Embrace Your Pet in Marriage ceremony Photographs with Nicole Ettenhofer

We get recommendations on tips on how to get cute marriage ceremony pictures together with your pet from Nicole Ettenhofer, VP of Progress and Technique and George Road Picture–along with concepts for these pets who simply will not need to be concerned.

By Zazie Todd PhD

Watch the most recent episode of The Pawsitive Submit in Dialog beneath or on Youtube, pay attention beneath or through your favorite podcast app, or learn a transcript of the highlights beneath.

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embrace your pet in your marriage ceremony pictures

Zazie and
Kristi communicate to Nicole Ettenhofer, VP of Progress and Technique at George Road
Picture & Video, about pet-friendly methods to get cute marriage ceremony pictures together with your
pet.

As individuals
more and more think about pets to be a part of the household, they need to contain them
of their marriage ceremony. So what you may you do to be sure you get some nice pictures
that embrace the pet, with out overwhelming them? We start with a private story
from Nicole that may have you ever tearing up in a great way, and which reveals you
can belief her tricks to be pet-friendly.

A marriage is
a giant occasion and most pets aren’t used to huge gatherings, so we get Nicole’s
recommendations on the preparation that folks ought to do prematurely of the celebration. A
pet handler will help to ensure issues go easily, and we speak concerning the
type of issues they need to do.

Pets can
play a variety of roles in a marriage, from being the ring-bearer to easily
making a quick look. We think about the perfect methods to contain them and tips on how to
take the pet’s persona into consideration. Nicole has concepts for getting your pet
to cooperate with having their photograph taken, however she additionally reminds us to make the
most of these cute moments when the pet does one thing surprising—usually these
unplanned moments could make the perfect pictures.

And though
you would possibly assume that we’re speaking solely about canines, cats and larger animals
like horses and llamas additionally get a point out.

Lastly, we
speak concerning the books we’re studying.

Present Notes

About Nicole Ettenhofer

Nicole Ettenhofer is the VP of Progress & Technique for George Road Picture & Video, a nationwide marriage ceremony photograph and video firm based mostly in Chicago, IL with expertise serving 1000’s of shoppers and providing greatest in high quality marriage ceremony protection at an reasonably priced value. With over a decade of expertise within the marriage ceremony trade, Nicole is an professional in marriage ceremony developments and {couples} images and has helped the corporate obtain accolades comparable to The Knot’s Better of Weddings yearly from 2020-2024, The Knot’s Better of Weddings Corridor of Fame for the corporate’s dedication to high quality and worth and WeddingWire’s {Couples}’ Selection 2024. Earlier than becoming a member of George Road, Nicole served as a thought chief throughout the occasion and hospitality trade for over 20 years. As for her private life, Nicole resides close to Denver, CO along with her husband and two canines and is an avid climbing fanatic.

About George Road Picture & Video

Established in 2004, George Road Picture & Video was based to make marriage ceremony and engagement images extra accessible and private. With 20 years of expertise documenting love tales, George Road is an award-winning firm that pairs marriage ceremony planners and {couples} with best-in-class photographers and videographers nationwide. George Road prides itself on its customized strategy, offering photojournalistic marriage ceremony and engagement content material and digital customer support help so shoppers can really feel assured going into their huge day. The corporate has obtained many accolades comparable to The Knot’s Better of Weddings yearly from 2020-2024, The Knot’s Better of Weddings Corridor of Fame for the corporate’s dedication to high quality and worth and WeddingWire’s {Couples}’ Selection 2024. To be taught extra, go to www.georgestreetphoto.com. 

The books on this episode

This web page incorporates affiliate hyperlinks which suggests I’ll earn a fee on qualifying purchases without charge to you.

These are the books we suggest on this episode:

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Knowledge, Scientific Data and the Teachings of Crops by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Within a Canine: What Canines See, Scent, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz.

The Emotional Lives of Animals (revised): A Main Scientist Explores Animal Pleasure, Sorrow, and Empathy–and Why They Matter by Marc Bekoff.

Days on the Morisaki Bookshop: A Novel by Satoshi Yagisawa, trans. Eric Ozawa.

The books can be found from all good bookstores. 

