Jump directly to the content

AN EMOTIONAL groom was brought to tears when a best man who he thought was on deployment overseas turned up to surprise him on his wedding day.

Anthony "AJ" White appeared from the bushes in full military attire to stun his best friend, Steven Marec.

 Steven Marec was surprised on his wedding day by his best man, who he thought was deployed overseas
8
Steven Marec was surprised on his wedding day by his best man, who he thought was deployed overseasCredit: Jim Kennedy Photographers / tt-creative.com
 Due to a change in his schedule, AJ was still in the US and decided to surprise Steven on his big day in Orange County, California
8
Due to a change in his schedule, AJ was still in the US and decided to surprise Steven on his big day in Orange County, CaliforniaCredit: Jim Kennedy Photographers / tt-creative.com

The tear-jerking momentt saw Steven and his new wife, Lauren, walking along for wedding photos, when someone suddenly shouted: “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Marec!”

Steven, 27, suddenly froze and his jaw dropped as, out of the bushes, AJ appeared with a huge smile on his face.

The groom was unable to control himself, immediately starting to bawl hysterically while AJ, 27, approached.

The best friends then embraced as Steven cried uncontrollably on his best man’s shoulder.

 AJ appeared from the bushes as Steven and his wife, Lauren, came around the corner
8
AJ appeared from the bushes as Steven and his wife, Lauren, came around the cornerCredit: Jim Kennedy Photographers / tt-creative.com
 An emotional Steven, 27, immediately began to cry as soon as he saw his best friend
8
An emotional Steven, 27, immediately began to cry as soon as he saw his best friendCredit: Jim Kennedy Photographers / tt-creative.com
 Steven and his best man, AJ, have been friends for nine years
8
Steven and his best man, AJ, have been friends for nine yearsCredit: Jim Kennedy Photographers / tt-creative.com

AJ and Steven met nine years ago, and despite AJ’s work with the US Army, the pair have remained close friends ever since.

Steven’s wedding day was set for a date that AJ could attend – but ahead of the big day, in Fallbrook, California, on January 5, AJ got the news that he would be deployed overseas for between 10 and 12 months.

A heartbroken Steven accepted the situation.

But a few days before the wedding, AJ found out that his deployment had been pushed back by a couple of days and he would not be working on the base where he was stationed.

Having checked with his superiors, AJ – whose deployment details and location are classified – then planned the surprise with Steven’s friends and family.

Steven, from Aliso Viejo, California, said: “Our bond together can only be explained as the brother I never expected to have.

“I was so excited that the only thing I could do is just step back out of pure shock and cry out of happiness

“I cry every time I see it, it’s still so unreal that it happened.

“For every family, friend, or loved ones that are going or coming back from their deployment. Never underestimate them, they will always be there for you when you need it.

“With all the chaos going on right now it's such a gift to have these moments that you never expect to happen."

 The surprise took place in Fallbrook, California, on January 5
8
The surprise took place in Fallbrook, California, on January 5Credit: Jim Kennedy Photographers / tt-creative.com
 Steven married his wife, Lauren Marec
8
Steven married his wife, Lauren MarecCredit: Facebook
 Despite AJ serving in the US Army for a number of years, he and Steven have remained close
8
Despite AJ serving in the US Army for a number of years, he and Steven have remained closeCredit: Jim Kennedy Photographers / tt-creative.com


Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552.


Topics