Dog Wedding Attendant Service Christchurch
Include Your Dog in Your Wedding
Your Four-Legged Family Member Deserves to Be Part of Your Special Day
Why Choose VIPets as Your Wedding Pet Attendant in Christchurch?
After ten years caring for Christchurch’s most treasured pets, we understand that your dog isn’t just a pet – they’re family. Our wedding day pet care service combines professional expertise with the same loving, one-on-one attention that has made VIPets the trusted choice for pet parents throughout Christchurch.
What Makes the VIPets’ Professional Dog Wedding Attendant Service Different:
- Over 10 Years of Professional Pet Care Experience in Christchurch
- Pet First Aid Certified: for complete peace of mind
- Fully Insured: to meet venue requirements
- Professional Dog Photography Expertise: I can work with your photographer to ensure the best possible photography
Christchurch Dog Wedding Attendant Services
Complete Wedding Day Care for Your Dog in Christchurch
Pre-Wedding Preparation:
- Personalised consultation to understand your dog’s needs and temperament
- Venue coordination to ensure pet-friendly arrangements
- Custom timeline planning integrated with your wedding coordinator
- Practice runs for nervous pups at your venue (if permitted)
On The Day Services:
- Safe, comfortable transportation to and from your venue in air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional grooming and styling in wedding attire
- Regular feeding, hydration, and potty breaks throughout the day
- Calm, quiet rest space when your dog needs downtime
- Expert aisle escorting and ceremony participation
- Professional photo assistance including coordination with your photographer and videographer
- Reception supervision and care
Post-Wedding Options:
- Safe return home with settling-in care
- Overnight pet sitting available
- Next-day care while you enjoy your first day as newlyweds
Perfect for Christchurch Weddings Across All Venues
Whether you’re celebrating at Riccarton House, The Old Vicarage, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, on Sumner beach or a private property in the Waimakariri District, VIPets ensures seamless coordination with your chosen venue. We handle all venue liaisons regarding pet policies and requirements.
How Your Dog Can Participate in Your Christchurch Wedding
Your dog can be involved as much or as little as you’d like:
- Ring bearer or flower dog walking down the aisle
- Standing with you during the ceremony
- Special appearance for first look photos
- Featured in bridal party photos
- Greeting guests at the reception
- Quick cameo appearance then comfortable downtime
We customise every detail based on your dog’s personality, energy level, and comfort. If your dog is reactive, anxious, or simply better suited to a brief appearance, we’ll create a plan that prioritises their wellbeing while capturing those precious moments you’ll treasure forever.
Dog Wedding Attendant Pricing Christchurch - An Investment in Your Perfect Day
Every wedding is unique, and so is every dog. That’s why VIPets creates customised wedding day care tailored to your celebration, your timeline, and your furry family member’s specific needs.
Whether your dog is walking down the aisle, posing for first-look photos, or celebrating through cocktail hour, we’ll design a service package that fits your vision perfectly.
How Our Pricing Works
Our wedding pet attendant pricing is based on three simple components:
- Service Time: Hourly charge for professional care and coordination
- Travel: Distance-based fee from our Christchurch base
- Add-On Services: Optional extras to enhance your dog’s wedding day experience
You’ll receive a custom quote based on your wedding date, location, timeline, and the specific services you’d like to include.
Base Pricing Structure
- Minimum Booking: $250 per wedding
This includes the time, preparation, and care required to make your dog’s participation seamless and stress-free. Includes pickup and safe transportation to the venue then return journey (mileage fee additional), a walk to calm pre-wedding jitters, and up to two hours coordination on-site. - Service Rate Over 2 Hours: $50 per hour (per dog)
Includes all essential care, vendor coordination, professional photography coordination, and our signature VIPets premium attention. - Additional Dog: $30 per hour
Each additional dog from the same household receives the same dedicated care with coordinated handling. - Travel Fee: $1.50 per kilometre (return journey)
Calculated from our Christchurch base. Minimum travel charge: $40.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Wedding Attendant Services Christchurch
What is a wedding pet attendant?
