What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 2pm 6pm - 10pm Wednesday 10am - 2pm 6pm - 8pm Thursday 10am - 2pm 6pm - 8pm Friday 11am - 3pm Saturday 6pm - 8pm

Hounds & Heritage Weddings

Name: Hounds & Heritage Weddings
Address: Third floor, 3 Hill Street, New Town, Edinburgh, EH23JP, GB
Telephone: +447799642893
Price range: ££
Rating: 5

Home
United Kingdom
Edinburgh
Hounds & Heritage Weddings

The company is independently owned and operated by Jemma Cox, who brings over 13 years of experience in pet care and six years in weddings and events.

• YOUR Dog at YOUR Wedding!
• Expert Full-Time Wedding Chaperones
• Insured & Licensed
• Multi-Award Winning Service
• Covering Scotland & North East England
• Special Discounts for Blue Light, Students, Teachers & Wedding Industry Professionals Hounds & Heritage Weddings was established in late August 2021 following the decision to specialise in wedding services by separating from a long-s

tanding pet care business of nine years. Hounds & Heritage has experienced significant growth, including the recent expansion of its team. While Jemma Cox continues to lead as the sole full-time Wedding Chaperone in Scotland, she is now supported by a growing team of dedicated professionals who share her passion for ensuring that every wedding day is perfect for both the couple and their beloved pets. This expansion reflects the increasing demand for their specialised services and allows Hounds & Heritage Weddings to offer an even higher level of personalised care and attention. The company has garnered significant recognition within the wedding industry, including being named a FINALIST in both The Scottish Wedding Awards 2023 and the Confetti Wedding Awards 2023. Hounds & Heritage Weddings was also honoured with the Luxlife Global Excellence Award 2023 for Best Wedding Day Chaperone & Pet Sitting Service in the UK, and the Luxlife Global Wedding Award 2023 for Best Pet Chaperone in the Scottish Lowlands. Recently, the company was recognised as 'Highly Recommended' in the Scottish Wedding Awards 2024 and achieved finalist status as the only chaperone business in both the Your Scottish Wedding Awards 2024 and The Nations Wedding Awards 2024. Hounds & Heritage Weddings remains committed to providing wedding-specific services only. All advertised packages are subject to availability, and booking proposals that have not been accepted may be adjusted to reflect changing costs or package modifications. All bookings require a 30% retainer or full payment if the wedding is within 8 weeks of initial contact. Jemma Cox is currently the only full-time Wedding Chaperone operating in Scotland and holds a DEFRA Type 1 Transportation License, along with all relevant insurance and licenses. Hounds & Heritage Weddings is exclusively dedicated to wedding-related services. The offered packages include:
- One, Two, or Three Night Home Boarding Stay, including chaperoning duties.
- One Night Client Home Stay, including chaperoning duties.
- Half Day Care or Full Day Care with an option to extend to midnight at the venue, including chaperoning duties.
- Wedding Day Pet Sitting, available as Half Day or Full Day services, without chaperoning duties. Hounds & Heritage Weddings does not offer home boarding or pet sitting services outside of weddings. For inquiries, please contact Hounds & Heritage Weddings via Email, Website, Instagram, or WhatsApp, as Facebook Messenger is currently unavailable.

11/04/2025

For our 2025 couples with weddings from mid-May through to September 🫶🏻
Here’s a little update on familiarisation meetings, timelines, and what to expect next.

Emails will begin going out this weekend (including Monday 14th), and we truly appreciate your patience as we work through a very full and exciting season ahead!

08/04/2025

Familiarisation Meetings 🖤

04/04/2025

Celebrating 500 bookings.

And while I don’t usually make a fuss, it felt like the right time to pause and acknowledge a milestone that passed quietly a couple of weeks ago — one that’s meant more than I can really put into words. 🤍

500 people have trusted us with their dogs — their family — on one of the most meaningful days of their lives.
Some weddings have happened, some are still to come, and some didn’t go ahead.
All of them have mattered. 🐾

Today is my 29th birthday — the beginning of my last year in my 20s — and it feels like the right moment to reflect.
To look back on the journey so far, and the people who helped shape it.

