Today, we're overjoyed to introduce you to Bark Wedding Date Co.! If you've been dreaming of including your furry friend in your wedding but aren't quite sure how to make it happen, Bark Wedding Date Co. has got you covered. This unique and incredible company is the perfect solution. They'll take care of your pup every step of the way, from bringing them to your wedding to ensuring they're safely back home. With their deep love for dogs and dedication to making your special day unforgettable, you can rest assured that your beloved furry friend will be in the best hands. Keep reading to discover more about what they have to offer!
Photo: Xandra Photography
Who are you, what you do, who you serve?
My name is Jamie McKim, I am a multi-certified professional dog trainer and behaviour consultant and the owner of Bark Wedding Date Co Bark is a day-of wedding canine coordination service! We know that our dogs are a part of the family, and having them at events that are special to us is important. We help our clients say “yes” to a day of no-dog-stress by helping ensure their furry family member gets to attend their big day… but in a way that is conducive with low-stress, and good vibes!
What services do you offer?
We offer an array of services to cater to every dog’s needs! Our services start with a base package that includes transportation to and from the venue, up to three hours of assistance, photography assistance, timeline coordination/assistance leading up to the wedding, and a pre-wedding walk before the big day so that their pup has a chance to meet us!
In addition to that we also offer add on services such as engagement shoot assistance, overnight/extended evening stay options, additional walks for extra relationship building for dogs who need a bit of extra time warming up to their date, and an exclusive wedding wear line!
We also offer discounted training services through Candor Canine Co to all of our wedding couples if they want to work on certain behaviours leading up to the wedding (leash skills to help walking down the aisle, engagement during photos, etc).
Photo: Brit Higgins Photography
How did you get started in the wedding industry, and what inspired you to start Bark Wedding Date Co.?
Bark actually started because I got engaged right before the pandemic! I was looking for options on how to have my dogs be a part of the wedding, and I realized there was a big gap in the industry. At the time, there were no other businesses offering this service, and I figured there would be more people in the same boat as me! With already having 6+ years in the dog behaviour space, I thought that it was the perfect addition to my canine behaviour and lifestyles business!
I found that a lot of the time we find a strong need to have our dogs be a part of special moments because they are such a big part of our lives… but unfortunately that can be very overwhelming for some dogs - which is something that is easily overlooked or missed in the hustle and bustle of big events such as weddings, or if someone isn’t familiar with reading dog’s body language or looking for stress signals. I wanted to fill the gap that I saw in the industry, but I wanted to do that with the main focus on being the emotional well-being of the dog, and ensuring that if they are attending the wedding, that it is an enjoyable time for them as well by having someone who’s sole focus is on reading their body language, mitigating stress, and conditioning positive experiences!
What do you enjoy most about working in the wedding industry and service couples on their day?
I absolutely love how supporting everyone in the wedding industry has been! Every time I work with other vendors, or am a part of a wedding event, everyone is always so kind and welcoming!
My absolute faaaaaavourite part of serving couples on the day is the way that people’s faces light up when they see their dogs! I usually try to plan a small moment for couples to greet their dogs right after the ceremony to celebrate and those moments always have a special space in my heart!
Photo: Xandra Photography
What do you believe is the most important consideration when couples are choosing to include their dogs in their wedding?
Without a doubt - is your dog going to be comfortable. Not all dogs are comfortable in such a wild social space as a wedding… and that’s okay! It’s so so important that we aren’t putting our need to have them be a part of the wedding over our dog’s emotional wellbeing. There are tons of ways that we can still help incorporate them into the wedding without having them physically there if your dog is fearful in large groups or of people.
Having them part of just photos rather than the ceremony, or working them into your decor (I had a big cardboard cut out of my reactive dog’s face that made it’s way to the dance floor haha) are all great ways to do this!
What is the ideal timeline for couples to book your service in advance to your wedding day?
I always say the sooner the better! We do have a team of 7 currently so thankfully we do tend to have some good availability, however we do have a one person to one dog policy, so availability gets scooped up fast for weddings with multiple dogs! I find generally, most couples will book about 1 year - 6 months before the big day!
I usually recommend reaching out to book once you’ve secured your date and venue to ensure it is dog friendly!
What is the best piece of advice you would offer to couples planning their wedding?
Best piece of advice, go into it with an open mind! Weddings have a lot of moving pieces, and dogs can be unpredictable! It’s important to have an open mind with how your pup will be a part of the day to ensure they are feeling comfortable throughout based on how they are feeling in the moment!
Can you share your favorite wedding trend or design idea that you're currently excited about?
I absolutely love all the dog-themed decor! Whether it be a feature cocktail named after your pup, or a little dog cake topper… I am absolutely living for it all!
Photo: Kelsie O Photography
How do you stand out?
I think that the experience, education, and credentials that I have built are definitely a big part of why people trust us with their furry family members! Unfortunately the dog industry is completely unregulated… this means that anyone can start a service regardless of experience or education. I’ve always had continued education being at the forefront of the business to ensure we are able to provide clients with the best experience possible!
We are also a force-free service, and help to ensure couple’s dogs are handled using stress and fear-free training techniques!
Anything else you would like to mention?
We absolutely adore dogs of all ages, breeds, sizes, and personalities! While we try to accommodate our services for every dog, we always need to put your dog’s needs ahead of everything else.
Dogs who exhibit reactive or aggressive behaviours towards people unfortunately may not be comfortable to attend a wedding… and that’s okay! We can still help brainstorm ways to help you incorporate your pup into your big day without putting them in a stressful or dangerous situation!
Photo: Xandra Photography
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