S4E04 - Love, Leashes, & I Do's

This week we are chatting with Angelina (she/her) from Brides with Dogs, a unique service that helps couples include their dogs in their weddings. Angelina shares her experiences, challenges, and memorable moments while working with dogs at weddings, emphasizing the need for proper training and understanding of dog behaviour. We also touch on misconceptions about dog handling, the significance of a good fit between the dog and the wedding environment, and future plans for her business.

Keep up with Angelina on her Instagram! 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:12

That's Rad Life Love and Wedding Plotting in the Pacific Northwest, where our goal is to educate and elevate. I'm Radhika, planner and owner of Radications, and today I'm joined by Angelina from Brides with Dogs, who offers a very needed and now sought-after dog handling service here on Vancouver Island. Welcome to the show, Angelina, and happy belated birthday!

SPEAKER_02 0:32

Thank you. Hi. Thank you so much for having me.

SPEAKER_00 0:35

I'm really excited to have you here. Before we get into your intro and everything, can you tell me, did you figure out how you went viral?

SPEAKER_02 0:43

So I'm starting to think I went viral because I used the meta glasses to record the behind the scenes video that I was taking. That was the only conclusion because I didn't use hashtags. I didn't use viral like music or sounds. I literally was just posting for educating purposes. And then all of a sudden I just kept getting notification after notification. And yeah, I guess like over overnight hit like 1.3 million views on a video. So very excited. It was definitely on the bucket list, maybe not at the top, but the fact that I was able to tick that off with Brides with Dogs is just super, super cool.

UNKNOWN 1:29

It's

SPEAKER_00 1:30

That is really cool. So tell me how you got started. What inspired you to create Brides with Dogs?

SPEAKER_02 1:37

Yeah, so my inspiration for Brides with Dogs came from my experience helping my friends include their dogs in their weddings as a bridesmaid. After doing back-to-back weddings for my friends, it made me realize if I only trust my family and close friends with my dog and they're all at the wedding, then who's left? It's a real dilemma and And that's exactly where the idea for this service came from. Between juggling my bridesmaid duties and keeping the dogs calm and cared for, I ended up missing precious moments because I either had to escort the dog out of the ceremony or transport them home during the reception because they obviously can't stay when there's food around. And watching someone's dog at a wedding is a full-time job because it involves constant care and attention and coordination. It is hands-on from start to finish, and it's one of those situations where it's either you're taking care of the dog, and missing all the fun or you're enjoying the wedding and the dog's needs aren't getting met. So that's where Brides with Dogs comes in.

SPEAKER_00 2:44

I really love that because I have definitely done weddings with dogs where it's been like a friend or a family member that's been tasked with it, but they're also a guest. And I really understand what you're saying about, you know, the priorities. It's hard to manage both.

SPEAKER_02 2:59

Yeah, totally. Unfortunately, you can't do both. Someone isn't getting... what they need from the day.

SPEAKER_00 3:09

Definitely. And now I know you work with more than just brides. Have you ever thought about changing your company

SPEAKER_02 3:15

name? I definitely have just because I want everyone to feel more inclusive. My service is for everyone. I think initially when I started Brides with Dogs, it just came from that experience, helping my friends who were brides and me being a bridesmaid. But yeah, maybe eventually down the line.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

I know you're becoming a household name already.

SPEAKER_02 3:42

I'm so excited. I just could never imagine it would have gotten to to this point but i'm super super grateful for everyone that i've met yeah and including you as well

SPEAKER_00 3:54

me too i mean like i said i i think i told you this off the podcast but i really do not like picking up dog poop and i know that's not your only job but i'm so glad that there's somebody else that does that

SPEAKER_02 4:06

I don't mind. I'd rather them, yeah, get it out before and obviously instead of during the ceremony. But yeah, that's kind of like where I come in to take care of all that.

SPEAKER_00 4:16

So before this, did you have any professional training in dog behavior or pet care?

SPEAKER_02 4:20

Yeah, so a lot of my experience has come from working in doggy daycares, boarding facilities, vet hospitals. As someone who has worked in vet clinics, the things that I've seen have given me a lot of awareness and knowledge I carry with me into every wedding that i go into and also raising my um my own dog um has taught me real education but the real experience comes from taking care of pets that aren't your own because every dog is different

SPEAKER_00 4:52

yes that's so true and every couple is different too

SPEAKER_02 4:55

totally yeah every every dog has different needs couples have different expectations

SPEAKER_00 5:01

um

SPEAKER_02 5:02

yeah

SPEAKER_00 5:02

So when you have so many different variables at play, how do you prepare for the day?

