Paul Wesley reveals last-minute decision behind intimate wedding
The 'Vampire Diaries' star said abandoning plans for a lavish wedding made his intimate ceremony more meaningful
Paul Wesley has opened up about the spontaneous decision that led him and wife, Natalie Kuckenburg to ditch plans for a large wedding in favour of an intimate courthouse ceremony.
The Vampire Diaries star, 44, announced earlier this month that he had married the 26-year-old model in a civil ceremony.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at San Diego Comic-Con, Wesley revealed the couple only decided to tie the knot after a last-minute cancellation became available at the Santa Barbara courthouse.
"We were planning a big wedding, and then we were like, 'Let's just get legally married,'" Wesley said, explaining that the venue had been fully booked until an opening appeared the night before.
The last-minute change meant Kuckenburg had only hours to find a wedding dress, eventually choosing an ivory Galia Lahav design, while Wesley wore a navy suit with a black tie.
The actor said the rushed preparations extended to every part of the ceremony, including finding a photographer, but insisted the spontaneity made the day even more meaningful.
"Everything was the day before, and it was so special," he said. "Because it was so spontaneous, it made it more special. It was just us and our dog. It was amazing."
Their rescue dog, Greg, also played a role in the celebration, with Kuckenburg affectionately describing him as their "Best Boy" in wedding photos shared on Instagram.
The couple were first linked in 2022 after meeting through mutual friends at a New York City bar. Wesley proposed in 2025 at the same Italian restaurant where they had enjoyed their first official date.