Be aware that you would be able to hear Marc Bekoff speaking about The Emotional Lives of Animals at Bark! Fest, the net guide competition for animal lovers, in September. And you can too hear him on a panel with fellow authors Cat Warren and Zazie Todd on the competition. 

Getting marriage ceremony pictures together with your pet: The highlights

Zazie: We have got a really thrilling visitor as we speak as a result of we’re speaking to Nicole Ettenhofer about involving pets in your marriage ceremony pictures. So this can be a actually improbable matter. And Nicole Ettenhoefer is the VP of Progress and Technique for George Road Picture and Video, which is a nationwide US marriage ceremony photograph and video firm based mostly in Chicago, Illinois. And he or she has expertise serving 1000’s of shoppers and providing greatest in high quality marriage ceremony protection at an reasonably priced value. And George Road believes that pets are cherished family members and together with them in marriage ceremony celebrations provides an additional layer of pleasure and emotional connection on the massive day. And naturally, we agree very a lot with that. 

Nicole additionally has over a decade of expertise within the marriage ceremony trade and she or he’s an professional in marriage ceremony developments. So as we speak she’s going to share her ideas for together with pets in marriage ceremony pictures and I am unable to wait to listen to them. However Nicole, I imagine you’ve got a private story about your individual pet as effectively that explains how you bought concerned on this.

Nicole: Sure, I do. So I used to be married fairly a number of years in the past and it was essential to me. My 100 pound Rottweiler, Estelle was her title. I had her as I used to be single and she or he was an enormous a part of my life. And he or she was additionally petrified of cameras. And so it was a should have to have her as of the marriage. However I needed to be actually strategic on what I used to be going to do, which is why I really like sharing the tales and the tricks to actually assist individuals as a result of there are such a lot of methods to incorporate your pet with out having to have them be there or they may very well be a part of it not directly for you. 

And so with Estelle, she was petrified of the digital camera. So I needed to decide after I was going to have her be on the marriage ceremony. In the course of the preparing, we made certain that the cameras had been utterly down in the course of the occasions when she was round me, so we’d always have her out and in. We had been capable of catch a glimpse of her from the video from afar. And it is one in every of my most cherished movies as a result of it is the one one which I’ve along with her in all of my time being along with her, and I had her for over seven years, so that’s such a cherished second. 

After which additionally in the course of the time for dinner, we made certain that Estelle made a visitor look. I requested our photographers and videographer and all of our visitors, please put down your telephones. Please put down any cameras. And we had her come and do some tour and go to. After which we introduced when she was off the property so that everybody may then pull up their cameras as soon as once more. 

But it surely’s actually being strategic, being artistic. What makes essentially the most sense for you and your pet is de facto vital whenever you’re bringing them into your huge day.

Zazie: Yeah, that is such a stunning story, and that is so considerate to consider what she would want and the way, you recognize, what can be one of the best ways to include her within the marriage ceremony in order that she may nonetheless be there and nonetheless really feel protected. I feel that is stunning. Do you suppose there’s an rising pattern for individuals to incorporate pets of their weddings?

Nicole: Completely. And, you recognize, increasingly more, everybody desires them to be a part of it. They’re a part of the household, as I do know all of us agree, and they also’re a part of the household, and they also undoubtedly need them to be a part of their special occasion.

Kristi: Earlier than I soar in with my first query, I simply needed to say about your story, that I adore it that you simply advocated in your canine together with your visitors as effectively. I feel that is as, like, a canine coach, that simply warms my coronary heart that you’re simply very clear. I used to be like, you recognize, I need everyone to place their telephones down as a result of this scares my canine. In order that was stunning.

Nicole: Thanks, Kristi.

Kristi: So whenever you’re speaking with individuals who need their pets to be concerned with their marriage ceremony, and I perceive you would be doing this sort of dialog beforehand, what sort of preparation are you recommending individuals do with their pets?

Nicole: Effectively, initially, asking the questions of, you recognize, what’s greatest in your pet. So, you recognize, at first, if they’re very social beings and they’re good with many people and crowds, they usually’ve been a part of crowds. However that is additionally the important thing, too. Typically a pet might have been part of a smaller group but when you are going to have 100 individuals at your marriage ceremony, has your canine skilled that bigger group? So actually fascinated with how does your canine work together with people? How does your canine work together throughout aggravating occasions? How does your canine work together in these moments? So actually understanding their persona. 