SPEAKER_02 5:09

So preparation is definitely key. I would say making sure everyone is on the same page and that's why those custom itineraries that we build, that we give to the couple, we give to the planners. It's a great outline for all the dog's movements that are happening that day and lets everyone know what time they're going to be on site, where they're going to be, relevant information like that, as well as prepping the dog to make sure that they have had an opportunity to get some of their energy out and set them up for success.

SPEAKER_00 5:45

And I know we've touched on this in emails, but how do you handle nervous, excitable dogs when it's such a high energy, big moment environment?

SPEAKER_02 5:57

The most important thing is making sure the dog is a good fit for the environment, either tailoring their involvement in a way that feels that sets them up for success. So for nervous dogs, we usually keep their visit short and sweet, just briefly there for photos with the couple, the photographer and myself for super excitable dogs. It's all about releasing that built up energy beforehand. Like I said, whether that's a long walk or a hike, they need a chance to burn off some of that energy and excitement. It's not fair to expect them to be calm and focused if they haven't had the opportunity to get it out of their system first.

SPEAKER_00 6:31

I feel like this is the same for toddlers too.

SPEAKER_02 6:34

Exactly. Totally.

SPEAKER_00 6:36

So what's your stance on dressing dogs up for weddings?

SPEAKER_02 6:40

I love that you asked this. I think outfits are totally fun and okay if they fit properly, don't restrict movement, breathing or vision. The dog is already comfortable wearing clothes or accessories. It's for a short period of time and it's just for photos or walking down the aisle. I don't think it's ethical if a dog clearly dislikes wearing accessories has never done so before in its life and is forced to anyways and the outfit causes overheating or discomfort. Couples can always practice at home ahead of time and use positive reinforcement so the dog builds a positive association with the outfit or accessory they'll be wearing that day.

SPEAKER_00 7:22

So in that kind of situation, have you ever turned down a client where you felt like their dog wasn't a good fit for the event? Because I know you've talked about, you know, really excitable dogs and making the visit short and sweet.

SPEAKER_02 7:32

Yes. So I do get asked this question quite a bit. I do not say yes to everyone. I think having a compatible working relationship with a couple is so important. And yes, I have said no before. A big red flag for me is when a couple wants to book immediately without first having a connection call or a meet and greet. Personally, I would never hand off my dog, Blue, my firstborn son. I literally tell everyone I birthed him to someone I've never met or spoken to, regardless if they have a great website or five-star reviews. Another red flag for me is when a couple discloses serious behavior issues like red zone behavior, such as aggression, severe reactivity, or a history of biting, and still expects their dog to be part of a high-stress event like a wedding. My priority is keeping the dog safe along with the couple, their guests, all their vendors, and myself too. A wedding is not the right environment for an unstable dog, and if it's not a good fit, I'm not going to force it.

SPEAKER_00 8:42

Yeah, that's a really good point that you bring up. Say if the couple really is like, no, we have to have the dog at the wedding, maybe just like the photos, what would you do in that situation? Yeah,

SPEAKER_02 8:56

totally. Again, it's like... It really depends on the energy that they're bringing into the conversation and if I feel like I could work with this couple and if they're listening to the advice and my experience, then we can tailor their approach for sure. But if they are super adamant on the things that I really don't think are a good idea and they're just going to set their dog up to fail, because the last thing we want is to... traumatize the dog as well. Yeah, so that's kind of how I do

SPEAKER_00 9:32

things. So can you tell me then like from start to finish, you've mentioned the meet and greets, you've mentioned like the connection call. what's the brides with dog experience?

SPEAKER_02 9:46

Yeah. So the brides with dogs experience starts with a connection call, making sure it's a perfect batch. Um, and then from there, prior to the wedding, we will do a meet and greet with the dog to create familiarity, a bond, just so it's not a complete stranger picking up the dog on the wedding day. And then from there we'll assess if they need more, um, more bonding time. Um, and then, For example, additional walks and stuff just to create that solid foundation and relationship. And then on the wedding day, we cover everything from transportation, coordinating with other vendors, aisle escorting, family photos, cocktail hours, chaperoning, and post-wedding care, which includes a cool-down walk and feeding as well as lock-up. And then on top of that, because we provide two services in one, wedding dog, concierge, and content creators, while I am looking after someone's dog, I am also Capturing all the cute behind-the-scenes moments and those get delivered to the couple like either that night or the next morning so they get to relive those moments and Instead of wondering. Hmm. I'm wondering what my dog did all day. Well here Let me show you what they did all day and couples just absolutely love that

SPEAKER_00 11:10

You know, I wasn't so sold on that when I first heard about it, but you have sold me on it.