It hasn’t always been easy. As someone introverted, I often find it hard to put myself out there.
I know I can come across as a little awkward, maybe even cold.
But behind that is care, quiet consistency, and deep pride in what we do.

I’ve never chased the numbers — that’s just not what this is about. But I do reflect.
And it’s in those reflections that I find what this journey has truly been about: trust, growth, love, and heritage.
And the feeling of being at home when working with dogs. 🏡

To gently mark both the milestone and the moment, I’ve put together a giveaway — a small collection of gifts, shared between a few special winners.
It’s filled with thoughtful, Scottish-made pieces from small businesses I truly admire. 🎁

A quiet thank-you to everyone who’s been part of this journey so far, big or small.

It’s open to past clients, future ones, those still deciding, and the incredible wedding suppliers who’ve supported us along the way. 🫶🏻

To enter:
1. Like this post
2. Follow
3. Head to the link - https://houndsandheritageweddings.sproutstudio.com/questionnaire/500giveaway - to enter!
4. Optional: Tag someone you’d love to share this with

24/03/2025

📌 Licensing & Insurance Information ✅

At Hounds & Heritage, your dog’s safety and wellbeing are our top priorities. We operate with full licensing, insurance, and compliance with all relevant regulations to ensure the highest standards of care.

⸻

🏢 Boarding Licence No: 523689 (Issued under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963)
📅 Valid from: 19th March 2025 to 31st March 2026 (Renewed annually)

Providing home boarding services without a license is illegal and will usually invalidate both the provider’s and the owner’s insurance policies, leaving everyone in a vulnerable position if something were to happen.

⸻

🚗 DEFRA Type 1 Transportation Licence No: UK/GALAS/T1/00111976
(Required for commercial businesses transporting animals over 40 miles regularly.)
This license ensures that all transport of dogs is conducted safely, responsibly, and in full compliance with legal requirements.

⸻

💼 Pet Business Insurance Policy No: COJX73PB02
📅 Valid from: 10th March 2025 to 9th March 2026 (Renewed annually)

✅ We are fully insured to provide services for all breeds, including XL Bullies. Your furry friends are always protected, no matter their size or breed.

All our insurances and licenses are up to date and fully valid. Due to previous issues with theft, we do not publicly display these documents. Instead, our registered business address is used for correspondence and online presence to ensure privacy and safety.

⸻

📢 Important Note About Registered Addresses:
Licensing usually requires an address to be made publicly accessible as part of the licensing register. However, under Data Protection regulations and Licensing Laws, a licensee has the right to request that certain personal information, such as their home address, be excluded from the public register for privacy and safety reasons. Therefore, some providers may not have their full details visible to the public but can still provide proof of valid licensing upon request.

💡 Additionally, Hounds & Heritage operates under a registered business address for correspondence and online presence, rather than our personal home address, due to security reasons. This practice also allows us flexibility to accommodate team members who may home board in the future. Having a central business address ensures our services are consistent and professionally managed, while safeguarding privacy for our team, clients, and families.

⸻

📸 New Vaccination & Health Proof Process:
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all dogs in our care, we will send a link a few months before your booking to collect:
• Photographic Evidence of Vaccinations (Up-to-date records)
• Titre Testing Evidence (If applicable)
• Microchip Details (For identification purposes)
• Neuter/Spay Evidence (If typically provided by your vet or available upon request)

All records are securely stored and kept on file for 7 years to ensure compliance and safety standards. 🫶🏻🖤

⸻

📢 Important Information About Renewals & Certificates:
Licenses are renewed annually (subject to fees and inspections) and must meet current compliance standards. Businesses may choose to wait until the most recent certificate is issued before providing proof, as once a new certificate is issued, it immediately invalidates any previous certificate. This ensures the most current and accurate information is provided to clients.

