If you or your partner have a pet that is just as much a part of the family as your own siblings, you probably want to include them in the ceremony. This should be pretty simple to accomplish, especially if he/she is easy to train and well-behaved. In no time at all, your dog or cat will be trotting down the aisle in their Sunday best, eliciting “oohs” and “ahs” from the wedding guests.

There are a few different ways in which you can integrate your special pup in the nuptials. If your dog or cat is a bit younger, you may want to consider having the ring-bearer and or flower girl walk him/her. Even if you trust that your pooch is disciplined enough to cross the aisle without a leash, keep it on one just in case. You can't chance your canine running loose at the ceremony venue. There are very few dogs who wouldn't get excited over the sight of a bird or squirrel; and if you're having the wedding outdoors this situation could be difficult to prevent.

Think about the ceremony. Will the dog sit patiently during the exchanging of the vows, or should you keep him on a leash? Appoint an older child or family member to sit with the dog during the observance so that you can be ensured that nothing will go amiss. The worst thing you can do: put the responsibility of the dog or cat in the hands of the 4-year-old flower girl.

Dressing up the pets is a must. A tuxedo with matching bow looks especially cute on smaller animals. When looking for ideal pet attire, make sure that your dog or cat can move inside it easily. You don't want your dog to be jumping around at the party, but you also don't want him so stiff that he can barely lay down. A great solution is buying a jeweled harness or collar with an attached bag for the rings. This will still look beautiful and give your pet room to move around.

Make sure that the dog is given enough time between eating and the wedding to relieve him/herself prior to the ceremony. While your pet popping a squat in the middle of the walkway will induce some hearty chuckles from the guests, it will be awful for the bride and bridal party to have to step over and around it. Most dogs digest their food within 2-3 hours; be especially cautious and feed them 5 hours before the ceremony.

While it's cute to bring your pet to the ceremony, it's quite another to have it running around the reception hall. Make sure that there is someone standing by who can take the dog back to a house so as not to become a burden on you during the post-wedding festivities. You may be able to bring your precious pooch to an outdoor reception venue, but if your dog is a: barker, begger, or jumper – you may be taking on more than you can handle. Your guests will be in dressed up in gowns and suits, and nobody wants to have to deal with dog slobber or animal hair!

These are a few things to think about when it comes to pets and weddings. For more information on fancy bridal wear for animals, check out Lola Parker Couture, www.myuptownpooch.com, or www.pamperedpuppy.com.