Dog of Honor® Retreat - A Carmel Valley Destination Wedding Weekend
Celebrating 200 Weddings Through the Eyes of a Dog of Honor
There are milestone weekends in this work that stay with you long after the final bow tie has been straightened and the last sandy pawprint has been brushed away. This October, as Dog of Honor® Weddings & Events quietly celebrated our 200th wedding, I found myself in Carmel Valley with Jasper — a 10-month-old Border Collie/Golden Retriever mix with marvelous marble-like markings, the softest ears imaginable, and a heart that wanted to greet the whole world.
And in many ways, this weekend with Jasper felt like a love letter to everything Dog of Honor Events has become. Not the number itself, but the legacy: the families, the dogs, the memories, and the privilege of caring for these beloved companions so couples can be fully present for one of the biggest weekends of their lives.
This is the story of Jasper’s Dog of Honor Retreat — a four-day, luxurious Carmel Valley escape filled with hikes, coastal adventures, wedding magic, and more cuddle time than I could have ever dreamed.
Thursday, October 23
Arrival, Introductions & a Monterey Evening
I arrived in Carmel Valley on Thursday afternoon and met Jasper’s parents just before they checked into Bernardus Lodge. The air had that early-fall softness to it — gentle light, cool breeze, a hint of harvest in the vineyards and vast farmland. As soon as they pulled up, Jasper pressed his whole face against the window, tail spiraling with anticipation. He was ready for his Dog of Honor slumber party to begin.
We drove to Monterey’s Wharf for dinner, where I enjoyed the chicken piccata while Jasper dined on his specially prepared homemade meal. His tail never stopped wagging — he knew something exciting was happening, even if he couldn’t quite place it yet.
Later, back at the hotel, Jasper and I played ball… I probably threw the ball 100 times. Every few rounds, the ball would disappear under the bed, and I’d find myself fishing it out while Jasper supervised with enthusiastic encouragement and anticipation. It was the perfect beginning to our retreat: simple, joyful, playful.
Friday, October 24
A Carmel Valley Hike, A Wedding Rehearsal & Pacific Grove Adventures
Friday morning greeted us with soft overcast skies — the kind that make the colors of Carmel Valley feel richer. Jasper and I headed to Garland Ranch Regional Park, where he took his role as trail guide very seriously. He sniffed every tree, chased more squirrels than I could count, and made sure everyone we passed stopped to pet him.
After wearing him out, we drove to Santa Lucia Preserve for the wedding rehearsal with the extraordinary team at Emily Coyne Events. The moment Jasper arrived, the wedding party and planning team lit up. Many of them had met him when he was just eight weeks old — now at ten months, he had grown into the sweetest, friendliest, almost-adult dog, still carrying that puppy charm.
From there, we headed to Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove for lunch at Rudolfo’s. Jasper stared longingly at my pizza, offering the saddest puppy eyes known to mankind. I resisted… barely. Afterward, we wandered to Lover’s Point, where he watched the waves, chased seagulls, and collected admirers who stopped to comment on his beautiful markings.
Throughout the day, I sent his parents documentary-style photos — Jasper trotting along the coastline, Jasper striking a pose in front of seaside-themed murals, Jasper peering at the crashing waves at Lover’s Point. It was their first time away from him, and the joy in their replies reminded me exactly why I do this. My job wasn’t just to care for him — it was to connect them to him, even from a distance.
Saturday, October 25
Wedding Day Magic
On Saturday morning, Jasper and I took another stroll through Monterey for fresh air, more photos, and a bit of quiet before the festivities. We enjoyed brunch together — well, I enjoyed brunch while Jasper maintained hope that something delicious might come his way.
By midday, we returned to Santa Lucia Preserve, where Jasper transformed from beach-day sidekick to VIP wedding guest. The ceremony location — the Redwood Grove — felt almost enchanted: towering trees, soft moss, filtered light. Just moments before guests arrived via shuttle, they witnessed a rainbow appear as they gently wound their way through the preserve, surrounded by turkeys and frolicking deer. Completely idyllic!
The guests arrived at a breathtaking forest ceremony beneath towering redwoods, where a sculptural canopy of greenery, soft lighting, and lush aisle florals created an intimate, magical, and cathedral-like atmosphere. Their officiant wove Jasper’s surprise cameo into a sweet nod to their love for dogs, and the moment he trotted in, the redwood grove erupted in delighted smiles and outstretched hands. He welcomed guests at cocktail hour, posed for portraits with his parents, and brought a kind of joy that only a dog — especially their dog — can bring to a wedding.
That evening, we dined outdoors at Sur at the Barnyard, where they offer an entire dog menu. Sadly, Jasper’s sensitive tummy meant sticking to his usual diet, but he didn’t seem to mind. He was too busy charming the staff.
Sunday, October 26
A Beach Day Celebration & Carmel Shopping Spree
On Sunday, the couple hosted a gorgeous Carmel Beach Day for their guests. Emily Coyne’s team thought of everything — including a whole basket of beach-themed toys for all the VIP (Very Important Pups) to enjoy. He selected his favorite with great deliberation and promptly started a tug-of-war match with another four-legged guest.
Nearby, kids crowded around our customized Connect Four set, featuring white and sage-green pieces adorned with photos of Jasper. They played round after round, laughing and cheering whenever Jasper wandered by.
After the festivities, Jasper and I went on a little shopping tour through downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. At Diggidy Dog and The Carmel Dog Shop, he picked out new toys, a dapper bow tie, and a Carmel bandana — his official souvenir from the weekend. We wandered through boutiques, enjoyed the misty ocean air, and soaked in those last carefree moments of retreat life.
By the time we returned to the hotel that evening, we were equally ready for snuggles and sleep.
Monday Morning
Last Snuggles & Soft Goodbyes
Monday’s checkout came too quickly. Jasper curled up beside me, warm and gentle, completely unaware that our weekend together was ending. I wished I could bottle that feeling — the sweetness, the trust, the quiet companionship.
When I returned him to his parents, Lauren Ashley looked at me with so much gratitude and said,
“We always wanted Dog of Honor. We didn’t want anyone else.”
It was a moment I’ll carry with me — a reminder of why this work matters so deeply.
A Legacy of Care, 200 Weddings In
This weekend with Jasper wasn’t just another event. It crystallized what Dog of Honor Events has grown into over the years:
Intentional care, meaningful presence, and space for couples to be fully immersed in their wedding weekend without worrying about their dog for even a moment.
As we step into our next chapter — prioritizing quality over quantity — experiences like this one reaffirm that the heart of our legacy isn’t in the number of weddings. It’s in weekends like Jasper’s.
If you're planning a Carmel, Big Sur, Napa, Sea Ranch, Mendocino, or Lake Tahoe wedding and want your dog to enjoy a curated weekend of adventure, comfort, and play, the Dog of Honor® Retreat was created for you. To begin designing your pup’s bespoke weekend experience, schedule a consultation call. Our full-weekend retreats are offered on a limited basis.
Wedding photo credit: Rebecca Yale Photography