It’s also worth noting that home improvements, layout changes, and other substantial changes can impact the licensing process. Most councils will allow some leeway if a granted license is due to expire during this time, but this is not guaranteed.

⸻

📢 Proof of Licensing & Insurance:
We are happy to provide proof of valid licensing and insurance upon request. However, please be aware that the above points regarding renewals and updates may apply if a renewal is currently in progress.

⸻

📝 Additional Notes:
• All our insurances have most recently been renewed as above, so all documents are correct and up to date.
• Documents will be watermarked with the Hounds & Heritage Weddings logo to prevent identity theft.
• Our registered business address is only used for correspondence and online presence, and we do not operate any services from that location.

⸻

23/03/2025

Wee Roxi came to stay this weekend 🥰 and just like last year when we looked after her for her parents wedding, she slotted into family life like she’d always been a part of it. 🖤🥹

18/03/2025

Julieanne shared a wee preview of Mr & Mrs Girvans wedding at the Radstone on Sunday, and just look at wee Reggie 🥹🥰

Photographer; Julieanne Whyte Photography

16/03/2025

Wee Reggie was the dog of honour at todays wedding at the Radstone 🥹

15/03/2025

A good day spent with Nelson & Cora. We headed to Dundas Castle for their parents wedding this afternoon, and whilst I had my hands full so no pictures of them at the venue, they were very well behaved all things considered. 🥰

12/03/2025

Friendly Reminder – Working Hours & Preferred Contact Methods

We know that emails can sometimes get missed, and we want to ensure you can reach us easily. WhatsApp is our preferred method of communication for quicker responses, as emails may occasionally go astray.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀:
• Tues, Wed, Thurs: 10am-2pm / 6pm-8pm
• Fri: 11:00am-3:00pm
• Sat: 6pm-8pm
• Mon & Sun: OFF (Excluding Wedding Days)

𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 (for booking requests, familiarisation meeting availability, and general admin tasks):
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
• Extended admin hours until 10pm on Tuesdays

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗨𝘀:
• Email: [email protected] (general) | [email protected] (for booked clients)

(Our email changed from .co.uk to .uk at the end of 2023—please ensure you’re using the correct address).

• Text/Phone/WhatsApp: 07799 642893 (Preferred method for quicker responses).

• Instagram:

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: Facebook Messenger is turned off, so messages sent there won’t be seen. 🚫

Thank-you for your understanding, and we appreciate your support in helping us streamline communication. We look forward to being part of your special day!

11/03/2025

Wedding season is well and truly on the horizon for Hounds & Heritage. 🖤

With 77 weddings left this year, and 7 weddings already completed, our familiarisation meetings are ramping up, and we’re preparing to schedule:
- An average of 134 meetings
- 23 trials (estimated 7 retrials)

…all between April and July, alongside the weddings themselves. 🫶🏻

Every single dog, couple, and experience is important to us, which is why we take a structured, tailored approach to ensure each pup is fully prepared for their role on the big day.

These meetings aren’t just a formality—they allow us to build trust, assess comfort levels, and make sure every dog feels at ease in what can be an overwhelming environment.

We appreciate the patience and trust of our couples as we work through the diary—each meeting is carefully planned to keep things running smoothly while ensuring every dog gets the time they need.

A full breakdown of the familiarisation meeting process will be shared in an upcoming blog post, so keep an eye out.

Looking forward to meeting you all soon. 🖤

28/02/2025

Jack Russell; Toby, Dog of Honour 🫶🏻

Toby’s involvement in today’s wedding was carefully considered from the start. While his owners initially thought about including him in the ceremony, they ultimately decided it might be too much for him. Instead, during our familiarisation meetings, we explored alternative ways for him to be part of the day—ensuring he still had his special moments without feeling overwhelmed. 💙

From the moment he arrived, Toby took everything in his stride. 🐶✨ After settling into the venue, we touched base with the photographers and videographers to discuss the best approach for capturing him throughout the day. He then had the chance to spend some quiet time with the groom and groomsmen away from the rest of the guests.

