Why I Created a Specialist Wedding Dog Photography Service in Cumbria & The Lake District

More people than ever are involving their dogs on their wedding day: as ring bearers, members of the wedding party, as VIP guests who simply cannot be left at home. A whole new industry of wedding dog chaperones has emerged in the last five years, and it's really taken off. Recent research by Bridebook reveal that 49% of us in the UK would include our pet in our wedding party. If you're reading this, chances are that having your dog at your wedding isn't just a nice idea, for you, it's a non-negotiable.

Where I live and work in Cumbria, I'm so lucky to have some of the most incredible landscapes and dog-friendly wedding venues right on my doorstep. And while I have absolutely no plans to leave the world of animal photography behind, I have thought for quite some time about a question that kept coming back to me: what if there was a way I could do both?

But Frankie, my wedding photographer can just include the dog in their photos, no?

They absolutely can, and they do. But here’s the honest truth - on your wedding day, your photographer’s focus is you. As it absolutely should be. Every carefully composed shot, every stolen glance from your significant other, and every emotional moment of your day is documented through the lens of your love story. From the perspective of a wedding photographer, your dog will always be a supporting character in that narrative. For me? They’re the main character.

That’s exactly why I created the ‘A Tail and Two People’ wedding dog photography collection.

As a highly specialised international multi-award-winning animal photographer , I bring something completely different to your wedding day. My entire focus is your dog and their presence on the most special day of your lives: their ears forward and expressions alert in portraits, intentional posing with you, candid moments of them, and even time for some action too. Holly the springer spaniel served as ring bearer on her human’s big day: these images of her running down the aisle could only have been captured by me, someone thinking from the dog’s point of view, who will present to you an intimate highly curated gallery of fine art images that put them front and centre.

Your dog isn’t somebody you ummed and ahhed about having on the guest list: they are family. And if they matter enough to be there at all, they deserve images that reflect that.

Marty the Search Dog Found a New Role at his Humans’ Lake District Wedding

In 2025, I was very blessed to have been invited to document dogs at two weddings taking place in the Lake District, both on different sides of the breathtakingly beautiful Bassenthwaite Lake.

In June, I attended the wedding of Marty’s parents at Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, a stunningly beautiful former stately home, set in the middle of 400 acres of deer park and woodland on the north shore of Bassenthwaite Lake. This dog-friendly venue proved an absolute godsend on the day, as we were met with very wet conditions (hello, Cumbria): the gorgeous rich wooden interiors provided a gorgeous backdrop for Marty to shine against.

Marty is a Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dog named after Back to the Future, and is a true working border collie with a slightly different job to most. On his day off, he took on another role as guest of honour at his humans’ wedding, swapping his search and rescue vest for a tuxedo - yes, really!

My role on the day involved capturing some posed portraits of Marty pre-ceremony, relaxing in the lounge, and posing with his favourite human: his dad Mike, and close second favourite human: Mike’s dad, as well as with lots of other beloved family members. I then documented him during the ceremony in a candid way, choosing to have some of these images in black and white to capture the timelessness of the venue. Post-ceremony, Marty swapped out his tuxedo for his work uniform, so I could capture some portraits of him looking the part posing on the stairs both by himself and with the newlyweds: Mike and Ange.

When it came to the viewing appointment, it was no surprise that choosing just the images was no easy task. In their chosen collection of images, Marty's humans also chose for me to print a fine art portrait of him with Mike's dad, a piece that I know will be treasured in his home for many years to come.

It was an absolute pleasure to see Marty have such a key role in his humans’ big day, and I’m delighted that the weather didn’t literally put a dampener on things at all. Being able to give Marty his deserved main-character moment… priceless.

Holly the Springer Spaniel Stole the Show at her Humans’ Lakeside Wedding

Holly's story began on another shore of Bassenthwaite Lake last August, on the most perfect of Lake District days… though it didn't start that way. When I was on my way to the ceremony, the rain was coming down as only Cumbrian rain can. But just thirty minutes before the ceremony began, the clouds parted and the sun broke through over the mountains. A sign, I think!

The ceremony itself took place on the shores of the lake on private land, an achingly beautiful outdoor setting with a mountain backdrop that no venue could ever replicate. Holly, much adored by both her parents and widely credited by them as the dog who brought them even closer together, served as ceremonial ring bearer, taking her responsibilities extremely seriously as she sped down the aisle toward them. Lots of cuddles and kisses ensued.

Holly was in the wonderful care of Kirsty from Chuck Tails UK throughout the day, a dedicated wedding dog chaperone service whose sole focus is the welfare and happiness of your dog on your big day. Watching Kirsty work was a joy; Holly was relaxed, happy and completely in her element and Kirsty anticipated here every need.

After the ceremony and some beautifully posed portraits of Holly with her humans, Kirsty took her down to the lake, because Holly is, at heart, an outdoors dog with places to be and water to dive into. What followed were some amazing action scenes that I didn’t think I’d have the chance to capture at a wedding: Holly launching herself into Bassenthwaite Lake, completely free, completely herself.

That's what A Tail and Two People is really about.

Your Dog Deserves Their Main Character Moment Too

Marty and Holly are just two of the dogs I hope to capture on their humans' most special day. Every dog is different, every wedding is different, and every set of images I create will be as unique as the bond between you and your dog.

If you're getting married in Cumbria, the Lake District or Northumberland and your dog is coming, I'd love to be there too.

‘A Tail and Two People’ is now available to book for summer 2026 weddings and beyond. With a limited number of dates remaining between now and September, I'd encourage you not to wait. Enquires for 2027 and beyond are open too.

Find out everything you need to know via dedicated wedding dog photography page or you can email Frankie directly here.