When Soccer Fans Crash a Wedding
Zach Smith and Ashton Ashby said “I do” at the Crystal Tea Room in Center City, a venue known for its white drapery and gilded columns. The ceremony was already set for 230 guests when a lively contingent of Croatian soccer supporters arrived, brandishing red‑and‑white‑checked flags and immediately turning the celebration into a spontaneous street‑style party.
The fans, in town ahead of Croatia’s World Cup match, embraced the newlyweds, snapping selfies and toasting to the couple’s future. Their chants of “Mr. Brightside” echoed through the hall as DJ Johnny V spun the hit, lifting Zach and Ashton into the air while the crowd cheered.
The pair first met as students at St. Joe’s, where they dated for six years before deciding to tie the knot. Their long‑standing romance gave the day a personal touch, and the décor, curated by Carmen’s Flowers and Balloons, added pink roses, white hydrangeas and peonies to the elegant setting.
The party stretched into the early hours, with the energy matching that of the World Cup festivities that had earlier spilled onto Philadelphia’s streets, where fans from Croatia, Curaçao and Brazil were seen celebrating alongside city landmarks. Videos of the wedding’s exuberant moments quickly went viral, drawing attention from across the globe.
After a sun‑soaked honeymoon in Saint Lucia, the couple received an unexpected invitation from the Croatian National Tourist Board to return for a second honeymoon, a testament to the unique bond formed between the newlyweds and their foreign cheerleaders.