As the guests arrived, Toby took his place outside the marquee, offering a warm welcome alongside the groom and groomsmen before the bridal party made their entrance. 👰✨ A moment we’ve recently started offering our couples is allowing the bride to see her dog just before walking down the aisle—a small but incredibly meaningful gesture. 💕🐾 We’ve found it helps ease nerves and creates a truly intimate moment before the big moment unfolds. This was definitely the case for our Bride; Erin, and her bridesmaids who were overjoyed to see Toby waiting for them.

After a short rest during the ceremony, Toby rejoined his newly married parents for some beautiful photos 📸—and I already know they’re going to be stunning! He was such a natural in front of the camera, and I can’t wait to see the final images.

A perfect day for a very special pup. 🐶💙✨

18/02/2025

🌿 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 & 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 & 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 🌿

Hounds & Heritage wasn’t built overnight—it’s the result of a lifetime shaped by dogs, nature, and unexpected turns.

Growing up, every dog walk with my dad was a lesson in trees and wild landscapes, sparking a love for the outdoors that led me to study Outdoor Studies at university in the Lake District. But life had other plans. After a few months, I realised it wasn’t the direction I wanted to take.

Alongside university, I had already started basic pet care as a side job, not realising it would soon become so much more. What began small grew into daycare, then home boarding, then adventure days, and before I knew it—wedding dog chaperoning.

I went from working with dogs during the day to caring for them overnight, while also working a different job within the wedding industry. Eventually, I found myself combining two industries I knew and loved. Pet care gave me the freedom I craved, weddings gave me the creative outlet I’d always loved, and together, they gave me the teamwork and connection I secretly thrived on.

Now, in a way I never expected, I’ve come full circle—giving back to the wild landscapes that shaped my childhood through The Hounds & Heritage Grove, recently launched at the beginning of 2025.

🌳 This initiative symbolises growth, new beginnings, and a deeper commitment to nature and sustainability. For every dog we chaperone, a tree is planted in their honour—ensuring their role in their humans’ wedding day isn’t just a fleeting moment, but a lasting presence in Scotland’s wild forests.

🐾 Whether it’s a solo pup or a family of three, each dog has their own tree—marking their place in their humans’ love story. On milestone anniversaries (5, 10, 15, 20 years and beyond), more trees will be planted, allowing their story to keep growing—**quite literally—for generations to come.

Life is fleeting, and we never have enough time with the people and things we love. But while our time together feels too short, there’s something comforting in knowing that what we leave behind can continue to grow, thrive, and be cherished by others—of all life forms.

With many trees living for hundreds of years, their presence will long outlast our own—standing tall as a symbol of love, connection, and legacy.

🌲 With 7 trees already planted, we can’t wait to watch this forest grow—one dog at a time. 🌿💚

Because love never truly fades—it just finds new ways to grow.

📍 You can find The Hounds & Heritage Grove here; https://treesforlife.org.uk/groves/533655/

🌱 The 2025 trees planted so far are for:

🕊️ Penny – Rachael & Petr – 04.01.2025
🌿 Wallace – Charlene & John – 25.01.25
🌲 Arlo – Carla & Nathan – 01.02.2025
🌳 Bonnie – Chloe & Andrew – 02.02.2025
💚 And more to come…

*********

Mr & Mrs Fenton ft. Puppy & Boo 16.10.2021 🐾

16/02/2025

Out of Office 16th-19th 🖤

06/02/2025

Familiarisation Meetings for 2025 Weddings 🥰

05/02/2025

I’ve been so eager to share little Rolo, the Chihuahua, on my feed—he completely stole my heart with how affectionate and loving he was!

