Nearly A Third Of Southampton Residents (34%) Would Include Their Pet in Their Wedding, Survey Reveals

New research has revealed that almost half of Brits (49%) would include their pet in their wedding party, with younger generations leading the charge, according to Bridebook. In fact, a combined 62% of Gen Z respondents said that they would consider inviting their pets to their wedding. Millennials are not far behind, with over half (51%) considering having their pet – or partner's pet – at their wedding

With National Dog Week around the corner (21st-27th September), experts at Bridebook surveyed 1,000 UK participants to find out the nation's true feelings about plus-ones at weddings – from children to furry friends – and who guests really want (or don't want) to bring along.

With pets increasingly seen as part of the family, which UK regions want their four-legged friends to attend the most?

Southampton tops the list, with over a third of residents (34%) stating that they would definitely include their pet in their wedding day. A further 22% said that they would possibly include them, showing that pets are a welcome addition for many in this region. Sheffield and Newcastle take second and third place, respectively, suggesting that people in the North are just as open-hearted when it comes to sharing their big day with their animals.

But when it comes to attending other people's weddings, opinions are more mixed in Southampton. Only 27% of respondents said that they enjoy attending weddings where pets are welcome, compared with the 20% that would prefer weddings without them. While pet-friendly weddings are growing in popularity, they may not be everyone's idea of a perfect guest list if it's not their own furry companion.

When it comes to the most pet-friendly cities, the top five regions where couples are most likely to include animals in their ceremonies are: 

Hamish Shephard, Founder of Bridebook, comments: "The growing trend towards couples including their pets in their wedding party highlights an overall shift in changing wedding traditions. Pets are viewed by many as an integral part of the family, with the result that many couples, specifically in the younger generations, are choosing to get their furry friends involved in the big day.

"Before choosing to have your pets involved in the wedding party, whether as ring-bearers or simply as guests, remember that not all venues will be able to accommodate this. It's best to be mindful of venue regulations, as well as guests who may suffer from allergies or fears. When planning your wedding and sending out save-the-dates and invites, it's important to notify everyone that your pets may be making an appearance, to allow people to plan if needed."