After which additionally with the bride and groom or couple, bride and bride, groom and groom, ensuring that everybody actually thinks about what’s greatest for them. So in case you are a person the place it is actually vital to you that you’ve a whole management of all the things, chances are you’ll not need to embrace your canine as a result of your canine might not comply with these good directions that you prefer to them to comply with on that day, as a result of it is such a nuanced day for them. It is not the norm, it is out of their consolation zone. So additionally being aware of that. In order that’s at first simply what is smart for all concerned.

Zazie: Yeah, I like that. And that is a great level, that the pet would not actually know what’s occurring. All people else is getting ready for it a very long time prematurely, however the pet has no thought what is going on on and it’s extremely completely different from their norm. So do you suppose it is a good suggestion to have a handler for the pet on the day? And what sorts of issues would a handler do?

Nicole: I might say that it is extraordinarily vital to have a handler. With the handler, you may have a buddy, a member of the family, however you can too rent somebody as effectively. And hiring somebody is perhaps the perfect alternative for you, as a result of that method you do not have to fret about your buddy or your loved ones not having the ability to be a part of a selected time. 

And that handler must be absolutely devoted to your pet. That is what their function is for the day. In order that method you may make it possible for the consolation of your pet is being thought of each single second. If the canine is feeling snug, if it’s time for a meal, time for a snack, perhaps they only want a little bit break. The handler can be there to assist help them in the course of the day. As a result of as you recognize, as a pair, you don’t essentially need to have that be a part of your day. So having somebody devoted is vital. For those who do, if you cannot afford to have somebody skilled or a buddy of a buddy of a member of the family, someone who perhaps would not be on the marriage ceremony that day, that is one other different as effectively. However ensuring that your pet is tended to 100% of the time.

Kristi:  I’ve truly seen in a few of our canine coach teams, a few of our colleagues, Zazie and I, colleagues saying, oh, you recognize, I’ve a cherished shopper who I actually adore, they usually’re getting married, they usually need me to deal with for his or her canine. And I simply suppose, oh, it is such a beautiful factor, you recognize, for our colleagues who actually, as a result of usually we actually like our, our shoppers, we hear lots about their lives with their canines, and, you recognize, you get connected. So to have the ability to be there as a part of that celebration, they’re like, ought to I cost? Ought to I do that as a volunteer? ? So I feel it is, it’s extremely cool. And in addition, as, such as you talked about {that a} canine coach can be a great possibility. Canine trainers are excellent at dealing with canines, holding a cool head, you recognize, so I am like, this must be a service that we readily supply.

Nicole: That is an amazing thought, Kristi, you recognize, to have that as an everyday service.

Kristi: Yeah, it is tremendous enjoyable for us. And canine coaching might be type of a tough subject. , you are coping with loads of stress and stuff. So I adore it after I see my colleagues getting the chance to do one thing so joyful and straightforward, in all probability. So what sort of roles can pets take within the marriage ceremony? Like what do you suggest? What have you ever seen?

Nicole: We have seen so many alternative choices, and all are pretty. , that. We have seen them be ring bearers. We have seen seen them be the maid of honor or the canine of honor. We have seen them be the perfect canine or the perfect man. We’ve got seen them simply as a part of the processional of the marriage. 

We have additionally seen some alternate options, too, when the canine cannot be there, and people embrace engagement classes. That is an effective way to check your pet in entrance of a digital camera, as a result of having a digital camera telephone versus cameras, plural, may be very completely different for the canine. It is a very completely different second. So having that be a part of whether or not you could have them on the marriage ceremony or not, having them a part of that engagement session helps. 

And it is all the time enjoyable for the save the date after they have, you recognize, completely different indicators which may say, my people are getting married, save the date; or, you recognize, dad requested, mother mentioned sure. I imply, they’ve all these great, cute indicators that you would be able to both have in entrance of the pet or on the pet as a part of it, and it is actually, actually pretty. 

