Philadelphia newlyweds who went viral with Croatian fans are coming to Croatia

Ashton and Zach Smith, a newlywed couple from Philadelphia whose wedding day turned into an impromptu celebration with Croatian football fans during the FIFA World Cup in the United States, will visit Croatia in early October. Their trip is being organised by the Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB), with the support and partnership of the Croatian Fans Embassy “Mi Hrvati” (CFE), the Tourist Boards of Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva Counties, and the City of Zagreb.

“This is a wonderful story that began in the United States, and we simply couldn’t let it end there. It felt only natural to invite the newlyweds to Croatia, welcome them and show them our cities, islands and coastline, as well as our gastronomy, culture and way of life. Above all, however, we want them to experience once again what they felt in Philadelphia – the warmth, openness and hospitality of the Croatian people,” said Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board.

The young couple will begin their Croatian adventure on 4 October, with Split as their first stop. In addition to exploring Split and visiting its landmarks, they will discover other destinations and attractions in the region. One of the highlights of their stay in Split-Dalmatia County will be attending the Croatia–Spain UEFA Nations League match at Poljud Stadium.

This unique experience will be made possible with the support of CFE “Mi Hrvati”, which will also organise a boat trip for the newlyweds, giving them the opportunity to explore islands and destinations in Šibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia Counties.

Their Croatian journey will then continue in the far south, where they will stay in Dubrovnik, one of Croatia’s most iconic destinations, and experience the region’s rich and diverse tourism offering. Their visit will conclude in Zagreb on 12 October, from where the couple will, we hope, return to Philadelphia with unforgettable memories of their time in Croatia.

“We are incredibly excited about visiting Croatia and would like to thank everyone who has made this wonderful trip possible. Our encounter with the Croatian fans will always hold a special place in our memories, and we are sure that this trip, exploring Croatian destinations and meeting so many people along the way, will be just as memorable and meaningful to us,” said Ashton and Zach.

A Wedding Day Turned into a Celebration with Croatian Fans

Ashton and Zach Smith got married on 26 June, one day before the Croatian national football team was due to play Ghana in their city. Shortly after their wedding ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall, the newlyweds stepped outside expecting to take their wedding photos. Instead, they were greeted by a large crowd of Croatian football fans who had gathered ahead of the match in an event organised by CFE “Mi Hrvati”.

Within moments, the newlyweds found themselves at the heart of a spontaneous celebration with Croatian fans. Photos and videos of the heartwarming encounter quickly spread around the world and went viral, turning their unexpected meeting into a memorable story shared far beyond Philadelphia.