SPEAKER_02 11:18

Okay, good. Yeah. The little POV videos are like the most fun, uh, heart to put together. Yeah, I really do enjoy them. Obviously the dogs needs come first, but if I'm able to, you know, quickly whip out my camera or utilize my meta glasses, I will. And yeah, I can create some special moments for the couple.

SPEAKER_00 11:42

That's so fantastic. I'm looking forward to the videos from this season.

SPEAKER_02 11:45

Yeah, me too.

SPEAKER_00 11:46

So imagine that you must do a lot of educating when someone's looking into your services. Do you have a common misconception that you hear a lot?

SPEAKER_02 11:57

one of the biggest misconceptions is assuming that every dog is automatically a good fit for a wedding i totally understand couples getting excited about including their dog in their wedding but part of my role is helping them be realistic about what their dog can actually handle if a dog has red zone behaviors like fearfulness aggression around people or severe leash reactivity it might not always be the best setting for them and that's okay sometimes the most loving decision is choosing to keep them at home where they feel safe and secure at the end of the day you need to be a responsible pet owner and there are so many meaningful ways to include your dog without them physically being there

SPEAKER_00 12:37

I really like that and have you ever heard of like oh well why would we hire you we could just hire somebody off of Rover

SPEAKER_02 12:42

yeah totally I also get that all the time too and what I say to that is you you get what you pay for like the amount of nightmare scenarios that can happen when you're hiring an independent pet sitter as opposed to someone who not only has experience working with dogs but has experience working with dogs in weddings is a vastly completely different experience.

SPEAKER_00 13:12

I feel like that also when it comes to photographers too. I feel like it's a similar situation where you can hire a photographer that's really good at landscape shots, but they might not necessarily be good at detail shots or being in a wedding environment.

SPEAKER_02 13:25

Yes, absolutely. And wedding environments are a totally different ballpark for your dog because it's not traditional pet setting. You are in public with a dog. There's so much liability involved. There's so many factors and elements that need to be taken into consideration. And When you're pet sitting, you're usually at home in a safe and secure environment, and you're not just at home watching TV with a dog. You are out and about, and you have to be switched on. You also have to be a people person too, because people are going to want to come up and talk to you, and you need to vibe with the guests. That's what the couple are expecting from you. You can't just be a weirdo in a corner with a dog, not socializing.

SPEAKER_00 14:12

That's true. Yeah. So have you had any really memorable moments since you started this business?

SPEAKER_02 14:21

I have had so many memorable moments, which is obviously why I keep doing this. My favorite would have to be the times where I've had... really young dog, super excitable. Yes, we did hikes with them. We took them for a long walk to get their energy out, but they were just still so amped being there. And their role was to walk down the aisle. So instead of the dog pulling me down the aisle like Santa's sleigh, I actually... ask the couple if you know let's make it a game for them they they obviously want to play let's just like let's do that so why don't i run with the dog make it a game for them and it will be like it will be fun for them so that's what i have done on twice occasions um shout out to benny and kita um And yeah, it just makes such a memorable moment. The couple laughs, the guests laugh, and most of all, the dog is having fun doing it.

SPEAKER_00 15:35

Yeah, that's really important. I feel like that's maybe something that you wouldn't get from somebody if you hired them from Rover.

SPEAKER_02 15:41

Totally. They're just not thinking of those alternatives.

SPEAKER_00 15:46

Yeah, it's a really full service service. And you seem to keep it very dog-centered too.

SPEAKER_02 15:52

Yes, totally. We want couples to include their dogs, but we want to be intentional about it as well because the dog's well-being comes first.

SPEAKER_00 16:03

I really love that. Thank

SPEAKER_02 16:05

you.

SPEAKER_00 16:06

So what's next for you and Brides with Dogs?

SPEAKER_02 16:10

So for me, the next step is growth and expansion. Now that I've seen how successful this has become and confirmed there's a real need for it in the industry, I'm getting inquiries from all over BC, across Canada and the States. The plan is to hire more staff, keep building my connections in other cities to meet the demand and continue to provide that unmatched wedding dog concierge experience. We're also rolling out our new flower crowns, collars, and accessories, which have been a huge hit so far. So yeah, that's the plan for Brides with Dogs.

SPEAKER_00 16:48

That is so exciting and so validating for you, too, to start this new business model when no one else is doing it here on Vancouver Island and having so much success with it.

