Pet Friendly Weddings in the Southern Highlands: Bringing Your Dog to Your Wedding

For many couples, the guest list doesn’t feel quite complete without the dog.

Pets are part of the family, so it makes sense that more couples are looking for ways to include them in their wedding day. Whether that means walking down the aisle, joining you for photographs or simply being nearby while everyone celebrates, having your dog at your wedding can make the day feel even more personal.

At Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat in Mittagong, we’re fortunate to be both a pet friendly accommodation property and a Southern Highlands wedding venue, making it easier for couples to include their four-legged family members in the celebration. Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat

Why bring your dog to your wedding?

Anyone who has a much-loved dog knows they tend to find their way into most parts of family life. Your wedding doesn’t necessarily need to be different.

Some couples choose to have their dog walk down the aisle with a member of the wedding party, while others simply bring them out for photographs after the ceremony. They don’t need to be involved all day to still feel like an important part of it.

There’s also something particularly lovely about having professional photographs with your dog. Wedding photography captures the people, places and relationships that matter to you, and for many couples their pet is very much part of that story.

Fitzroy Inn’s wedding grounds include five acres of gardens, century-old oak trees, lawns, a garden gazebo, pond and weir, giving couples plenty of outdoor spaces where their dog can be included in photographs. Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat

A dog sitter or wedding pet concierge can make it much easier

Of course, including your dog in your wedding doesn’t mean you want to be responsible for them throughout the entire day.

One increasingly practical option is to organise a dog sitter or wedding pet concierge.

They can look after walks, feeding and settling your dog, bring them to the ceremony or photographs at the right time and then take them somewhere quieter when they have had enough excitement.

It means your dog can be part of the day without you wondering who is holding the lead while you exchange vows or who is looking after them during dinner.

For many couples, it is the best of both worlds: their dog is included in the parts of the wedding that matter, while someone else takes care of the practical side.

A pet friendly wedding venue in the Southern Highlands

Choosing the right venue makes having pets at weddings much easier.

Fitzroy Inn is a heritage-listed historic retreat in Mittagong surrounded by five acres of gardens. Couples can celebrate among the lawns, century-old oaks and tranquil grounds, with several settings available for ceremonies, photographs and receptions. Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat

Because the gardens, wedding spaces and accommodation are together on the same property, there is much less moving around during the day.

Rather than transporting your dog between a ceremony location, photography location and accommodation, they can remain close by and join you when it suits.

This can be particularly helpful if you have organised a sitter who can take your dog back to your room after the ceremony or photographs.

Stay with your dog after the wedding

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a pet friendly wedding venue with accommodation is that your dog doesn’t necessarily have to disappear home once the ceremony is finished.

Fitzroy Inn offers pet-friendly accommodation, with several suites specifically listing pets as welcome. The Inn's current pet policy requires pets to remain on a lead around the property and to be supervised, and a pet fee applies. Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat

That can make the whole wedding weekend feel much more relaxed.

Your dog can arrive with you, settle into the property, be included in parts of the wedding and still be there the following morning.

It is also useful for guests travelling with pets who might otherwise struggle to find suitable accommodation close to the venue.

Should you have your dog at your wedding?

It really depends on your dog.

Some dogs love meeting people and will happily wander down the aisle or pose for photographs. Others may be more comfortable making a short appearance before heading somewhere quiet with their sitter.

It is worth thinking about crowds, noise, other dogs, unfamiliar surroundings and how long your pet is comfortable being around activity.

Having a sitter or pet concierge gives you much more flexibility. Your dog can join you for the enjoyable parts without having to spend hours surrounded by people once they are ready for a rest.

The idea is not simply to have your dog at your wedding because you can. It is about finding a way for them to be included that works for both you and them.

Planning a pet friendly wedding in the Southern Highlands?

If bringing your dog to your wedding matters to you, it is worth asking about pet policies early when choosing a venue.

Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat combines a historic Southern Highlands wedding venue, five acres of gardens and on-site pet-friendly accommodation in one location in Mittagong. Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat

For couples who would rather not leave a much-loved member of the family behind, that can make planning the day considerably easier.

You can learn more about weddings at Fitzroy Inn or explore our pet friendly accommodation in the Southern Highlands when planning your stay.