NESTLDOWN

Where your pup takes center aisle

Guide to Including Your Dog at Your
Nestldown Wedding

Nestldown is one of Northern California’s most iconic wedding venues, known for its towering redwoods, storybook gardens, and unforgettable setting. It also happens to be one of our favorite venues for helping couples include their dogs, thanks to its dog-friendly policies and breathtaking grounds.

Since 2023, Dog Of Honor® Weddings & Events has proudly been a preferred service provider at Nestldown.

With extensive experience chaperoning dogs at this majestic venue, our team understands exactly what it takes to help pups feel comfortable, celebrated, and set up for success.

DOG OF HONOR SERVICES

A small dog dressed in a tuxedo, sitting in a car seat with a happy expression.

CHAUFFEUR

We’ll provide a safe ride for your pup to and from Nestldown, anywhere in Northern California.

Let your guests stay to enjoy the cocktail hour while your dog is safely escorted home to be fed, cuddled, and walked.

A happy Husky Dog of Honor surrounded by bridesmaid bouquets at a wedding in Cool, CA
An Aussie Doodle at an Indian wedding in San Jose, CA, wearing a "My Humans are getting married" sign around her neck.

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE

A big part of our role is to support your professional photographers, videographers, and content creators to capture AMAZING content of your fur child.
With our keen eye, we’ll ensure they look picture-perfect and give your team those big,
puppy-dog eyes!

YOUR PUP’S PERSONAL
PUP-PARAZZI

Next to puppy kisses, we absolutely love capturing behind-the-scenes content of each and every Dog of Honor. From posing next to your welcome sign and the signature cocktail menu starring your favorite fur child, to candids with your guests giving all the love to your pup, we want you to relive the best day ever, from your dog’s POV!

A happy brown dog with a white chest and paws, wearing a floral collar, standing on a stone pathway, with a sign around its neck that reads "My humans are getting married!"

CEREMONY ASSISTANCE

The most important part of the day, the ceremony.

Your pup’s walk down the aisle is often one of the most emotional and memorable moments of the entire wedding day. We’ll thoughtfully coordinate every detail to ensure their big moment feels seamless, stress-free, and unforgettable.

Plus, we’ll help you choose the perfect entrance song for your Dog Of Honor, one that captures their unique personality.

A golden retriever dog sitting inside a black pet stroller decorated with white flowers and a sign reading "My humans are getting married!" in a grassy outdoor setting with vintage cars and tables in the background.

SAFETY AND COMFORT

Behind the scenes, we are working diligently to ensure your dog stays cool and hydrated during the hot outdoor summer weddings, and any anxieties are managed accordingly so that your dog has the best day ever! Our entire team is pet CPR and first aid certified, and they always carry a pet first aid kit.

A Typical Nestldown Wedding Day for Your Pup

Wondering what a wedding day at Nestldown might look like for your dog?

Dog Of Honor® Weddings & Events has proudly helped couples include their pups in more than a dozen weddings at Nestldown.

Every wedding is unique, but here’s an example of what a typical timeline might look like for your pup.

1:00 PM
Your Dog Of Honor attendant arrives at your hotel, typically Toll House or Hotel Los Gatos, for pickup. They will spend tim with your pup 1:1 to help them get acquainted. Being generous with treats helps!

1:30 PM
Your pup is chauffeured to Nestldown while the wedding party boards the shuttle.

2:00 PM
We arrive at Nestldown and give your pup time to settle in with a “sniffari” around the venue, burn off a little energy, and practice key commands like sit and stay.

2:30 PM
Pre-ceremony photos begin. We work alongside your photographer to help pose your pup and make sure they’re looking picture-perfect.

3:30 PM
Guests begin arriving and are welcomed by your pup, instantly adding charm and personality to the guest experience.

4:00 PM
Ceremony begins. We carefully facilitate your dog’s honored role so they feel included, celebrated, and never overwhelmed or a distraction from the ceremony.

4:30 PM
Ceremony concludes. We remain nearby for post-ceremony family photos.

5:00 PM
Your pup heads to Apple Knoll for cocktail hour, where they can mingle with guests and soak up all the love. This is often one of our favorite parts of the day for candid photos and behind-the-scenes video.

6:00 PM
Your pup is chauffeured back to the hotel, your home, or another pre-arranged location.

6:30 PM
Dinner is served, followed by rest time and a short potty walk.

7:30 PM
Service concludes.

Alternative timelines may include drop-off at home, with an overnight sitter, or at a boarding facility. Overnight care may also be available.

Important Things to Know About Including Your Dog at Nestldown

Nestldown is one of our favorite venues for dogs, thanks to its expansive grounds, shaded pathways, and beautiful outdoor spaces. To ensure a safe and seamless experience for everyone, here are a few important venue guidelines to keep in mind:

  • Dogs are welcome throughout most of the property, but they are not permitted inside the barn.

  • Dogs are allowed inside the restrooms, which can be especially helpful on hot days when your pup may need a cool, quiet break.

  • Unlike many wedding venues, Nestldown allows dogs to remain on-site through the end of the reception. This gives couples the rare option of including their pup for much more than just photos and ceremony.

  • During dinner service, dogs cannot remain at your side. This is typically a great time for your pup to rest, recharge, and enjoy some quiet time with their Dog Of Honor attendant. We will happily feed your dog dinner and then take a stroll to capture a few more Nestldown moments.

  • Dogs must remain under leash control at all times while on-site.

At Dog Of Honor, we also take great care to respect the beauty and integrity of Nestldown’s grounds. We ensure pups stay out of flower beds, avoid disturbing the koi fish, and always clean up after them so the property remains pristine for every couple and guest.

We are seasoned wedding professionals who are completely obsessed with dogs, and we truly have the best job ever.

With over 250 weddings as our guide, we know how to seamlessly (and joyfully) weave your furry BFF into the fabric of your day. We closely coordinate with your wedding planner, venue, and photographer so everything feels effortless. And because our “pack” of wedding dog chaperones believes in going above and beyond, we’re always looking for ways to make it the best day ever for you — but most importantly, for your Dog of Honor.

WEDDING DOG ATTENDANT INVESTMENT

Every wedding is unique — and so is every Dog of Honor.
Let’s chat about how we can customize a plan that’s perfect for your pup’s role in your big day.

Wedding dog concierge services start at $800 for up to five hours of service. Additional hours are available at an hourly rate.
Full-day, overnight, and Dog of Honor Retreat Weekend options are also available.

GET SOCIAL WITH US

GET SOCIAL WITH US

Dog of Honor Weddings & Events logo
Text reading 'Where your pup takes center aisle' on a black background.