Why do I need a wedding pet attendant? Can't a friend or family member do this?
What services does VIPets provide on wedding days?
VIPets provides complete wedding day care including: safe round-trip transportation in air-conditioned vehicle, pre-wedding consultation and custom timeline planning, feeding and hydration throughout the day, regular potty breaks and clean-up, professional grooming and styling in wedding attire, expert aisle escorting and ceremony participation, coordination with your photographer and wedding planner, photo assistance to capture picture-perfect moments, 20+ professional photos from your dog’s point of view, quiet rest space when your dog needs downtime, and continuous care tailored to your dog’s personality and needs.
Do you only work with dogs, or can you care for other pets?
While we specialize in dogs and have the most experience with canine wedding attendants, we’re happy to discuss care for cats, rabbits, or other beloved pets. Every animal is different, so contact us to chat about your specific furry (or feathered!) friend and how we can include them in your special day.
How far in advance should I book your wedding pet attendant service?
We recommend booking 6-9 months in advance for summer weddings (December-March in Christchurch, our peak season) and 3-6 months for winter weddings. Popular wedding dates fill quickly, especially at venues like Riccarton House, The Old Vicarage, and Christchurch Botanic Gardens. If you’re booking less than 6 weeks before your wedding, contact us immediately—we may have availability, though a rush booking fee applies.
What happens during the pre-wedding consultation?
After you book, we’ll schedule a consultation 3-4 weeks before your wedding date. This is when we meet you and your dog, discuss your wedding timeline, understand your dog’s personality and needs, coordinate with your other vendors, create a custom “pup-tinerary” for the day, and address any concerns about reactive, anxious, or nervous behaviour. If your dog is nervous around new people, we can meet multiple times to build trust and comfort.
Can you coordinate with my wedding planner and photographer?
Absolutely! Coordination with your wedding vendors is included in every package. We’ll communicate with your wedding planner to understand the timeline, work with your photographer to ensure perfect shots, check in with your venue about pet policies and logistics, and coordinate with any other relevant vendors. This ensures everyone is on the same page and your dog’s participation is seamless.
What if my venue doesn't allow dogs?
Many Christchurch venues have specific pet policies, and some don’t allow dogs during the reception or meal service. We’re solution-focused and will work with you and your venue to find creative ways to include your dog. Common solutions include having your dog attend the ceremony and photos only, arranging for photos at a nearby location before or after the ceremony, or planning a separate first-look session at a pet-friendly location. We’ll help you navigate venue restrictions while still creating those precious memories.
What does my dog's wedding day timeline look like?
Every wedding is unique, but here’s a typical schedule: We arrive at your home/hotel for pickup (usually 1-2 hours before ceremony), provide pre-ceremony grooming and styling, transport your dog to the venue, allow time for your dog to explore and settle in, coordinate getting-ready or first-look photos if desired, assist with ceremony participation (aisle walk, standing with you, etc.), supervise during cocktail hour or reception (as allowed), provide regular potty breaks, feeding, and rest periods throughout, and return your dog home when their participation is complete. We customize this timeline based on your preferences and your dog’s needs.
How do you handle transportation?
Safe, comfortable transportation is included in all our packages. Your dog travels in our air-conditioned vehicle with secure restraints (either a safety harness or comfortable crate, depending on your dog’s preference). We allow extra time before and after transport so your dog isn’t rushed. GPS tracking is included so you know exactly where your dog is at all times. Travel is calculated from our Christchurch base with a minimum $40 fee plus $1.20 per kilometre for the return journey.
What if my dog gets overwhelmed or anxious during the wedding?
Your dog’s wellbeing is our absolute priority. We’re able to read canine body language and recognise signs of stress, anxiety, or overstimulation. We always create a quiet, comfortable space where your dog can retreat and decompress if needed—away from the noise and crowds. If your dog shows signs of being overwhelmed, we’ll text you to keep you informed and may recommend a shorter participation time. We’ll never force a dog to stay in a situation where they’re uncomfortable.
Can my dog walk down the aisle?