We started his familiarisation process the way we do with every dog—full of optimism and the reassurance that if he needed extra time, we’d happily give it. His parents were understandably a little hesitant, describing him as a very nervous boy, so we took things slowly. Since he was booked in for a home board, we began with a relaxed outdoor walk, letting him set the pace while I learned more about his personality and their wedding plans.

By the time we moved on to his home visit—helped along by a few treats—Rolo’s nerves started to melt away. He was thrilled to see both Steven and me, settling in far quicker than expected. And when it came to collection day for his overnight trial, his poor gran barely got a look in—Rolo was all over us! Seeing him so comfortable and excited reassured his parents that he was in safe hands.

But what truly amazed them was how completely unphased Rolo was by our Maine C**n! Many owners worry about how their dog will react to a cat in the home, especially a large one, but Rolo took it all in his stride—no stress, no fuss, just happy to be part of the household. 😍

Of course, no wedding would be complete without the perfect outfit, and Rolo’s parents had chosen a little collar for the big day. However, when we tried it on, we realised it didn’t quite fit! With a bit of quick thinking (and a little Velcro tape), we made some last-minute adjustments, ensuring he looked dapper and comfortable for his moment in front of the camera. 🖤

On the big day at Boclair House, Rolo joined for a short but special stint of photographs. While we knew he was completely at ease with us, we also understood that the buzz of a big wedding might be overwhelming for him. His happiness was our priority, so we made sure his experience was just right—letting him soak up the moment with his family while keeping everything calm and stress-free. 🫶🏻

Photographer: Julieanne Whyte Photography

04/02/2025

I never imagined when starting Hounds & Heritage that it would grow into what it is today. Being named finalists in the People’s Choice Awards 2025 for Best Wedding Supplier and Best Customer Service feels like such an incredible milestone. 🫶🏻

These last few years have been full of challenges I never expected to face, but they’ve also been full of moments that have reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. Seeing how much our work means to you, and knowing we’ve been able to bring your furry friends into some of the happiest days of your lives, is the most rewarding feeling.

If you’d like to show your support, we’d love your vote—it only takes a moment and would mean the world to us.

🖤 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpekg68osyke896c8FmH0lM-hAajF6xgfE0Dyt4T8PnEEnog/viewform?pli=1 🖤

Categories; Best Wedding Supplier & Best Customer Service 💍
Area; Edinburgh

From the bottom of my heart, thank-you for trusting us, supporting us, and being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to creating even more unforgettable memories together!

With love,
Jemma x

03/02/2025

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with Bonnie, a sweet and slightly nervous golden retriever. True to her name, she was a bonnie lass and kept me company from 11:30am right through to 11:30pm.

The day started with a long 90-minute walk in some very chilly and windy conditions. Once we got back to the lodges at Lochside House Hotel, it was time for a good groom to make sure she was dry and mud-free, ready for her big moments.

We then made our way to the hotel entrance to wait for her newly married mum and dad. Although she was a little nervous and tired, Bonnie absolutely stole the show in front of the fountain, posing like a superstar for some beautiful photographs.

Back at the lodge, Bonnie did her bit to help tidy up so her parents could return to a clean space. And by “help,” I mean she made herself cozy, leaving the perfect Bonnie-shaped dent in her bed while I got to work.

With the odd cuddle here and there, some lunchtime sandwich supervision, and a full pack of meaty treats, we were best pals by the end of the day. She was an absolute delight to look after and such a good girl. 🖤

Address

Third Floor, 3 Hill Street, New Town
Edinburgh
EH23JP

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 2pm
	6pm - 10pm
Wednesday	10am - 2pm
	6pm - 8pm
Thursday	10am - 2pm
	6pm - 8pm
Friday	11am - 3pm
Saturday	6pm - 8pm

Telephone

+447799642893

Website

http://www.houndsandheritageweddings.uk/, https://quotation.houndsandheritageweddings.uk/, https://linktr.ee/houndsathea

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hounds & Heritage Weddings posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Hounds & Heritage Weddings: