When Julia and Tom Moriggi got engaged, there was one decision they didn’t even have to discuss: their golden retriever, Wally, had to be part of the wedding.
Wally joined their family in 2020 as a fluffy young puppy, and from the very beginning, he showed he had a lot of feelings. Big, expressive, unmistakably human-like emotions — the kind that made Julia and Tom fall in love with him instantly.
“Wally is known for his huge emotions and his very human personality,” Julia told The Dodo. “If we leave the beach or the park, he sulks in the car like a sad toddler and refuses to go inside.”
No matter what they were doing — cuddling on the couch, dancing in the kitchen or just hanging out — Wally brought color and warmth to their days. So when wedding planning began, including him wasn’t just an option. It was a necessity.
“When we got engaged, we knew we’d include him in every part of the wedding that we possibly could,” Julia said. “Everyone knew it wouldn’t be our ‘big day’ without him.”
The couple wove Wally into every detail, from custom napkins to a playful illustration of a golden retriever swimming in a martini glass. But they also wanted him to play a major role.
And so Wally earned his title: “Best Boy.”
“He was with us all day,” Julia said. “He walked down the aisle with Tom and greeted every single guest.”
Wally, realizing all his favorite people were gathered together, could barely contain his joy. He trotted down the aisle with the biggest doggy smile, convinced — correctly — that everyone was there to admire him.
“He was so excited all of his favorite people were in one place and obviously there to see him,” Julia said.
Watch Wally walk down the aisle here:
But Wally’s duties didn’t end there. Julia and Tom wanted him to be part of their marriage in a lasting way, so they planned their entire ceremony around one adorable idea: Wally would sign the marriage license.
To make that possible, they got married in New York, where only one witness is legally required — leaving the second signature line wide open for a dog’s paw print.
After the ceremony, they pressed an ink pad onto the license and gently stamped Wally’s paw on the page.
“You could tell he was so proud,” Julia said. “He didn’t know what he was signing, of course, but he was thrilled to be included!”
You can see Wally sign the marriage license here:
With his official duties complete, it was time to celebrate. When Julia and Tom cut their wedding cake, Wally got his own — a dog-friendly cake that read “I do, too,” made specially for him by Dog Eat Cake in Boston. Guests’ dogs even received treats engraved with messages from Wally himself.
Watch Wally devour his cake here:
Later, the family of three enjoyed one final dance together — and Wally soaked up every moment before the night wound down.
“He loves people so much that he gets sad when the fun ends,” Julia said. “After the wedding he was exhausted, and the letdown hit him hard, but he absolutely had the time of his life.”
Fortunately, the joy didn’t end there. Wally got to join his parents on their honeymoon in upstate New York, where the family enjoyed a blissful, quiet getaway before starting their new chapter together.
There may not be another wedding on the horizon, but Wally will always be ready for his next starring role — and his parents can’t wait for many more big moments with their “best boy.”
“He truly is our best friend,” Julia said. “We’re so grateful to know him and love him.”
To follow Wally’s adventures, you can find him on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook.
