Why Your Dog Belongs at Your Wedding In Steamboat Springs Colorado (And How to Make It Seamless)
Guest Blog By: Perrie with Steamboat Pets
There are a million components to your Colorado mountain wedding, all important and unique to you, but it can get a bit intricate. Your pet, an important part of your family and your life, deserves their place and as much care as every other detail. Steamboat Pets and La Joya Dulce have dialed in the details and care of this special element!
Photo Credit: Garner & CO Photography
Picture this:
Your closest family and friends are gathered in the stunning mountain setting of La Joya Dulce to celebrate your love story. The person you're about to marry is by your side as the photographer is capturing every moment, and then – there's that familiar tail wagging as your dog greets you with pure joy. This is your family, complete and present for the most important day of your life.
Your dog has been part of your relationship journey from lazy Sunday mornings to hiking adventures in the Rockies. They'll be in your married life, so why not in your wedding? Weddings are about bringing together the people who matter most, and your truest self includes your four-legged companion.
Did you know in Colorado most counties let your dog be a witness on your marriage license? Check out the details here: Marriage License 101: Everything you need to know about your marriage license for your destination wedding in Colorado
Photo Credit: Ski The Day
Mountain venues like La Joya Dulce naturally welcome the inclusion of beloved pets – there's something about the natural setting that makes their presence feel perfectly authentic rather than forced. Many couples find that once they really consider it, they can't imagine starting their married life without their dog present for this milestone moment. The question isn't whether to include them, but how to make their presence as seamless and stress-free as the rest of your perfectly planned day.
Photo Credit: Callie Riesling
Those Magical Moments You'll Treasure Forever
Guest Arrival Magic - That feeling when a dog greets you? Irreplaceable. Dogs naturally break the ice and create conversation in ways you can't plan for. A well-handled dog becomes an instant conversation starter as guests arrive, creating those candid photo opportunities and genuine joy that are pure gold.
Photo Credit: We The Light Photography
Flexible Ceremony Participation - Some couples include their dogs in the ceremony itself, others prefer them for photos only. Professional handlers work with your preferences and your dog's comfort level to create the perfect experience. The mountain backdrop at La Joya Dulce creates stunning opportunities either way, whether your dog is part of the processional or waiting nearby for post-ceremony celebrations.
Photo Opportunities - The combination of La Joya Dulce's breathtaking mountain setting and your beloved dog creates engagement-style shots that you'll treasure forever. These aren't just "wedding photos with the dog" – they're family portraits that actually include your whole family. The natural lighting and stunning backdrop make these images feel timeless and authentic.
Photo Credit: Gillespie Photography
The "Seamless" Part – How Professional Handling Works
The magic of professional dog handling is that you won't even notice the logistics happening behind the scenes. While you're focused on getting ready and celebrating, an experienced handler manages every detail of your dog's day.
Before You Even Think About It - Professional transport brings your dog from your home/rental/hotel to the venue, with arrival timing perfectly coordinated with your wedding schedule. Your dog gets time to settle in and acclimate to the new environment before any of the main events begin. This means when you arrive for photos, they're calm, comfortable, and ready to be part of your special moments.
Photo Credit: Hazel and Lace
During Your Celebration
The handler works seamlessly with the venue and your photographer to ensure perfect shots without you having to direct or manage anything. Before your wedding day, we'll work with you to understand your dog's specific temperament, preferences, and needs through a detailed questionnaire. This means we arrive prepared with the right treats, leash, harness or collar setup, and any special items that help your dog feel secure. We monitor your dog's body language and energy levels throughout the day, knowing exactly when they might need water, a bathroom break, or some quiet time.
Guest interactions are managed professionally, ensuring positive experiences while keeping your dog comfortable and safe. Mountain conditions require special attention, and experienced handlers come prepared with weather-appropriate gear and backup plans for Colorado's changing conditions.
Photo Credit: Weddings by Carue
Addressing the "What Ifs"
"What if they're disruptive during the ceremony?" - Let's be honest – dogs can bark, get excited, or become unsettled in new environments. Professional handlers are trained to monitor your dog closely and anticipate challenges before they happen, but we're also prepared for the unexpected. If your dog does become disruptive during a ceremony, we're ready to spring into action and quickly remove them from the setting while minimizing any interruption to your special moment. We work hard to get ahead of potential issues through careful preparation, but transparency is important – we plan for all scenarios so you can feel confident knowing we're prepared to handle whatever happens.
