About Me
Hi! I’m Di Symes
Your Wedding Chaperone
Where it all began!
I don’t know where this saying came from but it’s the one I remember that changed everything: “You’ll only earn money for two things in your life – to pay the bills and to spend it to make you happy. So why not do something that makes you happy then all you have to do is pay the bills!”
Hi, I’m Di Symes, founder and owner of That’s Pawfect Wedding Chaperone®. The handsome chap in the photo with me is my hubby, Tony. Registered as a Ltd company in 2015 and based in Trentham Staffordshire, my little business was the first in the UK to offer a bespoke Wedding Chaperone and Pet Care Service for dogs.
The heart of this business began with two Golden Retrievers who brought more joy into our lives than we ever imagined: Oscar and Barney. After 13.5 years of sheer joy, sadly we lost Oscar in April 2025 and Barney in March this year, but the happiness, laughter and pure sunshine they gave us still brighten every part of what we do. Their spirit is woven into this business — into every wagging tail we chaperone and every moment we help create.
Oscar and Barney taught us how magical life becomes when dogs are part of it. They made ordinary days feel extraordinary. And even though they weren’t with us on our wedding day, we know they would have filled it with golden chaos, love and unforgettable memories.
That realisation — that deep wish to have had them there — inspired us to make sure other couples never have to miss out on including their furbaby in their celebration. That’s why this service exists: to help your dog be part of your story, your joy, your once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment.
From day one, my vision was clear: to offer safe, skilled, loving pet care alongside a wedding chaperone service that treats your dog like family. I stepped into a brand‑new industry with determination, excitement and the belief that dogs deserve to be part of life’s biggest milestones.
Working with dogs every day is a privilege. Their quirks, their courage, their boundless enthusiasm — they lift your spirits without even trying. They remind us to celebrate the small things, embrace the big things and find joy wherever we can.
When I registered the business back in 2015, there was never any doubt: your dog belongs in your wedding memories just as much as any other loved one. They bring happiness, comfort and a kind of love that makes the day even more special.
Now I get to do something that fills my heart and me with purpose, honours Oscar and Barney, and brings joy to couples across the UK. And as long as I can pay the bills… to me, That’s Pawfect.
We take the lead, whilst you’re tying the knot!
2011 – Our lives changed furever!
2011 – Being home based 65% of the time & after much deliberation around which breed to have, we decided the time was right for us to have a dog (or two). After meeting a couple of registered breeders, the decision was made & the deposit was paid!
Nov 2011 – Oscar, our 9 week old Golden Retriever puppy joined our household! We enrolled in the usual puppy socilisation & training classes to help us & Oscar with the essential learning.
Oct 2012 – When Oscar’s brother Barney (same dad, different moms) joined us a year later, our family unit was complete & we continued to fall deeper in love with them both & make as many memories together as possible.
Over the next couple of years, the more I got to know and love the boys, my interest in everything dog continued to rise and I wanted more!
2015 – The Journey Began
Eventually, with a newly stoked fire in my belly, my New Year’s resolution was to explore having a career that allowed me to spend even more time with our boys & dogs generally.
Whilst holding down a position of responsibility, I undertook the following:
Initial research, listing & understanding what was already available out there for dog owners
Attended seminars & workshops focussed on canine behaviour
Enrolled with industry trade organisations & attended shows & networking events
Completed Pet First Aid Course
Voluntered at local dogs home to help build confidence & skill set
Developed Business Plan/Strategy & Brand
Aug 2015 – Registered as a LTD company with Companies House
2016 – Completed pet care & business courses (evenings/weekends) to build knowledge & skills
Sourced products that were ethically aligned with our values & sustainability strategy
Set up social media platforms & pet care/retail website
2017 – Dream became real
Finally in 2017, after working 6 months notice in a responsible, very well paid role of 16 yrs, I left the organisation to launch That’s Pawfect, the first of it’s kind in the UK!
Our Mission “To provide safe, consistent & high-quality experiences for our four-legged friends & their owners”
Proud to say we have & continue to achieve a 5* customer review rating
2020 – During pandemic took web design course & produced & launched this site, further developed brand & applied & succeeded in achieving a fully Registered Trademark
2021 – Became a paperless company, launched our Giving Back Campaign & are the FIRST Wedding Chaperone/Pet Care business to sign up to the UN Race to Net Zero Campaign
We won the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) Pet Business Service of the Year 2021
We have been nominated & voted for by our customers into The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) since 2020 & won the West Midlands Regional Finals 2021 – 2024 & received Highly Commended Award in our category 2023 & 2024
2024 Accepted the invite to become a Judge for TWIA, where I remain today!
Di Symes - That’s Pawfect Wedding Chaperone®
Di Symes is the founder and owner of That’s Pawfect Wedding Chaperone® and That’s Pawfect – Pet Care Services.
Di is responsible for introducing the first bespoke Wedding Chaperone/Pet Care business of it’s kind in the UK, with a key focus on the health and welbeing of every animal in her care.
The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) West Midlands Regional Winner four years running from 2021 – 2024 and National Highly Commended 2023-2024 Di specialises in providing safe, consistent and high-quality experiences for her four-legged friends and their owners.
With a strong drive to improve ongoing business practices and service delivery in an ever-changing world, she is passionate about environmental issues and in 2021, hers was the first business of its kind to sign up to the Race to Net Zero campaign. Also one of the first 1,300 small businesses to be involved in, and complete the first ever Small Business Britain’s Green Skills Sustainability Basics Course.
Di has also participated in a number of FSB Policy and Gvt round table events to review sustainable activity and help identify the key challenges and next steps for the UK Gvt to assist small businesses in reducing carbon footprints. The full review was published on the 13th Jan 2023.
In 2021 That’s Pawfect Wedding Chaperone won the Pet Industry Federation Awards for the Pet Service Business of the Year.
In 2024 Di was invited to be a Judge for TWIA which is where she remains today.
**Image – Heaton House Wedding Venue with the lovely Jasper, wedding day dog, courtesy of Scott Sharman Photography**
I make sure your pooch takes part in your Big Day! no stress, no hassle, no worries!
Our role is simple: To make it possible for you to enjoy your wedding fully — knowing your dog is safe, calm, happy and beautifully included in your day.
We’re here to give you complete peace of mind from the very first moment.
The whole process has been designed to keep things simple and straight forward! To start, we have a no obligation consultation where we can chat things through and agree yours and your dogs needs.
Once we have captured all the details we will provide your quote for your review and final decision.
All logistics are taken care of
Whether collecting your dog from home, a family member or friends house or kennels, they will be transported safely to and from each venue and returned safely to their final destination point
Pre, during and post pet care needs covered
From the familiarisation sessions leading up to the big day, the care and handling on the day itself, to feeding and settling them back down at their final drop off point; your beloved pet will receive dedicated, safe, professional and experienced care and attention throughout
Support and assistance provided for your photographer
Making and capturing those precious memories is a key part of the day. We work closely with your photographer and pooch to achieve the very best moments captured on film to treasure furever
Ethical service delivery - Getting greener each year
A key aim for our business is to become a more sustainable and eco-friendly organisation. which you can read more about in Our Values section. Since launching in 2017 we have:
– Streamlined our service delivery reducing on emissions/fuel consumption/general travel costs
– Continue to work with like minded companies to source 100% natural, sustainably produced dog treats and toys.
– All cleaning products used to disinfect our pet vehicles are also 100% natural, pet friendly and cruelty free.
– The display units we use at the artisan markets we attend, are either made out of cardboard, rattan or natural, unstained, upcycled wood.
– All our poop bags used and sold are degradable to a maximum of 12 months to completely disappear and we even have fully compostable bags that disintegrate within 4 months!
In 2021:
– We bacame a totally paperless company, we don’t even use business cards.
– Launched our Giving Back campaign.
– We were the first business of our kind to join the Gvts Race to Net Zero campaign.
In 2022:
– We replaced our pet vehicle with a more eco friendly model, reducing emissions & more fuel efficient.
– We participated in Gvt roundtables & have been quoted in the FSB/Gvt sustainability report.
– We were one of the first small businesses to complete the Small Business Sustainability Basics Course & complete our impact assessment.
– We were one of the 1300 small businesses to be shortlisted to attend a lunch/sustainability networking event at the House of Lords.
2023 so far:
– We have replaced our 2nd vehicle with a hybrid ensuring further reduced emissions & fuel efficiency.
– We reduced our data useage by closing one of our websites & redirecting to a more greener option.
– We participated in Gvt/FSB policy round table & have inputted into the current FSB/ Gvt report.
Happy Clients
Sharing a few Kind words from our previous, lovely clients. You can read more in our Review section
