The newlyweds had just left their wedding ceremony in June when hundreds of Croatian fans in red-and-white checkered shirts poured in. They were in the United States to watch Croatia play in the World Cup and took over the street outside City Hall.
Amid the crowds, Ashton and Zachary Smith stood ready for their wedding photos. The result was images of kisses, cheers and football fans celebrating with two complete strangers. The photos quickly went viral on social media - and laid the foundation for an unlikely friendship.
"Everyone rushed towards us. At first we thought, 'Oh my God, I hope everyone is on our side.' But everyone celebrated with us," Ashton Smith says, according to the AP.
Now the fans have returned the hospitality. Croatia's national tourism organization and the supporter group Mi Hrvati have invited the couple on a second honeymoon in the country.
The trip included a visit to the coastal city of Split, where the couple marched with fans ahead of Croatia's match against Spain in the Nations League. There was singing, music and football - just like in Philadelphia.
"It's full speed all the time, and we love it," Ashton says.