"What if guests are uncomfortable or allergic?" - Clear communication about pet presence in your invitations allows guests to prepare accordingly. Professional handlers ensure respectful boundaries are maintained, with designated areas and managed interactions. The goal is always positive experiences for both your dog and your guests.
"What if mountain weather doesn't cooperate?" - This is where local expertise and a close partnership with the venue makes all the difference. Handlers are familiar with Colorado mountain conditions and come prepared for any weather scenario with appropriate gear and are in the loop on indoor/outdoor plans. Your dog's comfort and safety are prioritized regardless of what Mother Nature decides to do.
"What if it's just too much to manage?" - That's exactly why professional handling exists. You manage nothing – you simply enjoy the moments. The entire point is to remove any stress or logistics from your plate so you can be fully present for your wedding day.
Photo Credit: Walker & Son Photography
Creating Those Picture-Perfect Moments
Photographer Collaboration That Works - On your wedding day, we work as partners with your photographer to ensure seamless coordination around your shot list and preferred timing for including your dog. We understand how photographers work and can quickly adapt to their style and needs, whether they want your dog positioned for a specific shot or need us to step back for candid moments. Our goal is to act as fellow vendors creating the best possible experience – we handle your dog's positioning, attention, and comfort so your photographer can focus entirely on capturing those magical moments. The result? Natural, genuine photos where your dog looks relaxed and happy, integrated beautifully into your wedding story.
Photo Credit: Rachel Case Photography
Why La Joya Dulce Is Perfect for Dogs
The expansive mountain setting gives your dog room to be comfortable while still being part of your celebration. Unlike cramped indoor venues, there's space for your dog to have quiet moments away from crowds when needed, plus stunning natural backdrops that make every photo look effortless. The venue's familiarity with pet-inclusive weddings means your other vendors – from your coordinator to your caterer – know how to work seamlessly around your four-legged family member.
Getting the Timing Just Right - We work within your established wedding timeline and take steps to ensure your dog is at their best when photo time arrives. This might look like giving your dog a long walk before arriving at the venue so they're more settled during photos, or arriving early so they have time to acclimate to La Joya Dulce's environment and feel comfortable before the camera comes out. We understand your wedding schedule is set – our job is to prepare your dog to seamlessly fit into those planned moments, ensuring they're relaxed and ready when it's time for those treasured family portraits.
Photot Credit: Pixel Studio Photography
Your Complete Wedding Story
Having your dog present isn't just about the photos (though they'll be incredible), it's about authenticity, completeness, and celebrating your love story with everyone who's been part of it.
When you choose La Joya Dulce and Steamboat Pets, you're partnering with a team that understands the importance of including every family member in your celebration. Together, we're co-creators of your perfect wedding day – the venue providing the stunning mountain backdrop and experienced coordination, while the dog handler ensures your furry family member is comfortable, happy, and perfectly positioned for those once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Ready to include your furry family member in your La Joya Dulce wedding? Contact Steamboat Pets to discuss how we can make their presence as seamless and beautiful as the rest of your perfect day.
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Steamboat Pets provides professional wedding-day dog handling and pet care services throughout Steamboat Springs and Routt County. Our Fear Free certified team specializes in creating stress-free experiences that allow couples to include their beloved pets in their wedding celebrations. Contact us at perrie@steamboatpets.com or 970.236.8005 to start planning the perfect day for your entire family. Click here to learn more about our wedding-day services.
Photo Credit: Bultedaob Photography
about la joya dulce
At la joya dulce, we are proud in being an independently owned and operated, local wedding venue. When you choose la joya dulce in Steamboat Springs, you're not just booking a venue—you're working directly with the owners, who are dedicated to making your day perfect. You are not just a transaction to us - you become a member of our ranch family. We’re committed to creating memories and intentional moments for you and your family. We believe in supporting our community, which is why we collaborate with other independently-owned venues and businesses.
We also believe in being the “real deal.” Our photos that are shared by our wonderful photographers are the real deal - there is no AI involved in their creation. Come take a look for yourself - the reality is often better than the photos!
We hope to use our platform to create awareness for the value of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can help support amazing locally owned wedding venues across the country by writing a Google review, following their social media accounts and referring locally owned wedding venues whenever you have the opportunity. We appreciate your support and want to share a shout out to some of our wedding venue owner colleagues around the country. Please consider a locally owned venue!
Cornerstone Ranch Events, SpringHaus Farm, Adler Ranch, Cakes Rock!, and The Venue @ 112