Can you involve your pet in a marriage proposal? How about including your dog in a proposal and turning a special moment into something that involved the whole family, including the four-legged members? Pet proposals are hugely popular in the Instagram age, and you’ll see plenty of gorgeous photos involving a partner on one knee with a faithful pooch by their side, sharing the moment.
They’re a part of our lives, as important to us as any other family member. Our pets share our ups and downs; they love us unconditionally and make us happy with a single look, a purr, or a wag of the tail. So it’s only fair that they should play a role in one of the most critical moments of our lives – a proposal. The growing trend of including pets in weddings and engagements has really caught on in recent years, reflecting the love we have not just for each other but also for our pets.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how you can create the perfect pet proposal. We’ll give you a list of creative ways you can include your furry friend, and talk about the best ways to touch your loved one’s heart with a dog proposal or, if you’re a cat person, a cat proposal. And if you don’t have a dog or cat, we’ll look at other pets too, after all, they’re just as much a part of the family.
We’ll also talk about the best ways to make it a stress-free situation for your pet, how to choose the correct location, and how to make sure Fido doesn’t end up eating the ring!
Why are pet proposals so popular?
For many people, pets are one of the true constants in their lives. No matter how bad things get, your pet is always at your side. So that representation of unity, continuation, and unquestioning love and devotion is exactly what you want to convey in a marriage proposal.
The emotional connection many couples have with their pets is also often seen as part of the love story, and recent surveys have found that up to 21% of couples include their pet at some stage of their engagement or wedding journey. From ring bearers to the central player in a romantic photoshoot, pet proposals are here to stay.
What’s your pet’s personality?
Your pet’s personality will have a significant influence on how you plan a pet proposal and will also determine the role they play in proceedings. Is your pup outgoing and gregarious, or are they the stay-at-home, curled up in front of a log fire type? Does your cat happily tolerate you dressing them up, or are they the more independently-minded type of moggy?
Taking your pet’s personality into account can help you decide which kind of proposal to go with and how to include them in your plans.
Training your pet
If you have a plan where your dog is the ring bearer at the wedding ceremony or your cat proposal involves your kitty making the perfect entrance, a little bit of training might be in order. Some pets do well when it comes to learning new tricks, and even old dogs can learn a new trick for a special occasion. If your dog picks up commands easily, you can work with them to introduce a new element into your proposal, and guarantee to melt the heart of your partner in the process.
However, if your pet gets super-stressed by a change in routine, you may need to think twice about how you involve them in the whole process. If they’re a rescue pet, they may want to be with you rather than actively participate in proceedings, which they may find overstimulating and stressful.
Ways to include your pet in your wedding proposal
Once you’ve decided what role your dog in a proposal is going to play, or have managed to persuade your cat to play ball with your plans, it’s time to think about how you want to make them a part of the proceedings. Here’s our top pick of ways to include your pets in your special moment.
Walkies! With a twist
Your pup needs their walk, so why not turn it into a trail that leads to a special spot? Let pup take the lead (literally) and guide your partner to a predetermined location where you’re ready to pop the question. It’s the perfect ruse – after all, your partner thinks it’s just another walk in the park, but you and the dog know different. If there’s champagne and chocolates involved, don’t forget some doggy-friendly treats for the pup, as chocolate can make them very sick.
A trail of pawprints
This works well in a garden setting. If you have a pathway to a quiet part of your garden, why not make some paw prints that lead your partner along to your special spot, which has naturally already been set up for the special moment? You can use a stencil to avoid getting any paint on your pup’s paws, but make sure the dog is at the end, wagging their tail and ready to greet you and your partner.
Collar proposals
These are an absolute favourite for pet proposals and can be used whether you have a dog or a cat. Order a custom bandana or collar with the message on it (there are companies online that will print your proposal onto a collar), such as “Will you marry my human?” When your partner bends down to attach a lead before walking the dog or to see the cat’s new gorgeous collar, they’ll see the message, turn around, and there you are with the ring and a smile. You can add an extra accessory with a collar that says, “They said yes!” for the post-proposal pictures.
