A Paw-sitive Dog-Friendly Wedding
Pets are as much a part of the family as anyone that walks on two legs, and Sparrow Creek Ranch provides the dog-friendly wedding venue North Texas needs. After all, you would never exclude a beloved human from your wedding day—why would you leave your fur baby at home?
The team at Sparrow Creek Ranch understands that being a pet-owner is a big part of who you are—both as an individual, and as a couple. Weddings are all about highlighting the things that are most important to you and that make your relationship special, and if your pet is one of those things, you need to find a dog-friendly wedding venue. Colt and Kayla knew they had to include their precious pup in their Sparrow Creek Ranch wedding celebration, and we were so excited to make that happen.
An integral part of the wedding party!
BRIDE’S REIVEW
My husband and I got married at SCR in December and I cannot say enough good things about it. First off, Kalli is the best! Before booking and during the whole planning process, she was so helpful and responded very quickly with any questions I had. Kevin and Allen were also SO helpful! From all of our random questions, to helping move big items last minute, they had it covered. We had our ceremony at The Grove in front of the barn and it was so beautiful.
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My dog has seizures, so we were worried about being away from her so long, but she stayed by my side the whole day. From getting ready, standing on stage during the ceremony, to dancing with everyone at the reception - she had the best time!
We got SO many compliments and people still talk about how beautiful the venue was to this day. I still get so sad knowing it’s all over.. It truly was a dream come true, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to get married. Sparrow Creek will always hold a special place in my heart ❤️ I’m thinking we just might have to go back to renew our vows!
The proud pup was involved in every part of the wedding celebration, starting with making sure his owner was dressed and ready!
The bride was stunning in a classic V-neck lace gown and a romantic updo. Earth tones with accents of claret formed the color palette for this Sparrow Creek Ranch wedding: burgundy gowns for the bridesmaids, tan vests for the groomsmen, and gorgeous bouquets featuring an assortment of dark wine, lilac, and fawn tones. Jeans for the groomsmen and a custom embellished denim jacket for the bride kept the atmosphere informal and full of personality. Their handsome pup wore a bandanna—he came close to stealing the show!
Planning for your wedding is crucial, especially when you throw pets into the mix. Sparrow Creek Ranch’s online wedding planner helps to organize your thoughts, reduce your stress, and keep your focus on friendship and family (and fur babies!). Kayla took advantage of this service and was a big fan of how easy it made the process. “Being that I didn’t know what to expect with planning, I thought it was all SO helpful. From the day-of timeline to all of the questions—there were some things I wouldn’t have thought of. I wish I would have reached out to you more with any questions I had [about] all things wedding-related, because you seem very knowledgeable!”
Kayla and Colt’s pup was so excited to be part of their special day!
Since Kayla and Colt weren’t from the area, they chose favorite local vendors recommended by Sparrow Creek Ranch during the planning process. The catering was by Dos Leones and Southern Girl Catering, music was provided by DJ Ken Cheezie, and their gorgeous images were taken by Mandy Lorraine Photography.
“I, truthfully, don’t think there’s anything you could do to make the process easier [or] better,” Kayla said. “Everything was literally so perfect, and I am beyond happy with how everything went. I am still in shock with how smoothly everything turned out. I am SO sad it’s all over now. From the bottom of my heart, I could not have imagined a better venue for us to get married at. You can see all of the hard work that y’all put into it every day and it’s just amazing. I’ve always dreamed of building and running my own wedding venue and after looking at old photos and seeing everything y’all have accomplished with this place, I just don’t have words—it’s incredible and makes me want to go for my dream even more.”
Thanks so much, Kayla! We loved hosting your dog-friendly wedding here at Sparrow Creek Ranch!
Tips from Sparrow Creek Ranch for a Dog-Friendly Wedding
If, like Kayla and Colt, you want to include your pup in your preparations, here are some ideas for a dog-friendly North Texas wedding!
First, of course, you need to book a pet-friendly wedding venue—like Sparrow Creek Ranch! You need to make sure beforehand that the venue is comfortable accommodating pets.
Make sure everyone involved in the wedding knows that your dogs are going to be a part of your day, just so they can be prepared (and in case of any allergies!). The celebrant, photographer, and wedding party in particular need to be comfortable with your pup.
Decide on your pet’s role! Are they going to walk you down the aisle, or be a ring bearer (make sure you attach the ring securely to a pillow or box on their collar)? They could even be part of your first dance!
You’re getting your hair and makeup done, of course, but you need to make sure your furry friend is looking their best, too. Trim their nails, brush their teeth, and groom their fur! Once they’re perfectly groomed, it’s time to decide if they need an outfit. Some pets won’t tolerate wearing anything, so do a trial run beforehand to find out what they’re comfortable with. You can try a tutu, a flower collar, a bow tie, or even a tiny tux! Kayla and Colt’s pup wore a cute bandanna.
If you want specific pictures with your pet, add them to the shot list for your photographer! As you can see in Kayla and Colt’s pictures, dogs can add so much charm and happiness to a wedding photograph.
Bring a human handler who can make sure your pet is safe and happy during what is sure to be a long (if exciting!) day. Although you will want to spend time with your pet, of course, there will also be times during your wedding day, particularly the ceremony, when you need to keep distractions to a minimum. Your handler can make sure your pet is calm, happy, and has enough food and water. In Texas, particularly, your pet needs to be comfortable in the heat, and your handler can find them some shade from the heat and lots of water. They should also carry treats—lots of them. Your pet will need rewards for a job well done. Last but not least, they can carry the poop bags—the last thing you need to be dealing with, especially in a white gown!
You might want to consider eliminating any foods that aren’t safe for dogs from your menu, just in case your furry friend goes begging. Grapes and chocolate, for example, are toxic to dogs. Many companies make special dog-safe cakes, too, if you want to give your pet a special treat alongside your own wedding cake!
Speaking of which, check that the flowers used in your arrangements are non-toxic, too, if your dog is prone to nibbling on things. Flowers in the lily family, for example, are poisonous.
Set aside some time to spend with your furbaby, just the three of you. Your day will be action-packed, but those quiet moments spent with loved ones during all the excitement make for special memories.
Assign someone to take your dog home when their job is done. No matter how energetic and social your pet, by the end of a long and exciting day they will probably be over-stimulated and ready to be in a familiar environment again!
And last but not least, if your dog happens to be on the shy or nervous side, there are still ways to incorporate them into your wedding without having them physically present. If you’ve decided on a cake topper representing the two of you, you could include a miniature dog—either custom-made, or a toy of the correct breed. You could also create ‘doggy bags’ of party favors for your guests with a paw print or a likeness of your pet on the front, or include a picture of your pet on the wedding invitations.
W.C. Fields famously said, ‘Never work with children or animals.’ Here at Sparrow Creek Ranch, however, we disagree, and love working with both! You do, however, need to accept that pets bring an element of unpredictability to the celebration (which can be magical and make for some unexpected joyful moments!). A dog-friendly wedding venue like Sparrow Creek Ranch will help you plan as carefully as possible to ensure both that your pet is happy, and that there is minimal disruption to the important parts of the day.
ENJOY A FEW MORE OF OUR FAVORITES FROM THIS FUN WEDDING DAY!
