Some might say you'd have to be barking mad to take your dog to your wedding, but getting pet pooches to the church on time is all in a day's work for one Kent woman.

Kerry Ewer, 32, from Ramsgate, has been running a wedding concierge service for dogs since 2019.

Furrytail Weddings has made it possible for dozens of canine companions to get spruced up and be part of their owners' big day.

Kerry, who has a rescue German Shepherd cross, was running a pet care company when a friend suggested she accompany her to a wedding fair.

She said: "I went along and loads of people were saying 'will you bring my dog to my wedding?'

"Friends of mine had their dog at their wedding back in 2018 and before he came to me that day everyone was getting a bit fed up with looking after him."

When she started the business in 2019, it grew to 10 branches, but when the pandemic hit, most of the weddings were cancelled, and her industry was one which was not allowed to trade for a time.

Two years on she is seeing some of that business return and couples whose weddings were postponed finally tying the knot.

"It is pretty niche," she said. "I think I may be the only business in Kent that does this. It can be really stressful at times."

Some owners want their pets to be fully involved with proceedings, while others are happy for them to make an appearance, and then be looked after for the rest of the day, or weekend.

Kerry provides a tailored package so can do as much or as little as is wanted, from picking them up and chaperoning them at the service, to overnight sitting.

"Yes, people sometimes stand with their dogs to take their vows – I had a sausage dog that was a ring bearer, and a French bulldog that did that too.

"I do everything – pick them up and take them to the wedding, whatever is suitable for the dog.

"I also provide props for them – custom-made items such as leads, collars and bandanas – they have to look the part."

She adds: "I am pretty used to working with dogs. I haven't had any dogs that were naughty. I did have an absolutely enormous dog jump up when he saw his owners and he got excited.

"He nearly knocked me over. But luckily I was at the back so no-one could see. He just wanted to be loved constantly. He kept giving me slobbery kisses.

"The last thing people want is a dog that is terrified at a wedding.

"The only dog I've ever had that showed any anxiety was a little French bulldog because she was so attached to the groom's parents, she just wanted to follow them around. Every time she saw them she wanted to go to them."