A North East dog chaperone has been booked for over 75 weddings this year, and is now taking bookings as far ahead as 2027.
It comes as demand grows to include pets as part of a couple’s special day.
Kirsty Spender is the owner of Chuck Tails, a dog chaperone business based in Durham that enables couples to have their dogs involved in their wedding in any way they would like. The business is the supplier of choice for over 14 venues in the North East.
Kirsty, from Morpeth, started the business two years ago and has been booked for weddings ever since. She said: “I was doing dog walking and dog sitting anyway and then some people recommended me for a family friend who was getting married who really wanted their dog there. And from that I realised dogs are such a big part of everyone’s lives, I can understand why people would want them there at their wedding. So there was a gap in the market, to make sure dogs can be there comfortably and safely.”
The business is named after Kirsty’s own dog, Chuck, who is a rescue and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. And Kirsty outlined how the dogs become involved in the weddings. “I don’t really do any training with the dogs. A couple will get in touch and say they would like their dog there on their wedding day.
“I will do a meet and greet and then talk with them about different ways we can involve their dog, based on its personality. Sometimes if a dog is nervous or anxious, I will just coordinate with a photographer so the dog can come for the photos and do it in a quieter area where there is less people.
“If the dog is really sociable then we will involve the dog more heavily, which in some cases includes being the ringbearer, which is always quite cute. They can also greet guests and be there for the evening reception as well. I take the couple’s ideas on board, but then I will kind of direct them on what will and will not work based on their dog’s personality.”
Kirsty is also celebrating some recent awards success. In October, she was the winner of Wedding Service at The North Of England Wedding Awards. Kirsty then won a highly commended award for ‘Special Touch’ at The Wedding Industry Awards.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
She said: “Being shortlisted for the awards themselves was a really big deal because the wedding market is so competitive. Those awards were based solely from customer votes and feedback, then it goes to a judging panel. I have just received my feedback from the North of England awards and it was lovely to read through because it was just 10s across the board, with really nice comments.
“When I started doing this, there were quite a few occasions when I was at wedding fairs where suppliers and customers would roll their eyes and ask if it is a required thing, whereas now the feedback I get is wonderful. Everyone says I make their day stress-free and they get to have the biggest part of their lives involved. Then to win the awards when I was up against some really well-known people in the industry who are really fantastic suppliers, topped off a really fantastic year.”
The business has experienced a rapid growth since it was founded. Kirsty did 28 weddings in her first year, to over 75 this year. She said it has been overwhelming, but positively so. “There is quite a bit of competition out there now, but essentially that means a lot of people are requiring a service. A lot of venues now really promote bringing your dog to your wedding, they are really happy for pets to be involved and realise how important they are on the day.
“They really encourage that, and therefore that is then supported because some people say they would like their dogs there but I do not want to leave friends and family to make sure the dog has had toilet breaks and walks etc. If the dog does get upset in any way on the day or becomes uncomfortable, then I can remove them from the situation to make sure they are comfortable and then nobody else misses out.”
This year saw Kirsty launch her own line of wedding attire in the form of harnesses and bows in October. The range featured at a wedding fair held at South Causey Inn where dogs joined the catwalk to show it off.
(Image: Thomas Demol Photographie/ www.thomasdemol.co.uk)
Kirsty explained: “I was constantly asked, ‘what can I put my dog in on the day?’. There is a lot out there, predominantly for male dogs, like matching suits to the wedding party, but there is not so much for the female dogs. You can put them in pretty collars, but a lot of people have said they would prefer them in a harness.
“So looking at like the form of fashion and what I see from all the weddings, I know a lot of pearls are in at the moment and they are really elegant and they go with everything. So the first harness I designed was a quilted harness with little beading into mirror veils and dresses that a bride would wear.
“I have also done one which is a harness which is designed for more of a bully-breed because Chuck, my dog, is a Staffie and he would not be able to wear the suits that are usually made. They are usually velcro and it just would not be feasible for him walking round in that because he would come out of it. So I designed a proper no-pull harness that the dog can wear with the dickie bow already attached. It is practical but looks smart.”
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Looking ahead to next year and beyond, Kirsty said her aim is to do a training course so she can train other people to be wedding chaperones, and then employ members of staff so Chuck Tails can cover further parts of the country.
You can find out more about the business here.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/durham-dog-wedding-chaperones-2025-30568937
