You know that old saying about never working with children or animals?
Yeah, well… fu#k that.
Because when it comes to wedding ceremonies, I'm all for including the little humans and four-legged family members who mean the world to you.
And if things get a little unpredictable along the way?
Well, that's half the fun.
But before we go any further, let me make one thing very clear.
Your wedding. Your rules.
If you want your children and family pets involved in your ceremony, I'm all for it.
And if you'd prefer a child-free wedding where you can focus entirely on each other, without worrying about who's feeding the toddler or chasing the dog?
I'm equally supportive of that.
There's no right or wrong answer here.
It's about creating a wedding day that feels right for you.
Let's Talk About the Kids
I absolutely love seeing children involved in wedding ceremonies.
Whether they're your own kids, nieces, nephews or other little legends who hold a special place in your lives, there are so many beautiful ways to include them.
They might be part of your wedding party.
They might walk down the aisle as a flower girl or ring bearer.
Perhaps they'd like to do a reading, help with a family ritual or play another special role.
And here's something worth knowing.
And if your own children are all grown up, here’s something worth knowing: if they’re 18 or older, they can even be one of your two legal witnesses.
But when it comes to younger children, there's one thing I always encourage couples to remember.
They're kids.
And kids are going to do kid things.
That adorable three-year-old you've entrusted with delivering the rings?
There's every chance they'll absolutely nail it.
There's also every chance they'll decide halfway down the aisle that they've had enough and would rather go and sit with Grandma.
And you know what?
That's perfectly fine.
Some of the funniest, most memorable moments I've experienced during wedding ceremonies have involved children doing something completely unexpected.
Now, About Those Four-Legged Family Members…
Let's be honest.
For plenty of couples, their pets aren't just pets.
They're family.
So it’s completely understandable that you might want them involved in one of the biggest days of your life?
I've seen dogs proudly walking down the aisle, joining their humans for photographs and generally having the absolute time of their lives.
And I reckon it's brilliant.
But there are a few practical things worth considering before you decide your furry best mate is coming along.
First and foremost, check with your venue.
Not every wedding venue allows animals, and some have specific rules or restrictions.
You'll also want to think about how your pet handles unfamiliar environments, large groups of people and plenty of excitement.
A wedding ceremony can be a very different environment from your backyard, even for a normally well-behaved dog.
And if your dog gets distracted because it spots a bird halfway through your vows?
Well, that's certainly one way to make an entrance.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Here's where a little planning can make a massive difference.
If you're involving children, have a chat with them beforehand about what they'll be doing.
Let them practise walking down the aisle or delivering the rings.
Make them feel included and excited.
But don't put too much pressure on them to get everything perfect.
The same goes for your pets.
If possible, give them an opportunity to become familiar with the venue or practise whatever role they'll be playing.
And here's one option worth considering: a professional wedding pet handler.
There are some fantastic businesses that specialise in looking after pets at weddings.
They can help with transport, supervision, getting your pet ready for its big moment and making sure it's comfortable throughout the day.
Which means your family and friends can actually enjoy your wedding rather than spending the afternoon wondering who's holding the dog.
Because as much as Uncle Barry might love your Labrador, I'm tipping he'd probably prefer to enjoy a beer and watch you get married.
What If It All Goes Pear-Shaped?
Sometimes, despite all the planning in the world, things don't go exactly as expected.
A child might decide they want to stand beside you throughout the ceremony.
Someone might get a little emotional.
A ring bearer might completely forget what they're supposed to be doing.
Or your dog might decide that right in the middle of your beautiful love story is the perfect time for a very enthusiastic scratch.
And honestly?
I'm comfortable working with those moments.
If your little one wants to wander over and stand beside us, that's fine by me.
If we need to pause for a moment while someone settles, no worries.
And if something unexpectedly hilarious happens?
There's a good chance we'll all have a laugh together.
Because I'm not interested in creating a ceremony that feels so tightly controlled that everyone is terrified of something going wrong.
I want you to feel relaxed.
I want your family to feel welcome.
And I want the experience to feel genuinely yours.
Your Wedding. Your Family. Your Rules.
At the end of the day, your wedding ceremony should reflect the people and relationships that matter most to you.
For some couples, that means having their children standing proudly beside them.
For others, it's their beloved dog trotting down the aisle.
For some, it's both.
And for others, it's enjoying a beautiful ceremony with just the two of them at the centre of it all.
Every one of those choices is absolutely fine by me.
My job is to help you create a ceremony that feels comfortable, personal and true to who you are.
And if that happens to include a few unpredictable little humans or an overly enthusiastic four-legged guest?
Bring it on.
Happy planning.
Ryan.
