There’s truly nothing better than having your furry friend by your side on your big day! Cue Doggy Social, a growing company that provides professional wedding pet attendant services for all of MN and beyond.

Combining her love for animals and passion for weddings is owner Lara Leinen's dream come true! With her 10+ years experience in planning and coordinating creative weddings, her professional yet kind-hearted demeanor and her ability to quickly build trusted relationships with animals of all types make her the perfect wedding pet attendant! We asked her a few questions to give us a PAWfect glimpse of who they are and what they do!

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DOGGY SOCIAL (for those who don’t already know)!

“We are an all-inclusive and custom Pet Wedding Attendant Service serving MN, WI and beyond. We chauffeur your pup to the wedding, help them throughout the day with pictures, visiting, the ceremony, social hour and get them safely home, all while giving them all our love and care while you and your friends are enjoying the day. We essentially eliminate any concerns you may have with having your pup there for a little or as long as you like. We are also fully insured, have our current Pet CPR certification, will build a custom Pinterest board fur your pup for pic and attire ideas, provide a complimentary leash and collar set as well as take a few behind the scenes pics of your pup that we send to you the week after your wedding as you are waiting for your paw-mazing professional pics from your photographer!”

Photo Credit: Russell Heeter Photography

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START THIS AMAZING BUSINESS?

“I had been a wedding planner fur years and stepped away to explore other opportunities, but realized how truly happy it made me to help create a pawfect day fur a couple, so I started a blog of helpful wedding planning advice. While doing this, I adopted my pup, Asbjorn, and he completely turned my life right side up! He inspired me to not only spend more time with him during my days, but also combine my passion fur weddings and love of animals! I honestly didn't know how many people would be interested in having their animals involved in their weddings, but I knew I wanted to provide the service to anyone that did and I knew, if I could be great at anything, I just knew this had to be it. I didn't have my pup yet when I got married, but I really wanted a pic of my cat and me, but I never said one word to anyone. This pic never happened, because who was going to help? I don't want another person to miss this super sweet opportunity again!”

DO YOU OFFER SERVICES FOR OTHER ANIMALS AS WELL?

“Oh yes! We have attended a kitty and I think we may have bunnies next year! I am very excited to be asked about other fur-babes!”

WHAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE WAY THAT YOU’VE SEEN A PET INCORPORATED INTO A COUPLE’S WEDDING DAY?

“Every single wedding is so unique because it's a genuine and personal connection that the couple has with their fur-babes. It really is so incredible to be a part of! It is fun when the pup stays fur social hour. Guests just saw your sweet pup go down the aisle and now they can say hi as they enjoy a drink...honestly, best social hour ever! We also have chauffeured pups adventuring around the city meeting up with the couple and the photographer as they take fun pics together! A big part of our job is to help your photographer capture those pawfect moments and we have learned SO much from photographers on how to best help them and the pups during photos.”

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU SHARE WITH ENGAGED COUPLES WHO WANT TO INCLUDE THEIR PUP IN THEIR WEDDING?

“First of all, don't immediately shut down the idea because it seems like too much to deal with, we really do help figure all that out and gladly take care of it all on your Big Day. Also, if your pups don't do well with lots of people, we can easily bring them to you fur a few adorable moments and pics with them in an intimate setting with your photographer and then bring them right back home. This way it's not overwhelming fur your pup and you get those precious moments with them. Also, I have found that when pups are just a little tired from the day, they do a little bit better during the ceremony. So, have them get a good run in, or social time before the ceremony, which we absolutely can do with your pup!”

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WEDDING DAY LOOK LIKE FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

“They are all a little or a lot different from each other, but typically, and in short, we bring your pup the ceremony site for photos before the ceremony, help set them up fur the ceremony and then usually take them home fur the night. We make sure they are fed, had time to go out once again and usually they are ready to sleep away the evening at that point!”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

“Well, your pups. We absolutely love, respect and adore all animals, so we take great pride in having the honor of being responsible fur them on your Big Day. Seeing the love between the couple and their pup brings me to tears a little every single time, I am even getting a little teary-eyed right now as I write this thinking of my most recent weddings. Your friends and family LOVE that your fur-babe is there as well and we love providing a service that allows them all to fully enjoy your pup being there without any of the responsibility. Funny enough, the hardest part of the job is also your pup, because leaving them at the end of the day is SO hard!”

Vendor Feature Q&A: Doggy Social