So engagement classes after which you recognize, like, with Estelle was actually fascinated with, is that this proper, how can I make this proper? If you cannot discover it applicable, then additionally a substitute for that’s, you recognize, we have seen loads of specialty drinks which can be named after the canine. So that they’ll have, like, pictures of the cats and the canine, they usually’re, you recognize, and form of they’re all on show, they usually’ll have one thing named, Fido’s Martini or one thing enjoyable. So actually having the ability to combine your pet that method. 

After which one other enjoyable factor that we have seen is in lieu of any type of social gathering favors, they will make a donation on behalf to a pet group on behalf of the pet. And so there are loads of actually enjoyable methods that you would be able to deliver your pet in, whether or not it is in actual life or another possibility as effectively that is extra appropriate.

Zazie: There are some nice concepts there. I really like these. And truly, we had been despatched some wonderful pictures earlier than this interview, so I’ve seen some completely attractive pictures of pets at weddings, and it included some engagement pictures, too. So at George Road Picture, you are used to doing this a lot of occasions, so you’ve got obtained loads of expertise. What are your ideas for getting pets to cooperate with the pictures?

Nicole: Effectively, I feel the very first thing to recollect is that your pet might not behave in entrance of the digital camera. So, you recognize, being okay with these candid photographs that come organically, such as you simply spending time together with your pet is perhaps a few of your absolute favourite pictures of the day. So remembering that your pet won’t sit superbly with the group of people. So type of remembering that. I am going to go into some ideas in only a second, however simply being okay as a result of, seeing your interactions with the pet and simply the enjoyment in your face in your pet, you recognize, your pet’s face, simply seeing the entire people across the pet, a few of these actually do create essentially the most. So simply being okay with no matter occurs, I feel, is primary. 

After which secondly, although, excessive worth treats. While you’re doing coaching together with your canine, what’s that prime worth deal with that they completely love? My canines love these beef livers, and so that is what I give them. It is hydrated beef liver. And so anytime I’ve a second, so type of be fascinated with that forward of time, chances are you’ll need to have one thing that perhaps you solely give your canine each occasionally. Additionally, take a look at the treats forward when you’re giving them one thing new, since you do not additionally don’t need your pet to really feel in poor health if there’s one thing would not agree with them. So excessive worth treats primary. 

After which toys quantity two. What are their favourite toys? , in the event that they just like the squeaks, in the event that they just like the crinkles or one thing else, no matter that is perhaps. And that is the place you’ll have your handler assist. They might stand behind the photographer with that to attempt to get them to focus towards the digital camera, however that does not all the time work. And keep in mind, that is nonetheless going to be an amazing shot. Proper. As a result of everyone laughing on the pet. 

After which it’s a must to be prepared for something whenever you contain your pets. We’ve got seen some actually splendidly humorous and lovely, and after I say humorous, I imply in essentially the most pretty method, the place the canine is so excited to see dad on the finish of the aisle or mother on the finish of the aisle. And they also go operating towards them versus truly doing the stroll that they observe again and again the day earlier than, the day of. However they only get so excited they usually simply begin going as quick as they’ll towards their favourite human. And so holding that thoughts as effectively.

Kristi: I really like that. I really like the, like, purpose for the products, however be prepared to simply love what occurs it doesn’t matter what. Yeah.

Nicole: It makes a number of the best pictures and the best recollections.

Kristi: Yeah, for certain. So working with canines as you might be conscious, and the truth that you talked about excessive worth treats, I feel Zazie and I each needed to do some dance, like, that is one thing that as canine trainers, these are messages that we would like all canine guardians in all conditions to be fascinated with. So everybody is aware of that working with animals could be a problem generally. And so what ought to individuals do about these occasions when the pet is being unpredictable or is stealing the limelight? I feel you’ve got already type of obtained into this. Like, perhaps simply settle for it and get some nice footage that you will love later. However do you’ve got another recommendation if there’s a problem?

Nicole: Yeah, if there’s a problem it is perhaps that, you recognize, your, your pet would possibly want a little bit break, too. So perhaps, you recognize, decide an alternate second that day the place you are going to get a gaggle shot or when you actually need to shot with the couple and the canines, canine, you recognize, even cat, simply ensuring that, you recognize, perhaps you try this shot not the place you supposed, however perhaps there’s another place. So in case you are you recognize, close to your own home? May you try this? Your yard? May you discover a house that’s away from individuals in order that method they’ve a little bit bit extra consolation versus once more, these giant teams, they’re not likely not used to every day. So ensuring you could find an alternate spot, or an alternate time, like perhaps the canine merely wants a break for a great hour or two, take the nap, is calmed down. 

