Are you an animal-lover and planning a wedding? There are a multitude of methods to include your favorite animal, pet, or the theme of animals in general, in your wedding. We’ve collected some animal wedding theme ideas, both traditional and unique, for how you can throw an animal-themed wedding or make a subtle nod to your beloved beast, bird, or even bug!

By Graddy Photography

20 Ideas for Including Animals When Planning a Wedding:

1. Take your engagement photos with your favorite animal or pet. Our recently engaged marketing manager, Meghan, took gorgeous engagement photos with both! Her and her fiancé posed with horses, as well as their pet cats. This is a really easy way to include animals, as well as have professional photos of your pets. 2. Use fish, butterflies, or even birds, as centerpieces. A simple goldfish in a bowl or pretty parakeet in a birdcage is a stunning centerpiece, and easy if you already own them. Another idea is to wrap clear netting around a wire box frame and place butterflies inside. How romantic! 3. Name tables after your pets, instead of using table numbers. You can place a picture of them in a tall wire picture holder or simply use their name. It’s much more fun to be sat at table Felix than table four! 4. Dress up again and take photographs a different day with a horse or other large pet. Bonus: You get to wear your wedding gown again! 5. Have photographs taken after or while getting ready with a pet that has to stay home, like a lizard or guinea pig. 6. Are you a dog-lover? Check out our post on how to include your favorite pup when planning a wedding. 7. Have pictures of your pets or your favorite animal on your thank you cards or save-the-dates. Some of the cutest cards have a cockatiel or a cocker spaniel holding a sign in their mouth! 8. Are you lovebirds who love birds? Plan to release doves at your send-off at the end of the night. Or, take a card from 21 Jump Street and release doves from your limousine as you arrive at the reception. Just think how awesome that photo would turn out! 9. Hold your ceremony on horseback--Runaway Bride style.  If you really want to get exotic, you could even get married on camels or an elephant! 10. Use feathers as décor accents. Some wedding theme ideas include peacock feathers, swan feathers, or pheasant feathers. You can use feathers in your flower arrangements, as hair accessories, or attached to ceremony accessories, such as the flower girl basket! 11. Exit the reception via horse-drawn carriage—just like Cinderella! 12. Hold your wedding at a zoo, ranch, or aquarium. 13. Include animal prints in your décor. Including animal prints could be as subtle as zebra print soles in your shoes, or as bold as leopard print bridesmaid dresses. You do you! 14. Not all animal wedding theme ideas are decorative. Cater a vegetarian meal at your reception. If you don’t eat meat, there’s no reason you should feel obligated to serve it at your wedding. 15. Instead of a favor, donate to an animal rescue or animal rights organization in each of your guests’ names. Give guests a scroll or card stating the amount. 16. Ask guests to make a donation to the animal rescue or animal rights group of their choice instead of bringing a wedding gift.

by A. Whitmore Photography

17. Include animals in your honeymoon. Plan a pet-friendly vacation and bring along your fur-babies. Go on an African safari or swimming with dolphins. 18. Buy a bunch of inexpensive animal toys and spray paint them gold, silver, or one of your wedding colors. Scatter them across tables as decoration, or use them as place card holders. 19. In Bridesmaids, puppies are given as favors at the bridal shower. While this is maybe a tad irresponsible, consider giving beta fish as bridal shower favors or bridal party thank you gifts. Put them in a vase with a pretty plant! 20. As favors or bridal party thank you gifts, give tickets to the local zoo or aquarium.

What do you think of our animal wedding theme ideas? Would you include animal prints or get married on horseback? Tell us below!