes them feel more secure in crowds or on walks, consider bringing those along too!
Long lead or tie out. I recommend couples bring a long tie out for their dog so they are easily able to tie them up while also giving them a bit more leash length to work with.
Toys and treats. Dogs need toys just like humans do! It can be hard for them sometimes when they're stuck in one place all day long--so bring along something fun like a squeaky ball or stuffed animal so they can enjoy themselves as much as possible during this exciting time. And pack more treats than you think you need for the day–trust me, your dog will go through them quickly.
Jackets/ booties. If you will be hiking or doing any sort of snow activity on your wedding day, I recommend bringing your dog some emergency booties or paw wax to prevent paw injuries or chafing.
A cooling vest. If heat will be a factor on your elopement, I recommend a cooling vest or mat for your dog to prevent heat exhaustion.
Fun props. Consider cute props like a flower collar, a festive bandana, or even an entire outfit like a dog tuxedo or flower pup outfit!
Dog-specific first-aid kit. It’s so important to be prepared in the face of an injury or emergency. I like to have a dog-specific first-aid kit with things like tweezers, Benadryl, super glue to seal cuts, bandages, and more.

Practice Leave No Trace

Dogs add an extra layer of complexity when it comes to ensuring you leave as little footprint as possible to the outdoors on your elopement day. Leave No Trace is a list of practices and ethics to help you understand how to take care of public lands. For dog-friendly elopements, here are LNT guidelines to practice:

Pick up any and all of your dog’s waste–and pack it out with you! Leaving a full dog waste bag on the side of the trail isn’t helpful for anyone.
Keep your pet from harassing wildlife (yes, that includes squirrels and chipmunks) through reliable verbal off-leash training or keeping them on a leash
Ensure your dog isn’t ruining anyone else’s enjoyment of the outdoors
Stay on the trail whenever possible

Unique ways to include your dog in your elopement

Bringing your dog along on your elopement day doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision. I can help you pick and choose certain activities, locations, and experiences where your dog will best fit in on your big day. Here are some fun ways to include your dog on your elopement:

If you’re getting ready before a big adventure at an Airbnb or vacation rental, consider including your dog in your getting ready portraits.
Have a friend or family member bring your dog for a portion of the day like the hike or a small walk where we can get some candid shots of you as a family.
Use your dog’s paw to sign your marriage license (you can’t do this everywhere, but you can in Colorado!)
Have your pup meet up for a bigger celebration with friends and family at a dog-friendly venue later in the day.

Bringing your dog along on your elopement can be such a fun experience for you to share. However, it’s important to plan and prepare for success to ensure both you and your fur baby have a great time. And if you still have questions or concerns about bringing your dog on your Colorado elopement, reach out and I’ll help you navigate!

Your Guide to Planning a Dog-Friendly Elopement