How to include your dogs in your elopement (on a budget)

How I Eloped (and Involved My Dogs) — Plus Tips for a Beautiful, Budget-Friendly Wedding with Your Pets

I’ll be honest: our wedding wasn’t the one I imagined growing up — or even the one I imagined a year before. Life changed fast. Health issues arose, we lost friends, and we realized waiting for the “perfect” time wasn’t for us.

My now-husband suggested a courthouse wedding. I wanted something we could look back on with love and not a reminder it was rushed. (No shade to courthouse weddings — they just weren’t me.)

So I broke it down. What mattered most to me?

• A few close friends
• A beautiful, meaningful place
• Our dogs — front and center

And that’s exactly what we did.

We eloped in the mountains, surrounded by trees, love, and our pups. We had no bridal party, no big event, no floral arch or six-tier cake — just joy. Originally, we planned to do a big celebration a year or two later, but after losing our home in the Eaton Fire, all our resources shifted toward rebuilding. And you know what? I have zero regrets.

It was the most us day possible. Total cost: under $2,000.
Here’s how we pulled it off — with plenty of dog involvement and heart.

The Location: Lake Arrowhead, CA

We were living in Altadena at the time, and because of my health, I needed something close and easy. We also both love the mountains — the peace, the trees, the crisp air. Lake Arrowhead felt like the perfect fit for us.

We rented a cozy Airbnb up there — a beautiful cabin that served as both our venue and our lodging. I found a few amazing listings, most of them from the same company, To Dwell Here, and they were incredibly accommodating. I let them know we were eloping, that there’d be six people total (even fewer staying the night), and that our dogs would be part of the celebration.

The Dogs as Witnesses… Sort of

So how can your dog be your witness in your wedding? You might have heard the rumor that in Colorado, dogs can be your legal witness. And yes — technically, it’s kind of true. Colorado allows self-solemnization, meaning you don’t need an officiant. Some couples have even added their dog’s paw print to their marriage certificate which is allowed in some CO counties but the list is frequently changing.

But that’s Colorado. We are in California.

I had read blog posts on The Knot and other sites saying that you could have a dog be your witness in addition to a human one in California. Turns out this is not completely accurate and those articles didn’t give the full picture, you are required one witness so your dog can be your second witness but not actually or on paper; which took me a minute to really figure out.

So while we were standing at the county clerk’s office getting our marriage license, I confidently asked, “Where do I put my dog’s paw print as a witness?”

He laughed. I was not joking. And asked again.
My husband turning white turned to him and said, “Yes… she’s serious.”

Long story short, a judge was brought out and (very sternly) told us no. Turns out, you do need a licensed human witness, and no, a pet license does not count – I did try that tactic too.

I then tried contacting courts up and down California and the answer was a resounding no. I think some of them had a good laugh at me.

And while I couldn’t convince the courts, I did what any dog-obsessed bride would do:
I made my own wedding certificate. And honestly? It’s way prettier than the county one anyway.

We printed it on thick paper, used pet-safe ink, and had both of our dogs “sign” it with their paw prints. It now hangs framed proudly in our home — and it was one of the few things I grabbed when we had to evacuate during the fire.

How to Involve Your Dogs in Your Wedding

This was a huge part of the day for us — our dogs are our family. Including them wasn’t just something cute for Instagram; it was a core part of why the day felt so special. Whether you’re eloping or having a full wedding, there are plenty of ways to include your dogs in the big day:

Here’s how we included our dogs in our wedding:

• They got ready with me (yes, in their bowties and floral collars).
• They sat with us during the ceremony.
• They were in the photos, front and center.
• They gave their pawtograph on our wedding certificate
• They mingled with our friends — being their usual lovable selves. They make for great emotional support and joy boosters

And honestly? Having them there made the whole day more grounded and joyful; after all they are family

A few more ideas:

• Have them walk down the isle with someone in the wedding party
• Have cocktails named after them if you’re doing a larger wedding celebration
• Have their images on napkins, great option if having them there is too stressful
• Take family photos ahead of time and have them on display, another good option for letting them relax at home

Tip: Don’t overthink it. You don’t need to train your dog to carry rings or walk you down the aisle. Let them be themselves — your memories will be better for it.

Vendors

What Our Wedding Cost — And What We Spent On

Here’s what our dog-friendly, mountain elopement cost us (all-in for under $2,000):

• Dress: $119 from Lulu’s. I actually bought two and chose my favorite after trying both. (No alterations needed!)
• Shoes: Around $20 from Amazon.
• Makeup & Hair: My friend Ingrid helped me find a local artist who was incredible — kind, calming, and really talented. HIGHLY recommend (linked at top)
• Flowers: My friend Sofia and I went to the LA Flower Market the day before. We picked out blooms together, and she arranged them into a bouquet more beautiful than anything I could’ve ordered. And much cheaper too! 
• Photography: Sofia again! She’s a true creative powerhouse — she has her own little bakery in LA (Bun Bun), does interior design, and took the most beautiful wedding photos. If you’re asking a friend to help, always please try to compensate them or get them a gift, they are busy capturing your special moments and working instead of celebrating.
• Officiant: My best friend Jonna got ordained online to marry us. The ceremony was personal, funny, heartfelt — and 100% us. She’s since officiated more weddings since ours too! Anyone looking, she might be available?
• Venue/Lodging: Our dog friendly Airbnb doubled as both. No venue fee. Just a quiet, magical setting in the woods. That we can’t wait to go back and vist.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding doesn’t need to be extravagant to be meaningful. You can elope with dogs in tow, do it on a budget, and still have a moment that feels like magic. Looking back, ours was intimate, intentional, and unforgettable.

It was simple. Beautiful. Filled with laughter, love, and fluffy paws. And while my horse Cali didn’t get to attend (he was on the original guest list for the big wedding!), I know he’d approve.

You don’t need to spend tens of thousands to have a wedding that feels like you. You don’t need 150 guests, custom signage, or a horse-drawn carriage (and nothing wrong if you do get all that). What you do need is to focus on what matters — and let the rest go.

Whether you’re planning your dream elopement or just hoping to bring your pups into your big day, I hope this story shows you — it can be simple, special, and totally yours.

Planning a dog-friendly elopement and have questions? DM me anytime on Instagram @tailswithnicole — I’d love to cheer you on.