SPEAKER_02 16:58

Yeah, thank you so much. I just love showing up for work every single day, and I pick really, really good couples to work with as well.

SPEAKER_00 17:11

That's fantastic. So I know it was your birthday yesterday, so I'm going to play a little game with you. I want you to plan your birthday party with me. Okay. So I'm just going to ask you quick fire. You can answer as quickly or as slowly as you need to. Okay. All right. So where are you hosting your birthday?

SPEAKER_02 17:39

Okay. I want to host it at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

SPEAKER_00 17:47

That's a nice spot.

SPEAKER_02 17:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 17:50

Amazing spa. It's right by the ocean. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:56

And your wedding catering is taken care of and your cake too. Very

SPEAKER_02 18:00

smart. Totally. One exclusive package.

SPEAKER_00 18:06

Who's performing at your birthday? Sky's the limit. This is like your dream.

SPEAKER_02 18:12

Taylor, Taylor Swift. That

SPEAKER_00 18:15

would be pretty amazing. I knew she used to do concerts for her fans back in the day.

SPEAKER_02 18:21

I think I need a bigger venue. I'd have to probably invite like the entire city, but yeah. Okay. T-Swift for sure.

SPEAKER_00 18:30

Okay. And what's your party theme?

SPEAKER_02 18:34

I'd probably make it the like T-Swift era's vibe. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:39

Oh, I like that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 18:41

Lots of pastels, lots of sparkles. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:48

And what's, besides Taylor Swift, what's the big, ridiculous, over-the-top thing you're slurging on?

SPEAKER_02 18:53

These are so hard. Oh my gosh. a minute

SPEAKER_00 18:59

can i have some examples like

SPEAKER_02 19:01

what

SPEAKER_00 19:02

i mean like you know you could have like a hot balloon entrance i think there was something that like got came in like on like water and a boat for a wedding okay

SPEAKER_02 19:18

i would definitely love to do like a cinderella coming in on like a horse-drawn carriage i know it's my birthday but like Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:29

Exactly. It's your birthday. You can do what you

SPEAKER_02 19:32

want. Rolling up on Beach Drive.

SPEAKER_00 19:37

Okay, last question. What is one wedding or event trend you are banning from your birthday party? I know I'm asking all the hard questions. Oh my gosh. Let's see. I feel like one of the trends right now is... having like burgers for like a late night snack from like fast food or like

SPEAKER_01 19:58

who doesn't enjoy

SPEAKER_00 20:00

that um like what else is the trend right now i'm like now i'm blanking

SPEAKER_02 20:04

i'm like greasy food that's all i want like

SPEAKER_00 20:10

multiple yeah i mean that's fair um multiple outfit changes. That's trendy right now.

SPEAKER_02 20:18

I love that though. I do love that.

SPEAKER_00 20:20

Well, yeah, you're already rolling in on it. Oh

SPEAKER_02 20:24

gosh. Yeah. I'll have to think about that one.

SPEAKER_00 20:29

It's okay. This birthday party sounds amazing.

SPEAKER_02 20:33

You're all invited and it's dog friendly.

SPEAKER_00 20:37

Perfect. But you're not going to take care of the dogs.

SPEAKER_02 20:41

No, no. Just let me have this one day off.

SPEAKER_00 20:44

Perfect. So before we go, where can people connect with you? Are you taking more inquiries? What's going on?

SPEAKER_02 20:51

Yes. So because I went viral, um, my inbox is like just so full right now. Um, we've taken a pause on inquiries and I also want to update my inquiry form as well and just make it a That will be open. So we will reopen next Tuesday, June 3rd. And you can go to my website, brideswithdogs.com. Just go to inquiries. Unfortunately, I don't accept any DM inquiries. I just like to keep it in one spot. And yeah, you can also follow us on Instagram at brideswithdogs.

SPEAKER_00 21:35

Fantastic. Thank you so much for being here and also for blue for making a special guest appearance.

SPEAKER_02 21:46

Oh,

SPEAKER_00 21:48

what a cutie. Everyone's definitely going to have to watch this episode.

SPEAKER_02 21:52

Thank you so much for having me. And it was so fun talking to you.

SPEAKER_00 21:59

Thank you so much for being on and we will see you soon in person. Yes. All right. Thank you. Bye. A huge thank you to Angelina with Brides with Dogs for joining us for this episode. We're really excited to be working with her this season on not one, but three weddings. And I can't wait to share all the behind the scenes. Join us next Tuesday for another guest and a great conversation. And in the meantime, stay rad.

SPEAKER_03 22:40

Let's get

SPEAKER_01 22:43

up and dance.