Yes! Aisle escorting is one of our specialties. We practice the aisle walk before guests arrive so your dog can familiarize themselves with the space. We use treats, toys, and positive reinforcement to encourage your dog down the aisle. We’re experienced with even the most distracted dogs! However, we always have a backup plan – if your dog is too excited, nervous, or distracted on the day, we’ll discuss alternatives like meeting you at the altar or participating in photos only.
What happens if my dog has an accident or gets dirty?
We come fully prepared! We bring clean-up supplies, extra towels, stain remover, and grooming tools. If your dog has a potty accident, gets muddy paws, or needs freshening up, we handle it immediately and discreetly. We also bring backup attire if needed. This is all part of our service – you’ll never be bothered with these logistics on your wedding day.
Can you handle reactive or anxious dogs?
Absolutely – this is one of VIPets’ specialties! With over 10 years of professional experience, we use science-based counter-conditioning and desensitisation techniques. We’ll create a customised care plan during your consultation that respects your dog’s boundaries and triggers. Many reactive dogs do beautifully at weddings with proper handling, a good plan, and an experienced handler who understands their needs. We may recommend pre-wedding training sessions to prepare your dog for the crowd, noise, and excitement.
What if I have multiple dogs?
We love multi-dog families! Each additional dog receives dedicated care, and for multiple dogs we ensure appropriate handler coverage. Depending on your dogs’ sizes, temperaments, and needs, we may assign a second handler (included in the additional dog fee). Each dog gets individual attention, and we coordinate their participation based on their personalities. Some may walk together, while others do better separately.
How much does a wedding pet attendant cost in Christchurch?
Our pricing is based on time and travel, with a $250 minimum booking to ensure we can dedicate proper preparation and care. The service rate is $50 per hour (per dog), plus an additional $30 per hour for a second dog from the same household. Travel is $1.50 per kilometre (return journey) with a $40 minimum. Most weddings range from $400-700 depending on hours needed and location. See our pricing page for detailed examples and optional add-ons, or contact us for a custom quote based on your specific wedding.
What's your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Your booking deposit of $150 is non-refundable as it secures your exclusive wedding date and covers preparation time. If you need to reschedule your wedding due to unforeseen circumstances, we’ll do our absolute best to accommodate your new date (subject to availability). The remaining balance is due 2 weeks before your wedding date. If your wedding is cancelled, any payments beyond the deposit can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! For bookings over $500, we’re happy to create a payment schedule that works with your wedding budget. Many couples prefer to spread payments across several months leading up to their wedding. Contact us to discuss your preferred payment arrangement.
Are you insured?
Yes, VIPets is fully insured, meeting all requirements for Christchurch wedding venues. We carry comprehensive liability insurance and can provide a Certificate of Insurance to your venue or wedding planner upon request. We’re also Pet First Aid certified for your complete peace of mind.
Will my professional photographer get good shots of my dog?
Absolutely! We work closely with your photographer to ensure they capture beautiful moments with your dog. We use treats, toys, and attention-getting techniques to help your dog look at the camera. We coordinate timing so your photographer never misses key moments. We handle your dog’s positioning and behavior so your photographer can focus on composition and lighting. Many photographers tell us that having a professional pet handler makes their job significantly easier—and results in much better photos!
What happens after the ceremony?
After the ceremony, we have several options depending on your preferences: your dog can attend cocktail hour to greet guests, we can take your dog to a quiet area to rest during cocktail hour/dinner, we can return your dog home to relax for the rest of the day, or we can provide overnight pet sitting if you’d like care through your wedding night. Many couples opt for their dog to participate in ceremony and photos, then go home for a well-deserved rest while the celebration continues.
Can my dog be in the bridal party?
Absolutely! Dogs can serve as “Dog of Honor,” “Best Dog,” ring bearer (decorative ring box attached to collar), flower dog, or special escort for family members walking down the aisle. We’ll help you determine the best role based on your dog’s personality and your wedding vision. We practice their role during our consultation so they know what to expect.
How do I prepare my dog for the wedding?
How do I prepare my dog for the wedding?
