Golden Retriever Wally Steals The Show By Joining Bride & Groom’s Wedding Dance
Feb 13, 2026 by apost team
Weddings are often about creating memories that last a lifetime, and for Julia and Tom Kuchenreuther, that included every member of their family – even the four-legged ones. Their 5-year-old golden retriever, Wally, became an unexpected but cherished participant in their celebration.
The couple noticed early in their wedding dance rehearsals that Wally was always eager to join in. Instead of keeping him aside, they embraced his enthusiasm, turning him into a star of their private last dance. Wally’s presence at the wedding extended far beyond this special dance. He already held several roles, including greeting the 115 guests, walking down the aisle with Tom, and even signing the wedding license with his paw.
Recognizing how much Wally had been a part of their journey – joining them two years after they started dating and staying through the years leading to their engagement – the couple felt a private dance with him would be a fitting tribute. Speaking to PEOPLE, Julia explained, “We wanted to obviously have our first dance as a moment for just us so when someone mentioned the idea of doing a private last dance we knew this would be the perfect thing to include Wally in and a nod to us dancing together like we have for all these years.”
The song chosen for the dance, Luke Combs’ “Forever After All,” held special significance. Julia noted, “This song came out right before we got Wally so we would listen to it often. Whenever we would dance around the kitchen listening to it Wally wanted to be involved so we picked him up and danced with him, this is something we've done since he was a little puppy so this song just started to remind us of us and him.” This combination of love, music, and family made the moment unforgettable.
Julia and Tom shared a heartwarming video on Instagram to explain why they had to have Wally participate in their special day. It was captioned:
“When we started practicing our wedding dance we noticed our dog always wanted to be involved. So we decided to see what it would be like if we just made him a part of it. Best decision ever.”
On their wedding day at Audrey's Farmhouse in Wallkill, New York, the couple held Wally between them during their last private dance.
“We felt so happy, especially seeing how happy he was,” Julia shared, adding, “More than anything he just wants to be near us, and people in general, so he was so excited to join us after the reception and see the guests.”
Beyond dancing, Wally was treated like a VIP throughout the day. He enjoyed a special doggie wedding cake from Boston-based pet bakery Dog Eat Cake, which read “I do too,” and custom dog treat favors with the same playful sentiment were handed to guests for their own pets. In the conversation with PEOPLE, Julia emphasized:
“There was no doubt Wally would be at the wedding. We wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Even the wedding décor celebrated Wally’s golden retriever charm, from wax seals on seating chart envelopes to napkins depicting a golden retriever swimming in a martini glass. After the festivities, Wally’s presence remained heartfelt as he boarded the buses transporting guests home, a subtle gesture of gratitude that marked the perfect end to the day.
“It was the perfect ending to our day and including Wally made it feel complete,” Julia stated.
The Kuchenreuthers’ approach underscores a growing trend of including pets in weddings, not just as symbolic guests but as full participants in the day’s most meaningful moments. It’s a celebration of love, companionship, and the bonds that make family – including furry family members – truly special.
apost.com
Pets are undeniably family. Isn’t Wally adorable? Have you ever seen a beloved pet also play a part in someone’s wedding story? Let us know, and then pass this along to friends who adore pets as much as Julia and Tom do!