Pet-Friendly Elopement Venues in Cornwall: How to Plan a Wedding With Your Dog
Freddy and Drummer dressed up for the big day
Planning your perfect elopement wedding, but wondering if you can bring along pets? Our beautiful small countryside wedding venue in Cornwall has been hosting dog-friendly elopements in Cornwall for years.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to plan a wedding with your dog and whether it’s the right choice for you.
Can you have a dog at your elopement in Cornwall?
It is absolutely an option to have your dog atelopement venues in Cornwall, though every venue has different policies. Choosing a dog-friendly wedding venue with accommodation, secure grounds and flexible ceremony spaces makes it much easier to include your pet. With a little planning, your dog can be part of your ceremony, photographs and your entire wedding experience.
At this stage of planning, it’s also worth checking out the legal side of eloping. Our guide to how to elope in Cornwall legally explains witnesses, paperwork and how to elope in Cornwall.
Why have a dog at your elopement?
The whole purpose of an elopement is to have a low stress wedding, where you can truly enjoy yourself and create a dream day that is all about the wedding couple.
For many people planning an elopement, it’s about sharing the day with your nearest and dearest, which of course can extend to your four-legged companions.
There are practical benefits to including your dog in your wedding, too. You won't need to arrange kennels or dog sitters, and having your trusted companion by your side often makes the day feel even more personal.
With elopement and micro-weddings being centred around having a relaxed atmosphere, where you can be fully present, organising a dog-friendly wedding in Cornwall can be a great addition to the experience.
That being said, it does also mean there are some extra things to consider.
If you're still deciding between an elopement and a micro wedding, our guide explains the differences.
How to plan a dog-friendly elopement in Cornwall
A pet friendly elopement in Cornwall (or anywhere for that matter) requires a little additional planning to help the day run seamlessly. Here are our practical tips for how to get the best out of the day:
Choose a pet-friendly venue – Your first decision will be finding a pet-friendly elopement venue in Cornwall. Double check how ‘dog-friendly’ it is in practicality and whether it can truly accommodate a dog friendly elopement.
Think about your ceremony – Perhaps you’d like your pet as the ring bearer, or to stand at the altar with you. Double check the finer details on which part of the ceremony they can be involved in before booking.
Plan dog-friendly photos – There are plenty of fantastic wedding photography locations in Cornwall, from woodlands to beaches. If you’d like your pets in your photos, discuss this with the photographer when booking.
How to have a stress free wedding with your dog
Once the initial planning is sorted, there are still a few things you can do to make everything run smoothly on the day:
Bring someone to help – Allocating pet responsibilities to one of your wedding attendees (or employing a professional) will remove any additional stress on the day, so you can keep your main focus on getting married.
Exercise your dog before the ceremony – Gatherings are exciting for pets as much as they are for humans. A long walk before the ceremony will help to burn off unwanted energy.
Pack treats, water and favourite toys – Being organised so that your dogs are rewarded for good behaviour, entertained and have all of their needs met helps things to run seamlessly. Though we’d recommend avoiding toys which are loud or squeaky!
Embrace your pets – Sometimes dogs are unpredictable and that’s part of their charm. Embrace any disruptions or muddy pawprints and laugh them off.
Schedule in breaks – For energetic dogs, scheduling in short breaks during the day provides opportunity for a quick run around to burn off energy and can also fit in well with the relaxed feel of an elopement.
Choosing the right dog-friendly elopement venue in Cornwall
When it comes to searching for the right dog-friendly elopement venue in Cornwall, there are a few things to consider:
Secure grounds – Check that the venue grounds are secure, so you don’t have to worry about pets getting lost, or having them on a lead all of the time.
Outdoor access – Having plenty of open space makes things more simple when it comes to toilet breaks, or being able to burn off nervous energy.
Dog-friendly accommodation – Some places allow dogs outside, but not indoors. If you’re planning on getting married and staying in the same place, check that pet friendly accommodation is part of the offering.