, I like to make use of licky pads. We all the time suggest these the place you’ve got the pad and you’ll put some meals on it, a little bit deal with, after which, that generally will assist to calm them down. So that you would possibly need to try this for a minute after which come again to attempt to take these pictures. However actually, Kristi, I extremely suggest simply going with the stream as a result of I see 1000’s of marriage ceremony pictures a 12 months, and so many individuals embrace pets. And essentially the most joyful moments of the day generally are when your pets not wonderful. , it is actually pretty.

Zazie: I really like that. I feel a number of the unpredictability of pets is simply what we love about them. So making that part of the special occasion when it simply occurs, I feel that is a extremely good thought. And in addition I really like the way you’re fascinated with the consolation of the pet and what the pet goes to be snug and pleased with, and I feel that is so vital. 

And naturally, generally it is not likely appropriate for a pet to really participate within the marriage ceremony. And you’ve got already mentioned a little bit bit about a number of the different ways in which pets might be concerned. However I questioned when you may speak a bit extra about that as a result of some pets won’t be snug. But additionally you’ve got some animals, and in a number of the pictures that we had been despatched, I noticed some huge animals. I noticed some llamas, I imagine. So some animals like that are not essentially going to have the ability to truly come to the marriage. So additionally fascinated with methods of involving pets who perhaps cannot truly be on the marriage ceremony, what solutions do you’ve got there?

Nicole: That is an amazing query. What you are able to do is you are able to do the pictures forward of really going to any of the ceremonies of the reception or in between these occasions. So perhaps there is a time the place you make a cease at house. Most photographers and videographers are prepared to journey to some areas all through the day. That is normally a part of a pure marriage ceremony package deal. And so that enables so that you can do perhaps preparing photographs. Perhaps there is a second forward of the entire actions the place you meet together with your pets, discovering an alternate location when you’re not capable of be house, when you’re touring someplace, are you staying at an airbnb the place you may go go to the Airbnb? Is there a park that they are snug with the place you may deliver them to the park? Out of doors pictures with pets is de facto pretty. 

Once more, you continue to need to have your handler. You continue to need to have somebody who’s there that can assist you. However having an area park the place you may deliver the pet to that, perhaps that is the place they exit of their day by day stroll, their day by day journey. They know the smells there. And so bringing them to that consolation stage. In case your pet is a horse, for instance, we’ve a lot of these. Then additionally, too, simply going to wherever your pet lives and having pictures that is perhaps in entrance of that. 

I do need to warn, it’s a must to type of be aware of your apparel. So, you recognize, you are all dressed up, and so chances are you’ll have to be okay with a paw print, a footprint, some mud, like, simply type of being aware of all of these issues and planning accordingly. Perhaps, if you will be in a muddy space, ensuring that you would be able to put down some fabric and even towels or a sheet round to type of assist shield the apparel, your sneakers and so forth. After which additionally, you would possibly need to wipe the paws forward as a result of they usually get excited and need to soar on mother or dad. And so simply type of be remembering that your pet’s going to be your pet although it is your marriage ceremony day.

Kristi: They will not essentially perceive the human gravity of a wonderful white gown or whatnot. Yeah.

Nicole: Yeah. And in addition, if I’ll add to it, like with {couples}, it is pure to really feel a little bit anxious and excited on that day, too. And in case your pet is delicate, they are going to really feel that as effectively. So simply type of remembering that, too. Like, to type of take a second to type of be calm as a result of, I keep in mind how excited and nervous I used to be on my marriage ceremony day. It is like remembering to attempt to be as calm as you presumably can whenever you’re approaching your pet as a result of they may sense you as effectively. So simply, once more, going with that stream.

Zazie: Nice. And do you discover many individuals working with the coach? So, pondering of the canines, do you discover that many purchasers work with the canine coach within the run as much as the marriage? Do they do a lot prep in any respect or simply go along with it on the day?