Our top tip: Let your pet try the new collar before the big day so they can get used to it. You can also make sure it’s not too tight or likely to catch on anything, which could cause an issue or harm your pet.
A pet’s eye view of the marriage
Tiny cameras are easily fitted to collars these days, and they’re just the thing for giving a “pet’s-eye” view of the ceremony. Whether it’s a proposal or the walk down the aisle, a pet camera captures a unique perspective of the moment.
Fetch!
This one takes a little bit of planning and training. Dogs love to play fetch, so getting them to chase after a new toy is easy enough. This works well in a garden where the dog is familiar with the layout. Pop your engagement ring into a sealed pouch: do not use loose rings that your dog could swallow! It’s vital that it’s completely secure and not easily swallowed by your pup to avoid a trip to the vets. Place it in a position that you’ve previously trained your dog to go to when you give the ‘Fetch!’ command. The dog comes running back with the pouch in its mouth, your partner opens it, and you have your magic moment all set up, thanks to a cleverly planned dog proposal.
A talking pet proposal
This method works well with nervous dogs or for a cat proposal. Film your pet and add your own voice-over as if it’s the pet talking. A bit of clever editing lets you get creative, for example, cats are well known for knocking things off tables with their paws. You could reverse the film, have them scoop the ring into shot, then pop the question.
The ring bearer
If you want to include your pet in your wedding, why not make them the ring bearer? A specially made cushion that fits onto a harness lets your favourite four-legged friend carry the rings down the aisle. This is best for chilled-out pups who don’t get overstimulated easily.
A beach proposal
Taking the dog for a walk along the beach is the ideal excuse to lead your partner to a location that’s already been prepared with champagne, a blanket, and, if you time it right, a sunset proposal that includes all three of you.
A scavenger hunt with a twist
Set up a trail of treats and clues for your partner and pup that leads them towards the final reveal, a treat for your dog and a surprise for your partner – an engagement ring. Just make sure your dog doesn’t get to the treats first.
The clothes say it all
If your dog (or cat) is okay with wearing outfits, have one made that reads “Will you marry my human?” and let them do the proposing for you!
Puppy post
Train your dog to bring your partner the mail in the morning, and your partner will think it’s a cute new trick your dog has learned. Add a love letter to the bundle and let your dog deliver your message to your partner in the sweetest way possible.
What about other animals?
Not everyone has cats or dogs so a proposal may involve other animals. Rabbits are a great addition to a wedding proposal, especially around Easter. You could tie the ring to a ribbon and pop it around your bunny’s neck (making sure that it’s safe for the animal at all times), and let your bunny hop over to your partner.
Another suggestion, which works with all kinds of other pets, is to arrange a professional photoshoot of your animal, then, at the right moment, pop up a message asking for your partner’s hand in marriage.
Birds are often associated with love, and many form bonds for life. If you have birds as pets, you can include them in the proposal by teaching your parrot to pop the question for you. Canaries and songbirds can also play a part in the wedding ceremony, adding their own unique soundtrack to the proceedings.
Pet proposal preparation tips
We’ve already talked earlier about your pet’s personality and how much of an influence it will have when you’re planning a pet proposal. Not all pets enjoy stimulation and should never be forced. Here are a few other considerations to keep in mind when including any animal in your plans, whether it’s as a sweet little ring bearer or just present on the big day.
Insuring your engagement ring
If your pet proposal has gone off without a hitch, congratulations! But life isn’t always a bed of roses, and precious items like engagement rings can be lost, stolen or damaged. It might not be the most important consideration on your mind at the time, but protecting your financial investment is crucial. Replacing or having a damaged ring repaired can be costly.
For over 120 years, TH March has been providing specialist insurance for your most precious items, including engagement rings. We love the idea of a dog proposal to turn that magical moment into something even more special, but nobody likes the idea of spending out even more money on a replacement ring if yours is lost. Our engagement ring insurance provides affordable protection. You can find out more by browsing our Ring Insurance page, or contact us direct using our online form for an instant, no-obligation quote today.