Planning to bring your dog with you on your elopement day? This blog is for you!

Welcome, I’m Jenna! I’m an adventure elopement photographer. I love animals and can’t wait to have my own dog one day. Until then, I love dog sitting for family and friends and taking them for hikes every chance I get! I know dogs are more than just a pet, they are a part of your family and I want to make sure they are a part of your elopement day!

Bringing your dog along means a little extra planning and preparation to make sure we can include them – but don’t worry, you’re in the right place!

How to plan an elopement with your dog

Step 1 – Choose a dog friendly location

• Georgia is a dog friendly state and a lot of  hikes in Georgia are dog friendly! It is important to keep your dog leashed at all times. There are a few hikes at popular state parks that have metal stairs that are not great for dogs. It is important to check if hikes are dog-friendly before you go. Since Georgia stays a more mild temperature year round, most restaurants offer almost year-round outdoor seating making bringing your pups out about easy! Reach out to your photographer if you are unsure if dogs are allowed or not!

Step 2 – Choose a dog friendly stay

• You can filter your VRBO or airbnb search by stays that allow dogs to assist in narrowing down a stay! VRBO is typically recommended over airbnb since airbnb has restrictions on events and gatherings. 

Step 3 – Choose a dog friendly ceremony location

• Once you choose the location you are going to stay in, start figuring out where you might want to say your vows and make sure it is dog friendly! If you plan on eloping with your dog in Georgia, feel free to reach out for location ideas!

Step 4 – Plan dog friendly adventures!

• What does your dog love doing?! If that’s running around the woods and exploring all the smells of nature, let’s go for a hike! If they love to swim, let’s have your ceremony at the lake! If there are specific adventures or parts of your day that you don’t want your dog to be a part of, that’s perfectly fine, but let’s start planning ahead. Think about bringing a friend or hiring a family member to grab your pup from you!

Step 5 – Consider any training your pups might need

• One way to help decrease any stress or anxiety of bringing your pups along on the big day is to practice! If you want them to pose for pictures, practice your sit and stay commands. 
• I also always recommend bringing along their favorite treats and some toys so your dogs can stay busy and you can focus on you and your partner! This will help to minimize stress, and ensure the day isn’t all about making sure your pup behaves!

• No matter how much we plan, nothing can be planned perfectly especially when bringing pups along. Keep your expectations in check, and know that there will be bumps with the planning, and just roll with it!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Can I elope with a dog in Georgia?
  • Yes, there are dog friendly locations you can choose for your ceremony. Not all State Parks and National Forests are dog friendly so it’s important to research your location ahead of time, or talk with someone who knows the ins and outs of elopements (like me!)!
• Is Georgia dog friendly?
  • Yes! There are plenty of hikes, lakes, overlooks, and waterfall adventures for you to take your pup on! A lot of the local towns are also dog friendly and there is lots of outdoor seating available at restaurants for you to bring your pup along!

Ready to start planning your elopement?!

I can’t wait to help plan your elopement day with your pups! Check out my Georgia Elopement Photographer page here to get started!