Nearby beaches and walks – Being able to take your dog for a peaceful walk before or after the ceremony helps everyone relax and makes the experience feel like a holiday rather than simply a wedding day.
Flexibility – Check that venues welcome dogs to the ceremony spaces, and don’t expect them to be hidden away during the wedding.
Calm environment – A private countryside wedding venue in Cornwall also provides a quieter environment for nervous dogs than a busy hotel or public coastal venue.
Why The Cornish Place is perfect for dog-friendly elopements
Our small intimate wedding venue in Cornwall loves welcoming dogs to elopements and micro-weddings. Because dogs are a normal part of life here (we have two of our own), we've designed the experience to feel welcoming for them as well as their owners.
Set in the beautiful Cornish countryside, our dog-friendly elopement venue in Cornwall has easy access to woodland walks and beaches, meaning plenty of open space. Plus, secure peaceful grounds so you can let your pets off lead in the doggy field without worrying.
Our on-site holiday cottage barn conversions are dog-friendly too, including dog bowls for the cottages, and doggy treats in our hangout spot The Piggery.
We can even recommend trusted local dog sitters who can care for your dog during the ceremony or take them for a walk while you enjoy your wedding breakfast.
Extend your stay
Beyond the wedding day, Cornwall is not only a fantastic place for a mini-moon, but it’s also one of the most dog-friendly holiday destinations.
Our wedding packages include either a short weekend break, or a full week so you can extend your stay and enjoy the local area and surroundings.
There are plenty of things to do with dogs nearby, which can fit in with a beautifully relaxed honeymoon, like walks on long sandy beaches, fantastic dog-friendly pubs and restaurants and even dog-friendly days out and activities.
You can discuss all of these things with your wedding co-ordinator, who will be there to help you before, during and after your wedding.
Planning your elopement
If you're still planning your stress-free elopement or micro-wedding in Cornwall, our guides will help you learn everything you need to know (including prices):
All-inclusive Elopement Packages in Cornwall for Two: Prices, Witnesses and Planning
Micro Wedding Venues in Cornwall for Under 12 Guests: The Ultimate Guide
Best Time to Elope in Cornwall: Weather, Costs, Seasons & Photography Guide
Plus don’t forget to watch our beautiful wedding video so you can visualise what your dream day could be like.
Book your dog-friendly wedding in Cornwall
To learn more about hosting your dog-friendly wedding in Cornwall with accommodation, get in touch to check availability and start planning your stay at our private countryside wedding venue.
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FAQs
Can my dog be at my wedding ceremony?
Yes, some pet-friendly wedding venues in Cornwall allow dogs to attend all or part of the ceremony, although every venue has different rules. Always check with your venue before booking and ask whether dogs are allowed indoors, outdoors or during the legal ceremony itself.
What should my dog do during the wedding breakfast?
Many couples ask a friend, family member or professional dog sitter to look after their dog while they enjoy their meal. Others prefer for them to be taken to the accommodation so dogs can relax comfortably between parts of the day.
How do I keep my dog calm on my wedding day?
Exercise them beforehand, bring familiar toys and treats, provide regular water and ask someone else to take responsibility for them during key moments. Choosing a quiet countryside venue also helps reduce distractions.
Are dogs allowed to stay overnight at wedding venues?
Some wedding venues allow dogs on the grounds but not in accommodation. If you're planning a wedding weekend, choose a venue with dog-friendly accommodation so your pet can stay with you throughout your celebration.
Is Cornwall a good place for a dog-friendly elopement?
Yes. Cornwall is one of the UK's most dog-friendly destinations, with miles of countryside walks, beaches, pet-friendly accommodation and relaxed wedding venues that make it easy to include your dog in your celebration.
Can my dog be in our wedding photographs?
Dogs can be a great addition to your wedding photographs, but it’s best to arrange this with the photographer before. This will also help you to choose the best wedding photography location for photos with your dog.