Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Elliott.
Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always been passionate about pet care, that is why I started my own pet care company that focused on pet sitting and dog walking. While planning my own wedding, though, I started noticing a beautiful, rising trend in the wedding industry: couples wanting to include their dogs in their big day. After some research, I realized there was a significant lack of dedicated wedding pet attendants in Michigan, especially in my area, Genesee County.
Seeing that gap, I knew I wanted to expand my business to offer this specialized service. I took a leap and introduced myself in a few local wedding Facebook groups, offering my service as a novice wedding pet attendant with pet care experience. I will always be so grateful to my first couple—they took a chance on me, and together we had an absolutely wonderful experience, including their favorite boy in their wedding. They left me a raving review, which catalyzed my growth for this service.
From there, the momentum just built. With every single client I helped, my experience deepened, and word-of-mouth began to spread organically. Today, I am incredibly proud to say I have helped 17 couples seamlessly include their furry best friends in their weddings, and I have even more beautiful celebrations on the calendar!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
To be completely honest, my journey has been wonderfully smooth! Because I don’t do this as a full-time, high-stress career, I have the luxury of truly enjoying the process. As my own family began to grow, I actually decided to retire from the daily pet sitting and dog walking side of my business to focus on them. However, I couldn’t bring myself to step away from weddings.
I chose to continue offering my wedding pet attendant services simply because I am incredibly passionate about it. Helping couples include their furry family members on such a monumental day brings me immense joy, and getting a front-row seat to that pure love and happiness is so fulfilling. I truly do this for the joy of it, and I cherish every single second. I have been blessed with absolutely amazing couples, and their pets are just as wonderful!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in helping couples seamlessly incorporate their pets into their wedding day. Whether that means getting the perfect photos before the ceremony, helping their dog walk down the aisle, or managing pups as they mingle with guests during cocktail hour—I do everything I can to make the couple’s dreams come true and ensure their beloved furry friends are right by their side. I firmly believe that our pets are just as much a part of our family as anyone else, and they deserve to be included in our biggest milestones!
I am most proud of how many couples I have been able to help realize their ultimate wedding day vision. I started this service on a hope and a dream, and it has turned out to be such a special, meaningful venture. It is such a unique, intimate experience to witness, and it’s an absolute honor to be a part of it every time!
What I believe sets me apart is the time I take to truly understand both the couple’s and the dog’s individual needs. I strive to offer a highly specialized, custom experience every single time. I pride myself on forming immediate bonds with the pets I care for, ensuring they feel completely comfortable and safe amidst the excitement of a wedding. Ultimately, my goal is to give couples total peace of mind so they can just relax and enjoy their perfect day!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve taken away from being a wedding pet attendant is to embrace the fact that every dog is entirely unique. Yes, they might let out a bark during a quiet moment in the ceremony, or suddenly stop halfway down the aisle to give a guest a kiss, but that is exactly where the beauty lies!
I always encourage my couples not to stress about controlling their dog on the big day. Instead, just let them be themselves and allow those spontaneous, unscripted moments to happen. Those are the special memories and photographs that will make you smile forever. Whatever they end up doing is absolutely perfect. Our furry best friends aren’t with us for nearly long enough, yet they take up such a massive part of our lives and our hearts. The biggest lesson is simply to slow down and truly enjoy those little, authentic moments you get to share with them.
Pricing:
- We have packages for our services, though they can be customized. Strating with: Mini Poodle $260
- Royal Corgi $340
- Regal Beagle $420
- Grand Golden $500
Contact Info:
