Who is Natalie Kuckenburg? The Vampire Diaries actor Paul Wesley marries longtime girlfriend, pet dog was their 'Best Boy'

Wedding bells are ringing for The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley. The actor, who won millions of fans as Stefan Salvatore, has married his longtime girlfriend, German-Brazilian model Natalie Kuckenburg, in an intimate ceremony. Instead of a lavish celebration, the couple chose to exchange vows in a private setting with only the officiating minister and their beloved pet dog, Greg, by their side. The heartwarming wedding quickly caught the attention of fans after Natalie shared glimpses of the special day on social media.

Paul Wesley ties the knot with Natalie Kuckenburg

Natalie Kuckenburg shared the wedding announcement on Instagram on July 13 by posting a series of photographs from the ceremony. She captioned the post, "Mr. and Mrs. and the Best Boy Greg," introducing fans to the couple's unique wedding party. Greg, their pet dog, was given the honorary title of "Best Boy," making him the only guest present alongside the minister.

The ceremony was deliberately kept small and private, allowing the couple to celebrate one of the biggest moments of their lives away from the spotlight. Despite the minimalist guest list, both Paul and Natalie opted for elegant wedding outfits.

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A post shared by Natalie Kuckenburg (@nataliekuckenburg)

For D-day, Natalie wore a white silk spaghetti-strap gown designed by Galia Lahav. The designer later described the celebration as a quiet, elegant and deeply personal wedding that perfectly suited the dress. Paul Wesley, 43, complemented her look in a blue suit paired with a classic black tie.

The wedding photos quickly gained attention online, with fans flooding the comments section with congratulatory messages. Among those celebrating the couple was The Vampire Diaries actress Nina Dobrev, who also shared her best wishes for the newlyweds.

Who is Natalie Kuckenburg?

According to Hollywood Life, Natalie Kuckenburg is a 26-year-old German-Brazilian model from Hanover, Germany. She was discovered as a teenager and made her runway debut during Balmain's Spring 2020 fashion show. Since then, she has built a successful international modelling career, walking for renowned designers including Philipp Plein.

She has also appeared in campaigns for brands such as Etam and Veronica Beard and has been featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Brazil.

Apart from modelling, Natalie is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist. She founded Nareia, a fashion brand and charitable initiative that supports women artisans in northern Brazil by selling handmade crochet products. Through the venture, she combines fashion with social impact, helping create employment opportunities for local communities.

How Paul Wesley and Natalie fell in love

Paul Wesley and Natalie Kuckenburg's relationship reportedly began in late 2022 after they first met at a bar in New York City. During an appearance on Live with Kelly & Mark, Wesley revealed that their first meeting happened in a casual setting rather than through the entertainment industry.

As their relationship grew stronger, the couple gradually made more public appearances together. In a 2024 interview with People, Paul spoke fondly about Natalie while discussing the people who bring joy to his life, placing his pet dog Greg first and his girlfriend second in his list of the funniest companions.

The couple got engaged during a romantic trip to Italy in 2025. Natalie announced the engagement on Instagram by posting a picture of her diamond ring with the simple caption, "Yes." The post also featured the words "Always and forever," delighting fans who had followed their relationship.

After spending around four years together, the pair decided to celebrate their marriage in the most personal way possible, with Greg playing an unforgettable role in the ceremony.

The wedding also marks a new chapter in Paul Wesley's personal life. This is the actor's third marriage. He was previously married to actress Torrey DeVitto from 2011 to 2013 and later to jewellery executive Ines de Ramon from 2019 until their divorce in 2022.