Nicole: A lot of them do rehearsal, and normally with the rehearsal, the coach is there. So it is normally simply the day earlier than a majority of individuals do, however I do truly suggest that they perhaps have like a small social gathering, like deliver the canine, deliver the pet to the rehearsal. Carry the pet to the rehearsal dinner. How does the pet behave? Have the handler depart together with your pet if that is the necessity. Having the canine coach work with you, perhaps having your engagement social gathering, is your pet there, what are they like? Even for part of it. 

In order that method they’re round these bigger teams. Even when you’ve got household events and pals over,  they’re not likely giant events, like a marriage is, or the rehearsals. So giving them a few alternatives to see how do they do, as a result of actually, is the day going to be okay with them is de facto vital. So I like to recommend several types of rehearsals. , many individuals get engaged, 18 months, a 12 months forward, six months forward. So use that point when you’re contemplating to deliver your canine, like, what can I do? Ought to I be bringing them out extra to see how they’re with individuals? Ought to I be bringing them to bigger teams and simply actually making an attempt to see what works for them once more? , there isn’t any have to put them in a aggravating state of affairs.

Kristi: I really like that.

Zazie: I really like that.

Kristi: Yeah, I feel I used to be pondering the identical, my thoughts was happening the identical path that Zazie’s was. And I used to be pondering, I would really like our listeners to know, in the event that they’re new to canine coaching, that loads of the issues that we’ll be asking for canines to do in a marriage state of affairs, like sit for some time whereas we again up and take an image, aren’t pure behaviors, they usually’re not naturally taught in a canine coaching class. And we do not normally do them in our lives. 

Usually after we ask our canine to sit down, we keep actually near them. It is truly not a giant coaching activity to show a canine to sit down and keep whereas we again up and take an image of them, but it surely’s a coaching activity. So that you want a plan. You want some good treats. That you must set a while apart to do this. I not too long ago educated one in every of my canines, I’ve this actually cool tree in my yard that type of grew to the aspect after which up, and I have been coaching my canine to leap up and pose fairly majestically. And simply the quantity of coaching repetition it takes to get her first up there after which up there with me taking one step again after which two steps again after which I can do 5 step again and take an image. 

So if there’s issues in your thoughts, when you’re planning what you need your canine to be doing for these marriage ceremony footage, simply as a heads up, you may prepare your canine to do it, but it surely won’t be on the day of. On the day of, it will likely be all of those improbable administration methods, Nicole, that you’ve got been telling us about, like giving your canine a break, utilizing a licky mat to calm them down, catching them within the second, doing one thing cute, you recognize, like all of this. Or having, you recognize, most canines will readily sit beside somebody that that they know. Not all the time, generally they need to face you. However you may readily prepare these items and it is not exhausting and it’s extremely enjoyable. However simply one thing to contemplate, not that you’ve a thousand different issues to do earlier than your marriage ceremony, however this can be a enjoyable one.

Zazie: Yeah, I feel so. Thanks very a lot for sharing all these improbable ideas for us. Is there the rest that you simply needed to say about involving pets in marriage ceremony pictures, Nicole, earlier than we transfer on?

Nicole: There’s one different vital half, and that’s together with your venue or areas the place you are going to be doing any kind of images or any of the actions all through the day. Ensuring that you simply actually perceive what their pet insurance policies are. Do they permit pets? Perhaps they do not permit them indoors, however they permit them outside. So ensuring that’s a part of your entire planning, in case you are even contemplating your pet being a part of something, ensuring you actually perceive that. And that you simply adjust to that, as a result of once more, you don’t need the stress of that day the place unexpectedly you might be unaware that your canine is unable to come back in and also you had an entire sport plan with that being a part of the exercise. So ensuring that you simply perceive that, asking these questions.

And in addition together with your photographers and videographers, many are snug with pets, however some aren’t. So ensuring you ask that query as effectively if you recognize, even earlier than you recognize for sure in case you are bringing your pet or not. So asking these questions forward with your entire venues and areas and expertise members which can be going to be a part of the day.

Zazie: Good level. So vital to verify. Effectively, thanks for sharing all of those great ideas with us. I feel they have been so helpful to assist individuals get great pictures of their pet as a part of their marriage ceremony or their engagement pictures and so forth. 

This transcript has been flippantly edited for content material and magnificence.

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