
Photo: Carly Mac Photography
One isn’t surprised to see a best man at a wedding, but don’t forget about including a good boy! (or girl). Since 2018, Doggy Social helps wedding couples include their favorite family members—their dogs—in some or all the events of the day.
Wedding days are full of love—and logistics. Adding in the unpredictability of a dog at the event might be a bit problematic, but that doesn’t seem to deter a lot of couples. “Dogs are family,” founder of Doggy Social Lara Leinen says. “They’re our children, and they’re really special.
“My pet was my best friend throughout my 20s and 30s,” the Plymouth resident says. “I thought it would be really special to include my fur baby in my wedding, but I wasn’t going to put that responsibility on friends or family.” Unfortunately, Leinen couldn’t find a service to help facilitate her wish. That experience ignited her idea to open Doggy Social, so other couples can enjoy having their dogs play a role in their ceremony, photography sessions and receptions.
Doggy Social’s trained pet attendants take care of getting the dogs right where they need to be, including out for a potty stop or away for a quick kibble take five. While Doggy Social assists throughout the event, it also aids in getting the dogs to and from the venues and can provide boarding services, which can include overnight dog sitting in the clients’ home.
Some dogs are more capable than others when it comes to taking on special ceremony roles. While some pets can walk down an aisle with ease as a ring bearer or flower pup and are focused and not easily distracted, others are just the opposite. No worries here. “We meet dogs where they’re at,” Leinen says.
And speaking of meeting, since it launched, Doggy Social has worked with more than 500 dogs, starting in Minnesota and serving Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, South Dakota and Wisconsin. While the business could expand even more, Leinen has stipulations. “I’ve said no franchising,” she says. “I really want to make sure our service meets my expectations, and I can’t do that with a franchise.”
If you think you’re heard it all, consider this: In special instances, dogs can serve as wedding witnesses. (They sign with inked paws.) “Your pet can be a witness in Colorado,” Leinen says. “While it’s not yet allowed in Minnesota, it’s coming.”
Sharing the Spotlight
Katie Nelson and Nathan Hoffman of Osseo have owned Rosie, a golden retriever, since she was a puppy. “We thought about including Rosie when we were planning our wedding,” Hoffman says. “If we brought her for photos, who would take care of her the rest of the day?” Fortunately, Nelson found Doggy Social, which offered the services they needed.
Come the wedding day, Rosie posed for family photos, walked down the aisle, nailed her ring-bearer role and even attended the reception for a bit. And yes, her big day featured a couple outfit changes, including a custom-designed floral collar for the wedding and a bowtie for the reception.
Doggy Social Wedding
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