When you’re planning a wedding and your dog is part of the family, choosing the right venue can make a huge difference.

It’s not just about whether a venue allows dogs. As a wedding dog chaperone, I look at the whole experience:

• Where can your dog have a proper walk?

• Is there somewhere quiet for them to rest?

• How easy is it to move between different parts of the day?

• And can they be involved without becoming overwhelmed?

Over the time I’ve been working as a wedding dog chaperone, I’ve had the pleasure of working at some beautiful Yorkshire wedding venues. Each one is completely different, but they all have something that makes them particularly enjoyable when a four-legged family member is part of the day.

Here are some of the venues I’ve worked at and what makes them work so well for dogs.

Lodge Farm Weddings, Cundall

Lodge Farm is a beautiful barn wedding venue in the North Yorkshire countryside, set within a 150-acre estate. The venue combines historic barns with countryside, woodland and plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces.

 For a dog, one of my favourite things about Lodge Farm is the woodland walk. Having somewhere nearby where a dog can stretch their legs and have a proper sniff is invaluable on a busy wedding day.   It also means we can build a walk into their schedule before things get busy, helping them arrive at the ceremony feeling settled rather than full of energy.

 The venue has several different spaces throughout the day, including the ceremony barn, courtyard and reception spaces.

That actually makes having a dog chaperone particularly useful here. I can make sure your dog gets to be part of those important moments, has time for a walk, and is then safely taken home or to their overnight care rather than you having to worry about what happens once the meal begins.

Hackness Grange

Hackness Grange is one of those venues where having your dog involved can work beautifully.

Set within 17 acres of grounds, the venue offers both indoor and outdoor ceremony options, as well as accommodation on site.  From a dog chaperone's point of view, the space and flexibility are huge advantages.

A wedding day can be a lot for a dog. There are unfamiliar people, music, food, photographs and lots of excitement. Having plenty of outdoor space means I can take your dog away from the crowds for a walk or some quiet time whenever they need it.  And then there is the on-site accommodation which is pet friendly, this means I can take your dog back to a room to get them dressed in their outfit or for a quick rest stop and for a dog who needs a little break during the day, being able to take them back to a room for some downtime can be brilliant. They can have a drink, a rest and a little reset before deciding whether they're ready to join the celebrations again.

Victoria Hall, Saltaire

There is something particularly special about having a wedding in the heart of Saltaire.  Victoria Hall is a Grade II listed building, originally opened in 1871, and sits within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire. It offers a beautiful historic setting for a wedding, while being right in the middle of the village.

But what makes it particularly good from a dog chaperoning perspective is what is right outside the venue.   Just a short walk away you have Roberts Park and the canal, giving us some lovely options for getting your dog outside for a walk.  This is especially useful when your dog has been involved in the ceremony or photographs and needs a break from the excitement.   Rather than simply finding somewhere to stand outside, we can actually head off for a proper walk, giving them the opportunity to sniff, explore and decompress.

It's also a lovely setting for photographs. Saltaire itself provides such a distinctive backdrop, while the park and canal offer something completely different from the historic architecture of the Hall.

The Priests House, Bolton Abbey

The Priests House is a truly unique wedding setting, sitting in the shadows of the ruins of Barden Tower within the Bolton Abbey Estate. The Grade I listed venue has a beautiful historic character and views across the surrounding Yorkshire Dales countryside.

For a dog at a wedding, however, one of the things I particularly love is having a separate space where they can settle.  The barn provides somewhere away from the main action where a dog can have some quiet time.  Not every dog wants to be at the centre of every part of a wedding. Some are perfectly happy walking down the aisle, having a few photographs and saying hello to everyone.   There is also the beautiful landscape around the Priests House that is perfect for exploring before and after their involvement in the wedding.

The Tithe Barn, Bolton Abbey

The Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey is a spectacular setting.  The Grade II listed barn dates back to the early 16th century and overlooks the Priory ruins, River Wharfe and Stepping Stones.

For me, one of the biggest advantages for dogs is the location.  You're right in the heart of the Bolton Abbey Estate, which means there are fantastic opportunities to get outside with your dog.

A walk to Bolton Abbey can be a lovely way to start the day or to give your dog a break between parts of the wedding.

Then there is the barn itself.   It's a huge, open-plan space, which can work really well for dogs, equally, having such a large venue means we can find a quieter area when your dog needs a break.  It's a venue where you can really build your dog's involvement around the day rather than trying to squeeze them into it.

The Grand Lodge at Oaklands

If your dog is happiest surrounded by nature, Oaklands is a pretty special setting.

The Grand Lodge sits within 200 acres of woodland beside a picturesque lake, with indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces and accommodation set within the woodland.

For a dog chaperone, that amount of outdoor space is a dream.  There are woodland surroundings, open areas and lakeside scenery, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to get outside throughout the day.

And because there is accommodation on site, your dog can potentially remain close to the wedding celebrations while still having somewhere away from the main party to relax.

The Grand Lodge itself has a really lovely connection with the surrounding landscape, with large outdoor spaces providing opportunities for photographs and quiet moments away from the main celebrations.

For dogs who love exploring, sniffing and being outside, Oaklands offers something very different from a traditional hotel or urban wedding venue.

Sandburn Hall

Sandburn Hall is another venue where the surroundings make life much easier when your dog is part of the wedding.  The venue is set within 1,000 acres of Yorkshire countryside, surrounded by lakes and woodland. It offers both indoor and outdoor ceremony options, including the Rose Garden and Grand Hall.  The venue has places for a quite moment for your dog inbetween all the excitement too. Making Sandburn Hall a great location for a dog friendly wedding.

There are also dog-friendly rooms at the hotel, with some Lake Rooms having their own private terraces leading directly into the grounds.  From a dog chaperone's perspective, this is fantastic.

If your dog needs a break, we're not looking for somewhere to go, the outdoors is right there.

What Makes a Venue Great for Dogs?

A beautiful venue is important, but for me the best venues for dogs are those where we can easily:

• Get outside for a proper walk

• Find somewhere quiet for a break

• Keep your dog close without having them involved in every moment

• Move easily between the ceremony, photographs and reception

• Give them time to decompress when the excitement gets too much

• Build their needs around the timings of your wedding day

And that's exactly where having a wedding dog chaperone can make such a difference.

You get to enjoy your wedding day knowing your dog is being looked after, while your dog gets to be part of the moments that matter most.

After all, they're part of the family. They deserve to enjoy the wedding too. 🐾

Email me to chat about how I can be your dogs plus one at your wedding love to help. Get in touch to chat about our wedding dog chaperone package